POV: Allison
I stared at him, my mind racing a million miles an hour. Freddie. My half-brother. My heart pounded in my chest. I couldn’t process what he was saying. Was this some kind of sick joke? I glanced at Raymond, who still had his guard up, body tense and ready to confront the stranger if things took a wrong turn.
“Where did you even come from?” I finally managed to breathe out, still trying to grasp the enormity of what was happening. “And why are you here now?”
“I was raised away from this family, but it’s complicated. I’ve only just come to find out about you and... your, I mean our mother’s side of the family.” His words hung in the air like a cloud of mist, heavy and disorienting.
“I needed to tell you before you meet her. Trust me… it matters. You need me by your side i
