“I’m tired of my son seeing me only as a good stepfather,” Judge said, as his jaw tightened. “You told me you needed time, Susan. Is it when I die that you’ll tell Bryan the truth? This has taken far too long.”
Susan froze mid-step, her bag still dangling from her shoulder. Whenever he called her by her first name, she knew things were serious. Judge was not a man to anger easily, but today was different.
She carefully set her bag down on the chair and turned to face him. “I know you’ve been patient all these years,” she began softly. “But the important thing is Bryan recognizes you as his only father. Telling him the truth will break him, Judge. It will shatter everything he believes in. Please, let things remain as they are.”
“Nonsense!” He suddenly roared, slamming both palms hard on
