“I don’t understand,” I whispered, easing myself off Zayne’s lap. My heartbeat drummed fast against my chest. He stood up right after I did, raking both hands through his hair and let out a raw, broken laugh- one that sent chills down my spine. “I knew it. I f*****g knew it!” he barked, pacing a few steps away from me. His voice cracked like a man shattering. “That psychopath was never my real father.” “Zayne,” I reached out, my voice trembling, “you need to calm down and talk to me.” But he wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were somewhere else—far gone. “Everything has always pointed to it,” he said, his voice shaking. “The way Connor treated me like I was just some stranger in the family, like I didn’t matter. I knew it in my gut.” He stopped pacing and turned toward me. “So I decided t

