I couldn’t just sit around waiting for answers. I needed to know the truth.
It didn’t take long to find out that Jeff had been fired from our company a month ago for lying on his résumé.
He had a history of manipulation, of using people to get what he wanted. The relief I felt was overwhelming.
He’d lied about everything.
A few nights later, Lily and I were sitting on the couch, watching some show that neither of us were really paying attention to. I knew I had to talk to her. She deserved to know the truth.
“Lily,” I said softly, “we need to talk about Jeff.”
She tensed, curling a little closer to me, but she didn’t say anything.
“He lied to you, kiddo.
About everything. Jeff is not your real dad. He’s just… sick.
He was trying to hurt us.”
Lily looked up at me, her eyes wide and scared. “But… what if it’s true?”
“It doesn’t matter what he said,” I told her, pulling her closer. “I’m your dad.
I’ve always been your dad, and nothing will ever change that.”
She stared at me for a long moment, her lip trembling, and then she nodded. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, kiddo. Always.”
A few days later, I got a call from the police.
Jeff had been arrested for stalking another family. Turns out, the guy had a history of lying and manipulating people. It was over.
I hung up the phone, feeling like I could finally breathe again.
Lily was at the kitchen table, drawing quietly. I walked over and kissed the top of her head. We were going to be okay.
We had to be.
