MICHAEL
She wouldn’t look up at me. Mom’s eyes were fixed on the birth certificate in front of her, and she refused to meet my gaze. The tension was palpable, and Eros was restless within me. I didn’t know what to feel. From her expression and lack of denial, I could tell that I’d caught her in this lie, but ultimately, what did that mean for me? What did it mean for our family? Disgust at being lied to, relief that the monster I’d feared my whole life wasn’t really my father, and a nagging wonder if I actually belonged anywhere now were all fighting for precedence within me. Burning the rest of the conflicting emotions to ash, rage won for the moment.
“Answer me!” I shouted, only lowering my voice when I realized Tyler would hear me.
“Michael, you don’t understand,” she whispered, her
