Page 83 of No Turning Back
He leans back, eyes flicking away from me like he’s bracing for impact. “My wife, well ex-wife, believe it or not. I ran into her and she… I don’t know. She told me to get my life together. And I realized I couldn’t do that in Chicago.”
His mouth twists into something between a grimace and a smile. “My parents are divorced. My mom’s got her practice, my dad’s living with his long-time partner, someone I didn’t even know existed until recently. And, well, Chicago might be big, but it’s kinda hard to survive there when everyone thinks you’re a predator.”
I tilt my head, studying him. “Your life hasn’t been easy, has it?”
Mike lets out a bitter laugh and shakes his head. “Growing up, I honestly thought my mom… wasn’t my real mom. I mean, sheleft. When I was still a kid, she left. Sure, she called, but it was more about my grades and her practice. She wasn’t your normal mother.”
His voice cracks, just slightly. “I used to blame her. Then I found out the truth.”
I glance at Sam, and he catches the look immediately. With that quiet kind of grace he has, he excuses himself, leaving Mike and me alone at the table.
I tilt my head, the therapist in me itching to step forward. “Can I say something?”
Mike lets out a rough laugh. “Of course. I already said too much. Sam left his own kitchen, so you might as well.”
That pulls a small smile out of me. I fold my hands on the table, steadying my voice. “When I first found out, I thought your mom was… brave, and I respected her so much. To survive something like that.” I pause, searching his face. “But I think I lost a little bit of that respect just now, hearing the truth.”
He flinches, but I don’t stop.
“Survivors of rape… they’re strong in ways most of us can’t imagine. They carry scars we’ll never see. But at the end of the day, your mom made a choice. She chose to keep the pregnancy. And more than that, she chose to raise the baby herself, knowing exactly what that meant.”
I let that hang there, not out of cruelty, but because it matters. Because he needs to hear it.
“That means,” I continue, keeping my voice steady, “she had a responsibility. To raise that baby the way babies deserve to be raised with love, with security, with the utmost care. She failed at that. Not you. What happened to her? That’s on the person who committed that horrific crime. Not on an innocent child.”
Mike stares down into his mug, shoulders hunched. His voice is small when he says, “I never thought of it like that.”
“Listen,” I say, reaching across the table to gently take his hand. I squeeze once, then let go. “Technically, biologically, you’re my half-brother. And whatever mistakes you’ve made in your marriage, in your life… this could be your chance to start new.”
He lifts his eyes, searching my face. “What are you saying?”
“Move here,” I tell him simply. “To Texas. We’ve got corporations here too. And honestly…” I let out a breath, smiling a little. “I’ve always wanted a brother.”
For a moment, he just stares at me. Then, slowly, an unbelieving smile creeps across his face. “You trust me? After everything you know?”
I nod. “I do. But this has to be your choice. If you really want to start over, if you want to move past all of this, I can recommend some spectacular therapists. Ones I know by reputation, no professional or personal ties, so it won’t be awkward.”
His smile softens. “My ex recommended that too. I’ve just been…”
“I get it,” I cut in gently. “Believe me, I get it.”
His smile shifts, big and real this time, not weighed down by shame. “Have you always been this put together?”
I laugh, loud and unguarded. “It took me more than a decade to realize how much I love that man,” I say, jerking my thumbs toward the direction Sam walked off. “So, no, I’ve always been kind of a hot mess.”
“Well,” he says, straightening a little, “there can only be one in a family. And I claim that title now.”
I grin, shaking my head. “It’s okay. I’ll share.”
Sam walks back in, brushing his hands on his jeans. “So,” he asks, looking between us, “how are we doing?”
“I suggested Mike move to Texas,” I tell him.
Mike nods, almost shy but steadier than before. “I might actually do it.”
Sam takes a seat, Blue curling at his feet like the shameless dog she is. “Gotta give notice?” Sam asks, matter-of-fact.
Mike shakes his head. “Nah. I’d need a job for that. I’ll have to line up work, a place to live, all that.”
