19. Too late.

Two more hours and my most dreaded confrontation was about to unfold. I was afraid of being rejected. I was afraid to know that my father no longer needed me in his life.

My last memory of my dad, David Rodriguez, was when he asked me to leave his house because my new stepmother did not want my presence in their house— our house. I was making his wife remember that she was just a second wife.

I remembered that I had begged them because I had nowhere to go. But my father also begged me to leave.

He needed his second wife, he said. He said that it was the only way for him to completely recover from the loss of my mother.

That's when I ran to Olive for help. And my friend did not disappoint me.

Nine years later, here I was. I hope my heart was ready to face my father and his new family.

"Nervous?" asked Nate.

"A bit," I admitted.

That's right, I am with Nate. I was actually surprised that he came.

—

"Nate!" I called him when we both went out of Elisha's room. Nate, who was already on his