Chapter 180: "Aunt" Mara

We were both quiet for a long while until Ryder finally spoke up, realizing that I wasn't going to repeat myself. "Did you say that you're adopted?" he asked tentatively.

I nodded as another sob wracked my body.

"That's... that's crazy," he murmured in response, clearly surprised by the revelation. "I'm sorry, Kate. That's a lot..."

I nodded again, wiping the tears from my eyes with the crumpled tissue I clutched in my hand.

"You didn't know?" he asked hesitantly.

I shook my head.

Obviously, I hadn't known! Ryder and I had spoken about my family life and my upbringing many times before. If I had known I was adopted, I would have told him! Or maybe I wouldn't have...

"Well, maybe it's a good thing?" he went on to suggest. "Your parents sounded like shitty people. Maybe your real parents aren't like that," he considered with a thoughtful look.

I scoffed. "Whoever they are, they clearly didn't want me. Not really sure how great they could be knowing that..." I replied bitterly.

Ryder sho