Lily slammed the door to her room, her heart pounding with frustration. Her mom had just married this guy—Mark, her new stepdad—and Lily hated the whole idea. He was in his late forties, with salt-and-pepper hair and a build that spoke of years in construction. Sure, he was polite, always asking about her classes or offering to drive her to college, but she resented him. He wasn't her dad. Her real dad had left years ago, and now this intruder was waltzing into their lives, acting like he belonged.

The wedding had been a small affair, just family and a few friends at the backyard of their suburban home. Lily had worn a forced smile through the vows, her stomach twisting every time Mark kissed her mom. Now, a week later, the honeymoon glow still lingered on her mom's face, but Lily felt like an outsider in her own house.