“You’re not my father,” Michael said firmly, his voice unwavering. “You’re just the man who gave up on me.”

Tommy stood frozen, as if the weight of those words had knocked the air out of him.

“You should go,” Michael said, his tone like ice. “You don’t belong here.”

Tommy’s shoulders sagged as he turned and walked away, defeated.

Michael looked at me then, his eyes softening for the first time in years.

“You’re my real mother,” he said quietly. “I should have told you that long ago. Thank you for everything.”

Tears filled my eyes as I wrapped my arms around him, holding on as if I’d never let go.

Michael gently pulled away, a soft smile playing on his lips. “There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

I wiped my eyes, trying to steady my voice. “What is it?”

He inhaled deeply before speaking. “I bought a house by the ocean—for you and Dad. A place just for the two of you, somewhere you can finally call your own.”

I stared at him, my chest tightening with emotion. “You… you really did that for us?”

Michael nodded, his expression warm. “It’s the least I could do.”

And in that moment, for the first time in years, I truly felt like I had my son back.