Caleb rose, towering over me. "Haven't you done enough damage for one day? Look how upset he is!"
"Me?" I stepped back, incredulous. "He destroyed thousands of dollars of equipment! Years of my work! And earlier today he poured chemicals into..."
"For God's sake, Emma," Caleb hissed, using my real name like a weapon. "It's just a hobby. This—" he gestured around the house, at Theo, "—this is what matters. This family. The family you promised to help heal."
"By erasing myself?" I whispered. "That was never the agreement. I was supposed to help transition him, not become her permanently."
Caleb's expression softened as he approached me, one hand reaching for my burned skin. "I know this is hard. But look at him, he needs his mother."
"I'm not his mother," I said quietly. "And I never will be."
His fingers traced the outline of my jaw, continuing down my neck. "You could be. You already look like her. Act like her. And tonight... you could be her for me, too."
I recoiled from his touch. The longing in his eyes wasn't for me—it never had been.
"I'm leaving," I said firmly. "Tomorrow. I’m done with you."