I’m an only son. My mom died of ovarian cancer at only 55 five years ago. It broke my dad’s heart. They had been together since college and were the same age, with my dad being a month older. I’m 22, and am about to graduate college with my degree in chemistry when the main events start to occur. I went to college on a full ride scholarship. This is important later.

My dad met my now stepmom when she was my mom’s nurse at the hospital where she spent her final days. My stepmom “Grace” played all the right notes to gain my dad’s trust. She was empathetic to him, nurturing, and comforting after my mom passed.