“What on earth happened?” I rushed to his side, dropping my bag and kneeling on the porch.

He looked up at me, his gray eyes dull with shame. “She told me to leave, kiddo. Said she was tired of dealing with me and my… strays.” He gestured weakly at the puppy.

The words sank into me like ice. She. He meant my stepmom, Marlene.

I felt my jaw clench. This wasn’t the first time she’d pulled something cruel, but this? This was a new low.