[ His lips twist downward, affronted on her mother's behalf despite having no knowledge or context about the woman. It's immediate and subconscious, a product of his relationship with his own mother. The lingering threads of loyalty left behind despite his broken heart and his resentment over what he's perceived as betrayal.

He exhales contemplatively, looking for the right words, the right approach. Gentle and understanding, supportive but not disrespectful. ]

You deserved better than him anyway. Sounds like your mom and your brother did, too. I don't know much about fathers other than the fact that they're unnecessary. You can be strong without them — or to spite them, even.