Losing someone you love is one of life’s hardest experiences, and everyone processes grief in their own way. One reader recently shared a deeply personal and painful story about losing his wife to can.cer. Now, while still navigating his own grief and caring for his two college-aged children, he finds himself in a difficult and emotionally complex situation involving his stepdaughter.

Here’s Nathaniel’s story.

A few months ago, my wife pa:ss:ed away after a tough battle with can:cer. We were married for 24 beautiful years, and I truly believe they were the best years of my life. Together, we raised two wonderful kids, both of whom are now in college.

Before we met, my wife had a daughter from another relationship. Her name is Sarah, and she was 16 when I became her stepfather. I never formally adopted her—not for lack of trying, but because we were never especially close. We got along politely, but she kept her distance, both from me and from her half-siblings. I respected that.

When my wife was diagnosed with can.cer two years ago, it turned our world upside down. Sarah moved in to help care for her mom, and she’s been living with me ever since.