I didn't even realize mom was hugging me.
My body went stiff. My first instinct was to push away.
"Don't," I said, stepping away from her. "Don't bond with me."
I couldn't stand it.
Her eyes softened. "Dom… I just…"
"I can't do this right now," I muttered, already backing away. "I need air."
I could feel my hands shaking..
The hug should have been comforting. It should have calmed me down. But all I felt was that empty feeling.
And now… the news of my father's cancer? I needed to process that too.
"Dominic…"
I didn't let her finish.
I slammed the door behind me, grabbed my keys, and ran to the car.
My hands kept shaking as I fumbled with the keys.
Ash… I need him. I need him right now.
My mind kept circling. My father… my dad is dying. And I'm here, feeling like I've been abandoned my entire life by both of them.
Every street felt endless, every turn was a reminder of how much I had no control.
