HARPER
A few minutes later, I found myself at a fancy restaurant with Dominic, having brunch. I had insisted we head home, but he declined, and somehow, we ended up here instead.
Halfway through the meal, he finally spoke.
"Have you tried to reach out to your mother since you left?"
My grip tightened around the fork. Just like that, my appetite vanished. I set the utensil down and reached for my glass of water, trying to wash down the food that now felt like sandpaper in my mouth.
When I looked up, Dominic was watching me closely.
"I know your relationship with her isn't… ideal," he said slowly, shoulders lifting in a casual shrug. "Maybe I shouldn't even bring it up. But in a situation like this, I think she's the only one who might have answers."
