Laura is thrilled to meet her son's girlfriend for the first time, until the girl's face turns pale in front of a family photo. Sophie knows the man in the photo. He leads a double life... As secrets are revealed and betrayal shakes their world, Laura must make a decision: revenge or freedom?
The day my son brought his girlfriend home for the first time was supposed to be a happy day.
It was supposed to be a milestone.
Une femme souriante assise sur un canapé | Source : Midjourney
A smiling woman sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney
The house was quiet, the kind of calm that only comes late at night. I was in the kitchen, wiping down the counters for the third time, when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Mom," Ryan's voice was soft and hesitant. "Are you still standing? Why? »
I turned to find him leaning against the doorway, barefoot, his hands buried in the pockets of his sweatpants. Her hair was slightly damp from her shower and stood up in uneven clumps. He always dried them in the same careless way as he did as a child.
Un chiffon et un seau sur un comptoir de cuisine | Source : Midjourney
A Cloth and Bucket on a Kitchen Counter | Source: Midjourney
"I couldn't sleep," I admitted. "So, I told myself that I was going to clean the kitchen. What about you? »
"Same," he exhaled a nervous chuckle. "But I wasn't about to clean up. I took a shower, thinking it might help me. »
I gesture to the refrigerator.
"Ice?"
Her lips twitched.
Un jeune homme debout dans une cuisine | Source : Midjourney
A young man standing in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
"Do we still have the right one?"
"Excuse me, sir," I said with a smile. "As if your mother had anything else? Do you really have to ask the question? »
I grabbed the chocolate fudge brownie ice cream tub, holding it up.
"Is it good enough for you, kid?"
He smiled, pulling two spoons out of the closet.
Un pot de crème glacée | Source : Midjourney
A tub of ice cream | Source: Midjourney
We sat down at the kitchen table, each armed with a spoon, and passed the tray back and forth.
"She's really special, Mom," Ryan said after a while, his voice calmer now. "The girl I'm dating. I just called him. »
"It shows," I smiled. "You've been in a lot of excitement lately. I'm glad you're happy. It's hard to find the right person before your thirties. Especially when you're still in college. »
Un jeune homme souriant | Source : Midjourney
A Smiling Young Man | Source: Midjourney
He laughed and shook his head.
"I don't know what it is..." but it's different with Sophie. I care about her. Not just to date her, but as if... I want her to be part of my world, you understand? »
Ryan had always been independent, never one to show his emotions. Seeing him like this, gentle, open and vulnerable, made me feel a sweet pain in the hollow of my chest, in the best possible way.
Une jeune femme souriante dans sa chambre | Source : Midjourney
A smiling young woman in her room | Source: Midjourney
"She's lucky to have you," I said, reaching out to shake it. "When am I going to meet her?"
"I think... tomorrow? he said hopefully. "But avoid sentimental stuff when she's around."
I laughed as I threw a napkin at her.
"Okay, but I'm really looking forward to meeting her."
"You're going to love it. The only weird thing about her is that she loves Brussels sprouts. With bacon," he said with a smile.
Un bol de choux de Bruxelles et de bacon | Source : Midjourney
A Bowl of Brussels Sprouts and Bacon | Source: Midjourney
And at that moment, he looked so young. So sure of himself.
I didn't know that tomorrow at the same time, all his world, our whole world, was going to be shattered.
The next day, I spent most of the afternoon preparing a big meal just for Sophie. I made all of Ryan's favorite dishes, making sure I had Sophie's Brussels sprouts as well. I wanted everything to be perfect because I knew how much this moment meant to him.
"She's special, Mom. I know you're going to love it. »
