PTE

EN'S

ble, the caller ID flashing "Mother."

placed the phone to my ear. "What in G

f my nose. "Good morni

ing to enjoy some peace with my husband since he's better, and sudde

t what y

harp. "Because that's what it sounds like to me, Damien. Do you know how

thly. "She's someone I've been

lous. "Love? Since when do you believe in love, Damie

discussing this with you. T

family name," she countered. "You will not

ffortlessly. "She's intelligent, kind, and better su

u to be pragmatic, not to think with your emotions. What's her b

my composure. "She's... different. And tha

choices in the past, Damien. And none of them stuck. You're a Sterli

sharp enough to cut her of

now. "I'm taking the next flight out. I'll be

t, but the line went dead b

make this easy. The walls of my office felt suffocating, and for a momen

through my hair, stood

coffee and stared intently at the TV. She seemed completely engrossed in wh

r a moment. She looked... comfortable. Too comfort

oat, I stepped

htly before noticing the tension

cushions shifting under m

owed. "That so

t my mothe

aking another sip of co

und out about t

o her lips. She blinke

not exactly

not surprising. I mean, I am pretending to be your fia

aid quickly, hoping to soften the

at me blank.

lying in first thi

cked up her coffee mug, took a long sip, and p

ghing as if she just pr

sai

waving her hands in frustration.

es

oom. "What does she even want to talk about? No, s

you," I said, kee

lowly turning to face

repeated, leaning b

er hands clenched at her sides. "Why..

her gaze. "It's the only way she'll ev

t's no

ve to be true,

r hands up. "

ssi

pposed to do?

. act n

your mother's definition of 'natural' is! What if she does

t," I ass

you be

Sterling," I said

er," Rose muttered, pacing th

eassured her for t

't even know what your mother's definition of 'natural' is! What if she expects me

inst the armrest of the couch.

ted steel. "Very helpf

dle her. All you need

in. "Smile and wave

said with a

isn't funny. What does she like? What's her favorite di

od blogger," I

mien, I'm serious. If your mother is as terrifying as

going to let this go. "Fine. He

slowly, as if testing the f

lained. "Chicken braised wi

napped. "But... seriously?

orite," I sai

muttering somethin

offee table. I glanced at the screen and frowned. It was one

" I told Rose, pic

-

wnstairs, the first thing

with something vaguely burnt. My brows furrowed as

I call

espo

l smoke-I made my way to the kitchen. W

r cheek. The counter was a disaster zone: flour, chopped vegetables, and what looked like burnt chicken scattered everywhere.

as c

was hil

bled up before I could stop myse

ed around,

truggling to catch my breath between fits of la

turned br

ively, crossing her arms. "I thought if I made it for y

nt, I just looked at her-the determination in her eyes, the way sh

ping closer. "You di

r. "I just thought... if she

ok at me. "My mother's opinion doesn't define you. You

se myself is exactly what

ious. Don't stress over this. And next time you feel the urge to co

a small smi

arp buzz of my phone. I sighed, pull

red at the name on the sc

ked, noticing the ch

ng whether to tell her t

urrowed. "W

o worry about," I

arly unsatisfied

turning toward the door. "D

mie

meeting her gaze. "Trus