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. »
Une femme occupée dans la cuisine | Source : Midjourney
A Busy Woman in the Kitchen | Source: Midjourney
And that’s what I did.
As soon as Sophie walked in, she was adorable. A beautiful girl, polite, sweet and maybe a little shy. She helped me bring the dishes to the table without being asked, she complimented the décor, gave our dog belly strokes, and even laughed at my attempt to embarrass Ryan with her baby photos.
For the first thirty minutes, everything was perfect.
Then, she saw the photo.
Un chien couché sur un tapis | Source : Midjourney
A Dog Lying on a Carpet | Source: Midjourney
It was just a framed picture on the shelf. One of the few I had of the three of us together. Ryan, my husband Thomas and I. It had been taken last year on vacation, a rare moment when Thomas was not working or traveling.
Sophie’s face has changed.
His posture became rigid, his smile disappeared so quickly as if someone had flipped a switch.
Her fingers were shaking slightly when she put her fork down.
Une jeune femme assise à une table de dîner | Source : Midjourney
A young woman sitting at a dinner table | Source: Midjourney
“My darling, are you okay? Did you eat something you shouldn’t have? I asked him.
Sophie swallowed, glancing between Ryan and me, as if debating something.
Then, she took a deep breath.
“I’m really sorry… but I must tell you something. »
A strange coldness settled in me.
Une femme assise à une table de dîner avec des verres à vin | Source : Midjourney
A woman sitting at a dinner table with wine glasses | Source: Midjourney
Sophie turned to Ryan, her hands gripping the edge of the table.
“This man… She pointed to my husband in the photo, her voice trembling. “I know him.”
Ryan let out a confused laugh.
“yes! It’s my father! I’m sorry you haven’t had a chance to meet him yet. But he is still working. Usually, it’s just mom and me. »
Un jeune homme souriant assis à une table de dîner | Source : Midjourney
A smiling young man sitting at a dinner table | Source: Midjourney
Sophie’s eyes filled with tears.
“No, you don’t understand. Ryan… »
A pit has formed in my stomach.
“What, Sophie? What’s going on? Ryan asked her.
She looked at me, her voice broke.
“He has an affair with my mother. For four years… »
The room began to turn.
Une femme choquée | Source : Midjourney
A Shocked Woman | Source: Midjourney
I grabbed the edge of the table, trying to make sense of those words.
“No,” I whispered. “This… it is not possible. It’s not possible! »
Sophie shook her head.
“I swear, Laura,” she said. “I didn’t know. I don’t think my mother knows he’s married either. She would never date a married man! »
My pulse rumbled in my ears.
“Is his name Thomas?” she asked.
Un jeune homme choqué | Source : Midjourney
A shocked young man | Source: Midjourney
“He… he would not do so. Certainly not. Sophie, thank you for telling me, honey. But I’m sure you were wrong… »
My heart broke down.
But even as I said those words, I thought of the countless business trips. Late nights. The times he came home smelling another brand of shampoo.
The words Sophie then uttered completely shook me.
Un homme sortant d’une maison | Source : Midjourney
A Man Coming Out of a House | Source: Midjourney
Thomas stood there, fresh out of the shower, a towel around his neck. He smiled. He really smiled.
Until he realized it was me.
The Exterior of a Home | Source: Midjourney
His face has been emptied of its colors.
“Laura,” he said, choking up.
I crossed my arms.
“So, what kind of business trip did you take this time, Thomas?”
His jaw clenched.
A shocked man standing in a doorway | Source: Midjourney
“I… I can explain. »
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