Chapter 265: You’re Not My Mother II [Dominic’s POV]
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.
Before I realized what I was doing, I was already slowing down in front of his house.
My palms were sweaty. I wasn’t even sure why I came here. He was probably at the hospital.
This was stupid and reckless.
But I parked anyway.
I sat there for a minute, resting my forehead against the steering wheel, trying to breathe.
Just go, I told myself. Just knock.
So I did.
I walked up the stairs, and stood in front of his door.
My hand hovered, as I knocked.
There was no response.
I knocked again, louder this time. My chest felt hollow.
Still no response.
Just as I was about to turn away, the door across the hall creaked open.
An elderly woman sat in a wheelchair, peering at me kindly.
"H-hello," I forced my voice to be calm, but it trembled anyway. "Um... do you know if Ash is home?"
She shook her head slowly. "Ohh... I think I saw him leave this morning. He hasn’t come back today."
My stomach dropped.
"Is everything alright, dear?" she asked gently. "Do you need to reach him?"
"No no," I said too quickly, forcing a smile. "No problem. Please... just send him my regards."
She nodded, still watching me with concern.
I bowed my head slightly and walked away before she could ask anything else.
My legs felt weak as I reached the car.
I let out a shaky breath.
Even if Ash had opened the door, what would I say?
I’m sorry didn’t feel big enough.
I miss you felt selfish.
I love you felt dangerous.
He was probably at the hospital anyway.
I got back into the car and drove again.
Everyone I could reach wasn’t picking up.
The night stretched on, until I stopped in front of a house I hadn’t visited in a long time.
My chest tightened.
Liam’s house.
I didn’t even remember deciding to come here.
It was already past midnight.
I parked, stepped out, as the security opened the gate to let me in.
I drove in, my hands were trembling.
I knocked on the front door.
It opened.
Mrs Everhart stood there, staring at me in surprise.
"Dominic?" she said softly.
I couldn’t answer. I just let myself collapse into her arms. And then I was crying.
She held me without question, whispering softly, "Shhh... it’s okay. It’s okay. I’m here."
I buried my face in her shoulder, letting the sobs come, the memories of Ash, Liam, my father, my mom, everything.
"Who’s hugging my wife this late?"
I looked up and saw Mr Everhart rubbing his eyes.
"Dominic?" he said, blinking in surprise. "Son? Are you okay?"
He came down slowly, holding a glass of water. I took it gratefully.
"What’s happening?" he asked softly. "My wife keeps asking about you every day. We really missed you."
I sniffled, staring at the floor. "I... I’m sorry I didn’t come all these days. I just... I didn’t know what to say, or how to face you guys," I admitted quietly.
Just then, a tiny elderly voice piped up from the doorway.
"Is that Liam? Is he back from school?"
I froze, recognizing it immediately. Nonna. Liam’s grandmother.
"Nonna," I whispered, kneeling slightly to take her frail hand.
"Liam?" she asked, hugging me close. "You’ve grown taller! Why... why is your hair black?"
"Oh, Nonna... it’s Dominic. Liam’s friend," Mr Everhart said gently.
"Ohh, Dom?" she smiled softly.
"Where’s Liam? His dinner is getting cold," she asked, looking worried.
I froze. The familiar ache tightened in my chest. Liam wasn’t coming home anymore. "Nonna... I..." I couldn’t even start.
I noticed the Everharts glance at each other. Mr Everhart leaned close to whisper, "She has amnesia. She doesn’t remember some things clearly."
"Ohh," I nodded gently.
"And she hasn’t been eating well," he continued. "She says she will only eat when Liam is back."
I felt my chest tighten, remembering all the times I’d run through this very door as a kid. The boys were always wrestling on the living room floor, spilling juice and snacks everywhere, leaving me to clean up most of it.
I forced a smile. "Nonna... Liam’s safe. He’s fine. He’ll be home soon. You should eat your dinner. You need your strength," I said softly.
She hesitated, then smiled softly. "Oh... are you sure, Dom?"
"I promise," I reassured her. "Liam’s happy where he is. And he’s going to be okay. You have to eat, Nonna. Your dinner shouldn’t get cold too."
She laughed softly, and nodded. "Alright... alright. Maybe I should eat a little."
"Dominic..." Mrs. Everhart’s voice softened. "You look... thin. Are you eating enough? Is this... about your dad’s campaigns?"
I hesitated. "Yeah... it’s... a lot. Dad, campaigns... and everything else," I admitted quietly. "I haven’t been sleeping much either."
Mr Everhart came closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Son... you don’t have to carry everything alone. You’ve got people who care. We really have missed you."
I nodded. "I just... didn’t know how to talk about it. Not about Liam, not about... anything."
Nonna looked at me, looking concerned too. "You look like you need food, Dom. You’re too thin."
"I... I’ll eat, Nonna. I promise. But... I just needed a moment."
"You’re still a handful, aren’t you?" Nonna pinched my cheek.
I let out a small laugh. "Yeah... some things don’t change."
Mrs Everhart stepped forward. "Why don’t I make you something quick? You’re hungry, right?"
I nodded, my stomach growling loudly. "Honestly... yes, please."
"Alright, let’s get you some food. You’ve got to eat before you start telling us all the trouble you’ve been getting into," she said, leading me toward the kitchen.
I glanced around, taking in the familiar walls, the scent of home, the memories of Liam I tried so hard to suppress.
Now, I could breathe, because no one here was asking me to be okay.
