Dylan Haven stood in the small, cozy kitchen of his home, a cup of chamomile tea in hand as he stirred it absentmindedly. The scent of ginger and honey wafted up, mingling with the earthy tones of the old house. The kitchen was a place of comfort for him—an anchor in a sea of unpredictable events. His mother, Evelyn Haven, sat at the table, her silver hair tucked back in a neat bun, reading a book in her lap. The faint glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the window, casting a warm light across the room.
He glanced at her, noticing how her frail hands held the book with care, as though it were the only thing keeping her grounded in a world that had been getting harder for her to navigate. Dylan hated seeing her like this—hated the slow, creeping toll that age and illness had taken on her. He would do anything to stop it, but deep down, he knew that wasn't something within his control.
"How's your tea, Mom?" Dylan asked, setting the cup down in front of her.
Evelyn smiled up at him, her eyes filled with a soft affection that only a mother could give. "It's perfect, darling, as always. But you're not drinking it." She reached up to touch his cheek, the gesture gentle but knowing. "You're distracted, Dylan. What's on your mind?"
He hesitated. He hadn't meant to let his thoughts wander so openly, but his mother's perceptiveness was hard to ignore. She had always known him better than anyone else. Even when he tried to bury his emotions, she could see through it.
"I'm fine, Mom. Just… work stuff," he muttered, grabbing his own mug and taking a long sip, his eyes drifting to the window.
Evelyn didn't seem convinced. "You've been different lately. I can feel it. You've been quieter than usual, and you're not looking at me the way you normally do."
Dylan stopped in his tracks, his hand frozen mid-air as he reached for the tea again. The cup clinked softly on the saucer as he placed it back on the table. His mother was always this observant, but hearing her speak so directly about the shift in his behavior sent a cold pang through his chest.
He cleared his throat. "I'm just tired, Mom. You know how it is. Things have been a little... stressful at work."
Evelyn studied him for a moment longer, her sharp gaze never leaving his face. Finally, she nodded, as though she were satisfied with his answer. But he knew she wasn't fooled.
"You're not just tired," she said softly. "Something else is going on. I can tell when you're holding something back."
Dylan looked down at the table, unable to meet her eyes. He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't know how to explain what had been happening. How a simple kiss had somehow shifted everything in his world, how Tiana's presence in his life had stirred emotions he'd spent years suppressing.
His mother's voice broke through his thoughts. "It's her, isn't it?"
He snapped his head up, his eyes wide with surprise. "What? What are you talking about?"
Evelyn raised a brow, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "The woman you've been thinking about non-stop for the past few days. You can't hide anything from me, Dylan."
Dylan's heart skipped a beat. His mother wasn't stupid. He had tried to keep his feelings for Tiana at bay, but they were too strong, too consuming to ignore. And now, his mother had caught on.
"I don't know what you mean," Dylan said, trying to mask the sudden rush of heat in his chest. But it was no use. He couldn't deny it anymore. He had tried to push away any feelings he had for Tiana, but her image was constantly in his mind. He could still feel the warmth of her lips on his from that kiss just a few nights ago, and it left him unsettled, confused, and craving more.
Evelyn studied him carefully, her expression softening. "You don't have to say anything, Dylan. I can tell. You've always been so guarded, but I know when something changes in you. You've been a different person since that night."
Dylan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "It's complicated, Mom. You don't understand. She's… Tiana Kings. She's not someone who's looking for anything serious. She's powerful, beautiful, and she doesn't need anyone. Least of all someone like me."
Evelyn's smile softened, and she leaned back in her chair, folding her hands in her lap. "You've always had a tendency to sell yourself short, Dylan."
His eyes flicked to her, surprised. "What?"
"You've been through a lot, I know," she continued, her voice steady but warm. "But you're stronger than you give yourself credit for. You've always been a man of substance, Dylan. The fact that Tiana Kings caught your attention means something, don't you think?"
He looked away, unable to face the truth of what she was saying. The thought of opening himself up to her—someone like Tiana—terrified him. His past had made him wary of trusting people, especially women. Mia's betrayal had scarred him deeply, and he had told himself he'd never let someone in again.
But Tiana was different. She wasn't like Mia. She wasn't the woman who had shattered his heart by choosing his best friend over him. And yet, the fear lingered—fear of rejection, of getting too close and getting hurt again.
"I don't know, Mom," Dylan muttered, his voice quiet. "I'm just not sure I can let myself get close to someone again."
Evelyn's hand reached across the table, resting gently on his. "You don't have to figure everything out right now. But don't let fear control you. Don't let your past dictate your future."
Dylan's eyes welled up with unshed emotion, but he quickly wiped them away. His mother had always been his anchor—his safe place—and she was right. He couldn't keep hiding from his feelings, especially if he ever wanted to move forward with his life.
"Thanks, Mom," he said softly, his voice thick with gratitude. "I'll figure it out."
She gave him a knowing smile. "You always do, darling."
They sat in silence for a moment, the warmth of the afternoon sun enveloping them. Dylan felt a quiet resolve building within him. Whatever the future held with Tiana, he couldn't keep running from it. He had to face his own demons—his fears, his insecurities—and allow himself to experience something real again.
And maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be so bad.