I stared at my mother as she looked back at me, her face completely expressionless.

I had no idea if she had overheard the exchange between Micah and me, but I maintained my blank, unreadable posture. Beside me, Micah stood frozen in absolute silence, her eyes darting nervously between my mother and me.

"What are you doing here?" my mother asked softly. Her voice was thick with suppressed emotion.

Instead of answering, I fell back into my cover—looking at her nervously, letting my lower lip pout as I furrowed my brows in silent, child-like confusion.

"Oh... my dear boy," she whispered, her heart breaking at the sight. She pulled me...