REMINISCENT

CHAPTER THIRTY: Where It All Started (FINAL EDIT)

Aiden's POV
3...2...1. Beep beep beep. My watch gave its midnight warning.

"Happy anniversary, my love," Dad said softly, pressing a kiss against Mom's temple.

She smiled as he lifted her placing her into his lap, the two of them leaning close, whispering, their laughter light. For a moment, they looked untouchable, like nothing had ever broken them.

I smiled at the sight—until Desirae's hand slid onto my arm.
"Right, Aiden?"

I blinked, realizing I'd completely zoned out. "Sorry... I wasn't listening."

She pouted, exaggerated, then giggled when I patted her hair as an apology. She swatted my hand away with a playful glare before grinning again. "It's okay."

I resisted the urge to frown. I should've known better. Not everyone liked people touching their hair. But still... there was something comforting about the texture of curls between my fingers, something that felt almost familiar, and I'd thought she wouldn't mind.

I rubbed my neck. "I'm tired. I think I'll call it a night." Leaning in, I pressed a small kiss to her cheek. "Good night. I'll see you in the morning."

Her smile faltered into something softer, tinged with disappointment. "Can we cuddle? Just for a bit?"

The request should've thrilled me, but instead, a hollow weight sank in my chest. I wasn't the type to let just anyone share my space, not like that. But refusing her after months of talking, after Jake hyped me up, after everyone saw us together? That would look like I was wasting her time.

I forced a smile and nodded. My eyes flicked, unbidden, to Jake. He arched a brow knowingly. I gave him the defeated look, which only made him chuckle before excusing himself for the night. Lately, he barely hung around when Desirae was with me. Respect, maybe. Or something else.

"Let me just say goodnight to Mom and Dad, then we'll head up," I told her. She nodded and stayed put while I crossed the room.

I cleared my throat, forcing brightness into my voice. "Happy anniversary, Mom, Dad."

But instead of smiles, I was met with a silence that cut through me. Their eyes... they weren't joyful. They were heavy, pitying almost.

"What's wrong?" My chest tightened.

Mom beckoned me closer. I pulled up a chair, suddenly nervous. She cupped my cheek, her palm warm but trembling. Dad's arm stayed firm around her waist, but his gaze bore into me, unreadable.

"You guys are creeping me out," I tried to laugh, but it came out weak. "It's almost scary."

Mom's breath shook. She blinked hard, holding back tears. "It's nothing, sweetheart. I just... I remembered what we've all been through. I remembered the day you were born. And watching you grow up here..." Her voice cracked.

My heart still pounded like I was missing something. But I forced myself to nod. "Yeah. I loved this place."

The silence returned, thicker this time. They were waiting. Almost bracing.

The question slipped out before I could stop it. "Why did we move? I... can't seem to recall."

Dad cleared his throat, the sound rough. It was the first time he'd spoken since I sat down. "The best physiotherapist was based where we live now," he said with a faint, sad smile. His eyes flicked to Mom's legs.

Mine did too. The ache inside me spread. Mom's accident was a shadow I'd never really chased, something I kept buried because the thought of her crying gutted me. All I knew was one night, she was walking. The next, she wasn't. And whenever I asked, she'd fold in on herself.