Mother

Chapter 7

Dominic's POV*

The early morning light filtered through the blinds, casting a pale glow across the room. I was awake before my alarm, a rare occurrence, but I wasn't surprised. Sleep had been restless at best, with Santiago's words echoing in my mind over and over.

"The boys need their father who's never there."

I ran a hand over my face and sighed, forcing myself out of bed. Today had to be different. I had to start somewhere.

I showered and dressed quickly, opting for something casual—sweatpants and a t-shirt instead of the usual suit. It felt strange, stepping out of the routine I had clung to for years. But maybe that was the point. Something had to change.

When I went downstairs, the house was still quiet, the boys still asleep. I moved to the kitchen and started making breakfast—eggs, toast, whatever I could throw together. I hadn't cooked for them in so long, always relying on the head maid. But today, I wanted to try, even if it felt awkward.

As I cracked the eggs into the pan, I heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs. A few seconds later, Ivan shuffled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes.

"Dad? What are you doing here" His voice was groggy,  he exclaimed, entering the kitchen with "confusion" written all over his face. He slid into his chair but I couldn't blame him—I wasn't usually here at this hour.

"Thought I'd make breakfast today. Are eggs okay?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Ivan blinked, clearly thrown off. He nodded, still half-asleep, placing his hands on the table. and then he added,"what are you still doing here shouldn't you be at work?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Yes, I do but, I just wanted to spend the morning with you guys."

"Why would you do that for." Julio asked mockingly as he walked down the last stairs. How did I not  hear him coming.

"Did you hurt your head somewhere, then woke up deciding to be a dad again, after 6 years?"  Julio mocked.

"I know I haven't been around much," I began, my voice slower than usual. "And that's not fair to you guys. I've been... distracted with work, but I want to change that."

Julio looked up from his plate, his brow furrowing in annoyance. "Are you being serious right now, how many times do we have to hear this talk before you actually do something."

"Please son hear me out. "I just want to make it right, i want to make it up to you guys."  I reasoned. "I'm going to try to be here more. For all of you, I don't want to miss any more of your lives."

"Don't you think it's a little too late for that. it has already been 6 years." Ivan stated.

"Yeah, and we have all been doing fine without you,"Julio added

Ivan finally looked up from his food, his eyes meeting mine with a seriousness that surprised me.

"It's just... you always say that dad,  this isn't even the first time you've said that. You say you'll be home more, but you're never here."

"The  last time you were home you shipped the twins off to a boarding school, how do we know you won't do the same thing again."

His words stung, but he wasn't wrong. I had said it before—countless times, and sending the twins away was the most painful decision I had ever made but every time I promised them something I'd slip back into the same routine. But this time, I couldn't afford to fail.

"It was a hard time back then that decision was also very hard for me to make but...... before I could continue Julio Interrupted me.

"so when things get too hard for you, you just ship your kids away. You say you want to be here for all of us, why don't you try with the twins first." Julio snapped emphasizing the word "all"

"of course not I was.......

"were going to be late for school, let's do this some other time okay." Ivan said getting up and leaving the kitchen his footsteps getting louder as he walked further up stairs.

"Ivan is  right we need to get ready for school." Julio murmured.

"You don't even like school" Ivan shouted from upstairs.

" right now I  would do anything to get out of this discussion." Julio blurted looking into my eyes.

After the boys had left I sat in silence, trying to figure out what had just happened. My sons hated me, and I didn't blame them. I had been absent their whole childhood.

I felt like earlier the words weren't coming out the way I wanted them to. But they were out now. But I think the boys hate me even more now.

But I'm not giving up on them, not again. Now all I have to do is call the twins, that would be easier right.

Of course not I'm not. I'm not even sure when the last time I called to check up on them was. or if they'd even pick up the phone. But today was the start of something new. Even though the conversation with my sons didn't go well i still felt something positive about this day.