Martin remained silent, his arms still wrapped around her. He wasn't sure what to say, but he knew that this moment—this reunion—was something they both needed. His mother had made her mistakes, and so had he.
But as he stood there, holding her close, he realized that there was no more room in his heart for hate or anger. There was only the quiet acceptance of the past, and the desire to move forward.
For now, that was enough.
After calming down, Martin gently scooped Sky into his arms and slid into the front seat of the truck. His mother, Alyssa, followed quickly, settling into the driver's seat with a quiet sigh.
The air inside the truck was heavy with unsaid words, but as the engine rumbled to life and they began their drive toward the rural district, the conversation between them began to flow naturally.
"So, you've been busy," Alyssa said, glancing over at him with a small smile. Her eyes had softened, the storm of emotions that had overwhelmed her earlier now replaced by a quiet curiosity.
Martin nodded, his hand idly stroking Sky's fur as he responded, "Yeah, I've been trying to rebuild things from the ground up. It's been rough, but I had a few opportunities fall into my lap... and I took them."
He didn't go into details—there were too many secrets that couldn't be shared, and his mother didn't need to know about the more dangerous or supernatural aspects of his life. But he told her enough to satisfy her curiosity.
He mentioned his partnership with a powerful second-generation, someone with significant influence, and their decision to start a company. However, he left out the finer points, like the distribution of shares and his long-term plans.
Those were matters better kept private, at least for now.
Alyssa listened intently, nodding as he spoke. "That's good, Martin. I'm really glad to hear that you're doing well for yourself. I always worried... that you might've been stuck in a rut after everything that happened."
Martin shrugged lightly, trying to keep the conversation from becoming too heavy. "Well, I was, for a while. But I got through it."
They continued talking, the silence between them now replaced with the soft hum of the truck and the occasional bark from Sky, who seemed content in Martin's lap.
It felt strange to be sitting beside his mother after five years of separation. The last time they'd shared a moment like this, things had been different. There was so much anger, so much bitterness.
Alyssa broke the silence, her voice quiet as she spoke of her own experiences.
"After the divorce, things weren't easy for me either," she admitted.
"Your father left the province, you know that. He needed a fresh start, I guess... something new. And I—well, I quit my job. I went overseas, hoping that maybe I could find some peace of mind, something to... heal."
Martin turned his head slightly, watching her as she spoke. There was a sadness in her voice, a vulnerability he hadn't heard before.
"But it didn't work," she continued. "No matter where I went, the memories followed. And you... you were turning eighteen. The court didn't even bother with custody because, well, you were old enough to make your own decisions."
"I remember," Martin said quietly. "I didn't fight it. I wanted to be left alone back then."
Alyssa nodded, her hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. "I know, and I understood. I still do."
There was a pause, a hesitation in her voice before she spoke again, this time more quietly, as though unsure of how to broach the subject. "Martin... there's something else I need to tell you."
He glanced at her, sensing the tension in her words. "What is it?"
"I've... been seeing someone," she admitted softly. "It's not serious, not yet. And I don't know if it ever will be. But I didn't want to keep it from you. I don't want you to be... disgusted with me, or think that I'm trying to replace your father."
Martin remained quiet for a moment, processing her words. He wasn't angry or upset; in fact, a part of him had expected something like this.
Five years was a long time, and people needed companionship. His father had most likely been with many women by now, and he didn't hold it against him.
Why should it be any different for his mother?
Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and steady. "You're an adult, Mom. You're your own person. I'm not going to hold it against you for finding someone to lean on. Life's hard enough as it is, and if this person makes you happy... then that's all that matters."
Alyssa glanced at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Martin. That... that means a lot to me."
He gave her a small smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes but held sincerity nonetheless. "Just don't worry about it. We've both been through enough."
With that, the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, the tension in the truck slowly dissipating. They spoke about the small town they were headed to, the market, and the herbal specialties Martin was curious to explore.
As they drove further into the countryside, the scenery around them changed, the bustling city slowly giving way to rolling fields and quaint houses. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape as they neared their destination, and for the first time in a long while, Martin felt something resembling peace.
The town lay nestled in the suburban rims of the provincial capital, far removed from the skyscrapers and busy highways.
As Martin and his mother's truck veered off the highway and onto a winding dirt road, the scene outside the window changed drastically.
The landscape had morphed into something more serene and untouched by the rapid development seen in the heart of the city.
The rural town, known locally as the Countess's District, was home to around 8,000 townsfolk, each leading a simple and unhurried life.
The dirt road stretched ahead, uneven and riddled with potholes, flanked by rolling fields of farmland. The houses that dotted the landscape were small and modest, most of them constructed from wood and brick, with slanted roofs and narrow windows.
The air was fresher here, cleaner, with a faint scent of earth and wildflowers carried on the soft breeze.
Martin watched the quiet world pass by through the truck's window, observing the way the townsfolk moved about their day.
A group of elderly men sat on rickety wooden benches outside a small café, their weathered hands wrapped around steaming cups of tea as they exchanged idle conversation.
Children darted across the road, their laughter ringing out as they chased one another, oblivious to the slow-moving traffic.
Most of the town's roads weren't paved properly; the dirt kicked up by their truck swirled into clouds of dust that lingered in the air.
The cement roads, where they existed, were cracked and weathered, in desperate need of repair. Many of the paths they passed by were too narrow for cars, making the terrain unpredictable and complex.
Blind spots and sharp turns were abundant, and it was clear why traffic accidents were common here. With no light signals, bumpers, or proper signage, it was better to navigate the area on foot or by bike.
"We'll have to park outside and walk the rest of the way," Alyssa said, glancing at the narrow road ahead. "It's too tight to drive any further. Plus, the roads here haven't been fixed in years."
Martin nodded in agreement. They pulled off to the side, parking the truck near a small cluster of houses that marked the edge of the residential area.
After alighting from the truck, they started walking down the uneven path, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the occasional bark of a dog or the chatter of the townsfolk in the distance.
As they moved through the streets, Martin took in the sights of the town, feeling both out of place and strangely connected to the simplicity of it all. The modest homes, the sense of community, and the lack of pretense reminded him of what life could be when stripped of ambition and materialism.
But at the same time, he couldn't help but notice the wear and tear in every corner—the crumbling cement, the broken fences, the peeling paint on the walls.
His mind wandered, thinking of the possibilities. A part of him was tempted to donate money to help revitalize the town in the future, perhaps fund the repairs needed for the roads or build a new community center.
He considered the idea of building a new house for his mother here, something comfortable and modern that would allow her to live peacefully in her hometown.
The thought brought a sense of clarity to his mind, a vision of what he could do now that his resources had expanded so far beyond what he ever imagined. It wasn't just about making money anymore; it was about making a difference.
"Things are pretty quiet here," Martin remarked as they walked past a small grocery store where a couple of women were chatting outside.
Alyssa smiled softly. "That's what I always liked about this place. It's not much, but... it's home."