Naturally—
No one brings my mother food anymore.
Late at night.
Dominic walked in carrying a case of coffee and pastries.
He handed out paper cups one by one, a smile on his face.
“Your precious niece didn’t bring lunch today?”
He said casually, then turned to my mother.
“And—Mrs. Ferraro.”
“Your biological daughter, I’ve never actually seen her even once.”
He swirled the coffee in his hand.
“You’re not hiding her, are you? Afraid we’ll take her away?”
My mother paused, her espresso sizzling.
Her brow furrowed.
“Don’t mention her.” Her tone was as cold as a knife. “It’s annoying to even think about her.”
Dominic didn’t notice.
He leaned against the table, twirling an unlit cigarette between his fingers.
“True.” He smiled. “I heard you were removed from your seat on the committee a few years ago for illegally carrying a gun.”
“I haven’t had a chance to go back since.”
He clapped his hands.
As if lamenting her loss.
“But this time is different.”
“If this case goes well—”
“That position might just be yours.”
The air fell silent for a moment.
My mother looked up at him.
Her eyes were cold and devoid of warmth.
“Dominic.”
“If you don’t want to spend your whole life at the bottom.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
She slammed her cup down.
“Get to work.”
At that moment.
The entire operations room fell silent.
I stood beside her.
Suddenly, I felt like laughing.
So.
My life.
If it could bring her back to that position.
In her eyes—
it would probably be a worthwhile trade.
“Mom.”
“If that’s really the case.”
“Then the cost of ‘raising’ me all these years will finally be recouped.”
I said softly to myself.
I don’t know why.
She suddenly paused.
It was as if something had gently touched a nerve.
She took out her phone.
Frowning, she scrolled through it for a while.
As if searching for something.
Then—
She dialed a number.
My number.
She hadn't even saved a name.
Just a cold, impersonal number.
In contrast.
Seraphina's name was pinned at the very top.
Next to it was a small red heart.
The phone rang a few times.
No answer.
Her patience quickly wore off.
"Tsk."
She put her phone away, her tone full of disgust.
"Haven't replied for days."
"Where has she gone to sell herself again?"
She sneered.
"With that face of hers, who would want her?"
"What a waste."
I stood there.
Suddenly, I didn't feel sad anymore.
Just a little empty.
“Mom.”
“You really…hate me.”
“It’s okay.”
“You’ll never see me again.”
“You should be happy.”