
As the evening unfolded, Linda couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. The atmosphere in Chris’s home seemed unusually tense, and Elizabeth’s frequent deep breaths only heightened her unease. She couldn’t help but wonder if Chris had confided in his mother about the issue that had been plaguing their relationship for weeks.
She had always seen Chris as a fiercely private person, and the mere thought of his vulnerability on display left her feeling vulnerable too. Despite the pleasant facade of the evening, Linda couldn’t shake the nagging suspicion that this gathering might lead to a turning point in their relationship, one she wasn’t sure she was ready to confront.