She shot me an exasperated look. "What's gotten into you today? Your dad just took my car for maintenance a few days ago. What could possibly be wrong with the car?"
I let out a deep sigh. "Mom, I have a really bad feeling. My heart's racing like crazy. We’re about to spend hours on the highway—what’s the harm in getting it checked just to be safe?"
Before she could argue, I turned to the mechanic. "Can you check the brakes, please?"
"By the way, what made you decide to take me on this trip to Volkten?"
As the mechanic got to work, I turned back to my mom.
In my last life, I had wondered the same thing. My mom rarely went on long trips. The fact that she left my dad behind and took just me along had to mean something.
At my question, my mom’s face fell. She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line, like there was something she couldn't bring herself to say.
Seeing my mom’s conflicted expression, I sucked in a sharp breath.
Wait… could it be that my current father wasn't my biological father? Could it be that my real father was in Volkten? Was my mom taking me there to reunite with my true family now that I had become an adult?
Years of watching soap operas had clearly messed with my brain—I had already spun a whole dramatic reunion scene in my head.
And if it were true? That would be amazing.
Moms would always know their daughters best. The moment she saw my eyes darting around, she pretty much figured out what I was thinking.
She smacked my arm lightly, rolling her eyes. "Quit imagining things! I never cheated on your dad, alright?"
"The real reason we're going is because your grandfather is gravely ill—he doesn’t have much time left. Your uncle secretly reached out to me and asked me to come home one last time."
"Back when I married your dad, your grandfather was completely against it. I was so angry that I cut ties with my family and I haven’t been back since."
As she spoke, a hint of sadness crept into her expression. She must have regretted cutting ties with her family all those years ago.
Just as I was about to ask more about my grandfather, the mechanic walked over, looking uneasy.
"Your car needs some serious repairs. Good thing you didn’t get on the highway—this could’ve ended really badly."
"The brake pads are completely worn down. You might be fine driving slow, but if you had to brake suddenly at high speed, you’d probably lose control."