บท 67: Brunch and Stones

IMOGEN'S POV

I settled back into my chair at the dining table, my heart still racing from the phone call. The familiar scent of my mother's roast beef filled the air, but my stomach churned with anxiety.

Mom bustled in from the kitchen, with another large serving dish in her hands. She set it down carefully in the center of the table, steam rising from the perfectly cooked meat.

"Looks delicious, honey," Dad said, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

Mom beamed at him, then began to serve. She spooned vegetables onto Dad's plate first, then added a generous portion of roast beef. As she moved around the table to serve me, I caught her eye.

I glanced quickly at Dad, who was already reaching for the salt, then back to Mom. "He called," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Mom's brow furrowed in confusion. "Who?" she mouthed silently.