Page 204 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“Are you coming back to Patra before your classes start?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” Ody grabbed a tomato, starting to slice it.

“Come with Anna. We haven’t seen her in ages.”

The knife paused midair. Ody glanced up.

Mano’s hand slowed over the pan, as they exchanged a look.

“Odysseus, are you listening?”

“Yeah, Mom.” He set the knife down, wiping his fingers on a towel.

“Tell Anna too, okay?”

Ody blinked hard. He took a breath, his grip tightening on the counter. “We broke up.”

“What?” she gasped.

Mano’s hand stilled completely.

“We’ll talk another time, okay? I’ll call you.” Ody turned slightly away, lowering his tone.

“Why did you break up, honey? When? I thought—”

“Another time, Mom. I promise.”

Mano turned the heat down, the quiet click sharp in the silence.

“Alright… Are you okay?”

“I’m doing great. Don’t worry.”

They hung up.

Ody turned to Mano. Something in his expression had shifted. “It still affects you when you hear her name.”

Mano met his eyes. “It still affects you too, doesn’t it?”

Ody didn’t answer.

Mano exhaled, his voice weaker now. “We really hurt her, Ody…”

“I know…”

The guilt sat between them, with nothing left to say.

Nick landed at Heathrow and called Dominic as soon as he stepped outside.

“Where are you?”

“Just got back from Greece,” Nick said, flagging down a taxi. “I found the demos you asked for.”

“Really? Can you come by the label now?”

“I’m on my way. Straight from the airport.”

The building stood out, all glass and steel, clean lines and reflective surfaces giving it a cold, modern edge. Nick paid the driver and headed inside. The space softened into something richer, deep blue and gold running through the interior.