307: TALK THE TALK

LUKE'S POV My frustration simmered beneath the surface as Catherine remained silent, her refusal to speak only fueling my growing desperation. I looked to my mother, and the weight of the situation was heavy in the air. "What happened between you two?" I demanded, and now I was frustrated as hell. "You have to tell me, Mom. We can't fix this if we don't know what's going on." My mother's eyes flickered with sadness as she hesitated; the pain of whatever they had gone through was evident in her expression. "Luke, it's not that simple," she began, and her voice was filled with regret. But I wasn't willing to accept excuses anymore. "No, Mom, it *is* that simple," I insisted, my tone firm. "Whatever happened between you and Catherine, it's tearing her apart. And if we're going to put an end to this, you need to tell me the truth." Catherine's gaze flickered between us, her expression a mixture of fear and uncertainty. I could see the turmoil raging within her and the weight of her si