THIRD-PERSON POV
Dean had been a comforting presence to Denise, offering her a moment of solace and allowing her to let out her tears without saying anything to her. He had simply comforted her by patting her back gently, and she had allowed herself to enjoy being in his embrace.
But when she finally pulled away from him, his next question caught her off guard, stirring her curiosity and, at the same time, confusing her.
Dean's gaze held a seriousness that Denise hadn't expected. "Denise," he began, his voice steady, "how soon would you like to see your mother?"
The question hung in the air, a glimmer of hope that Denise had never dared to imagine. She blinked in surprise, her heart racing with excitement. "How soon?" she asked again, her voice tinged with skepticism.
"What do you mea
