Chapter 34
Samantha’s POV
“Mom, why do you smell like him?” I froze mid-step at Devon’s innocent question.
The twins stood in the doorway of the living room with their faces scrunched in confusion. Devon’s nose twitched as if he was still trying to figure out where the scent was coming from, and Diana was clutching her stuffed wolf tightly, her small brows furrowed.
The question struck me like lightning and my breath hitched as I stared at them, my heart hammering in my chest.
“What do you mean?” I asked carefully, even though I already knew the answer.
“That uncle from the hotel,” Devon said, his voice insistent. “The one who bought us food when we got lost.”
Dominic.
My stomach churned. How could they recognize his scent on me? I had showered twice since the confrontation at his mother’s house, scrubbing at my skin as if I could erase the memory of his touch. Yet, somehow, my children had picked up on something I could not hide. And time was indeed catching up. They were growing up so fast that I feared sooner or later, they might be able to recognize their own father already. And I was not yet prepared for that.
“That’s impossible,” I said, shaking my head, trying to sound dismissive. “You must be imagining things.”
“No, Mom!” Diana chimed in, her little voice was stubborn, seconding on her brother. “It’s him. I remember. It smells like him. Did you see him?”
My legs felt like they were going to give out. I forced myself to stay calm and crouched down so I was at their eye level. “Okay, slow down. Why do you think it’s him?”
Devon crossed his arms over his chest, his expression serious in a way that reminded me too much of Dominic. “Because we remember his smell. And you smell like him now. Did you meet with him?”