"You're fighting again? So soon? Are they forcing you?"
"No, Mom," Damon said, his voice calm but firm. "I agreed to fight."
He sat across from his mother with his hands together, watching to see how she would react.
The living room felt heavier than normal, and her sadness was clear on her face.
Damon sighed, leaning back against the couch. He had wrestled with the decision to tell her, knowing how she'd react, but hiding it wasn't an option.
Damon never liked keeping things from her, especially when he knew she'd find out eventually.
So, he'd gathered his courage and told her about the short-notice fight.
And just as he had expected, she didn't take it well.
"You just fought, Damon," Aoife said, her tone soft but filled with concern. "Your body needs time to recover. You can't keep pushing yourself like this."
"I know, but this is an opportunity I couldn't pass up."