Chapter 45

I turned to leave. Mrs. Preston, clearly pleased, brushed past me and headed toward him. "Derry, look at you. You've lost weight! Come home with me." Darren frowned and pulled away her hands that were on his cheeks. "What are you doing here?" "Come home with me. You'll always be our child." Darren took a step back, his eyes devoid of warmth as he straightened his rumpled collar. "Mom, I'm not going back." Something was off. Darren was usually very respectful toward his parents. He wouldn't be so rude to his mother just to pursue me. I ducked behind some greenery in the corridor, trying to minimize my presence. I was curious to hear what was going on between them. Mrs. Preston flicked her hair back with a fierce expression, gripping his collar tightly. "Derry! No matter what, we raised you!" I saw the coldness and faint sadness in Darren's gaze as he looked at his mother. "Mom, I'm grateful for your upbringing. I'll make sure to send you a monthly allowance," he said c