Chapter 58
Ema's
Derek sat on the floor with his head resting comfortably on my lap. He looked completely exhausted after the fight with his mother and the confrontation with Marcus. His eyes were half-closed, and I could feel his breathing become slow and even against my legs. For a long while, he stayed completely silent, letting the stillness of the room wrap around us. I spent the time gently running my fingers through his hair. His dark strands felt like soft silk as they slipped between my fingers. The house was quiet, except for the faint sound of our breathing and the distant hum of the building settling around us. It was a peaceful moment, but the memory of his mother's threats still hung in the back of my mind.
"Are you okay, Derek?" I asked him softly. My voice was barely above a whisper because I didn't want to break the calm mood. I looked down at him, tracing the lines of his face with my eyes.
