Chapter 20 The Price To Pay Is Expensive

• "Mom, what are you doing here?" I asked, pulling her into a hug. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of excitement and apprehension. The warmth of her embrace was comforting, yet it was laced with an undercurrent of unease. "You weren't supposed to be back."
• "You don't seem happy to see me. Why?" Mom asked, her voice tinged with hurt. I could feel the disappointment in her tone, a sharp pang that resonated through me. I knew she was sensitive to these things, especially now, after all she had been through.
• After we disengaged from the hug, I went to embrace Dad while Mom hugged Derick. My eyes darted to Derick, a flash of guilt momentarily eclipsing the joy of seeing him again. "It's not that I'm not happy," I explained, trying to sound nonchalant, "I'm just surprised because you didn't call to say you were coming back." My voice sounded strained, even to my own ears.