The silence in the room was broken when the chef announced that dinner was served. Although none of them had an appetite, they all moved to the dining room. Derek wanted Evelyn to eat because of her condition, and Eric wanted Claire to eat so she could take her medication.

As they pretended to eat, pushing their food around their plates, Evelyn looked at Claire and asked, "Was Sandra aware? I mean, does she know about her biological father?" Claire nodded. "I told her when she was old enough to understand," she said softly.

Derek shook his head. "And yet she became everything her father was—manipulative, ruthless, and willing to do anything for money. I guess the darkness in the bloodline couldn't be erased," he said bitterly. Evelyn placed a calming hand on his arm. Maya, who had been silent, cleared her throat. "So, your I mean, Victor. Does that mean he wasn't arrested until you submitted evidence against him?" she asked, wanting to understand what happened after the accident. Claire nodded. "Yes."

"He got away with murder? How?" Evelyn asked in disbelief.

"Victor was meticulous. He knew how to cover his tracks. He framed a rival—David Hunt, a businessman who had been a thorn in his side. He planted evidence to make it look like Hunt used Carter to tarnish his reputation and then murdered him to silence him. The police believed it, and Hunt was convicted and sentenced to death."

Evelyn gasped. "He died?"

"Yes," Claire confirmed. "It took me three years to gather evidence on Victor. By then, it was too late for David Hunt," she said, looking down at her plate, her shoulders slumped with guilt.

Derek stared at her in disbelief. "An innocent man was executed for a crime my parents' murderer committed," he muttered. He rose and walked away, unable to contain his emotions. His footsteps echoed as he climbed the stairs to his room, leaving an air of tension. Evelyn watched him go, her heart aching at his pain. She excused herself and followed him.

"Maybe we should go home," Claire said softly to Eric, but Maya shook her head.

"No. Why would you leave?" Maya asked, frowning. "Derek is upset"

"Yes, but not at you. He's upset by the situation. You shouldn't leave because of that. He just needs time," Maya said. Eric looked at her.

"What about you? Aren't you upset?" he asked. She sighed.

"I feel sad, but I don't feel as deeply connected to it. Maybe he feels that way because he remembers his time with them. I don't. As sad as it is, they're like strangers to me," she admitted. "Being upset won't change anything. Life has taught me to accept things and move on."

"You're quite self-aware and wise," Claire observed softly.

"I don't think Derek and Evelyn will be returning. We've all been through a lot. Let's give each other space. Tomorrow's a new day," Claire said.

Claire nodded. "And maybe tomorrow, we can put the past behind us."

Maya smiled. "Yeah."

Upstairs, Evelyn hesitated before knocking softly on Derek's bedroom door.

"Derek, it's me. Can I come in?"

She heard his muffled but calm voice: "Come in."

Evelyn found him by the window, his back to her, staring into the darkening sky. His hands were clenched, his posture rigid. "You should have stayed to eat. You didn't have to follow me," he said without turning.

"I couldn't just sit there," Evelyn said gently, entering and closing the door. "You're hurting, and I—"

"I'm fine. I just need time," he said calmly, not wanting her to see his distress. He hated feeling this way; Victor had been arrested, and there was nothing more he could do.

Evelyn frowned, walking closer. "You're not fine. Stop pretending. This isn't something you can brush off," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked quietly.

"Bottling it up won't help. Tell me how you're feeling," she said, sliding her hands under his shirt.

Derek sighed as he felt her touch. He turned, letting her see the anger and anguish in his eyes. "I'm mad. I feel angry and frustrated. I wish there were something I could do, but I can't. I didn't do anything then, and I can't do anything now. I feel useless. What kind of son am I? First, I forgot them, my younger sister, and even now, there's nothing I can do."

Evelyn held his gaze, her voice gentle but firm. "You did enough by surviving. Any parent would rather you forget than be tormented. I'm sure you'd have wanted the same for Sam. You did more than enough by turning out right. You're doing enough now by standing by Maya. Your parents would be proud of you. I'm not even your mother, and I'm so proud of you."

"Eve," Derek groaned, burying his face in her neck.

"You're right, but it doesn't make it easier."

Evelyn guided him to sit on the bed. She stood before him and embraced him. "I know it's overwhelming, but your parents got justice. You don't have to do anything to feel worthy."

Derek leaned into her embrace, closing his eyes. "If you hadn't returned to Ludus, I might have married Sandra to make my mother happy. I would have been marrying the daughter of the man who murdered my parents."

Evelyn tightened her hold. "But you didn't. Don't dwell on what might have been. Focus on what's real. You found your sister. You uncovered the truth, and now you can find closure."

Derek sighed, nodding. "You're right. Maybe now I can let it go." He paused. "I'm grateful to Claire. Despite everything, she helped bring Victor to justice. She deserves peace. She doesn't deserve a daughter like Sandra."

"You're right," Evelyn agreed. "I feel sorry for her."

Derek pulled Evelyn onto the bed. He lay back, holding her close, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. Evelyn spoke, breaking the stillness. "What are you thinking?"

Derek hesitated. "I'm wondering if I should be proud of my father."

Evelyn tilted her head. "Of course you should be. He was brave. He fought against evil."

"Maybe," Derek said. "But if he hadn't taken Victor's case, none of this would have happened. He could have walked away, protected his family."

Evelyn sat up, her expression firm. "And let Victor continue to ruin other families? Do you know how many people suffered because of him? Your father didn't just expose Victor for himself; he did it for every wife and child who lost their father and husband because of him."

Derek's eyes darkened. "I never want to be a hero at the expense of my family. My priority is keeping you and our children safe. That's all that matters."

Evelyn smiled gently. "I know that's what you believe, but I also know you. If faced with the same choice, you'd do exactly what your father did. You wouldn't stand by."

Derek shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Not at the expense of my family."

Evelyn chuckled. "That's what you think."

Derek reached for her hand, his gaze serious. "Evelyn, your safety and the well-being of our children will always come first. I don't care if the world burns as long as you're safe."

Evelyn leaned in, kissing him softly. "Let's not think about it anymore. Let's focus on something else."

"Like what?" he asked. She pulled out the ultrasound pictures with a smile.

"Like this."

Derek's expression softened. He took the pictures, tracing the tiny image. "How could you ever think I wouldn't do everything to protect you and this little life? I'd sell my soul for you two and Sam."

Evelyn wrapped her arms around him. "You will never have to do that. I love you, Derek."

He kissed her head. "If there's a word deeper than love, that's what I feel for you. Remember that."

Evelyn smiled, teasing. "I hope you're not obsessed."

Derek smirked. "Worse than obsessed. Soon, I'll be spying on you in the bathroom."

Evelyn laughed. "You're crazy."

"Crazy about you," Derek murmured, pulling her closer. "Get used to it."

"How do you feel now?" she asked. He sighed.

"For some reason, I can't stay mad when I'm around you," he said, and she grinned.

"Maybe it's because you're obsessed," she joked.

"Totally obsessed. That must be it," he said, and they laughed.

Their laughter filled the room, cutting through the tension. Derek pulled Evelyn closer, their breaths mingling as he kissed her temple. He felt a fragile sense of peace.

"Thank you for being in my life," he murmured.

Evelyn looked up at him, her eyes full of love.

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," she murmured as they lay tangled in each other's arms. Tomorrow, they would face everything together. For now, they had each other. And that was enough.