Chapter 214

As they left the prison, the drive to Derek's parents' house was quiet. Evelyn occasionally glanced at Derek, noting the subtle tension in his jaw.

She reached out to place a reassuring hand on his thigh, and he gave her a small smile.

When they arrived, Samantha's laughter echoed through the house before they even stepped inside. Derek's mother opened the door, beaming at them. "Come in, come in. Samantha's been waiting for you both all day." In the living room, Samantha was perched on Derek's father's lap, giggling as he made silly faces. Her eyes lit up when she saw her parents, and she scrambled down, running toward them.

"Mommy! Daddy!" she squealed, her little legs carrying her as fast as they could.

Seeing Samantha, the remnant of Derek's bad mood evaporated, and he crouched down and scooped her up in one fluid motion, twirling her in the air. "There's my favorite girl!" he said, planting a kiss on her cheek. Samantha giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I missed you, Daddy!"

"I missed you too, sweetheart," Derek said, holding her close

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Wait a minute. I

thought I was your favorite girl."

Samantha turned to her mother, her expression serious. "Mommy, you're not a girl. You're a mommy. Daddy's favorite girl is me.

You're his favorite wife."

Evelyn and Derek burst into laughter as Derek's parents joined in the laughter. Derek hugged Samantha tighter. "Well, you've got me there, baby."

Evelyn smiled and kissed Samantha's forehead. "Noted. We missed you so much, darling. Aunt Maya has missed you, too. And guess who else has missed you?" Evelyn asked, and Samantha grinned. "Grandparents Quinn?" She asked, and Evelyn laughed.

"Exactly. And guess what? Your Grandma Claire is waiting for you at home," Derek said, Samantha's eyes widened.

"Really? Is Grandma Claire at our house? Is Grandpa there too?" She asked, and Evelyn nodded.

"They sure are" Evelyn confirmed, smiling at her daughter's excitement.

home?" Derek asked,

I can't wait!" She

too excited to leave,

father said, and they all

fix it," Samantha promised, kissing her

"It feels much better, my little heart doctor," he said,

warm

smiled. "I'm

chimed in, his tone teasing. "I hope Derek isn't stressing you out

it's starting to stress me out." The

"You're welcome," he quipped.

your room

"Okay, Daddy." She skipped

stressing you out and has been on her

report my granddaughter to you. It's the grandparent's duty to

to Samantha's room clicked shut, Derek's parents turned

you hear from the investigator?" his father asked, suspecting that was what Derek wanted

face serious. "I did. But there's

"What kind of

his voice low, when he finally spoke.

exchanged a look, their expressions shifting from confusion to

close, but he was

He was pretty decent. It was a shame how he

ask?" His father asked

took a deep breath. "Because

her hand flying to her mouth. "What? How

voice steady despite the emotional weight of the

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