Chapter 66. No Message

Derek's POV.

"It's good that you're independent, keep it up," my father said, smiling at me. I returned a smile, but it didn't reach my eyes.

"Thank you, sir," I said, my voice flat.

"Come on, Derek it's Dad," my father corrected, and I gave him a curt nod.

"Dad," I said, my nod stiff.

"That's more like it," my father said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

But I didn't feel the warmth I expected. I wasn't sad, but I wasn't happy either. I just felt... empty.

Finally, my father was seeing me for who I was - my strength, my independence - but I wasn't happy the way I thought I would be. I felt like something was missing, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.

We finished the meal, and I stood up, my eyes darting to the clock. My father spoke up, "You can stay here, it's quite late."

I felt a surge of