Derek stood inside their penthouse, pacing back and forth in front of Erek, who silently observed him from the couch.
"You are a terrible liar, Derek," Erek said, folding one leg over the other.
His composure irritated Derek more than it should have, but he decided silence was safer than arguing.
"So you left everything and came here?" Derek asked instead, changing the topic while looking at Erek accusingly.
"You are no different, dear," Erek replied calmly. "Salvar is my son too. I need to know what is happening."
"Salvar swore to me that he didn't do it," Derek said firmly. "And I believe my child would never do something like this."
Then he added more quietly,
"Someone is deliberately trying to destroy our family. First Alex, and now Salvar."
Derek suddenly stopped pacing.
His knees gave out without warning.
Erek immediately stood and caught him before he could hit the floor.
Derek rested his face against Erek's arm while Erek gently patted his back.
