The Amazing Doctor Irvington

Chapter Four

Derek stood at the entrance. It was dark and the snowflakes fell on him.

The coldness of the weather couldn't freeze the tears that trickled down his cheeks as he watched his mother pacing in the cold, with shoes that wasn't strong enough to keep her feet warm.

She had no socks, neither was her coat thick enough to keep her warm. Derek lowered his head, panting heavily as he struggled to stop the tears that were flowing like a cascade.

Judith stopped to look at the gate again. On seeing Derek, she heaved a sigh of relief.

Her lips widened as a smile appeared on her face. For a moment, she was scared that they were going to take her son again. 

"Derek, come inside." She called out but Derek didn't move an inch.

She walked to him and grabbed his hand leading him inside the house.

"Derek!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking. "Did they hurt you? What happened? I was so afraid!"

Severin forced a smile, though the fury still churned in his chest. “No, Mama, I’m fine. They didn’t hurt me.” He reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I handled it. It’s over now.”

His tone was gentle and heartbreaking. 

Judith’s eyes scanned his face, looking for any sign of injury, but finding none. “How? How did you manage to settle it? Those men don’t let go of debt so easily.”

Derek hesitated at first, as he stared deeply into her eyes.

He couldn’t tell her the truth. 

Derek feigned a smile as he said to her, “There was someone I met inside,” Derek's tone was steady. “He gave me a bank card, in order to help clear the remaining debt... I've cleared everything, there is no need to worry anymore.”

Judith’s eyes widened, relief flooding her features. “Oh, thank heavens!” Her voice cracked as tears welled up. “I’ve been praying every night for a miracle, and now... now it’s finally over, the most amazing thing is that you are here. You are home...”

Derek's stomach twisted at the sight of her relief. He hated lying to her, but he couldn’t bear the thought of adding to her burden with the truth.

 “Yeah, Mama. The debt is gone. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

Judith wiped her tears with the back of her hand, but her relief quickly turned to sorrow as she sat down at the worn kitchen table. 

“Derek, I still can’t believe what Lucy did to you... to us. She sold the house you worked so hard for, sold it for pennies just to be with that... that snake, Easton.”

Severin’s jaw tightened at the mention of those two. “You don't have to think about that mum, it's past forget it.”

“But it’s not!” Judith’s voice broke, her tears returning.

 “How could she? After everything you did for her? She just... threw you away the moment things got hard.” She looked up at him, her eyes pleading. “You deserve better, Derek." 

Derek swallowed hard, trying to mask the bitterness rising in his throat.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Derek turned to see his father, Maurice, entering the house.

 He was hunched over, his back curved from years of hard labor. He carried a bundle of cardboard boxes under one arm, the other hand gripping a threadbare coat to keep out the cold.

"Father?" Derek's brows crinkled as he stared at the shape his father was now in.

When Maurice heard Derek, he placed the card boxes on the floor and then placed his hand on his waist to help him straighten up a bit.

Maurice squinted as he looked at Derek, but the young man looked unfamiliar. “Who’s this?” 

"It's our son." Judith responded with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Maurice could not believe it. His feet staggered forward and his eyes squinted further.

Derek stepped forward, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s me, Dad.”

Maurice blinked upon recognizing his son. “Derek? Is it really you?”

Derek nodded. 

Maurice tried walking fast to hug him, but his waist disappointed him. 

Derek rushed to him in an instant he hugged his father in a tight embrace. 

The older man’s hands trembled as he held Derek, his voice cracking with emotion. “My boy...you’re finally home.”

Maurice pulled back, wiping a tear from his cheek. “I didn’t think they’d let you out early. What happened?”

Derek glanced at Judith before answering. “It’s a long story, Dad. But I’m here now. That’s what matters.”

Maurice nodded, his eyes still misty. “You’re right. That’s all that matters.” He patted Derek's shoulder. 

"Have you had dinner?" Maurice asked excitedly.

"Not yet Dad." 

Maurice opened his wallet, but when he noticed he had only twenty dollars bills in total sum of $150 dollars, he stylishly moved turned and gave the money to Judith.

"Why don't you get us dinner and drinks." 

Maurice led Derek to the dinning. Maurice sat down, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. “I heard about the house. I can’t believe she sold it for half its worth. We worked so damn hard for that place...”

"I hope you aren't bent on getting revenge Derek?" Maurice frowned at his son. 

When he noticed Derek didn't utter a word, he continued.

“Listen, son, I know you’ve been through hell, but it’s time to move forward. Find yourself a good woman, someone who’ll stick by you, and live a simple, honest life. Don’t waste any more time on people like Lucy and Easton." 

Derek forced a smile, “I will, Dad. You don't have to worry." They were all lied he told.

His fists clenched under the table and his knuckles white with tension. “They stole it from us. Lucy and Easton...selling the house we worked hard for."

"Derek!" Judith stood by the door. When Derek's gaze fixed on hers, she then said, "The Lough and Orwell family are very successful with many connections. Don't cause any more trouble." 

Maurice looked at Derek with pleading eyes. "I know, son. But there’s nothing we can do now. They’ve got the power, the connections. If we go after them, it’ll only bring more trouble.” He said sighed.

"I don't want that for you. Your mother have gone through a lot during these past years." 

But still, Derek shook his head, the anger rising in his chest. “I’m not going to sit back and let them get away with it. They owe us. I’m going to get our money back. I promise not to cause any trouble."

The parents stared dazedly at him. They knew that there was no way of convincing Derek.

"Don't go against the law. Don't cause any trouble." Maurice said to him.

Derek smiled as he held his father's hands. As he stared at their faces, he couldn't help but cuss at himself.

He knew better, Easton would never give him back his home and he was going to make sure Lucy and Easton regret every bit of their actions.