Soto closed his eyes, trying hard to suppress the sound in his throat. They had already arrived at the familiar white spire building, and Roy intended to go in, but was pulled back by Soto.
"You..."
He could only squeeze out one word and couldn't continue.
Roy curved her eyes, withdrew her hand, and said in a tone akin to comforting a puppy, "It's okay, you wait outside."
She entered alone, seeing her mother seated on the bench. All the servants stood by the wall, not daring to make a sound.
Mrs. Derek was drinking tea. Hearing footsteps, she put down the cup, elegantly wiped her lips, stood up, and slapped Roy across the face.
Roy's head turned away from the slap, her ear buzzing constantly, her mouth filled with the taste of rust. She heard her mother speak.
"Despicable."
Roy did not know when Mrs. Derek left.
