Denial

♡Astrid♡ Mum eventually found out. Freya was at my place because, well, according to her, Alexia had stopped by to ask about Freya's well-being. We'd set up a meeting by evening, and that explained why I'm sitting across from my mother—again.  Different restaurant this time, but Freya was next to me, fidgeting slightly with the hem of her sleeve. Mum's gaze was unreadable, and while Freya stared down at her hands, I decided to let the cat out of the bag. "We have an issue," I started, and Mum pressed her lips together, her expression unreadable. "Still doesn't explain why Freya was in your house and you didn't care to tell me about it," she shot back, a bite to her tone, her fingers tightening around the glass of water in front of her. I ignored it, forcing myself to stay calm. "It's about Derrick," I continued, and Mum sat up a little straighter. The movement was subtle, but I saw it.  Her gaze flicked to Freya before returning to me, now slightly guarded. "And what about him?" she as