The Way Back Home's

Blame On

Farrell had to stop.

“Hah! You think you can make them fall asleep that easy and trick me? I see all your moves here, Farrell.” Denise showed me a small mirror. The shadow inside showed the hallway of the room where mom was. “Then, just give up. Look around! You are alone.”

Farrell looked around like Denise suggested. Uncle and aunt with Denise. Jim and Joe caught his mother. Remy was shaking in the corner of the room. Farrell hates to admit it but Denise is right. “So, now what do you want?” Farrell felt his voice tremble with anger mixed with sadness.

Denise smiled. He walked past Farrell and headed straight for mother. “You already know what I want.”

“Certificate of lodging?”

“Of course. Your uncle and I have a sale and purchase agreement that must be implemented immediately. This plan has been delayed for years because your father insisted on not selling it. If you want to blame someone for being in the position you are in, blame your father. He's the one who started all this trouble by hiding the certificate. Blame him for making you key holders. Otherwise, maybe you are currently enjoying a comfortable vacation elsewhere.”

“Uncle, don't do this.” Farrell hopes his uncle changes his mind. “Denise just wants this inn. He'll kill us all after.”

Denise cringing. “Kill? Where did you get such a silly idea? Me and your uncle are good friends.” Denise's eyes rolling on Remy. The chef held his breath and did not dare to move.

Uncle shakes. “Farrell, Denise and I have been talking about this for a long time. Eden’s Lodge will be safer if managed by a witch like her instead of us.”

“Stop lying, uncle. I know uncle just need the money for the sale.”

Uncle gawking. “Au—”

Denise smiled. His fingers went through my mother's face. “Albert, your nephew is smarter than you think. Farrell, I have to be honest if I'm really impressed with you. Not only are you immune to my mannequin potion, you can even get this far. I didn't expect you to take Libby and Milo away from us. Also almost freed your mother. Though all this is a new situation for you.”

Farrell knew he shouldn't have discussed the potion, but somehow he let his mouth speak for itself. “Do you guys know why mannequin herb doesn't work on me?”

My aunt and uncle exchanged looks. At that time, Farrell knew that his uncle and aunt did not understand that he had no blood relationship with his father. Denise just shrugged her shoulders. “Entahlah. Sometimes it happens to people who have immunity to magic.”

“But, I'm not a witch.”

“I know. Farrell, I'm talking about the immunity one gets at birth instead of the magic immunity you get from spells. That's an advantage that many witches want. How about you learn magic and then work for me?”

Farrell grunts amusedly. “Huh! Just dream!”

“I should have ordered Remy to give you even more doses of the potion. Maybe that way, this chat can be smoother.”

Farrell shook his head. “Free, your ingredients will still not work for me.”

“Oh! You want to challenge me now?”

“I just want to tell you that your ingredients are wrong. I'm not Alan Eden's real son,” Farrell said. He did not expect to be able to tell that reality so smoothly. His lips were bitter again. Farrell could see the reaction of uncle and aunt clearly. They gawked, exchanged glances, then looked at him fixedly with frowns.

Denise laughed and clapped. “Yeah! That's a great surprise! You're not Alan Eden's son? That's a very logical answer. I don't think there at all. Absolutely shocking!”

Denise shakes. “The spell that hid my mannequin certificate and potion are two different things. The mannequin herb uses blood as its binder. But, the spell your brother used was based on someone's name.”

Farrell looked at his uncle and aunt who had been silent. “Uncle, aren't you ashamed? I did so far for a father who had nothing to do with my blood. While the uncle was willing to poison the nephew uncle himself. Stop this game uncle, please.” Farrell's voice shook. His heart is sad and sad. He hopes to awaken his uncle by telling him who he is.

Unfortunately, that hope did not materialize. After a moment of silence, the uncle said instead, “Farrell, if you are not Alan's biological child, why should I listen to your words?”

A blow to Farrell. He was just stunned.

Denise laughed again. Seeing his boss laughing, Jim and Joe also laughed. Their laughter was blaring in the lobby. Uncle and aunt initially only smiled, but they ended up laughing as well. This was the first time Farrell had ever felt hate for himself. Laughing at others is not fun. Moreover, the uncles and aunts that he had trusted all along laughed at him. All just because he had no blood relation with the Eden family.

“Cu— Enough!” Ramy screams over all the laughter. “You laugh like crazy. Basic villain!”

The laughter stopped too.

Denise is still smiling. “Wicked or not it's relative, son, hanging from everyone's glasses.”

“In my glasses, you're all bad guys! I shouldn't have obeyed your orders from the beginning to include a mannequin, Denise.” Remy's eyes are glazed. He took off his neon green suit and threw it on the floor. “I will not work for you, Albert Eden! I'm out!” Remy yelling. Her tears down her cheeks and chin.

“Please. I can find a better chef than you.” Denise chuckled again. Then, he looked at Farrell. “Why are you still quiet, Farrell Eden? Pick up your sisters from the Bliss and Tea Room. Bring them here. You guys have to find the certificate for me.”

Farrell fluttered on the spot.

Denise took the bottle filled with black liquid and opened it on the mother's shoulder. A little spider walked down the shirt. His eyes were red and his back had green streaks. Denise pulled off Farrell's scarf that had been clad in her mother's neck.

“Do not..” whispered Farrell slowly. His voice seemed to be stuck in his throat.

“I'm just giving you a boost, Farrell. This spider poison will not kill your mother as long as she drinks the antidote on time.”

Farrell doesn't know where all his energy is. He felt so helpless. He could only see the spider moving to his neck. Mom blinked for a moment. The spider must have bitten him even if his movements were invisible. Denise held out a small bottle close to the collar of the shirt. Spiders recognize the smell and go back inside. Denise closed the bottle.

“You have twenty-four hours to bring me the Eden’s Lodge.” certificate

“Uncle... You will let mom be the victim?” farrell said slowly. His voice barely came out.

“Ngak. Of course not. He's my brother-in-law. If he gets hurt, it's all because of you Farrell. So, don't linger. Quickly bring Milo and Libby here!” pinta uncle. “Ah, one more. Don't call me uncle. We have no blood relation at all.”

Farrell doesn't talk anymore. His feet began to step. His shoulders felt so heavy as if there was a burden hanging there. His back and neck were limp as if unable to hold his head. His face was embarrassed and sad. When he reached the door, Farrell found that Remy was already there.

Remy's face is still red. Tears were also seen there. Even so, Remy set his heart to say. “I'm coming with you.”