"Sweetheart, you've been avoiding my questions - please tell me what's going on?" Mrs. Hernandez asked, her voice laced with concern and frustration, as Darren descended the stairs, having heard the commotion and correctly assumed his father had returned home, only to find his intuition confirmed - Mr. Hernandez was indeed back, but in a state that raised many questions.
Darren's gaze fell upon his father, who was seated and a wheelchair in front, his mother beside him, a look of worry etched on her face.
As he approached them, he forced a warm smile and said, "Welcome home, Dad," his voice attempting to hide the shock and concern that gripped his heart.
"Looks like we had a visitor?" Darren asked, his eyes fixed on the wheelchair, his curiosity piqued.
"No, son, there was no visitor," Mrs. Hernandez replied, "only the people who brought your father home, and they've already left." Her words trailed off, her gaze drifting back to her husband.