Well, that expression was encouraging. It certainly spoke to the words that he was saying not simply being some sort of placation. The assurance was sort lived, however, at his next words. Her gut turned to lead as it dropped, her grip on his hand tightening briefly as her expression softened.
"Oh, Peter. No," Angela said gently, her tone wavering between worried and guilty. She was his mother. She was the adult in this situation, the one who was supposed to be the guardian, the protector. Their positions were not supposed to be reversed like this, and as horribly as she had failed the past few years to do her duty as his mother, she was still convinced of it. "I'm the one that's supposed to be protecting you."