Haunted Devotion

13.

Rowen looks at Nolan giving Devlin a memory transfer and snarls in impatience.

"Why would he try and prove himself like that? To win sympathy points?"

The unknown voice chuckles manically, "Or he's actually falling in love with her."

Rowen scoffs, "Loveeee, what is love anyways," She sarcastically says.

The unknown voice tsk's their tongue not liking Rowen's attitude.

"If you were to feel that way then why want your daughter back after all these years of her being just fine by herself and not knowing of her true nature?"

Rowen waves her hand in a dismissive gesture but the unknown voice tsk's again.

"Her father will do what's right. He's just being stubborn to see things for what they truly are."

Looking into the mirror, Devlin tries to talk to Nolan.

****

"She was me? I am her? So what's the connection with my family relics? The curse? My anklet–" I stopped talking as he turned at the mention of it.

"Anklet? You have an anklet? For what?"

I start walking out not wanting to tell him but he stops me.

"What for Devlin? What is it used for?"

Closing my eyes and holding the bridge of my temple, I explain the family curse, Rowen the woman they sought out for help and the anklet to keep me safe from it all.

"Rowen? Rowen gave it to you?"

I nodded but then froze when he said her name as if he was already familiar with it.

"You know her?" I said now following behind him as he's now quietly walking away into his living room, "Nolan?" I called out but he just sits on the couch holding his head.

"I can't tell you anymore than what I have already shown you," He says, connecting the paranormal dots.

Now pissed, I shout out, "Bullshit!" Then tried confronting him more but he kept his mouth shut.

Shaking his leg now anxiously, I turned getting ready to leave again but he hops up grabbing my arms bringing me back to him.

"Devlin, trust me I want to tell you but binded by the curse I can't."

Trying to get out his grip, I fight against him but then just end up crying in his chest.

"What the hell is happening..?" I cried out as his arms wrapped around me leaving a colder touch instead of a warm one like Linus.

"Love...I–" He just keeps holding me close while placing his chin on top of my head, having nothing to say to really make things seem alright.

Using a tactic I've seen used while working in the Relish Organization, I wiped my eyes and looked up saying, "You said your mine right?" I wiped my face more, "Then prove it by telling me what you can't...tell me and I'll be yours too...truly...fully," Lifting my hands to touch his cold face, he tries to turn but ends up looking into my eyes, caving in more than he wanted to.

"Devlin," He hopelessly pleads low while now touching my face.

"Why could I summon you? Am I some type of witch? Does Rowen have a part in any of it?"

Nolan gulps then presses his forehead against mine as he says, "Yes," Having my heart rapidly beat with shock.

Feeling it, Nolan caresses my face still having his forehead against mine.

"Love, you're going to have to trust me more than ever now," He whispers out making it seem as if someone was listening and he didn't want them to hear.

"Am I a Relish?" I whispered back but he just shook his head.

Invisible walls that had surrounded my heart from any pain that would try to break through crashed with the sound of my mind snapping in the background.

I'm not a Relish...I'm not who I thought I was...my parents? My parents...who are my real parents?"

"Soon, I'll answer those soon," Nolan says now in my ear distracting me from the fact that I'm back at home and Gerlad is staring at me confused as I'm seated at the dinner table with him.

"Did you hear me Miss? We're worried that you're taking everything to heart too fast."

Everything? Too fast?

"What are you talking about?"

His face scrunches up in more confusion, "The wedding, your wedding Miss."

Wedding? I'm getting married?

"To whom?" I say now standing dressed in one of my pant suits then a glistening shimmer catches my eye as a diamond ring is placed on my ring finger.

Gerald stands adjusting his shirt, "Yerlin, you're getting married to Yerlin."

As soon as his name was spoken he walked through the front doors with a bouquet of flowers.

"Hey beautiful," He walks over handing Gerald the bouquet while leaning in and pecking my lips which caused me to cringe.

"Uh? Explain to me how we even like each other?" I asked standoffish.

Yerlin chuckled, "Love in the workplace is forbidden but we just couldn't help ourselves. All the phone calls 24/7, cases we would work on, the cute banter, nicknames like Satan, who wouldn't fall in love?"

Gerald smiled nodding trying to convince me it was all true but I knew deep down it wasn't, all of this was some sick joke.

"It's called annoyance, hatred, and lack of attraction to each other. We never liked, let alone loved one another."

Yerlin held my hand lovingly, almost making me vomit from the way he was treating me.

"Cigarette I need a cigarette," I say overwhelmed.

Gerald cleared his throat saying, "You quit Miss," Then looked at Yerlin who looked at me with hostility for even asking for one.

"You said you wouldn't continue because we're trying to have a baby."

My eyes grew wide at the word baby, "Baby? Who's having a baby? Not me."

Yerlin stands back then goes over to the bedroom to get a sheet of paper.

"We just went to see doctor Heffery. Do you not remember?"

This is a different reality, it has to be. Nolan! Nolan come back right now and take me out of this nightmare!

Still standing there with Yerlin upset about my cigarette habit, I storm out wanting to go to Nolan's place, but I just bump into a person on a motorcycle.

"If you're some delivery man for this insane idea of a wedding, you got the wrong address."

The man takes off his helmet and shows it's Linus.