𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘

𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈 ━ 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔟𝔦𝔯𝔱𝔥𝔡𝔞𝔶

chapter thirteen
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The day of (Y/N)'s birthday came quicker than she expected, and upon walking downstairs that morning, she was greeted with a birthday breakfast of pancakes. It was a great start to her day, making sure to give Katherine a large hug in gratitude. When her mother mentioned that Devon helped as well, (Y/N) hesitated briefly before also giving him a hug as well, deciding that doing so after knowing him for a couple of months wasn't so strange.

To him, however, it was.

The moment (Y/N)'s arms wrapped around him, a jolt shot throughout his body, his every nerve was on edge with a type of buzz that left him breathless. The hug, while unexpected, was something he readily returned, engulfing her in his frame which allowed him to see just how much smaller she was in comparison to him. He didn't notice it with Katherine since she was a tall woman, however with (Y/N) who was a good bit shorter than him, he could see it so very clearly. At the comparison, his eyes flared with a newfound type of protective instinct, something that reared its head so quickly and so violently he almost didn't want to let her go even as she pulled away.

His fingers twitched, as if he wanted to grab her and pull her back.

However, he refrained.

He excused himself from the room to visit the bathroom, closing the door behind him before leaning against the sink and letting out a heavy breath. He stared at his reflection within the glass pane of the mirror, his gaze showcasing a strange type of emotion that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Of course, he knew it concerned (Y/N), but he wasn't sure if he truly wanted to unveil whatever was happening to him.

No, he couldn't have it revealed.

Everything would be ruined.

Everything would crumble around him, and he would only have a helping hand in the destruction considering he could do nothing but watch.

It was maddening.

Sucking in a deep breath as his eyes fluttered close, Devon calmed himself down. Turning the handle of the sink, allowing the water to run, he splashed some of the cool liquid on his face before he dried himself off, further collecting himself so that when he walked out, neither (Y/N) nor Katherine would be able to notice if something were amiss.

Thankfully, like he expected, they hadn't.

The day was rather mundane as it dragged on, with not much needing to be done.

Then, evening came.

As the sun sank below the clouds, the bright reds, yellows, and oranges of the sunset disappearing into a swath of darkness, Devon waited at the bottom of the stairs with Katherine beside him for (Y/N). He wore a fine suit whilst Katherine wore a modest formal dress that was green in color. As the restaurant they were attending only permitted formal wear, it was only natural all three would be dressed up. Movement above them then caught their attention, and there at the top stood (Y/N) who started to descend the stairs.

"Oh, honey, you look so beautiful," Katherine smiled warmly up at her daughter.

Devon said nothing.

He couldn't.

All he could do was stare.

He had never seen (Y/N) like this, and as his eyes drank in the sight of her, something within him—a quiet voice of his darkest thoughts—didn't want to ever stop looking.

She wore a white dress with a skirt that puffed out just above her knees, sparkling mesh covering the satin silk. The neckline wasn't plunging by any means, but it showed the starting curve of her breasts whilst leaving her shoulders and arms bare. All she had done was comb her hair and put on some light makeup that included a sparkling grey to her eyelids, but to Devon, she looked almost like an Angel descended from Heaven.

"Shall we go, then?" He uttered, inhaling sharply as he did so whilst forcibly tearing his eyes from (Y/N) to land on Katherine.

"Yes," Katherine smiled with a nod towards Devon before turning back to (Y/N). "And you mentioned that Kane would be meeting us at the restaurant, right? He's not coming here and we don't need to pick him up still, correct?"

"Yep," (Y/N) replied.

"Perfect, let's head out now," Katherine reiterated as she followed Devon out of the door.

The drive to the restaurant wasn't quiet, as (Y/N) chatted happily from the backseat with Katherine and Devon in the front. It was obvious from the higher tone of her voice that she was excited, and there was possibly only one reason for that: Kane. Katherine knew it was hard for her daughter to leave behind her best friend, she and Kane having been inseparable since the start of high school, so it warmed her heart to see the (Y/N) seemed so happy on such an important day. Devon kept up the niceties with his charming smile, yet inside, his mind ever darkened.

Why was it Kane again?

After everything Devon had done for (Y/N) by now, she still was only excited about seeing Kane?

Not the dress he had bought her?

Not the restaurant he had booked for her?

Not the gifts he had planned for her?

Nothing?

Nothing, except Kane?

Devon's grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles whitened from the strain, his entire body taut with clear disdain for the boy known as (Y/N)'s friend. If he were being honest, he thought (Y/N) should've cut all ties with the boy the moment she moved in with him. No matter how he comforted her, he naturally thought that she would never see him again due to the hour-long distance between them. Yet, like always, (Y/N) found a way to test Devon by inviting Kane anyways.

He let out a slow breath.

Nothing was wrong.

Nothing, was wrong.

He would ensure it.

He would absolutely commit to the ideal of having a perfect family for the rest of his life, no matter what or who stood in his way.

Nothing was wrong.

Nothing.

Was.

Wrong.

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To be continued...