𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘

𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈 ━ 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰

chapter twenty six
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The days seemed to blend together after Katherine's funeral, both to Devon and (Y/N). Both were taking her death horribly, albeit in different ways. Devon mourned the loss of an ideal family whilst (Y/N) mourned the loss of her mother, a drastic contrast that did little in the ways of how they grieved. Of course, with Devon getting drunk almost every other night, (Y/N) did her best to keep herself somewhat together to keep both of them afloat.

However, his drunken state revealed another aspect of his personality: a darker, more controlling part that cared little for defiance.

And that control only tightened.

In fact, with her mother's death, (Y/N) hardly felt the need to do much of anything, much less go against Devon's wishes, no matter how restrictive they were becoming. His demands ranged from simple to complex, controlling most of her day with a simple command from his lips. With little resistance, she complied to whatever he wanted, no matter if it were coming straight home after school or quitting her barely started job.

Sometimes, it felt as if she were stranded from her own body—like she was watching herself go throughout her day from outside.

It was a strange, numbing occurrence.

But all she felt was numb.

Numb and sad.

Too sad.

Often her nights ended with tears.

Other times she had cried so much that the tears just physically couldn't spill anymore.

Now, as her alarm rang early in the morning to force her from a fitful sleep to another dreary day back at school, she dragged herself out of bed and lazily through her morning routine. Stumbling down the stairs, she already noticed Devon up and ready, sitting at the table with an untouched piece of toast next to him whilst he typed on his computer. Recently, he had been tidying up his appearance more and more, as if he were trying to move on much too fast from Katherine's death.

(Y/N) both understood and hated him for it.

She knew she also couldn't stay like this forever, perpetually stuck in a state of depressive grief and numbness, but another part of her didn't want to move on. It would feel too much like she was trying to forget her mother entirely.

"Morning," she mumbled with a nod as she walked further into the kitchen.

"Good morning," Devon uttered as he flicked his eyes up, nodded her way whilst he observed her mannerisms and expression. "You'll be coming home straight after school again, correct?"

"Yes."

"Good," he inhaled, pleased by her answer. "I should be home by six, so do make sure to get any homework done before then."

"Okay," (Y/N) sighed as she warmed up some oatmeal, rubbing a hand down her face.

"Tired?" He asked, noticing her actions.

"Yeah..."

"Why?"

"I just... couldn't sleep."

"You couldn't?" Devon's eyes narrowed, knowing it was more likely due to her grief for her mother's passing rather than what he was thinking—an assumption that he particularly loathed. "I'm only going to ask this once, and please don't assume I'm doing so because I suspect you're doing it. I just want to ensure for the future. You're not sneaking out during the night, are you?"

"What?" (Y/N) let out a breath in disbelief as she locked her gaze with his. "No. Why would you even think I'd do something like that?"

"You're a teenager," he uttered, lacing his fingers together. "You're going through grief. I just put two and two together, my dear. However, like I already presumed, you affirmed my thoughts. I knew you couldn't be sneaking out, because I know you listen to me. Of course... as in any business I conduct, I need confirmation from the source. You can understand that, can't you?" His smile softened as his eyes curved, continuing, "After all, I only want the best for you. Truly."

"Right..." she muttered, not even having the energy to argue with him. "Yeah, thanks."

"You're welcome."

With that, (Y/N) took her cooked oatmeal from the microwave and sat down next to Devon, just where he wanted her, to begin eating. Silence prevailed between them, but then again, it was a silence that neither of the two minded. To Devon, the silence gave him time to observe (Y/N) and to confirm no trace of rebellion lingered within her. He needed to ensure that she would conform to whatever he wanted, including guaranteeing that she would never have a single thought of leaving him.

He would never accept that.

She could hate him, spit at him, curse at him, but never would he allow her to leave him.

No.

She was his family now.

With such a cementing fact, there was no undoing what was already done. As soon as he exchanged vows with Katherine, (Y/N) was his.

And that would not change.

"I'm going to head out now," (Y/N) then announced as she stood up to deposit her bowl in the sink before slinging on her backpack and turning back to Devon. "I'll see you at six, then."

"Of course," he smiled. "Have a good day."

(Y/N) nodded with a mumbled 'thanks' before she shuffled out of the kitchen and finally out of the house altogether. Soon enough, Devon could hear the sound of her car's tires on the driveway, signaling that she had backed out and was now driving down the road. Leaning back in his chair, wetting his lips as he did so, he let out a heavy breath when several nagging thoughts interrupted his once at ease mind.

Then again, his anxiety only spiked whenever (Y/N) stepped out of his view.

A natural fear began to develop that if she left, it would be the last time that he would ever see her again. The very probability that he would never again gaze upon her face, that he would never again touch her skin, or that he would never again be able to hear that sweet voice of hers struck a chord so profoundly deep within him that his entire body began to tremble out of pure fear. The adrenaline alone that spiked through his body made him want to run after her, grab her, and bring her back.

He refrained.

Gripping the edge of the table tighter, Devon eased the tension from his body little by little.

(Y/N) would come back.

She always did.

No matter how tightly he bound the ropes around her, she returned to him since that was all she could do, and he reveled in the fact.

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To be continued...