The Handsome Devil

Chapter 63 - The battles we fight

There was a knock on the door right as Deya slipped on her heels and smoothened the fabric of her dress. It's been the fourth day since she was moved into her old room in the doghouse.

Nonetheless, the girl felt no excitement at seeing the flowery picture on the khaki wall again. Somehow, all it remained was a statement.

I live with the Bulldogs.

Just a mere fact.

Like that your father died, right? Her inner voice added mockingly. Isn't that another fact?

She shook her head lightly before walking over to open the door for her visitor. If she's to make it through the funeral, having a meltdown while still in the house isn't the best start.

Unsurprisingly, it was Patrick. He wore a midnight blue suit and a grim expression, looking as graceful as ever, and they acknowledged each other with a silent nod.

He's been spending a lot of time with her since she returned from the hospital, mostly just spooning her crying form on the bed. With the exception of Max, he was the only Bulldog she's seen.

And it's not like I've seen a lot of the devil lately.

As they got in the car and started the drive, she couldn't help but flash back to that day.

'Your father didn't make it, miss Parker'

The words came back, making her stomach twist in nausea. Since the moment, everything was in haze. There were tears. Shouting. Max trying to calm her down.

Didn't go that well, did it...

She has gone through the pieces of their argument for the millionth time, but there was no telling how they got into the point.

'Get away from me! None of this would happen if I never fucking met you!' She yelled through her tears as the devil tried to escort her out of the hospital before the security takes over.

'Deya, I know you're in pain, but--' He spoke softly while pulling her body closer, but it only made her animosity grow.

'But what?' She jerked away, eyes ablaze with hate.

'You can't possibly blame me for the cancer' He still sounded level-headed, although the way his eyebrow twitched made it clear he's struggling to keep control.

'You're right. I can't' She threw her hands in the air frustratedly. 'But if it wasn't for you, I could have at least be here for him'

A fresh batch of tears escaped her eyes.

'I know there's not much I can say now. When my parents--' Max murmured in undertone, but Deya cut him off.

'Oh, for christs sake!' She let out a hysteric laugh. 'Are you really going there?'

'What?' Max gave her few confused blinks while grabbing her arm again and finally getting her through the main entrance.

'You know well what I'm talking about!' She hissed through gritted teeth. 'You had a second chance with your family. So what if they gave you up years ago? They took you in and tried to make amends'

'Don't' The devil shot her a a short warning look.

'Yeah, don't' She repeated with venom. 'Don't stand here and pretend you know what I'm going through. I haven't murdered my father'

The devil hastily cut the last few meters to the car and roughly stuffed her inside. Before she could protest, the sound of lock echoed and she was trapped, eyes burning into the devil's receding frame.