Us Against the World || Simon Brown x Reader

Chapter 20

Who can believe me anymore? This might be the ending of the beginning for all I know. Anyway, let's celebrate the end of this book with FLUFF

Simon's POV

"You! You have been here with Lady Stitch the whole time?!" Marley splutters, obviously lost for words at the discovery of Y/N. 

"Who is that?"

"What does she mean?"

"What's with that ugly dress she's wearing?"

I hear murmuring around the small groups of guests and bridal party alike as they try to figure out who the weird lady in the big hat and wooden cane is. Y/N quickly holds my hand and it all suddenly clicks. This was her stepmother she ran away from. 

"Why does it matter to you? Y/N lives here now," says Father. He must have connected the dots as I have because his voice is stern and his usually soft brown eyes look hard as he stares down the woman. I hold y/n's hand tighter, trying to send the message; everything would be okay, I will protect you.

"She is my stepdaughter and rightfully belongs in my custody." I shiver at the woman's strict tone. I couldn't imagine living with her, never in a million years could I imagine such an amazing girl like Y/N coming from the same place as her. 

"You can leave my property. I've heard of how you have treated Y/N. How could you live with yourself when you treat a child like that?"

"I don't need your opinion, Cedric. Just hand over my stepdaughter."

Father looked from Y/N to Marley and I could practically see the cogs turning in his head. If he did anything to put Y/N back into that woman's arms-

"No."

"Excuse me?" Marley puts her gloved hand against her chest, feigning a surprised expression.

"I said no. You don't deserve to have such a compassionate, considerate, respectful, kind girl as your daughter. Ever since Y/N came here, there's been a change in all of us." Father looks around and my brothers and sisters slowly nod in agreement.

"If you want to reclaim Y/N just to be some kind of servant for you, I'll have to take you to court. I don't trust you to even care for your own children, let alone someone else's. So leave, Marley. I don't want you back here."

There's a silence as Father's voice settles in the air and everyone is so still, you could hear a pin drop.

Marley sniffs at the air and huffs. She turns on her heel with her nose in the air and walks away, banging her walking stick on the ground as she walks. 

"Ugh, this marriage is over, Cedric. I don't know what I saw in you besides connections to Adelaide's fortune." Mrs Quickly lifts her dress, and in a similar fashion to Marley, stalks back down the aisle to accompany her friend. 

"Well, if she is staying," said Great Aunt Adelaide, gesturing to Y/N, "and no one is marrying, then your end of the deal is off. I suggest you find new parents for your children soon, Cedric, the contractors will be here the morning after tomorrow to take your property."

Everyone is stunned into silence again as a new sort of dread sets in. My brothers, my sisters, Y/N. I would never see them again. After everything we had done to write ourselves a happy ending, we just ended on a cliffhanger for a new, torturous chapter. My mind runs into overdrive as the possibilities race through my head as I see Lily stand. 

"No, Aunt Adelaide. Father will get married today."

"Nonsense! There is no one here that your father can marry by the end of the day."