Caught on the Act
It’s been a week since Devon began going to her family's house to investigate the whereabouts of her child in the pretense that she wants to fix her relationship with her parents but until now, no significant changes have been uncovered.
Daemon always accompanies her to keep up the act no matter how her father tries to reject their presence. On their third day, Gestoni even threatened to kill Daemon in front of them and it could have ended really bad had it not been for her intervention. She got on his way saying he should kill his daughter first and his grandson.
Devon sees no reason to stop now. She doesn’t lose hope. She can observe from her family’s demeanor that they are trying to hide something from her.
“Devon, is it okay for you to stay here in the house while I’m away?” Melena asked her that afternoon while she’s in the guest room reading a book.
“It’s okay. I’ll just be here,” she replied.
It would be to her advantage being alone in the house. She could freely search their room and offices.
“By the way, where are you going?”
“I’m going to Brian’s house for lunch. Sylvia invited me.”
Her eyes went wide. This is a bigger opportunity for her. She stood up and left the book on the bed. “Can I come? I also wanted to have lunch with them. Is dad going to be there?”
Melena hesitated for a moment and when Devon saw that, she instantly thought of a way to convince her. “Don’t worry, mom. I won’t do anything. I was just really distraught at that time when I went to his house that night.” She held her mother’s hands and pleaded. “Please, mom. I also want to say sorry to Brian for causing him trouble.”
Melena’s heart melted. Who is she to refuse her daughter’s request when she is already the one who wanted to patch things up with her family, right? For years, she prayed for this moment to happen, for Devon to come back alive and be back in her family.
“Sure, Devon.” She touched her face. “Come with me.”
They arrived an hour later. Both Brian and Sylvia were both so shocked to see her.
“Hi, Brian.” She hugged him. “Hello, Sylvia.” She kissed her. “I hope you have already forgiven me for acting like a brat last time.” She turned to her brother who looked as confused and doubtful as ever.
“I’m sorry too, Brian, for saying that last time. I was just too emotional because of my hormones. I’m sure you understand me given that Sylvia was pregnant too, right?”
They both looked at each other and nodded. Sylvia recovered first. “Of course. We both understand. My mood swings were crazy when I was pregnant with Lucy. Come on. Lunch is ready.”
The couple led them to the dining room and Devon noticed that the picture frame of Emily was no longer hanging on the wall. Instead, it was replaced by a picture of a smiling toddler that looked so much like Brian.
“Devon, where is your husband? I thought both of you are trying your best to get closer to the family. It seems like you’re the only one who’s making an effort,” Brian commented when they’re at the table silently eating.
“Brian, be sensitive. Daemon is having a hard time right now with his scandals,” Melena scolded him. “Your sister must be so stressed. Remember, she’s pregnant.”
Brian just shook his head and let out a sardonic laugh. “Really? What do we have to do then? Since you consider that Druft as a member of the family, why don’t we extend our help to him? What do you think so, Devon?”
She just smiled at him. “Don’t worry for Daemon. He promised me that he’ll be alright and I believed him. I didn’t marry a coward, Brian. He handled his business for years and was a great competitor to dad so I gave him my full confidence.”
“If you are so confident of your husband then why did you have to act like you really mean to be here.” Brian put down his fork and reached for his rum on the table. “If you fooled mom then you can’t expect me or dad or Sylvia to be fooled you.”
“Brian!” her mother said in a restrained voice. “You are being out of the line! Can’t you see how your sister is doing everything to be close to us? Please take pity on her poor soul! You weren’t the one your father pushed through in an arranged marriage.”
Sylvia is just silent in her seat taking in their conversation.
“That’s the way it is! She’s a woman! It’s her responsibility!” he reasoned out.
“What?! You have a daughter too. Do you want to force her into marrying a man old enough to be her own father?”
Brian went mum. That’s when Devon found a way to add on.
“It’s okay, mom. I know Brian would not understand our plight. For someone who’s impotent, it’s a waste of time to make him understand. I just wished her daughter would not grow into some kind of investment.”
“That won’t happen,” Sylvia butted in. “I won’t let that happen to my daughter.”
Devon smiled and nodded. “Good to know,” she said while looking at her brother who didn’t comment anything when she mentioned about impotence.
They finished their meal without ever talking again. Melena tried to encourage conversation but it didn’t prosper.
When she had the chance, Devon slipped into the master’s bedroom and began opening drawers, looking for anything that would tell her where they were hiding Lucy.
“Shit, come on. Give me something,” she muttered and knelt down to take the papers out of the luggage she pulled out under the bed.
“Please, let me see any evidence. Please,” she begged.
The door swung open and Devon just froze in her place.
“What are you doing in our room?!” Sylvia looked at the mess on the floor that Devon scattered in the hopes of finding any clue that would prove that they had Emily. "What is this, Devon?"
