Since 1998

Chapter 14

They sat at the table in a thick, uncomfortable silence before Ben introduced Christine. She was a young teacher who had known Alex for years, but looking at the stone-faced parents, she felt like a stranger in the room.

She glanced at Ben, urging him with a tiny nod. "Tell them, Ben," she whispered.

Ben cleared his throat. He’d rehearsed this all morning, but the words still felt heavy. "I heard what happened from my nephew. And I’m going to be straight with you." He paused, meeting Alex's gaze. "I asked Devin how things went. He told me everything."

Lauren opened her mouth to apologize for Alex’s reaction, but the look on her husband’s face stopped her. She didn't want to make things worse.

Alex spoke first, his voice like ice. "Your nephew took my daughter. A minor. No permission, no phone call. Be grateful I didn't call the police."

Ben didn’t hesitate. "You’ve got the boy all wrong, Alex. You’re judging him by our rules." He leaned forward. "I’m here to ask you—from one father to another—don’t fight this. Our kids aren't like us. They don't care about the 'proper' way to do things or who holds the power. They just care about each other."

He let that sit for a moment.

"We grew up worried about status and what people would think. These kids? They’d walk away from an inheritance if it meant being free. You can't cage them, Alex. They’ll just break the lock."

The room went still. Alex and Lauren stared at him, caught off guard by the bluntness of it.

"That’s all I wanted to say," Ben finished.

He turned to Christine. She reached into her bag and pulled out a heavy, cream-colored envelope, a small, relieved smile breaking through.

"And this is the actual reason we're here," she said, her voice lightening the mood. "Our wedding invitation. I didn't expect Ben to give a speech, but I'm glad he did." She looked at the couple.

Lauren felt a sharp pang of relief. She wanted to cry, but she forced herself to remain composed. In that moment, she made a silent vow: she would stop trying to shield Allison and start letting her live the life she wanted.

Even Alex felt his ego bruising. He didn't say anything. His silence says it all.

Cook Residence

"That’s the house," Cathy muttered, her eyes locked on the news report flickering on the massive plasma screen. "The one he started years ago. Devin never mentioned it was finished."

Sam sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "I’ve seen it, sis. He built it for Allison. And now that she’s back from Spain..."

Cathy grabbed the remote and killed the power. The screen went black, leaving the room in a sudden, hollow silence.

"So she’s back. So what?" Cathy whispered to her own reflection in the glass. "They aren't married. And I’m not done with him yet."

She brushed past Sam just as his phone buzzed. He flipped it open—it was Anna.

"Baby, you won't believe it," Sam grinned, ignoring Cathy’s sharp glare as she walked away.

"Sam, listen," Anna said, her voice breathless over the static. "Allison and I are heading to the fairgrounds to help the storm victims. Tell Devin to meet us there."

Sam frowned. "Wait—her parents are letting her out after that stunt Devin pulled?"

"They can't stop her anymore," Anna said with a light laugh. "She’s grown up, Sam. Tell him to hurry."

Sam whistled. "Right. I’m on it."

He called Devin, who was still at the beach house with Ben.

"Hey, man," Devin answered, sounding exhausted.

"Anna called. She said they wait on the fairgrounds."

"I'll be there," Devin said, his voice dropping an octave.

"This sounds like a double date."

"Shut up, Sam."

The fairgrounds were a chaotic mess of families and donated supplies. Anna and Allison were working through a stack of crates when Anna suddenly froze.

Her face went pale, then turned a deep, furious red. She marched toward a girl in the crowd, grabbed her shoulder, and spun her around.

"You."

"Who is that?" Allison asked, sensing the shift.

"What now, weirdo?" Cathy asked, her voice instantly defensive.

"Allison, hold this," Anna said, tossing her bag aside.

Before Cathy could react, Anna’s hand whipped across the air. The crack of the slap echoed across the yard.

The crowd went dead silent. Sam and Devin, just arriving, stopped in their tracks.

"What is wrong with you?" Cathy shrieked, clutching her face.

Anna lunged again, but Sam scrambled forward, catching her by the wrists.

"Anna! Stop! What are you doing?"

"Let go, Sam!" Anna hissed, struggling.

"Baby, calm down! Why are you hitting my sister?"

"Sister?" Anna’s eyes went wide. She looked at Cathy with pure venom. "This is the sister you’ve been talking about? Well, Sam, your sister is the one who stole Allison's letter."

The world seemed to tilt. Even Devin looked blindsided.

"What letter?" Cathy screamed, her voice hitting a panicked, high note. "You have no proof, you crazy b***h!"

So, this is Cathy, Allison thought, her heart hammering.

"Enough," Devin said. His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the screaming. He stepped into the middle of the group, his presence ending the argument instantly. "It doesn't matter who saw what. We’re moving past it. Allison is home, and that’s the end of it."

He didn't even look at Cathy as he stepped past her to stand next to Allison.

Cathy watched his hand settle near Allison's waist. The dismissal hurt worse than the slap. Without a word, she turned and bolted into the crowd.

"Loser," Anna muttered, finally letting her guard down. She looked at Sam, her expression softening. "I’m sorry, Sam. I didn't know she's your sister."

"But... why her?" Sam asked, looking at the spot where his sister disappeared.

"I saw her car, the same car at the mart she used," Anna said firmly. "The day I dropped that letter off, she was there. And I saw her with Devin at the mart later that night. It was her, Sam."

Sam felt a cold knot form in his stomach. He knew his sister’s temper. He knew her obsession. He realized then that Cathy’s jealousy hadn't just been a crush—it had almost cost Allison's life.

The group eventually retreated to the peace of the beach house.

Anna, seeing it for the first time, was breathless. The floor-to-ceiling glass made it feel like they were standing on top of the tide.

"Wow," Anna breathed, looking up at the skylight where the stars were just beginning to peek through. "Devin, this place is incredible. It’s like a dream."

"Don't worry, babe," Sam said, pulling Anna into his side. "I’m going to build you a place just like this, just like the one Devin built for—"

Devin’s hand gripped Sam’s shoulder, a silent, painful warning.

"For who?" Anna asked, looking between them.

Sam’s brain scrambled for a save. "For—for his parents! A tribute, right? A memorial house. Right, Devin?"

The silence that followed was agonizing. Allison turned away from the window, her face pale.

"Sam," Anna whispered, her voice flat. "His parents passed away years ago."

Sam’s face went white. He looked at Devin, who looked ready to throw him into the ocean.

"I—I mean..." Sam stammered. "To honor them. You know... a memory. Yeah."

Devin just stared at him, then gave a slow, tense nod.