Since 1998

She's Still Beautiful

"Ali!"

The name broke from Lauren like an answered prayer. Seeing her daughter walk through those doors took the strength right out of her legs.

She collided with Allison in the middle of the foyer, holding her daughter tight.

Lauren didn’t care who she was with or what had happened. Allison was home.

"Mom."

Allison buried her face in the scent of her mother’s perfume.

Anna crowded in next, all tearful kisses and frantic hugs. For a second, Lauren looked over their shoulders at Devin. She gave him a single, heavy nod that said everything they didn't have words for.

Then the office door opened.

Alex Ainsley stepped into the hall. He didn’t move; he just stood there like a shadow.

"Dad," Allison breathed. Her voice sounded incredibly tiny in the cavernous room. She could feel a sharp, nervous tingle ringing in her ears, the entire mansion went dead silent as her father stepped into the light.

Alex didn't answer. He stared at Devin, his jaw so tight the bone looked ready to pop. In the silence, the only sound was the rapid thrum of blood in his own ears.

"You're that boy," Alex said. "From seven years ago."

"Yes, Mr. Ainsley, I am."

"Dad, can we just talk?" Allison stepped forward. "It’s not what you think. You got it wrong."

Alex didn’t listen. He hated messes. He hated anything that didn't fit into his perfect, controlled world. He reached behind him and pulled the gun he’d kept ready.

Click.

The sound of the hammer's c*****g back was deafening.

"What did you do to my daughter?" Alex demanded. The barrel was a dark, empty eye pointed straight at Devin’s heart.

Allison didn't think. She threw herself in front of Devin, her small frame a fragile shield. "Dad! Stop!"

"Alex, are you insane?" Lauren’s voice cracked. She reached out, her fingers shaking. "Put that goddamn gun down!"

"Move, Allison," Alex said. His voice was pure ice. "Guns don't kill people. Fathers do."

"No! Dad, please!"

Devin didn't yell. He didn't run. He reached out and firmly moved Allison behind him. He stepped forward until he was almost touching the barrel.

"Mr. Ainsley."

The mansion held its breath. Lauren froze, listening to her own frantic breathing, Anna stood frozen in the doorway.

Devin’s voice came out completely level, cutting through the silence.

"I know you won't pull that trigger. To you, I'm just some kid. But I'm standing here anyway. So let’s talk. Man to man."

Allison stared at Devin, a fierce spike of pride hitting her chest as she watched his rigid posture and fearless eyes.

Time slowed. Alex’s hand shook, just a tremor, but it was there. He looked into Devin’s eyes and saw a terrifying kind of calm. It was the look of a man who had already lost everything and had nothing left to fear.

Maybe he saw himself in him or a version of a man he was supposed to be.

Slowly, the barrel dipped toward the floor.

"Oh, God. Thank you, Alex!" Lauren rushed towards him, burying her face in his shoulder as the adrenaline broke into sobs.

Devin took a long breath, the first one that didn't feel like his last.

"Mr. Ainsley..."

"Get out, before I change my mind."

Alex didn't look back. He turned, walked into his office, and slammed the door. The sound echoed through the house.

Lauren exhaled, looking at them with tired eyes. "Just let him," she whispered. "I'll handle him. Go, Devin."

"I'll leave now Mrs. Ainsley." Devin looked at Allison. His gaze lingered a second too long. "Allison. Anna."

"Take care, Devin."

Lauren walked him to the door. "Thank you for bringing her home," she said. "I'm sorry for what happened, Devin. But I'm so proud of you for standing up. You're different from him."

"I don't understand, Mrs. Ainsley. Who?"

"Never mind, kid. Thank you again."

Devin left, but he didn't go home. He went to the beach, and it was in chaos. Mobs swarmed the glass house.

"Excuse me. Let me through. This is my house!"

"He's here!!!" The reporters and cameramen ran towards him.

"Mr. Austin, a moment?"

Flashes exploded in his face. He was speechless. By the time the news hit the stands, his face was everywhere.

Back at the mansion, Anna burst into the room with a newspaper. "Allison! Look! It's Devin!"

Allison stared at the headline: ARCHITECTURAL MIRACLE: Glass House Survives Typhoon.

"So this is the 'glass house' you were talking about," Anna said. "He's famous."

Allison’s heart twisted. "Let's go, Anna."

"Where? The beach?"

"No. I’m going to give my savings to the families who lost everything in the storm."

"Cool. Doing the Good Samaritan thing?"

In his office, Alex stared at the same paper. He said nothing. Then a visitor arrived.

Ben Austin walked in.

Lauren froze, almost dropping a family heirloom. But Ben wasn't alone. He was beaming.

Ben's locked onto Lauren. She's still beautiful.

Alex stepped out of his office, his brow furrowed.

The time had come.