The Devil's Sweetheart

Devin did not expect his mom to come here. He was glad Leena was so thoughtful and considerate and called up Evelyn. Otherwise, he would have died of nervousness. Did Leena also feel the same when she wanted to meet my family?

The moment Heather heard Leena's voice, her eyes sparkled, and looked in the direction of the door. Evelyn signaled the nurse to help Heather into the wheelchair. Recently Heather's health is almost recovered and she can sit in the wheelchair, walk a little and eat solid food. She is even trying to speak a little.

"Heather darling! Your son-in-law is here." Eve held Heather's hand gently and cleared her throat to get Devin's attention when he was standing like a log without moving. Despite Heather's face was pale and thin, Leena is a replica of her. Beauty doesn't fall from a tree. It is indeed genes.

He stood rooted to the floor watching Heather. Only when Leena poked his arm, Devin hurriedly walked and settled in a chair next to Heather. With a nervous face, he smiled at her without talking. Leena and Evelyn facepalmed seeing his stance refusing to speak again.

"He is a little nervous, Heather." Evelyn aided his son. "So_"

Heather slightly raised her hand in a stopping gesture while Evelyn instantly shut her mouth. The badass Heather she used to see has surfaced. Leena is the exact mini version of Heather with little cunningness added list. It must be from that Fox since he was the one that raised her.

"H_ello, Aunty." Devin smiled but Heather didn't respond.

Leena and Evelyn suppressed the smiles. It was clear that Heather was giving a little hard time for Devin before accepting him. After all, it's her daughter in question.

"Aunt Heather? Is that fine?" Devin spoke up. He understood she did not like the way he addressed her earlier. So, he came up with a closer term but even then, she did not acknowledge him.

"Mom_ish?"

Finally Heather smiled. Leena and Evelyn breathed in relief.

"My Heather has approved you, son," Eve added. She knew Heather was just teasing him. When Devin was born, she doted on him and when Leena was born, both friends have decided to patch up these two. If only she was not involved in that accident, their lives would have been different.

All of a sudden, Devin got up from the chair and knelt on the ground. Holding her hand, he spoke up."I am not familiar with you, aunty. But I am lucky to become your son-in-law and thankful that I am getting another friend in you. You might be different from my mom but similar in one way. The love you have for your daughter. I can only say, thanks for bringing her into this world. I will keep loving her unconditionally and safeguard her with my life."

"T_hank you." A teardrop dropped on Devin's hand. She was not available to look after Leena from childhood but still, she grew up to be an excellent girl with morals under Francis's care. Now, she has got a doting son-in-law and she couldn't ask for more. She can die without any regrets now.

Heather motioned Leena to come forward and offered Leena a hand to Devin as she spoke. "T_ake c_are of my...."

"Don't stress, mom-ish." He reassured her squeezing her hand. "I will take care of her."

"Cheesy fellow," Leena muttered feeling giddy all over. His confessions have melted not only her mom even Leena to the point her eyes welled again. Where does he learn exactly?

"Hmmm...He is my son, Leena." Eve proudly gloated. She knew the pain of living in a toxic family. So, she has raised Devin and Adney with love and care. She did not raise a hero but raised and treated him like a son and in turn, he has become a hero.

"Even my Francy has raised me better." It was Leena's turn to gloat. Speak of the devil, he doth appear suited at the moment. Leena was just talking about him and Francis entered the hospital room.

"What a pleasant surprise, Francis. I see you everywhere nowadays." Evelyn teased moving towards him. For some reason, she wanted to heckle him today.

"It should be my question, Miss Davies." Francis ignored her and turned to Heather. The moment she saw him, she smiled broadly.

"Thank God she is at least acknowledging you now," Eve whispered with a giggle.

"I will throw you out of the hospital if you don't put a stop to your blabbermouth today." He whispered. As if they don't have any other work, both Evelyn and Fredrick keep teasing him. He shouldn't have allowed her to visit the hospital today or he shouldn't have come here.

"What did you do to her to give such a cold treatment before, Francis?" Eve defied his threats and poked him again.

"How would I know?" He scowled at Evelyn in irritation for throwing questions after questions. After Heather got married to his cousin, she stopped talking with him. Though she would allow him to play with Leena when she was born, she would neither look at him nor talk with him. After her accident, Leena was under his care, and due to his frequent visits to the hospital, she stopped giving the cold shoulder. To Francis's surprise, she gives a smile when she sees him now.

"Think_"

Ignoring Evelyn's words he went towards Heather and patted her head. "How are you, Heather?"

"Fine..." She nodded her head, a smile crept over her eyes. "H_ow are_"

"Don't stress yourself." He interrupted. "I am doing good. Sorry, I couldn't visit you due to workload for a whole week. I went to Paris for a conference and has to stay for four days. It was hectic and_"

"She did not ask all those questions, Mr. Hayes." Evelyn interrupted with a stoic face. "Why do you become a blabbermouth when it comes to_"

"What are you implying here?" Francis interrupted with gritted teeth. Did she damage her brain? Why is she targeting me today?

"I am not implying anything. I am just stating the fact." Evelyn said.

Francis made a note to teach her a lesson once she is out of the hospital. For now, he has important things to discuss with Heather. "I asked the doctor and they are ready to discharge you after a month. Are you fine staying in the home?"

"Yay!! Mom is getting discharged." Leena jumped and squealed. She dropped cutting the apples and scurried towards Francis.

"She has not said yes, brat," Francis frowned.

"Obviously it's a yes." Leena turned to her mom. "Right mom?"

"Hmm.." Heather nodded her head. For two decades, she has been enclosed in four walls and an opportunity to escape, she would gladly accept. Besides, she could see her daughter more if she stays in the home.

"She agreed and she will be staying with me," Leena was in cloud nine. After two decades, her mom is leaving this place.

"No." Francis instantly declined. "Your tantrums are not going to work on me. You don't know how to take care of her. You will have an office every day."

"Even you have an office."

"Yes but Caleb and Grace would be in the home to care for her." He added. "If you want, you can come and stay with me." Francis did not leave any room for discussions. It was the only way, he can lure her into staying with him.

"Absolutely, not." Devin declined. If she stays with Francis, there would be fewer chances for him to be with Leena. Devin is aware of Francis's jealousy and he cannot let her stay with him. He made a note to persuade his mom-ish to bring her to his home.

Evelyn sighed. Her son is added to the jealous list now? There would be a war between Francis and him in the future.

"You can fight outside. Heather needs some rest." Evelyn signaled the nurse to help Heather in putting in the bed.

"Jealous fellows," Leena muttered and shoved Devin and Francis out of the room.

...

Right, when they got out of the hospital, Leena was about to step into the car but Francis pulled her by the arm.

"You have to go to the party next week. Do you remember?" He asked.

"Yeap." She pressed.

"Did you get a dress ready?" It was a question for formality for he knew she would have got it already.

"No. Can you buy me one, Francy?"

"I heard you brought around twenty yesterday. Your shopping addiction has no limits." He reprimanded.

Leena furiously glared at Devin. It must be him. There is no way Francis would have known the exact count.

"I am not buying any dress." He added. "Time to go.. Bye bye..I leaving home."He has not yet decided whether he should go with Leena or send Devin to the party.. He wanted to use the chance to introduce Devin to Leena but they have got together before that.