The Devil's Sweetheart

'No one forced me to marry him. I love him. So, I am marrying him.' 

Those heart-wrenching words have once broken him beyond repair. He was hurt in the core of his being on that ill-fateful day. But he never knew Heather was equally hurt, torn between love and responsibility. In the end, she chose responsibility and insisted on living with the pain. 

''You don't know how much you mean to her, Francis. Anyone who disrespects Francis has to face Heather's wrath, including me.'' Evelyn faintly smiled, remembering Heather lashing at her when she once criticized Francis for involving in a dating scandal. ''You are her biggest strength and her biggest weakness. If you still doubt my words, go, and check her mobile gallery. I bet it is flooded with your secret pictures.''

Francis had a hard time believing Evelyn's words, but her eyes spoke the truth. Sometimes the eye-opener moment would be so joyous that you wish you had wings to float in the air. What can be the happiest moment for a person to whom he devoted his life has equally loved him back. But the more he listened to the sufferings Heather underwent to bring Leena into this world, his heart is shattering into pieces.

''What's with Won-Shik?'' His throat constricted, and he swallowed hard to bury the pain inside. ''How did a stranger turn out to be the prime suspect of being Leena's father?''

Evelyn briefly narrated the incident that made Won-Shik the first suspect. 

''Studied in the same university? That explains why he is a doctor.'' Francis made a note to find more about this mysterious man. Someone sent his pictures to Heather to wreck their relationship. Ruth was technically alive at the time of Devin's birthday party. Did she have a hand on the ploy? At this point, his throbbing headache returned along with rumblings inside his stomach, and it's tough to concentrate listening to these whale mating sounds. 

''Excessive intake of beans left your stomach with gurgling noises?'' Evelyn teased.

''No.'' Replied Francis, getting up to leave. ''Absence of beauty hardened my soul.

Evelyn glanced at the retreating figure of Francis like he was the monkey's grandfather. Beauty hardened his soul? Like she said in the past, Francis has no sense of humor.

''Finally, he knows the truth. It's Heather's turn now.'' Evelyn wished Francis would give himself a second chance and express his love to Heather. Humming to a song, Evelyn went back inside, a smile on her face.

...

Francis drove slowly, enjoying the evening weather. His face lit up like spring blossoms, recalling Evelyn's words. '''Heather loves me!'' He repeated to feed his brain of this newly found mystery.

Reaching home, Francis saw watched his mother glued to those damn Korean dramas. Korea has spoiled her. ''Mom, did Heather come home?'' He asked.

''Nope,'' Margaret replied. Her eyes couldn't take off the scene she was witnessing. The hero finally discovers that the childhood friend he loves is also in love with him. ''Dumb, man! It took you decades to find the secret?'' Margaret yelled.

Francis went to his room and waited for Heather. He has lots to talk and lots to say to her, but the woman in the question didnot show up even when the clock ticked ten. Panic driven, he called her, but Heather cut his call and sent a message. [Heather: Can't talk....Major surgery in another half n hour...going into the operation room. I will call back later]

''Major Surgery?'' Francis sighed deeply, aware that it would take at least six to seven hours. The one-day wait is nothing. He can wait for eternity if it is Heather. Francis closed his eyes, reminiscing the happy moments of the past.

.....

Mottled sun shone through the see-through curtains. Heather stirred from her sleep, waking up to the alarm. She wanted to sleep more, but her stomach rumbled, demanding food. Getting fresh, she went down to have her breakfast.

''Hi, Heather!'' Margaret greeted. ''It's your favorite dish today.''

''OMG! Pancakes and maple syrup, and Cinnamon rolls? Happiness lies in_''

''Morning breakfast.'' Margaret completed for her. Both chuckled.

Taking a bite of the pancake, Heather peered around the house in search of Francis. He usually dines with her without a miss unless he is on an overseas business trip. Since it's Sunday, Heather assumed he must be still on his bed.

Around fifteen minutes later, her daughter arrived, giving her a surprise. ''Hey, Mom! Hey, Meemaw,'' Leena greeted, hugging them both.

''Hey, Leena, baby. How are you? You came alone?''

Leena hummed in reply, grabbing a banana from the bowl. ''Devin went to meet his friends.''

''So, how are they progressing?'' Margaret vigilantly gazed at Leena. ''Is he opening his mouth at least?''

'''What progression are you guys talking about?'' Heather watched them warily.

Ignoring her mother's question, Leena told Margaret. ''You don't believe, Meemaw. Francy is the one initiating conversation. Aunt Catalena is very sweet. A perfect match to Francy,'' Leena exclaimed in a near-sequel. Her eyes, for the briefest second, didnot miss the shift in her mom's emotions.

Heather's blood pressure dropped suddenly. What is her daughter talking about? Francis sweetly talking to another woman? Her heart twisted in pain, just by the mere imagination of Francis and someone other than her. ''Where is Francis?'' 

''Ah! He went to meet a woman.'' Leena stated. ''I arranged a date for Francy.'' She dropped a bomb.

''You, What!'' Heather's scream was soul-dying. Noticing her daughter's suspicion, Heather composed quickly. ''I mean...why would Francis go on a date at this age? He will never.''

''But he agreed.'' Leena's face sparkled under the chandeliers. ''He devoted his entire life taking care of me. It's my responsibility to take care of him. So, I arranged a date. Aunt Catalena is a lovely woman. I hope the date goes well for both. '' Leena stifled her smile, watching Heather's face darkening.

'Catalina? That dippy woman who owns a furniture company. It must be her. How on earth has her daughter found that woman beautiful? She looks like a replica of the Diplodocus Carneji skeleton found in a London museum.'

 ''What's the place name, baby?'' Heather demanded.

''Hotel Harrison..'' The moment the name traveled out of Leena's mouth, Heather stood up, ready for the war.