For the first time in his life, Draven felt powerful, as though the chaos that consumed his family could finally be controlled—by him. If his father was so infatuated with another woman, Draven would ensure that love became his downfall.
It started with a careful watch. He followed his father after office hours, trailing him to a modest house tucked into an ordinary neighborhood. A sharp knock on the door revealed her—a young woman, no older than twenty-five, her wide eyes brimming with naïve charm. She greeted his father with a smile that Draven instantly loathed.
Through the window, Draven observed their interaction. The way his father softened under her gaze, the way he smiled—a genuine smile he hadn't shown his family in years. It made Draven's stomach churn. This wasn't love. It couldn't be. It was pathetic lust wrapped in feigned affection, and it was destroying his family.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails bit into his palms. For years, his mother had endured humiliation and pain, yet here was the man responsible, doting on a stranger as though she were a goddess. A wicked grin spread across Draven's face. He had found his weapon.
The walk home felt lighter than usual. His chest burned with satisfaction, though a darker voice whispered beneath it—a voice that sounded like his father's, mocking him, asking if he was truly capable of this.
That night, Draven's unusually good mood did not go unnoticed.
"What are you smiling about?" his mother asked with a faint, curious smile as she set the table.
"Leave him be," Brandon interjected, smirking. "He's probably found himself a girlfriend. That's why he's glowing like a firefly."
Draven chuckled louder than he intended, surprising even himself. "That's a fantastic idea," he quipped, though his voice carried a sharp edge.
He retreated to his room, the seed of a plan growing with each passing moment. Sleep came easily that night, his mind buzzing with the possibilities.
---
Morning arrived with the crisp promise of revenge. Draven set out for the woman's house, rehearsing his lines in his head. When she opened the door, her confused expression shifted into politeness at the sight of him.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Mr. Williams Shan," he said with a carefully measured smile.
Her eyes flickered with recognition before she shook her head. "You must have the wrong address. I live here alone."
Draven's smile widened, warmth spilling into his voice. "I'm sorry to trouble you, but I'm incredibly thirsty. Would you mind terribly if I had a glass of water?"
Her hesitation melted almost immediately. "Oh, not at all! Come in."
The interior of the house was modest, cozy even, though it reeked of a false sense of security. She brought him a glass of juice instead, her eager smile betraying her excitement.
Draven studied her as he sipped. She was undeniably beautiful, but there was something fragile in her features—a woman playing house, oblivious to the destruction she was enabling.
"I'm Draven," he said finally, breaking the silence.
"Esmeralda," she replied, her cheeks flushing slightly under his gaze.
He leaned forward slightly, tilting his head with a practiced charm he didn't know he possessed. "You have a lovely name. It suits you."
Her laugh was soft, almost bashful. "Thank you. I like your name too."
They talked for hours, and though Draven's every word dripped with flirtation, he felt sick inside. Every compliment, every teasing smile, felt like a betrayal—not to her, but to himself. Yet, it had to be done. If his father thought Esmeralda was more deserving than his mother, Draven would make him regret it.
When she offered for him to stay the night, he declined with a polite smile, leaving her at the door with a lingering look that she would likely misinterpret as longing.
As soon as the door shut behind him, Draven exhaled heavily. His jaw ached from the forced smiles, his head throbbed from the endless compliments. Yet, he couldn't help but grin as he imagined his father's face if he ever found out.
"Soon," Draven whispered to himself. "You'll regret every word you ever said about her."