For Devin, the youngest person among the four of them, Jake, was like his little fanboy.
Back then, all four of them grew up together in the same neighborhood. Since Devin was the oldest among them, he had always been the leader in the group, which included Jake and Shawn.
Unfortunately, Shawn was no longer with them.
Devin was drowned in his thoughts as he held a glass of alcohol in his hand. He thought of how many things had changed and said, “I want to resign all my positions in the military and live abroad.”
“What?”
Jake stared wide eyed at him as soon as he said that.
Resign? Live abroad? Is he leaving the Jadesons for good? He doesn’t want to be a member of the Jadesons anymore?
Jake was at a loss for words as a myriad of questions popped into his mind.
“Devin, i-is this really what you want? Is it because of Sebastian? Still, there’s no need for you to leave the Jadesons because of that. That’s your home.”
Devin merely shook his head and said, “This has nothing to do with him. I’m just tired of this life.”
Jake stared at the former who was sitting under the dim lights in the room. He didn’t know what to say.
Ever since what happened to the Jadesons, Jake had been worried that Devin and Sebastian would have a falling-out. After Shawn’s death, he just hoped that nothing else would happen between them.
Yet, when he heard that Devin did not blame Sebastian at all, he could not help but feel conflicted.
He knew that Devin had always been a righteous and forgiving person. Still, he wondered if Devin had any idea how much it hurt to hear those words coming from his mouth.
In the end, Jake decided to say nothing else.
He simply got up, wanting to order more alcohol.
However, when he got to the door, he saw a beautiful girl in a dress standing in front of him.
“Jake, where’s Devin? Is he here with you?”
“Huh?”
Jake was a little stunned.
Kira? How did she find me here?
Jake’s expression darkened as he looked at her. He quickly shut the door to the private room and said, “He’s not here!”
Kira did not believe Jake’s words at all. “I don’t believe you. You guys have always been together since you were young. Now that Shawn’s dead, and he’s not over at Red Pavilion, where else would he be if he’s not here?” she scolded and pushed him aside.
As expected, as soon as she pushed the door open, she saw a young man sitting with his legs crossed under the dim lights on the couch.
It was clear that the man was the person she had been looking for.
“Devin, you’re really here. We’ve been searching everywhere for you.”
Kira was relieved when she finally found Devin. She could not help but feel a sudden urge to cry. Immediately, she ran toward him.
Indeed, Kira’s parents had been looking for him for the past two days.
He had told them that he wanted to resign from his position and go abroad when they asked him about his plans the other day after the funeral.
They could not help but wonder if Devin had somehow gone mad.
Otherwise, why would he even think of resigning and going abroad?
“Devin…” Kira stood in front of Devin.
Devin did not reply at first since he’d had a lot to drink. It took him a moment to get a good look at the girl in front of him.
“Kira? What are you doing here?”
Kira was both delighted and aggrieved when she heard him call her.
“I’m here to look for you. Devin, let’s go home. My mom and dad have been waiting for you to come back,” Kira said with tear-filled eyes, assuming an absolutely pitiful appearance that could elicit sympathy from anyone.
In reality, one would be happy to feel the concern from their close ones, especially following the death of their parents.
However, Devin had no urge to return with Kira at all. All he felt at that instance was resistance and a slight annoyance surging inside of him.
“No. Just go back on your own. And tell your parents that they should stop looking for me.”
“But—”
“That’s all. I’ll get Jake to arrange a ride for you,” Devin interjected before she could finish.
He then beckoned to Jake who was behind them and asked him to send Kira back to Jadeborough.
What he did was nothing special at all, considering the circumstances.
After all, it was already very late. Kira was not only a girl, but she was also his family.
However, unbeknownst to him, Kira saw his arrangement as an act out of concern for her. Thus, instead of leaving, she remained where she was and stared at the man in front of her.
She gritted her teeth as though she had set her mind on something.
In fact, Kira was there tonight because her parents had ordered her to bring Devin back no matter what it took.
Devin’s decision was indeed a huge blow to the Woodses.
The latter had hoped that Devin would go against Sebastian ever since they found out about his parents’ death. Yet, Devin had no intention to do that at all.
