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The Harvey house was chaos.

His voice echoed through the halls, sharp and panicked as servants rushed past him. Phones were ringing. Doors opening and slamming. The air itself felt tight.

Guests were already arriving. Cars lined the estate outside. Laughter. Cameras. Whispers. Inside? Disaster.

Upstairs, at the far end of the hallway—. A boy stood frozen. He hadn’t even changed yet. Still in a simple shirt and trousers, fingers slightly curled at his sides as voices echoed from downstairs. Loud. Urgent. Wrong.

Something wasn’t right. Then— The door burst open. His mother. Eyes red. Breathing uneven.

Something in the way she said his name made his chest tighten.

The words dropped like glass. He blinked. Once. Twice. Ran… away?

His stomach dropped. No, No, he didn’t like that look.

She said it like it was obvious. Like it was already decided.

His voice rose, panic creeping in now.

The door slammed open again. Mr. Harvey stepped in this time.

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Relief hit Alex so fast it almost made him weak.

That name alone made the room feel colder. Devereux. Powerful. Untouchable. Dangerous.

Neither of them listened. Then suddenly— His mother turned back to him. Her eyes softened again. Too quickly. She stepped closer, voice trembling now.

His chest tightened.

He hesitated. Just for a second. And she saw it.

That familiar tone. That gentle pressure. That guilt.

But Mrs. Harvey didn’t look at him. Her eyes stayed on Alex. Waiting. Pushing. The seconds stretched. Heavy. Suffocating. Alex swallowed. His hands trembled slightly at his sides. He looked at his father— Saw the resistance. The refusal. Then at his mother— Saw the expectation. The pressure. And slowly… His shoulders dropped.

Silence. Then relief flooded Mrs. Harvey’s face so quickly it was almost terrifying.

She grabbed his hand again, already pulling him toward the door.

But the boy didn’t look back. Because if he did— He might run too.

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The wedding ended in a blur. Smiles that didn’t reach eyes. Whispers that followed him. A veil that felt heavier than it should. Alex Harvey barely remembered any of it.

Now— He stood outside the car. Still. Silent.

Mrs. Devereux’s voice—soft, warm. Too warm.

His voice was quiet. Almost lost. Behind him—

He paused. Slowly turned. Richard Elias Harvey. His father. Standing a few steps away, jaw tight, eyes heavy with something unspoken. Beside him— Margaret Elaine Harvey. Perfect posture. Perfect composure. Like nothing had happened.

Margaret stepped forward, adjusting his sleeve like she used to when he was younger.

That one still managed to sting. Even now.

🚗 The Ride

And that was it. No hug. No “are you okay?” Just expectations. He got into the car. The door shut. And just like that— It was over.

Alex sat by the window, hands folded in his lap. He didn’t speak. Didn’t move much either. Just… stared outside. Watching the city blur past. His reflection stared back at him faintly against the glass. Dressed as a bride. But not one.

The voice came from the front. Steve Alexander Devereux. His father-in-law. Calm. Deep. Observant. Alex blinked, like he had to remind himself where he was.

Simple. But sincere. Alex didn’t know how to respond to that. So he just nodded.

Beside him— A gentle hand rested over his. Warm.

Esper Aurelia Devereux. His mother-in-law. Her eyes were soft. Kind. And… bright. Almost too bright.

She studied him for a moment. Then smiled. A real one.

The name sat between them. Heavy.

A pause. Brief. Esper’s smile didn’t fade—but something behind it shifted.

Alex nodded again. But didn’t say anything else. And the silence returned.

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Alex Harvey. 20years. I’m Kind, cheerful if am comfortable. I like to dress feminine but mom forbids me from doing that. I have two amazing besties. Briar vale and Janice Kim. Ended up married to the rumored devil. I’d don’t know why my sister did that. She wasn’t forced. I wasn’t even in a relationship now I’m married. (Sigh) Hope he doesn’t eat me alive😮‍💨

Lucius Devereux. 27years. The devil they say. I don’t like social gatherings. For some reason I was rumored to be disabled. I let the rumor continue because I wouldn’t have to bother making public appearances. I have three stupid friends friends. Marriage? That’s not for me. Though I was supposed to marry the eldest daughter of the Harvey. Somehow I ended up with a boy instead. I can’t promise anything. He better just stay off my way.

Margaret Elaine Harvey. 48years. I have two children. I love them both, but can’t help wanting only the best for my daughter. People call me selfish for being biased. But I’m not. It’s just Alex? He can be too much. Wanting to wear female clothes. Not on my watch. As for this marriage I knew he can’t say no to me. And my daughter? We’ll see.

Richard Elias Harvey. 52years. I have two children. My personality depends on the situation. My youngest child was just married off unexpected. I have always known my wife was biased towards our daughter. My daughter agreed on this marriage alliance. She has been prepared for it for months and she never said no. She knew he was disabled from the beginning. My son though. He’s still a kid and never prepared for this. I trust Mr. Devereux. But I won’t hesitate to fight him if anything happens to Alex.

Esper Aurelia Devereux. 46years. Still look like I’m in my prime ( still am though 😏) I have two children. They are annoying. I wants someone i can spoil. Pamper. And brag about. My sons? Too focused on business or school (pout) now I got a perfect son-in-law. Can’t wait to show him off to my friends. My husband is hot but cold. Anyway bye 😘

Steve Alexander Devereux. 50 years. I can’t say I’m lovely. I can be cold and my personal is unpredictable. My son Lucius took after me. Though he’s colder. I love my wife so much, she can be overwhelming. I feel bad for my son-in-law. He better gets ready to be the cute son she never had.

Raven Devereux. 24 years. I can be little hothead. People think I’m a bully. The truth is am not. I control half the school though. Anyone who provokes me gets bullied. I never asked my friends to do that but I never stopped them either. I have a crush on someone but he hates me. (😢) my brother Lucius is scary sometimes. Though he is secretly loving. I might have just found the solution to getting my crush. I just got a cute brother-in-law. Though I would call me sister-in-law instead. Wanna tease him so much. Though my brother might have my head for that.

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