Gio and I had dinner together again because he came home early. I didn't let on that I was in pain; just a slight movement of my arm would cause it to hurt.
I was also grateful that Gio wasn't talkative or inquisitive. I didn't have to come up with excuses in case he asked about my visit to my father.
I was about to head upstairs to our room when Gio grabbed my arm and turned me toward him. He touched the bruise, and I let out a pained gasp.
"Ah!"
Gio's brow furrowed momentarily, but he quickly concealed his emotions.
"I-I'm sorry. I was just startled." I avoided his gaze, trying to hide the pain in my expression.
"Show me your arm," he ordered.
"Huh?" I heard him, but I pretended not to understand.
"You heard me, don't make me repeat myself, Millie." And that was my cue to follow him. When Gio mentioned my name, it meant something different.
I slowly showed him my arm. He gently touched it, and as I noticed him adjusting the sleeve of my clothing, I closed my eyes.
Gio didn't react immediately. I peeked at him, and he was simply staring at the bruise.
"Who gave you these bruises?" he asked, his tone restrained.
I hesitated about whether to tell him the truth, that my father had hurt me earlier because he didn't come with me. But if I told him, he might also learn about my past. I didn't want to spread that around. It wasn't something you could proudly tell someone.
"I-I just tripped earlier, that's how I got these bruises." I tried to pull my arm away from Gio's grip, but he didn't let go. I swallowed hard. Right now, silence was my ally.
"You'll never get these kinds of bruises because you fell, Millie." Gio looked up at me, and I felt like he was delving into my soul. If I didn't speak the truth, he'd find out eventually. "Tell me the truth."
"I am telling the truth-"
"You're going to tell me what happened, or I'll be the one to look for answers. If I find out who did this to you, you won't be happy with what I'm going to do. Now, tell me-"
"It was Papa."
When Gio's voice gradually rose earlier, I suddenly saw my father. I was scared, feeling that I was about to face their anger.
"I-I'm sorry..." My body trembled slowly. Gio's eyes widened when he noticed how my body responded to his earlier question. "P-Please don't hurt me, please? I'll tell you everything you want to know." My tears were falling too. I was having a panic attack. "I'll tell you, so please don't hurt me."
The memories of my father beating me rushed through my senses. It was all that was running through my mind, and it caused me to panic.
"Please don't get mad at me. I'm working to be a good wife. D-Don't lock me in a dark room or the attic. Don't beat me up."
My body continued to tremble as I cried and pleaded not to be hurt. I knew Gio was confused by me right now, but I couldn't control my trembling. My heart rate soared. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack.
Gio's brow furrowed slowly, and what he did next was unexpected. He drew me closer to him and hugged me. I was surprised by his action, but I couldn't speak or react appropriately.
He tried to calm me down, and strangely, I found solace in his every touch on my back.
Why do I feel safe when he's with me, even though I'm often afraid of him? But he's the only one who gives me this feeling-a sense of protection and security.
"I'm trying my best to be a good wife, Gio. Don't abandon me, please?" I clung to his clothing. It was soaked with my tears, but I didn't want to let go. I felt that if I moved away from Gio, fear would once again dominate my system.
"Stop crying," he said in a hushed tone. Normally, I would obey him because I wanted to please him. But right now, it was difficult to stop crying. "No one's going to hurt you, Millie. Hush now."
I held onto him tightly and buried my face in his chest. I tried hard to stop myself from crying, but it was impossible. The more I heard those words from Gio, the more I cried.
He let me stay in that position until I gradually calmed down. I pulled away when I finally stopped crying.
I turned away from Gio and wiped the tears from my cheeks. I suddenly realized that I shouldn't be crying in front of him.
"I'll call the doctor to check your bruises."
I faced Gio and shook my head. "It's not necessary. I'm okay. I-I'm used to it." I paused when I realized what I had just said. His eyes bore into me, and I looked away from him. "I'm going to the bedroom." I didn't wait for Gio to respond. I went straight to the bedroom and locked myself in.
My arm hurt, so I didn't know how to position myself to sleep. I was also too embarrassed to face Gio while we slept, so I endured the pain in my arm.
The door opened, so I automatically closed my eyes.
I heard some shuffling, and even though I was curious about what Gio was doing, I didn't open my eyes.
"Millie, I know you're awake. Let me check your bruises."
I opened my eyes and sat up. I looked at Gio, who was in front of me.
"Don't, Gio."
He didn't listen to me and gently held my arm. He applied a hot compress to it.
I watched Gio as he did it. Despite his ruthless aura, his actions were gentle. It was contradictory, and I was confused. I couldn't tell if he genuinely cared for me or not. He's giving me mixed signals!
I thought he would ask me more questions, but we remained silent the entire time he was treating me. I just stared at him.
~*~
I woke up the next morning, and after washing up and getting dressed, I went down to the first floor. I searched for Gio, knowing he didn't have work at the office.
"Gio?" I asked Alicia when I came across her.
"Sir Gio, ma'am? He just left a while ago. I'm not sure where he's headed."
I quickly approached Dario when I saw him. I repeated the question.
"Sir Gio left, ma'am. He said he's going to visit your father."
I felt a chill run down my spine when I heard this. I had a strong feeling that Gio's visit to the house wouldn't bring good news.