(DEVAN'S POV).
I let out a long breath. Meetings with clients, then the next day I had to leave immediately for business. I felt like I had no time to rest. My head was about to explode, and I felt tired. I felt even more tired when I faced Freya.
That woman.
I didn't know what effect she had on me. But day by day, I felt myself changing. Whenever it came to her, I was always out of control. I did marry her for revenge, to make sure she suffered before I threw her away like trash.
But every time I saw her crying or hurt, I felt my chest tighten. Every time I saw her with another man, I felt crazy. I felt like I had to make sure that no other man came near her. Talk to her, or steal that laugh from me.
I knew something was wrong. I had to suppress it immediately, but the more I did, the stronger it became. Unconsciously, I became weak and forgot my revenge.
I cringed when my cell phone buzzed. I saw that Aiden had sent me a text message.
Aiden: Just letting you know that Jason came to the house. He was looking for Freya and they talked for a while.
My eyes sharpened as I read Aiden's message. Something inside me wanted to break out and beat Jason up.
Me: What talk?
I quickly reply to Aiden's message, and he quickly replies to mine.
Aiden: I don't know. Freya looked angry. I didn't hear her because I was watching from my window.
I snorted. I didn't reply to Aiden's message again. I thought I needed to get the answer directly from Freya. I had warned Freya not to go near Jason again. But it looks like Jason also needs to get another warning not to bother people's wives.
Aiden: Freya's fine and Jason's gone. Just letting you know.
I went back to reading Aiden's text message. I stared at the message repeatedly with my eyes sharpened.
Damn it.
Why does everything feel crazy when it comes to Freya?
I went back quickly. It's around three in the afternoon. I can't wait to see Freya and interrogate her. Ask her about all the things she'd talked about with Jason and why that asshole had come to my parents' house.
I walked into the room without knocking. That made Freya, who was lying on the bed, gasping in surprise. She hurriedly sat cross-legged with a surprised expression.
"Dev, are you home?" she asked. Her voice was soft and low. "Didn't you say you'd be home late?"
"Hm," I muttered. Closed the door and loosened my tie.
"Do you need anything for your departure tomorrow? I can help you pack your clothes if you want."
I dropped my gaze to her. She looked fine. And that bothered me even more.
"No need," I replied in a cold tone. I took off my suit and put it on the sofa. Then walked over to the bed. "You don't have anything you want to tell me?"
She looked confused but answered me anyway. "About what?"
"Anything. As long as I go to the office." I tried to speak clearly, so that she would understand what I meant without me saying it outright and she immediately shut up, looking at me warily.
"You ... knew Jason was coming here, right?" she guessed. And it seemed she also understood who had told me about it.
"Hm."
She immediately stood up and approached me.
"Please don't be angry," she said with concern. "I already told him that I didn't want to see him. I didn't know he was coming here either. We were just chatting." She shook her head uneasily. "He apologized, that's all. After that, he left."
"Apologized?" I muttered. I looked at him intently.
"Dev, you're not angry, are you?"
I felt his hand grasp mine. But I ignored it.
"Stay in the room," I insisted.
"Are you going again? Where?" She tugged on my hand, looking at me uneasily as I turned back to him.
"Work."
"Dev..."
Her voice faded, as did her eyes. I grabbed her waist, holding her in my arms. I kissed her lips softly, then crushed them in a fast rhythm.
"Stay at home. I'll be back soon," I whispered over her lips.
I released my embrace and quickly walked out of the room. Ignoring her light call I left him without an explanation.
I descended the stairs impatiently. Back out of the house and drove my car at full speed. The only place Jason was sure to be was there.
Home.
Arriving at Jason's house, I entered without knocking. Luckily I found him relaxing in the living room with a can of alcohol in his left hand. He looked surprised when he saw my sudden arrival.
He hurriedly put the can on the table and stood up. Looking at me with a caught face.
"Hey, Devー"
I threw a punch on his face and he collapsed on the floor.
"Get away from my wife."
I gave him a threatening look and he looked at me as if he was assessing how much of a threat I was.
"You kidding me?" he laughed mockingly. "You're the one who told me to play around with her."
"Just shut up!"
Jason woke up and gave me a sharp look.
"Why? You're afraid that Freya might like me? You're afraid she'll turn her back on you. Am I wrong?"
I clenched my fists. My eyes flashed with anger. "Speak one more word and I will destroy you, Jason."
"Do you love her?" he asked with a mocking laugh. And that infuriated me even more.
"That's none of your business." I grabbed him by the collar and he didn't budge at all.
"Have you forgotten your promise to Greyta, Dev? You promised in front of her grave that you would avenge her death. Have you forgotten? I was there, Dev. I heard everything...."
My eyes darkened, my hands trembled. I lost my strength and it was an opportunity for Jason to punch me in the face. I winced as the corner of my lip hurt.
"Oh, shit. I hate violence, but let's just say we're even."
I glanced at him sharply. And he laughed again. He knew how to get me off my ass.
"Stop looking at me like I'm an asshole, Dev. Because you're much more of an asshole than me. And I guess I also need to remind you again about your vengeance. Don't tell me, your vengeance is fading just because of your love for Freya?"
"Fuck!"
"If you're being wishy-washy like this, your dead sister can grieve."
"You... Stop talking about my sister!"
"I just want to make you realize that you and Freya can never be together. So, just take your revenge and bury your love deep. Don't let Freya find out, Dev," he smirked, "You can never imagine what Freya would think of you if she knew the reason you married her."
I clenched my fists in anger. My eyes stared intently at Jason. I felt my chest tighten at the thought of how my life had become so messy. It was like I was standing on an ice cube that could crack at any moment and send me plummeting to the darkest depths below.
"Do what you have to do. And leave the protecting her part to me," he spoke again, making my dark eyes round as I stared at him, "I've already decided. That I will take Freya from you and make sure she is mine."
"You think you can make her turn away from me?" I smiled mockingly, though inwardly I lacked confidence.
"Even if I can't do it. Remember, Dev, sooner or later, she'll find out the secret you've been hiding from her. Her faults. The reason why you married her,” he said, “and she will hate you.”