(Freya's POV).
"O-oh, it's nothing," I immediately touched my neck. Covered it with my hand. Trying to get away from Theo who kept looking at me suspiciously.
"Fey," he protested as I moved away from him. And he quickly grabbed my arm again. "Tell me what happened. Did someone hurt you?"
If we look closely, even a layman can know that this is a strangulation scar. And I stupidly took off the scarf I was wearing for Theo to see.
Panic overtook me. Theo kept looking at me with a look of anger that was purely out of worry. My mind was so muddled that I didn't know what to answer.
"Tell me who hurt you." His voice sounded heavy and threatening. Making me swallow my saliva with difficulty.
"Theo, you misunderstand. No one hurt me. ...."
"You think I'll believe you? That's why you've been wearing a scarf all day. So I can't see it, right?"
"No, it's not like that. I didn't hurt my neck on purpose. I covered it up because I was worried you'd think something was wrong," I excuse myself. "Never mind, forget it. It's not a big deal. I'll help you organize the groceries in the fridge." I tried to change the subject. Letting go of his grip on my shoulder and walking into the kitchen.
But Theo immediately pulled my arm. Asked me a question that made me cringe.
"Was it your husband?"
I froze. Unable to answer.
"I'm right, aren't I?" he insisted.
I swallowed hard. Trying to smile despite my inner pain. I shook my head to answer his question.
"That's not true. Devan never hurt me."
"Devan. That's right, his name is Devan," he smiled wryly, "tell me his full name."
"Theo."
"Give me his full name," he insisted with every word he spoke sounding like anger in my ears.
"Devan Harrison Heaven," I replied in a trembling voice.
"Sounds like an asshole guy. Does he do this to you often? Since when? Why would you marry an asshole like him?"
I gasped as Theo's voice sharpened. With a flash of anger in his eyes. I grasped his hand tremblingly.
"It's not what you think. He never hurt me. Theo...."
"I'll kill that bastard if I find out he hurt you again."
"No, please. I swear, I'm fine. It's just your worry. It's a wound caused by my negligence. He even just got back from Japan. He didn't hurt me, Theo." I tried to reassure her. Even with my panicked face showing, I tried.
"Are you sure you're not lying to me?"
"Yes, I am. So, please ... forget about this, hm?" I looked at him pleadingly.
"Alright. But if you lied to protect him. And he indeed hurt you. I'll break his hand right then and there. I don't care if I have to go to prison once again." He looked at me with a regretful look. It made my chest feel tight. "You're the only family I have. I just want to see you happy. And I don't want to see you suffer anymore, Freya."
"I know, I do too." I closed my eyes as Theo brushed his hand over my cheek. "Everything will be fine. You don't have to care about me too much. I can take good care of myself."
Just for the sake of my happiness, I couldn't possibly let him suffer in prison a second time. Even if I had to lie to him, I wouldn't let Theo make a mistake again.
"Come on, let me help you put the groceries into the fridge," I said quickly to change the subject.
I didn't realize that I was already late enough to go home. Too enthusiastic to cook for the first time after he got out of prison. I hurried home. Theo had offered to drive me, but I declined.
Arriving home, I was surprised to see Devan standing by the open door. With his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes looked straight at me, so sharp and dark.
I instantly froze in place. Not daring to take a step closer. I felt a sense of horror as I looked at his face he looked so angry. And something invisible seemed to be whispering to me to run away from there.
"Devー" My lips curled up as he started walking towards me. His sharp gaze continued to be directed at me.
My body trembled without me realizing it and my eyes widened as he stood before me. With his gaze flashing and frightening.
"Do you know what time it is?" his voice was heavy and deep, full of warning.
"Sorry. There was an event and Iー"
"Event? With who? Jason? Or some other guy I don't know about yet?"
I flinched at the condescending tone in his question. His eyes were dark and dangerous as they stared at me.
"That's much more of an accusation than a question," I defended myself. Biting my lower lip hard and gripping my clothes to make sure he didn't see me shaking.
"Then, tell me who you met."
I couldn't answer. I could only stare at him, who was also staring at me like he wanted to devour me until there was nothing left.
"You're dumb? Can't answer?"
"Akh! Dev!" I squealed as he pulled my back hair roughly. Making me look up with my head almost feeling like it was going to break off. My hands flailed at his hand which kept pulling my hair, and I whimpered in pain even more.
"Answer me, Bitch," he hisses.
My body trembled, and my eyes heated with fear and anger. But my fear dominated. Especially when he looked at me with his pair of dark, frightening eyes. I involuntarily burst into tears.
"Dev, it hurts ... You're hurting me," I whimpered. I tried to remove Devan's hand from my hair. But he pulled it back even more. It pulled my head back and caused pain in my neck.
"Hurt?" he grinned. "This is just the beginning, Freya."
"Ah! Devan ... what are you doing!" I screamed hysterically. He pulled my hair as he walked. Making me stagger with the pain that made me almost almost faint. "Dev, akh! ... It hurts!"
I thrashed to be let go. Even as we climbed the stairs, I almost fell and I cried out loudly when the tug on my hair didn't weaken. It caused a throbbing of pain in my head and knees that hit the edge of the staircase.
I squealed as Devan pushed my body roughly to the floor. Slamming the bedroom door so hard that I gasped. I winced at the feel of my injured knee and held my aching head.
"Dev ... what happened to you? Why are you acting like ... akh, Dev!!!" I screamed again as he dragged me to the bathroom. Dousing me with cold water until I could hardly breathe. My hands were flailing in the air, hoping something would save me. But instead, he pressed my head down, letting the water rain down on me.
I choked, gasping, out of breath. My body was shaking violently. I stared at him in horror as I saw his face staring at me expressionlessly.
"Enjoy your night's sleep here," he said in a cold tone.
I felt like a fool for a moment when I heard his words, then realized what he meant when he threw the shower algae. Then he walked towards the door with a nonchalant attitude.
"No, Dev!" I shouted in terror. I was helpless, just dragging my body trying to stop him. "Dev, this isn't funny! Devan!"
But he didn't look back or pity me. He slammed the door hard, and then I heard a sound like someone locking the door.