Chapter 104

“Not like I was bold to say it…” Sobbing, Elodre sniffled. “You were extremely mad when you returned from work…and I tried. I said something incoherent to break the ice…but you got so angry with me…” Her voice was unsteady.

“Really?” He raised a brow, looking puzzled.

“The night you said y…you never wanna see my face…”

Pondering for a while, Cayden momentarily recalled. The scenario began to recast in his head, making him feel like trash. He recalls yelling at her… probably hitting her. Fuck! He'd been hitting her. “Oh, I remember. Is that what you wanted to say, huh?”

“I…I probably could've tried if…if you had not dragged me like that,” She quivered. “I was just too frightened…” She lifted her watery gaze upon him and he gasped. Tears have blurred her sight. “I…I was afraid you might not have comprehended…and…and your rage on me made me feel like I disgusted you… I had that f…feeling all the time…especially when you said it to my face…”

Gazing compassionately at her, guilt and remorse were gleaming in his wide eyes. As tears gathered in his eyes, his lips were trembling. Oh, damn! He'd hurt her badly…and that was never his intention. Engulfed, his arms were a bit tighter around her fragile body. As she rested her head on his chest, he pressed mild kisses on her bandage and stroked her bag. “Baby, I…I want you to understand that all I said and did was just outta anger and frustration. You know me too well, don't you, sweetheart? I never meant to yell at you. Never in a million years meant to make you cry, darling.” He pressed a kiss on the bandage again.

“Y…you once told me you'd make me see how much of a monster you are…” She said. “And…I saw it.”

His gaze was intense upon her. “Look at me, baby.” He gently lifted her chin with his hand and gazed directly into her bewildered eyes. “Remember I'm your hubby, darling. Do not forget that…and I love you as always, regardless of any fuckin thing. Did you think I was pleased with the situation? Nah I wasn't. Darling I was exasperated…because I never knew the truth. I wasn't aware of the burdens you were carrying all by yourself. I was so angry, baby. And I got so mad because I trusted you. Because I loved and cared about you. I love you, sweetheart. I do. I couldn't just stand the reality of sharing you with someone else.” He spoke softly.

“But I didn't realize I…I was hurting you,” He quivered. “I didn't realize you were innocent…and that hurts me. I feel horrible…like I kinda overreacted. I should have known. I ain't a monster, baby. That was just me being mad and saying some nasty shit.” He arranged her hair and said wholesomely, “Baby, I'm so so sorry. I'm sorry for slapping you countless times…oh damn!” Tears were rolling down his cheeks. He just couldn't hold it back. He caressed her cheeks. “Sorry for laying my fickin hands on you. You didn't deserve that. I'm so sorry, okay? I'm so sorry.” Sobbing, he was rubbing her back.

“And…and the day I whipped you with my belt…” He wept bitterly, cuddling her. What had he not done to his poor wife?! All the hurting scenarios of hitting and yelling at her had clouded his head and he was overwhelmed. “The bruises I left on your body make me feel like an asshole. Baby, please I'm so sorry. My reactions were uncalled for… You didn't deserve that. You didn't deserve all the hurtful things I said to you, darling. It… it's all my fault. I should've given you the chance to explain things to me…but I never did. I'm so sorry, okay? I'm truly sorry.” He can't just let her go. She's everything to him. Bestowing kisses on her face, he said, “I'm sorry, my love. You've been through a whole lot. I can imagine the trauma you had.”

Gazing down at her, he slipped out his handkerchief from his pant pocket and wiped her tears, examining her left swollen eye. “This must hurt so badly, baby.” Oh damn! He can't believe he did this to her; beating her on her face?!! Fuck!! He's such a fool.

Although her head was hurting excruciatingly, a wet smile beamed on Elodre's face as she searched her husband's wet eyes. She loved him. It feels like she's just flown to fantasy. Everything seems unreal to her. She thought she'd lost him. She thought he'd never come back. She felt…

Overwhelmed, she began to sob, resting her head on his chest, listening to his soothing heartbeat as he stroked her back. She's now in his arms again; her place. The place that made her feel protected. Been years she ever felt so relieved and blissful. “I…I've never seen you cry before. This is the first time…” She said.

“I can do anything for you, my darling,” He said softly. “I love you, my love.”

“And I love you too, baby,” A grin tugged her lips. She’d never felt so joyful until today. “I feel like a heavy weight has just been taken away from me. I thought I'd never see you anymore.”

“Aww, baby, comm'n,” His eyes were gleaming with emotions. “You don't know how empty I was without you. I can't imagine my life without you and my kid. You're everything to me. And nothing's ever gonna come between us again. I personally won't let that happen.”

Elodre was gazing up into his glittery ice-blue eyes. He just called Raiden his son?! Wow! That thrilled her. A hearty smile was on her face. Holding his shoulders for support, she leaned upward to kiss him and he kissed her passionately. Something they've not done for a whole while.

Momentarily, the door opened and Weston walked in. Seeing them together he paused abruptly, letting out a gasp as his eyes widened in astonishment. With a brow raised, he squinted and Cayden chuckled.

“Hey, bro!” Gently letting go of his wife, Cayden got up from the colt, his arms open to hug his brother. He was surprised to see Weston here.

“Damn you, brother!” He said softly. “Damn you, Cayden. Fuck you!”

That cracked Cayden up and he laughed heartily as he approached Weston whose brow was raised. He'd that sarcastic questioning gaze.

“You prodigal son of a gun,” Weston pointed a finger at him. “The hell are you doing with my woman?”

Cayden's eyes were gleaming with amusement.

“Damn, how did you figure out where she is, bro?” Weston asked.

“I was gonna ask you that, bro,” Cayden said.

“He'd been coming to check on me since I had the accident,” Elodre said.

And Cayden's lip dropped in stun. “Seriously??! Weston?”

“Was running a project when I heard about her accident,” Weston shrugged. “It was a coincidence that I was in Canada then.”

“Aww, that's amazing, bro!” Cayden bobbed. “That's so good of you! Thank you!!”

They hugged warmly, Cayden patting Weston's back.

Elodre could not help but smile. Tears of joy were rolling down her cheeks. She was glad to see them reunite. They used to be like two peas in a pod…and here they are again. She shut her eyes and let the tears flow.

Gazing at his brother, Cayden's hands were placed on Weston's shoulder. “I'm sorry about everything, bro. You know, I was just so fuckin outta my mind. I'm so sorry for throwing accusations at you.”

“Oh, so you believe me now, huh, motherfucker?” Weston said jokingly.

“Yeah, son of a bitch,” Cayden laughed. Damn! He really missed his brother. He missed those silly jokes of his.

“I know you missed me,” Weston teased.

“Nah, I didn't, dude,” Cayden hugged him again.

*****

Once Weston approached the colt, Elodre said, “Weston I'm so sorry about what happened. I…”

“It's okay baby girl,” He smiled down at her. “You've not told me how this motherfucker found you.”

*****