(Freya's POV).
"What do you mean?" I was shocked to hear Devan's words.
Freya is dead? Me?
"Four years ago, I got a call from the police that they found Freya's puppet. Her face was disfigured because the body was decomposed. I wasn't sure it was her, but the police found a wallet containing Freya's identity and a picture."
That can't be...
I pulled my hand away from Devan. My hands were shaking violently. Since when... how did that happen?
Did Dad do it? I told him all my life story and told him that I no longer wanted to live a miserable life.
No wonder he suddenly asked for my wallet out of the blue. I didn't know he would do something like this just to make me live peacefully with his daughter's identity.
"I still hope that the body the police found isn't Freya. That's why I kept looking for her but never found her," Devan said. I was surprised when he dropped his head on my lap and cried. "I've done a lot wrong to her and I regret it very much. But I don't know how to make up for all my sins."
I swallowed my saliva with difficulty. I shouldn't be crying at a time like this.
"What did you do wrong to her?" I wanted to know the answer. I wanted to know what his feelings of regret for hurting me were like.
During our marriage, he had never once been kind to me even at the last moment I left him. And how could he suddenly feel regret like this and say that he loved me?
"I've been bad to her out of revenge. I loved her, but I suppressed my feelings just for the sake of my ambition to avenge myself. And I regret it."
"Why?" I bit my lower lip as I heard my voice tremble. "Why are you telling me all these things? Aren't you afraid of me getting away from youー"
"I just don't want to lie to you," he said as he looked at me. This is the first time I've seen him cry like this. And for some reason, it makes my chest hurt. "Sooner or later, you'll know how my life was in the past. And I want you to know it directly from me, and no one else."
I fell silent. Didn't know what to do. I still hated him. I hated him so much for killing Theo. Even though I knew that I never lost my feelings for him, I couldn't go back to him even if he apologized to me on his knees.
Because his apology won't bring Theo back to me. It won't bring back my life as Freya again.
Just as I was about to speak, I heard someone knocking on the door and Aiden appeared from behind the door.
"Hey, what are you guys doing? Am I bothering you two?" he asked awkwardly. He just stood in the doorway while holding the knob.
"Oh, no. What's wrong Aiden?" I hurriedly stood up and approached him.
"Tristan's downstairs. He said he came to pick you up," Aiden said.
"Tristan?" I asked, confused.
I went to the first floor and saw Tristan standing in the living room.
"Tristan?" I called. He turned around and looked at me. "Why are you here?"
"To pick you up. Adam too," he said.
"Didn't I tell you that I'll be the one taking care of them?" I was surprised to hear Devan's cold tone as he walked towards us. Standing right beside me as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
I hurriedly let go and shifted to create some distance between us and I saw the disappointed look on his face.
"I'm her family. So I'll take care of them," Tristan stated.
"She's old enough to be treated like a child," Devan said.
"That's enough. You guys, stop fighting," I intervened. I pushed Tristan's chest away from Devan. I didn't want to see the two of them fighting, especially with Aiden watching.
"Come on, let's go home," Tristan said, pulling my hand.
"Aiden, can you check whether Adam is awake and bring him here? Sorry, I don't think I can have dinner with you guys. I have to go home with Tristan," I said as I looked at Aiden.
"Oh, that's okay. I'll see him soon. Wait!" he awkwardly looked at me and walked straight towards the stairs.
I needed to be there to ensure no fight between them.
"You promised to have dinner with me," Devan said. He looked at me with a sad expression on his face.
"Sorry, next time."
"Next time when?"
"Dev, Iー"
"Fuck! Stop pressuring her to do what you want. You don't have any relationship with Vivian, so stop bothering her."
"And you also stop meddling in our problems!"
"Enough! Are you guys going to keep fighting like this?"
"He started it," Devan hissed, "and for God's sake... you're a grown woman who can live your personal life without your brother's interference. Tell him not to follow you around all the time!"
"Watch your mouth, asshole."
"Stop," I groaned as I tugged on Tristan's hand. "Adam's coming down, please don't fight in front of him."
At that moment, I saw Aiden carrying Adam who was still half-asleep. I went straight to him and picked Adam up.
"Hi, sweetheart. Are you still sleepy?" I asked in a low voice. I rubbed his face and ruffled his hair that covered his face.
"Mom," he whispered.
"Hm? Go back to sleep when we're in the car. We have to go home now," I said.
"Ung," he mumbled softly before resting his head on my shoulder and going back to sleep. It seemed like he wasn't fully awake yet and was still sleepy. But that's good enough because there won't be any more drama than this.
"I'm going home. Thank you for looking after Adam, Aiden," I said as I smiled at him.
"No problem. Come here again and we can have dinner together, Vivian."
"Yes," I said. I then looked at Devan. "I'll go first."
"Wait." I was surprised when he pulled my hand and kissed my forehead. "I'll call you later."
"Come on, Vivian!"
I didn't have time to say anything as Tristan pulled me roughly out of the house.