(FREYA'S POV).
Today I was so busy taking care of everything about the boutique that I forgot the time to go home. It was around eight in the evening when I got home. Skipping dinner.
My energy was almost drained and I felt so tired because I had to look for the cheapest building again after coming to Jason's office. And luckily he was willing to lend me the money. Even more than what I asked for.
As I passed by the living room, I saw Devan relaxing there. My forehead wrinkled. He didn't usually relax at this hour.
Had he eaten?
I smiled sadly. Why would I still worry about him when he didn't care about me at all? I tried to ignore his presence and walked past him.
"Where have you been?"
I stopped walking when I heard his voice. I quickly turned around and saw him getting up from the sofa.
"Didn't I warn you not to come home late?"
I could feel the annoyance in his tone. With the cold stare, he always showed when he was talking to me.
"I have a lot of things to do at the boutique," I said. "Sorry. I'll remember next time."
"I heard you borrowed money from Jason."
I looked at him with a surprised look when I heard his words. Could it have been Jason who told him?
"Did Jason tell you?" I asked.
"Why? you were hoping Jason wouldn't tell me? You seem to have forgotten that he's my friend," he taunted.
I shook my head. "No, I didn't. I did borrow money from him for my boutique problem," I replied. I had nothing to hide from him.
"Why?"
"What?" I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"
"You're not planning to borrow money from me?"
I was again shocked by his words. Does he have multiple personalities? Sometimes he's good, sometimes he's bad. Suddenly turning angry and annoyed, then suddenly turning gentle and considerate.
"Would you lend me money if I asked for it?" I asked back. I looked at him intently.
He chuckled. "Don't expect it."
What could I expect from him? He probably just wanted to mock me with my current condition. Smiling on top of my misery. Just like he wanted all along.
"Then, stop acting like you care about me. And even if you end up borrowing money. I won't accept it either."
Wouldn't he look down on me, call me shameless for daring to borrow money from him? Thinking that I'm a vain woman who takes advantage of her husband's pride?
I could never really understand what was going through his head.
"Because you already have Jason? So you feel safe?"
I looked at him in disbelief. Did he think that I was trying to get close to Jason? Why was he so narrow-minded about me?
"Why? If you can be in a relationship with another woman, why can't I? You don't love me. I can get close to any man I like."
"You think he will like you too?" she laughed mockingly. "You'll just end up being his sex slave."
"That's much better than being mistreated by you. At least he's being nice to me!" I shouted at him.
I winced at the pain as Devan suddenly gripped my arm so tightly.
"Ah! Dev, it hurts," I moaned, begging for release.
But he tightened his grip even more and looked at me sharply.
"You know, the more you act haughty in front of me, the more I want to make you cry blood." he hissed.
My heart broke when I heard his harsh words. Even though it wasn't the first time, it was still very painful. We had been in a relationship for so long that he finally proposed to me.
But I didn't realize that his great love had brought me to the brink. And even so, what hurt me the most was that I still loved him.
"Dev, it hurts... you hurt me," I whispered in a trembling voice. My eyes were already red with pain and I kept trying to remove his hand, but he was too strong.
"Listen, Freya, this is my first and last warning. Stop approaching Jason in any way you can. Because I will never let my friend fall for your cheap tricks."
"You must be losing your mind. I only asked him to lend me money and I have no ill intentions towards him whatsoever. I never tried to seduce him!" I shouted in disgust.
"Do you think I'll believe what you say?"
"I don't care if you believe me or not. But clearly, I can do whatever I want. I don't have to obey a husband who doesn't even respect you!" I snapped.
"You and your annoying mouth. I'd love to gag you until you can't speak anymore!"
"Ah! Dev, it hurts!" I whimpered in pain as he pressed my wrists with his thumbs until I felt that my hands would break because of him.
I tried hard to shake off his hand, and when I did, I quickly stepped back away from him.
"You're insane, Dev! What did I do wrong for you to be this rude to me? What big mistake did I make for you to hate me so much, huh?!" I sobbed while holding my reddened wrists.
"Your fault is that you were born into this world, Freya."
"I hate you, Dev," I said in a hoarse voice. My throat ached and my chest felt tight. I couldn't stop the tears from falling down my cheeks.
I, who couldn't bear to look at his face and put up with his every rude behavior, chose to leave. I turned around and tried to leave without saying anything else, but he suddenly pulled my hand roughly. He was making me gasp in surprise.
"Where are you going?”
"Enough. Let go of me, Dev!"
“I'm still not done talking!" he shouted
"Let me go, Dev!" I shouted back as I swatted his hand away roughly. My eyes widened in surprise when his face accidentally hit my bracelet, causing him to scratch and bleed. I reflexively touched his cheek with worry. "Dev, sorry. Are you okay?"
But he turned his face away in annoyance, avoiding my touch. There I felt an excruciating pain in my chest.