(FREYA'S POV).
Two days passed and I received news from Aiden that Devan had returned from Japan. He really didn't give me any news at all. He doesn't think of me as his wife. Didn't even care about me at all.
I sat like a fool in the passenger seat while Devan and Aiden sat in the front. At first, Aiden told Devan to accompany me, but without saying anything and with his cold demeanor, he ignored Aiden's words.
We hadn't even talked at all since leaving the airport. He didn't even look at me at all.
"We're going straight back home," Devan said in a cold tone.
"We are indeed on our way back home, Dev."
"My home," he emphasized.
I glanced at Devan. I hadn't even packed my clothes and he didn't say anything either. He was cold even in the presence of Aiden.
"Oh, okay," Aiden muttered. He briefly glanced at me from the reflection of the glass and I immediately looked away.
The rest of the way home, I just stared out the window. There was no conversation between us. Only the silence in the car and the cold air coming from Devan. When Aiden tried to break the ice, Devan ignored him completely.
I got out of the car as soon as we reached the yard. Aiden helped me pick up the suitcase that was in the trunk.
"You can come back right now," Devan ordered suddenly.
"You're not going to tell me to go inside the house first?" Aiden asked.
"No, I'm not. Just go. I'm tired. I want to rest."
"But...." Aiden immediately fell silent. I don't know what kept him from continuing, but I could see the anger on Devan's face. "Fine," he continued.
And me? Again, I just stood there like a fool.
Aiden just left without entering the house. He was kicked out after he picked Devan up from the airport. Devan dragged his suitcase into the house when his car pulled out of the driveway—leaving me behind.
I followed him like an obedient lapdog. And he had no intention of saying anything.
As we passed the living room, I felt my cell phone buzzing and immediately looked at it. An incoming message from Theo. I couldn't hide my happy smile and hurried to reply to his message. But suddenly Devan came over and grabbed my phone roughly.
"Dev! What are you doing?!" I screamed hysterically as he slammed my phone to the floor.
I immediately knelt to pick up my broken cell phone. The screen was cracked and it wouldn't turn on anymore. I stood up, glaring at him angrily.
"What are you doing? Why did you suddenly slam my phone?" I protested.
I widened my eyes in surprise. Whimpering in pain as Devan grabbed my chin roughly and looked at me sharply.
"D-Dev, what are you...." I choked out. Both my hands trembled clutching his arms.
"Did you have fun while I was gone, hm?" he hissed. His piercing gaze frightened me. Even his demeanor was much colder and harsher than before.
"D-Dev, it hurts!" I winced. I tried to break free, but it was useless. His strength is much stronger than mine.
"Hurt? That's what I want to hear from your mouth," he said. His eyes sharpened, filled with hate. It made me shudder in horror as he again spoke in a cold, dark tone. "I'd love to rip your mouth off when I see you smiling like that. It makes me sick."
I gasped. My chest felt tight. I couldn't believe Devan would say such harsh words.
I roared in pain as Devan continued to tighten his grip. Down, to my neck. Pressing it there until it made it difficult for me to breathe.
"D-Dev... ugh... I can't...." My eyes widened with tears coming out. I couldn't breathe. My neck was gripped so tightly that it scared me to death. I kept rebelling to be released. I was kicking, punching, even trying to push his body with my trembling hands.
I felt like I was going to die. My throat was so sore. It hurt so much that the intensity of my breathing started to decrease.
"D-Dev...." I cried out. Still trying hard to break free, whimpering and begging. But he tightened his grip even more, staring at me with his piercing, merciless eyes.
My chest felt tight, tight with physical and mental pain, until I felt my vision blurring. Devan pushed me roughly, releasing me, and making me fall to the floor in a helpless state.
"Uhuk... uhuk... uhuk...." I touched my neck with my trembling hands. My face was already pale. I tried to inhale as much as I could, but I kept coughing with the pain in my throat. It felt like my throat was constricted, making it difficult for me to breathe.
"Don't ever show that disgusting smile of yours in front of me if you still want to breathe air freely," Devan threatened. Staring at me with his dark, terrifying eyes.
I looked up in horror as I saw him staring at me intently. With his black eyes filled with hate. Without pity. It was dark and terrible.
My body trembled with fear and hurt. I tried to keep myself calm while he walked away from me in the living room.
I sobbed while staring at his back as he walked away. With tears that I held back as hard as I could. My body shaking and fear making me cringe. I don't know what happened to him, but he was completely different. More terrifying. Making me uneasy.
My other side was screaming, rebelling, telling me to get the hell out of there, but I couldn't.
I was in my room, looking at myself in the mirror. I couldn't bring myself to cry. I stared wide-eyed, horrified at my neck which had left a reddish mark from what Devan had done. I sobbed while smothering my mouth with my hand.
Even with all his harsh treatment so far, he had never treated me this badly. I don't know what made him change like this, but I was so scared.