(FREYA'S POV).
I winced as I felt the pain in my head. Ever since this morning after I got out of the shower, my body felt weak and my head kept throbbing with pain. Elliot had given me medicine, but it somehow didn't work.
My head still feels dizzy and I can't focus on work. I had to meet Theo after work. We had promised to go to our parents' graves together.
I have to look good in front of Theo so he doesn't think anything wrong.
"Mrs. Freya. Mr. Theo is downstairs waiting for you."
I heard Becca's voice as soon as the knock sounded and the door opened. I looked at her in confusion.
"Theo? But we're meeting at the café as usual," I muttered.
"Maybe he wants to see your boutique," Becca said.
I nodded. "Thanks, Becca. I'll be right down."
I tidied up my desk, then my appearance. I stare at the mirror in my room and my chest tightens again when I see myself in the reflection. The incident this morning with Devan made me recall the hurt and shame he had inflicted on me.
I bit my trembling lips. I have to look happy in front of Theo. He can't know that Devan treated me badly.
When I got downstairs, I saw Theo sitting quietly on the waiting couch.
"Theo, why did you come here? Didn't we meet at the cafe?" I asked him after I stood near him.
"Fey," he whispered, then hugged me so tightly that it was hard for me to breathe.
"W-What's wrong?"
I was a little confused by his strange behavior. More spoiled than usual even though he's not that kind of person. When I realized everyone was staring at us, I hurriedly let go of his embrace.
"Let's get out of here first," I said immediately pulling him out of the boutique. "Becca! I leave the boutique to you!" I called out to her who was standing not far from me, watching me.
We got into a taxi and went to buy the lily that my mom loved. We bought two for my mom and dad. They had passed away and there were only two of us. Our father died of a heart attack when I was a teenager. They were good parents. The best I have.
Even if there was a chance to live again, I would still choose them as my family. I unconsciously cried in front of their meal, it had been so long since I had visited again.
"Mom, Dad, we came to visit you," I sobbed.
I felt Theo's hand wrap around my shoulder. Soothing my tears.
"I'm back, Dad, Mom. Sorry if I'm late," Theo said. His voice was heavy and sounded like he was holding back his tears.
My tears broke even more. I couldn't bear how I lived those days alone. Without my family, without Theo. It felt like my world was completely shattered. Until I met Devan. But ... I don't know anymore if the gratitude I had when I met him is still my gratitude now.
"You guys don't worry. I will protect our little girl well. I won't leave her again," Theo whispered.
Hearing him say something like that made me sob. I hugged Theo, crying into his chest with a trembling voice. I was losing my control.
"I'll make sure you'll always be happy, Fey. My little sister," he whispered in my ear. I felt him tighten his embrace. "It's penance for what I've done in the past."
I didn't understand what he was talking about because when I was crying, I couldn't think straight. Until he brought me to sit on the long bench outside the tomb. He wiped away my tears carefully. Crouched down in front of me and kept looking at me, making sure I was feeling better.
"Theo, I'm fine," I said, though I could feel my head continuing to throb and now it felt worse than ever. My vision was blurred but I was still able to keep myself conscious.
He didn't answer, but instead looked at my neck. And he touched it gently. I deliberately didn't cover it up because the marks had almost faded.
"Theo," I whispered.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault."
I was stunned by his words. I didn't understand what he was talking about, but I still had a panic attack. Theo was very different today. He was moodier and seemed to have a lot of problems he was thinking about. Like there was a heavy burden he was carrying.
I smiled wryly. "It's not your fault, Theo. Why are you apologizing?"
"Fey...." He looked at me intently. His voice was muffled. Like she had something to say, but she couldn't.
"What's wrong?" I asked, worried. "Theo, you're very different today. Is there a problem?"
He shook his head. Dropping his head on my lap with his hands clasping mine. I could feel him crying.
"Theo?!"
"Don't. Just like this. For a moment."
I tried to pull him away but he kept resting her head on my lap. Growing more and more worried, my eyes widened as I felt her tears fall onto the back of my hand.
"W-what happened?" I asked, again. She tried to answer me. "You can tell me. I'll try to help you no matter what. We're family, we're...."
"If I...." He looked up. I gasped as he looked at me with a face that looked helpless with his tears breaking out.
"If I asked you to go with me. Would you want to?"
"W-what do you mean?"
"Let's turn over a new leaf. Let's leave this country. Just the two of us. And we can start our lives again. Start over."
"Theo, what's wrong with you?"
My chest felt tight. This was the first time I saw Theo's helpless face. Even when I first visited him in prison, he could still smile in front of me. With the resilience he showed me.
But right now, what I saw was someone who was broken. Someone who seemed to have lost direction and hope. Someone who wants to run away from something that scares him.
"Tell me, did something happen? Did someone hurt you? Are you in debt?" I babbled like crazy. "I still have some money in my savings. I can give you that money if you need it."
He shook his head in frustration. "This isn't about money, Freya."
"Then what? Why are you suddenly like this?" My voice trembled with fear. "Don't make me worry, Theo. I've never seen me this fragile before!"
"If I told you, your husband was the problem. Would you divorce him and leave him for me?"