(Freya's POV).
"There's a phone call. I'm going out for a moment," Theo said.
I couldn't help but stare at him walking out of the room with the cell phone near his ear. It was from work. As he opened the door, my heart was suddenly beating very fast because I caught a glimpse of Devan's voice.
My face paled.
It was Devan's voice. I recognized it. His voice was too loud for me to hear when Theo opened the door. Then I saw through the small glass bars on the door, that Theo looked surprised.
Was it Devan? Is he here?
No way!
My eyes widened, my heart pounding even faster. I was struck with horror as Theo stood staring at his side with an angry look.
Impossible!
I scrambled out of bed, trying to stand up straight. I grabbed the IV pole and walked out in a hurry. As I grabbed the doorknob, only opening it slightly, I was struck by lightning with the conversation I heard.
It was really her voice.
"I locked her up in the bathroom overnight. Doused her with cold water until she had trouble breathing. Don't you want to hit the person who hurt your favorite sister?"
I gasped in shock. My eyes widened in horror. I held the doorknob with trembling hands. It felt like my world collapsed in an instant. Especially with the words, Devan said afterward.
"I'll make Freya's life miserable like you did to Greyta."
"Freya didn't do anything wrong! Stay away from her!"
"My little sister is innocent too. But you raped her, ruined her life. You killed her."
I squeezed my chest which felt tight. I could hardly breathe. The horror overwhelmed me.
What had I just heard? What did they all mean?
I couldn't stop myself from crying. I felt scared, so scared that I felt like I was surrounded by bubbles until I couldn't find my way home.
I thought back to what Aiden had said. They had a younger sister who had died a long time ago. A sister that their family never talked about. Even when I tried to ask Devan, he got angry and we argued for a few days until we finally made up.
Is this the reason why Devan married me? He always said I had made a big mistake. His resentment and hatred. Is this all because of Greyta and Theo?
I opened the door with trembling hands and a racing heart. My face paled when I saw Jason trying to break up Devan and Theo.
"Wh-What are you saying?" I asked in a trembling voice. I glared at them in horror, especially Devan.
I could see the look of surprise on their faces when they saw my appearance.
"Tell me what you're talking about." I had so many tears in my eyes, but there were no sobs to be heard. My whole body was shaking and my chest felt so tight that I could hardly breathe. The dizziness in my head came crashing back, throbbing, insistent.
Sanity was no longer with me. I felt like I was going crazy when I saw their faces that didn't look good at all.
"Fey...." Theo just stood like a statue. Unable to speak. The same goes for Devan and Jason. None of them wanted to explain.
"Tell me!!!" I shouted hysterically.
"Freya, calm down. You're sick." Jason was the first to come to me. He tried to touch me, but I gave him a sharp glance. And he was quick to keep his distance again.
"Answer me," I urged.
"Fey...." Theo whispered. He lost his words.
Then, I stared at Devan intently. With all the disappointment I had, with all the pain of betrayal I felt. My heart was broken. I felt like a toy, everything I gave him, my love, my life, even my pride. Everything was destroyed just for his revenge. And all I was left with were scars and wounds.
"Is that the reason you married me, Dev? To avenge your sister’s death?" I asked in a trembling voice. I bit my lip so hard that it hurt, I could feel the pain there.
"Yes."
I felt like I was hit by a boulder that rendered me helpless. His gaze was cold and empty. His low, heavy voice seemed completely unconcerned. Devan's answer was like a spear that went straight into my heart. It made it stop beating and in the end, I died of betrayal.
I smiled sadly. Cursing myself for being too naive to love him. Love made me look like a stupid woman with no self-respect.
"You even answered without any hesitation at all," I said. I went limp. "Many times I kept thinking of reasons why you changed. Why you were rude and nasty to me? Now I know the reason."
"Fey, this is my fault. I'm sorry. I'm...." I gripped the IV pole handle so tightly when I saw Theo walking towards me while crying and kneeling with no pride and holding my hand in one of his. His guilt was like a dagger. It was so painful.
"You want me to take responsibility?" I looked at Devan with my eyes trembling, flooded with tears. Now I didn't care anymore. "Do whatever you want. I will atone for Theo's sin as you wish."
"Freya, are you crazy?!" I heard Jason scream. His face paled with worry.
"No, no. Fey ... No ... It's my fault. What are you doing?!" Jason got up and gripped my shoulders. His tears, the fear on his face, his trembling hands. I could feel he was in agony bearing his sins and worries for me. His fear of Devan's vengeance that he wanted to take out on me.
"I'm fine. Besides ... it's over."
That's right. It's already over.
I looked at Devan. "Did you ever love me, Dev?" I asked.
The one question I'd been thinking about all this time. Did he love me all along? Or was it all an act?
"Even just a little. Do you love me?" My voice trembled.
"Why would I love you?" he looked at me sharply. With his eyes filled with disgust. "Just looking at you disgusts me."
"You! Bastard, shut your mouth!" shouted Theo. He turned around and glared at Devan.
I smiled wryly. It was over.
"I get it. Now I get it...." I whispered, looking at Devan intently. "You know, Dev. Even with all the things you've done to me over the years and your feelings. I still love you...."
I removed the IV in my hand until blood oozed from the needle piercing my skin.
"Fey, what are you doing?!" I heard Jason and Theo screaming in panic.
I ignored them. Staring at the nurse's desk not far from my room. There was a small basket there. I walked quickly over there, grabbed a scalpel, and slashed my left wrist. Blood poured out of it. And my vision began to blur.
I heard Jason and Theo yelling at me with their pale faces. With shouts that had even sounded so low my vision slowly began to darken.