(Freya's POV).
"Freya, is that you?" I was surprised when Aiden came towards me and hugged me. "Oh my God, where have you been all this time?"
I couldn't say anything because my body was shaking. It was too shocking to see Aiden after four years of not seeing each other.
"Aiden, wait," Jason said. He pulled me from Aiden's arms. "She's not Freya," he informed.
"What do you mean?" His brow furrowed. "Are you kidding?"
Jason shook his head. "She's Vivian Harrow. Not Freya," he pointed out.
"Sorry, but I'm not who you think," I said. I tried to speak without making my voice tremble.
Gosh... Aiden is now all grown up and a handsome man. I squeezed my hands to keep myself from crying.
"This is impossible," he muttered.
"Aiden, we'll talk about this later. Why did you come out?" Jason asked.
"Devan's awake."
"H-He's awake?" I rushed forward and hoped to see him soon to see what condition he was in. "Can I check inside?" I asked.
Aiden stared at me for a long moment, but I saw Jason nudge his arm.
"Let her in. They know each other," Jason said.
Aiden looked confused, but then let me in.
The same thing happened again when Devan's parents were surprised to see me, but Jason again explained to them that I wasn't Freya. Although I was relieved that they didn't suspect anything and Jason explained it to me, I still felt sick when I saw their disappointed looks when they were told that I wasn't Freya.
Have they been thinking about me all this time?
"Vivian."
My focus was distracted when I heard Devan's hoarse, low voice calling out to me. He was lying weakly on the bed with his left hand bandaged. His face had a few cuts, but I was grateful he was okay.
"Hey," I whispered beside him, then I heard Jason ask Aiden to come out and leave us alone. "How are you feeling?" I snorted, "stupid. I shouldn't ask you something like that seeing as how you're in this condition."
"I'm fine," he said. His hand touched my face. "Are you crying?"
"No."
"I promise not to make you cry, but I made you cry," he said.
"I didn't." I shook my head. I tried to be strong, but Devan's words made me want to cry again. Until I couldn't hold my tears back. I sobbed and I felt Devan's fingers wipe away my tears.
"No, please," he whispered, "Stop crying, Vivian."
"How could I? You're lying injured like this because of me. He hurt you because of me, Dev" I sobbed. My hands were shaking with fear and guilt.
"I'm fine. Don't think about it because...."
"It's much better if you're not around me anymore, Dev."
"There is no separation. Nothing." He grasped my hand very tightly. His pale face looked at me intently. "I don't want to walk away from you and don't expect me to. Even if my life is at stake."
"What do you want?" I asked. I swallowed hard. "Dev, I'm not Freya..."
"I know. I can't lie that I haven't gotten over her. Because for four years she's been missing, I've been looking for her everywhere. But I haven't found her until now. I know she's alive and somewhere."
I gasped. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
So, all this time Devan has been looking for me? Why? Doesn't he hate me? Why would he bother looking for me?
"I loved her. And still do," he said.
I took my hand away. Trembling with shock. Did I just hear wrong?
Devan loved me? Loved Freya?
"Y-You still love her?" I squeezed my clothes as I felt my chest tighten. I could hardly breathe, making me feel an uneasy stirring that made me uncomfortable.
"I've done so much wrong to her in the past that she decided to leave me. And I regret it," he said.
He looked at me with his black eyes that were dimmed. It was as if his world had been shattered and there was no chance of fixing it. And that made me hurt even more.
"I'm sure she hates me. Hated me so much for what I did that she walked away from me. For years I lived in regret. I wish I could find her again and make things right. Make amends to her, but instead, I met you. I thought you were that chance... Vivian..."
"No, no." I shook my head.
I didn't know what to say or do. But I felt crazy. This was impossible. How could he be so honest about the past and his feelings for me?
"Vivian."
"Dev, I'm sorry. But I can't. I can't." I stood up from the chair I was sitting on. I never thought of giving him a second chance even if we met again. And he was giving Vivian a second chance?
I'm not sure I can accept that.
"Vivian, please... listen to me...."
"No," I cut him off firmly, "now you have to listen to me. Dev, I'm not your second chance. And I will never be in a relationship with you again. I love my husband and I will never betray him even if he is dead."
"Vivian, please..."
"Sorry, Dev." I pulled away as he tried to take my hand. "I think this is best for us. Don't ever bother me again."