Chapter 31

Chapter 31

“I know what happened with Freya broke all of us, especially you and Elijah.”

I was all eyes at her. After welcoming us back earlier, here we go, having the girls talk alone in the garden. Can you believe it? I looked like a kid earlier when I cried in front of her after hearing those kinds of words from a mother like her. When I met her again during the planning of my wedding with Elijah, I thought she also despised me, as I know that her son is madly in love with Freya.

“My son was hurting you, didn't he?” That made me pause. A lump seems to be stuck in my throat. I was lost for words the moment she mentioned that. Does she know about it?

“When he told me about the marriage, I was shocked when he told me that he wants to marry you. I mean, you're the sister of the woman he's madly in love with—and you are his best friend, Faith. I've seen how you two bonded together,” she chuckled a bit, while I couldn't say anything there. She is finally addressing this issue that I fear to talk about.

“When he married you, I knew that he did it out of hatred that grew in his chest after Freya's sudden death. He was miserable, Faith. That's why I was really terrified when you two got married. I was scared of the things he might do to an innocent girl like you,” looking at her, I witnessed how anxious she was over his son. I can see intense fear from her eyes while talking to me full of worries from the past.

“I know Elijah, Faith. He wasn't like that. He was looking for someone to blame from Freya's death, and it happened that he threw it all to you. Tell me, what did he do?”

I was stuck whether to tell her everything I've been through under his hands or not. He already changed. The old Elijah I fell in love with is back and I strongly believe that it is what should matter.

“It doesn't matter anymore. We're both fine n—”

“No, Faith.” She said firmly. “Even if you're now getting fine, he still did it. Now, tell me, what did he do?”

My eyes remained at her while I was debating with myself. I crumpled my hands like a piece of paper. I don't want to remember all those things and I was already trying to erase those as Elijah and I try to work things out.

“He…” I paused. Everything began to wave inside my head again.

“On our honeymoon,” I couldn't even say it properly as I still feel devastated over it. The cruelty lies on my body. It was tough to erase.

“He f-forced me to do it…he wrecked my wedding gown,” I chose to move my eyes away from her as I was also feeling my tears welling out of my eyes. Everything that he did that night was still clear in my head. I remember every detail of it.

“A-After that, he started to bring different w-women here, fucking them. I…” I closed my eyes firmly while hearing their moans again as I traveled back to those nights.

“I hear them doing that each night. Do you know what's the worst? He fucked them to the same room he did it to me,” I lost control of my own tears. It began to drip down on my face. Remembering those nights trembles me with my fear of seeing that cruel Elijah again.

“Goodness,” I heard her mumble.

I tried to wipe all my tears beyond my shivering hands.

“Then he started to hurt me physically, gripping my arm firmly until he left a bruise on it…he also slapped me and pushed me on the floor like a piece of trash,” I cried with my eyes closed. I remember how feeble I was that time and yet I chose to endure all of that.

“He threw the bottle of alcohol at me when he was drunk, which created a deep wound on my arm. The sharp piece of it accidentally pierced on my arm,” I tried to chuckle. I can't believe I was able to bear with all of that.

“He forced me to do that thing for the second time, too. Don't worry, we're starting to make our relationship work.” I quickly said as I tried to dry my tears and flashed a wide smile at her. She couldn't look at me anymore and I felt like she couldn't imagine what I have been through.

“Why didn't you leave him, Faith? You know that you can always do that,” I quickly shook my head.

“I know, I can. I can always do that anytime, but I chose not to. Because I love him, I loved him before he loved my sister. I believed that the old Elijah I fell in love with would come back. I chose to understand his pain even if I was dying in pain as well from losing my sister,”

“Oh, Faith!” She immediately embraced me after that. I wasn't able to refrain myself from bursting into tears once again.

“I'm sorry that you experienced all of that,” she said as she cupped my face gently. For the first time in my life, there was a mother who acted like one to me. She shed all the tears on my face and even caressed my hair.

“Remember, Faith. If you want to leave him, I will not blame you. I will not be mad at you because you already endured everything for my son,” I shook my head again for the second time.

“I won't do that, Mom. I will not leave your son,” I swore without thinking of what could happen in the future.

That girl’s talk cleared my mind from everything. I feel like I was able to breathe as I finally have someone to tell those dark stories that I couldn't speak of.

“Mom, let my wife rest. We just arrived,” Elijah hugged me from behind while we were seeing his parents’ out.

“I will. Just make sure that you take care of her, okay?” His mother said.

“That's right. You should take care of the mother of our future grandchildren,” my lips parted swiftly when his father said that. We all started to laugh because of that.

“Don't worry, I will take care of her.” Elijah said and even planted a kiss on my cheek.

Elijah and I slept all day after that. The next morning, I stayed at home to take a rest from everything. The scandal was still circulating around and I still kept my silence over that.

“I've eaten, don't worry.” Elijah said over the phone.

“That's good. I'll cook dinner for us later,” the smile on my face couldn't be erased.

“Really? I should come home early, then.” He said and chuckled.

“Yeah. So, do your work now and go home. I'll see you later,”

“See you later, my wife.” His last words made me even more smile that could rip my lips already.

“Ms. Faith, Sir Lucas is here.”

That made my smile fade the moment Marie mentioned Lucas' name. I almost forgot about him. Of course, we have to talk things out.

“I'll go down,” I said and stood up from my bed.

I mustered my courage before I came downstairs. It's been a while since we last saw each other and it was a very chaotic day.

“Lucas,” I called when I found him walking repeatedly in the living room. I could tell in one glance how nervous he was.

“Faith,” he called and now froze in front of me.

“How are you?” I asked as we both sat.

“I'm fine. I…I saw the news,”

“About my parents?” I chuckled. “That's already fine,” even if it was not.

“Not just that. Congratulations to the runway,” he said. The depth of awkwardness was filling the two of us and I was trying to break that.

“Look, I know it's awkward, but I meant what I said that night. It is true that I have been keeping these feelings of mine to you for a long time, but I have no plans to ruin your marriage with Elijah. Well, Lily told me that you two are starting over.” I know that Lucas was happy for me, but the glimpse of his pain that shatters him is still visible from his eyes.

“As long as you're happy, I'm good, Faith.”

“Thanks, Lucas.”

I smiled at him before I quickly hugged him. He is a friend that I cannot imagine losing and I will forever treasure him.

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