Chleo awaits her husband's return at night. As expected, the man didn't come home until midnight. She wondered whether her husband purposedly came home late at night waiting for her to fall asleep.
Thinking of this possibility made Chleo feel tight and determined not to fall asleep this time. She had to directly talk to her husband to get the lump of 'guilt' out of her heart.
She decided to read a novel. Chleo was a fan of books and has read many kinds of romances novel.
Even though she had thousands of scenarios in mind about scenes of male and female characters having misunderstandings and trying to fix the situation, none of them taught her how to manage her chaotic heart.
There was no male character who has the patience and unconditional love that Axel has. On average, the main male characters in the novels she read were unwilling to give up their love and force the female character to fall in love with them.
They were dominant, possessive bastards that force their desire on their lover.
Yes, Axel forced her, even threatened her to marry him. But she couldn't find any demanding authoritative vibe in her husband's eyes. He never asked something from her, nor did he ever sneaked into her room to consummate their marriage.
He was a father who advised her when she took the wrong path. He was like a brother when she needed a companion in her lonely time. And he was like a lover that could give her peace, comfort and get rid of her nightmares.
Chleo couldn't help but remembered the way her husband treated her when she had a fever. Her past traumatic event haunted her every time she was not in her prime time. Yet, she didn't have a single nightmare when the man slept beside her while hugging her.
His body was cold. It was even more freezing than the winter, yet she felt warm and protected.
It was the only time when she accepted the man's intruded her privacy zone. At that time, she should have known about his sincere affection, but she was too stupid to notice it.
She was back to her cold refusion the following day as if the nice-warming feeling she felt the previous night had never happened.
She felt she was the most stupid girl in the world remembering this. While she was regretting all things she had done toward her husband, a cracking sound was heard, indicating someone entered the room.
Finally!
Chleo put down book to look at the newcomer. It didn't take long before Axel appeared, and for a moment, their eyes interlocked each other.
The determined girl tried to greet the man, but she lost her so-called prepared words and only could say, "You're back."
Stupid! Why didn't you say 'welcome back' or greeted him nicely? Chleo lamented and scolded herself in quiet.
"You're awake?"
"I cannot sleep."
"Are you feeling sick?"
Chleo's heart touched at the worried tone in the man's voice. How could this man still be so patient with her after all her rude, nasty treatment?
"No. I just find this book very interesting." Chleo tried hard to recall the first topic she would talk about in vain.
Axel nodded in understanding in response. But he did not move from where he stood. He was wondering whether he should go to his room or stay here? He still wanted to be with his wife, especially seeing that the girl's mood was not as bad as usual.
But he was also afraid. What if he stayed behind, and it would worsen Chleo's mood.
"Do you want me to leave or stay?"
"Ha?"
"I know you don't want to see my face, but I want to be with you. But I will go if you wished to be alone."
Please, don't do this. Don't be too kind to me. It made my guilty sense heavier. Chleo begged in her heart.
Why does this man have to love her? She felt that she was not worthy of being loved by someone as perfect as this man. Axel deserved better than... her.
She was sure there are women out there who are much better than her. A woman who would sincerely love Axel for who he is and could make the man smile happily.
Now she thinks about it... how does he look like when he smiles? Axel always showed her the same sad smile every day. She couldn't blame him, though.
It was because of her. It was her fault to make this great man only could show a sad smile.
Chleo bit her lip hard. Then she uttered a statement that she never planned before.
"I want to go home. When are you going to let me go?" why did she say it? It was as if she couldn't control her tongue! How she wished she could reverse the time.
This is not what she wanted to say! She did want to go home, but not under the impression she wanted to break free from her husband.
She cursed herself when she noticed the anguish expression came from her husband. She knew for sure now that this man truly cherished her. He loved her genuinely as if she was the most important thing in his life.
He was selfless and put her well-being as his top priority. Why didn't she notice beforehand?
Chleo was too blind to hatred for the man that she was utterly oblivious to the painful gaze on him. No matter what she did to annoy him, Axel never angry at her, nor did he beat her or punish her.
Why? Why did this man still love her after being hurt by her?
Why Axel? How could you fall in love with a girl like me?