The next time I opened my eyes, it was in the morning, with no Jude and no Thomas in sight. For a short time, I wasn't even sure if I had dreamed yesterday's events—first Thomas acting out, then the panther being petted by me. But, the abyss squirming in satisfaction, the dark fire simmering as it watched my hand come into contact with its fur, wasn't something my imagination would be able to come up with.
Going into the bathroom, I opened the toothpaste, only for the cap to fall on the floor. Bending down to get it, I came face-to-face with the drawers under the sink.
Besides being curious, I had never tried to look for clues inside the mansion. For one, I wasn't sure what to search for, and I wasn't interested in snooping around other people's stuff. Additionally, I didn't know if I would like what I found. But isn't it laughable to respect the privacy of someone who practically forces you to sleep in the same bed with him, harassing you on the go?
Rinsing the cap, I put toothpaste on my toothbrush and brushed my teeth while making sure the bathroom was locked. After that, I looked through the drawers. There was normal man stuff; razors, aftershaves, something to style hair, and a few towels.
However, in the last drawer, I found medicine. Looking at the name, I now had my explanation for Thomas not waking up, although his son sneaked in regularly at night. He was using sleeping pills.
This discovery helped me immensely; it meant that I could fight myself out of Thomas arms now with a piece of mind; he shouldn't be able to wake up. And Jude's nightly visits were now a little safer too. It was fascinating how my life here influenced me, now being happy that the psycho husband is on medication, for he wouldn't easily discover the psycho stepson visit every night.
I won't go looking around for clues, but if I am alone with a storage area and a locked door, I will take a look. Like this, it was a good compromise.
Hiding the knife in the back of the treasure drawer again, I clothed myself with the next dress, olive green, with a high collar; it had pockets as well. At least Thomas' taste in dresses with pockets aligned with my urgent need for them.
Going downstairs, I saw Jude sitting in the living room. I leaned back a bit to glimpse into the dining room, not seeing my husband.
"Morning." Jude lazily put his phone away; now that he could stare at the substitute, his phone seemed to have lost its luster. Or I was just oversensitive, and he was only being polite.
"Good morning." I nodded at him, my hand tingling at the thought of how it was tangled in his hair last night. I went to the kitchen and asked my favorite maid, who didn't need to bellow me out of bed today, for food. And I suggested her to just serve it on one plate—not the typical special little portions, and like this, it was soon ready.
Jude followed me and sat down in front of me.
Without Thomas, I felt stronger exposed to his dark eyes, as he would usually curb his staring in his father's presence.
"Don't stare when I eat." It was so uncomfortable, causing me to forget even how to chew properly.
Jude smirked and looked at the ceiling pointedly, as if heading to my wish. I took a few bites, and he was back again, starting at me.
"Why not make a picture of what I showed you yesterday? Then you can just look at that." I stated, finding my reasoning right.
"What you showed me doesn't compare to what I see now." Jude grinned at me for a second before looking at his food, although he was not eating it.
Jude's face and smile—I felt goosebumps all over.
Was that... he wasn't flirting, right? Clearing my throat, I burrowed my head in the food, telling myself that I was just imaging things. I had already once assumed he had a bit of a crush on me, and I was wrong with that. Now, I can't read too much in a teenager's little teasing.
After an awkwardly silent ride to school, we stepped out of the car. The moment I looked up, I saw a group of teenagers gathered in front of the school gate. They were the boys who were present when the fire started, as well as the one guy who had been hit into the infirmary yesterday. They were looking in my direction, gathered as if they had talked and stopped a moment ago.
My alarm bells shrilling, I turned around in hope that Jude was still inside and that I could stop him from stepping out of the same car as me, telling everyone that we came together. However, abyss-like eyes looked at me across the car, Jude standing there tall and easily spotted. After looking at me nearly habitually, he glanced at the group of guys.
I have a bad feeling. I knew it was just a matter of time, but it had only been a day. Maybe this is all just a coincidence?
Yeah. Sure. Going by the way they look at us, they have already pieced together some scandal.
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Thomas POV
The woman living here had found you; she found you, and when I discovered the fact, I was certain that she would contact the authorities. Certain that they would take you away from me.
But that woman, for the first time, gave me a gift. She told nobody of you, and instead she finally chose to die.
Again, I was saved from becoming a murderer.
I am free from her; finally, she is gone, and I can live in peace. Soon her son will also be finished with school, and then I can be together with you, the only monster I would never be able to let go.
I'm still thinking of the child, but it doesn't matter anymore.
Everything is falling into place slowly.
Soon, I can be with you without anyone interfering.