The first day, Evelyn locked herself inside her room, refusing to eat. If starving herself would bring Carlos home, then so be it.
By the third day, when her hunger strike yielded no results, she gave up. She ate like crazy, watched movies, and danced wildly to loud music—convincing herself that she didn't miss him at all. Maybe, just maybe, if she acted like she was perfectly fine without him, it would hurt his pride and make him come back.
On the fifth day, she threw herself into painting, splattering colors on the canvas like a madwoman. Anything to keep herself occupied, to stop thinking about him.
"I don't miss him at all," she muttered under her breath.
But on the sixth day, she lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Reality settled over her like a heavy blanket. She meant nothing to him. This was more than just indifference—it was cruelty.
She was his wife. Their contract lasted for three months, but at this rate, would she even see him again before it ended? What was the point of marrying her only to abandon her in this old mansion?
Frustration bubbled inside her. She shot up, grabbed a piece of paper, and scrawled one word in bold letters: Carlos.
She plastered it onto the biggest teddy bear in the room.
"Yeah, you demon! How dare you abandon me? You think I'm easy? You think I'll just sit here and wait for you?!"
She grabbed the teddy bear and launched her attack—punching, kicking, biting. Each strike fueled by days of pent-up emotions.
She made sure to press the paper down harder. Carlos.
"I'll show you what a real demon looks like!" she growled, delivering another series of blows. "I'm going to punish you! You think you can just leave me here? Show me your so-called demonic powers! Let me see them!"
She kicked. And kicked. And kicked again.
"I swear, when you come back, I'll be the one to punish you! You better get ready!" she shouted.
A deep voice interrupted her.
"You don't need to take your anger out on that poor teddy bear."
Evelyn froze.
"I'm here," the voice continued. "Punish me instead."