EMILY POV
After we got to our quarters, he turned to me. I could feel that he was angry, and I didn't know what to say if he asked me what I was doing there.
"What did you think you were doing? Coming to a place like that? Did you know the danger you put yourself in?" His voice was low and very intense.
I didn't know what to say; I swallowed hard, feeling out of place and very small. "I—I just wanted to go out and get some fresh air," I stammered.
He moved closer to me, looking me in the eyes intensely as if he wanted to read my mind and thoughts. He couldn't say anything for a few seconds. I couldn't hold back the truth any longer, as if he was forcing me to say it. "I just want to know where you go at night, leaving me alone here all the time," I said, looking down to avoid his gaze.
"What did you think you were doing, Emily?" he shouted. "Coming to a place like that on your own? You could get raped or even killed in seconds."
When he mentioned the word "killed," I couldn't comprehend that they could just kill people there like that.
I swallowed hard, trying to summon some courage. I needed to face my fear and not be afraid of him. "I need to know the truth. The maids told me you used to go there; they said you go there every other night to be with another woman and leave me alone."
He let out a devilish laugh, which surprised me given what I had just said. "So you think you can just barge in and catch me with another woman?"
As I said that, I felt embarrassed. "I don't know what came over me or what I was thinking; I just needed to be sure that maybe they were telling the truth," I admitted, my gaze falling to the floor.
He was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was calmer and softer. "Emily, I know I have not been the best husband or partner for you, but I want you to know that I care for you," he said. "I can't intentionally hurt you. I don't even know who I am these days."
How could he say he didn't know who he was? The way he said he cared for me made my heart flutter, and I wanted to believe him. I could feel that he was hurt. "How can you say you don't know who you are? Do you believe the rumors about yourself? Are you a demon?" I asked, wanting to hear it from his mouth.
"Emily, I don't know anything about myself, not even about the curse. All I know is that I need to take care of you, but you haven't given me a chance to prove my love."
"Are you a demon?" I asked again.
"I don't know," he shouted, his voice echoing throughout the room.
"Then why did you go there? Am I not enough for you?"
"No, Emily, you are more than enough. But I have something inside me. I don't know; maybe I am a demon, but I just know that I have darkness inside me."
"What type of darkness?" I asked.
Eron hesitated, his gaze shifting away from me. "I'm… I'm not sure. I could say I don't know. All I know is that I have darkness inside me and something is wrong with me. I can't control it. I'm scared that if I let it out or let you see it, you will run away from me or I might hurt you."
A chill ran down my spine, and I swallowed hard. If I wanted to stay here and make this marriage work, I needed to understand this man. What could he be hiding? What could the curse be?
I had to forget everything else and focus on helping him. I could feel that he was telling the truth. There was no reason for him to lie to me if he truly cared.
"Eron, please, I want to help you," I pleaded, reaching out to him as he moved away from me. "I want to understand you and help you better."
Eron hesitated, moving further away from me. "I'm… I'm not sure. There are a lot of things wrong with me, things I don't know how to control. I'm afraid that if I let you see it or let it out in front of you, you might get hurt, and I don't want you to get hurt."
I felt a chill run down my spine at his words. What could he possibly be hiding? And why did he feel the need to keep it from me?
"Eron, please," I pleaded again, reaching out to him. "I want to understand. I want to help you."
Eron looked at me, his eyes filled with fear and anticipation. "I don't know if you can help me, Emily. But I think I'm willing to try now if you are ready to help me."
I nodded, my heart trying to remain calm while focusing on new hope and determination. Whatever darkness Eron was facing, I was ready to help him. I would not abandon him or leave him if he decided to show it to me. Now that he needed me the most.
I felt butterflies in my stomach as he rushed to hug me. I did not expect this reaction from him, not even now. My heart skipped a beat, and I lost my breath. "Thank you for staying by my side when I needed you the most," he said, his voice calm and slow.