58

Artemisia

I groaned whilst shielding my eyes from the ray of the sun. I didn't know who let the curtains up.

I was certain I didn't because I had slept with it down.

I stood up on the bed and ran my hand through my dishevelled hair whilst I gazed around the room.

My eyes were just as they always were whenever I cried- swollen and dried from having cried too much the night before. And I dared not check the mirror to see how they were because I was sure I'd be frightened by what I'd see.

I patted the side where Sin often slept, it was cold to my touch.

Last night, I waited for him until I couldn't anymore. So, I slept off.

Feeling the part he sleeps on meant he hadn't come last night.

Although I had been meaning to talk with him and see if everything would turn out fine, I was glad he didn't come because seeing him again would make me break down and that was the last thing I wanted.

Stepping to the bathroom, I walked towards the sink to wash my face.

I grimaced whilst I saw how horrible I looked. My eyeballs were larger than normal. My hair was tangled and dishevelled. When Julie had stepped into the room, I didn't bother to run a brush through my hair and after the news, I had been so weak to do anything.

I didn't think I could comb it alone seeing as the feeling from yesterday hadn't vanished entirely.

My button nose, which was always small, seemed a bit swollen and red.

I looked pathetic. I believe I was stronger than this. Before yesterday, that was what I always told myself.

But now, I know better than to think so.

The door to the room opened and I washed my face hastily, then darted to the door to see who had stepped inside.

I let out a disappointed sigh when I saw Rhoda.

"My lady, I had been so worried about you! I came here yesterday and you sounded so dejected. I hadn't seen you that way since you arrived. You refused to take anything."

I tilted my brows whilst I stared at her. Did she know what happened? I wondered as I gazed at her.

I doubt that. If she did she'd have said something since Rhoda could barely keep any secret when it comes to me.

Also, maybe she was hiding it because I saw the fright in her eyes as she gazed here and there.

Everyone was scared of Sin. Even Laurent, I had seen the fear flashed in his eyes sometimes whilst Sin was around, but he tried to not make it known.

"I'm fine, Rhoda. And thank you for checking up on me. I was a bit weak yesterday and needed some rest."

Rhoda bounced her head in understanding. "Should I prepare a warm bath for you?"

"I'd appreciate that. Add a bit of lavender oil to it." I said. At least, it would release the tension within me and make me more relaxed. Maybe a little more sleep would make me think better.

I don't want to feel anything whilst speaking with Sin. I didn't want to feel hurt. However, I doubt I could feel anything.

*************

When I woke up again, I was like my old self until I saw Emma together with Sin outside in the garden.

I didn't know what both were discussing because I didn't get near them. I was a bit furious but I didn't want to create a scene.

Emma's eyes bored into mine and her lips lifted in a coy smile.

She splayed a hand on Sin's bare chest and whispered something into his ear.

I saw him tense up, then he turned slowly towards me.

His face softened a bit and the ghost of a smile appeared on his face before it vanished and his face turned sterned.

"What do you want?!" Sin grunted whilst stepping towards me.

Taken aback, I gazed into his obsidian eyes. It was void of any friendliness and I felt if I got any closer, he was going to snap.

I rolled my eyes at the harshness of his voice. I wonder if he realised I was his wife and talking to me in that manner was strange.

He had used the tone on me several times whilst we were still strangers and it had been in the house, not outside, in the presence of anyone.

It was certain something was definitely wrong with him. And not his monster surfacing that I had thought. Something far worse.

"I need to talk to you."

"I'm bus.."

"I know that," I said, cutting him off. "I'm here because it is quite important and we need to be alone."

Sin shrugged as if to say he was ready to hear whatever I had to say with someone present or not.

I gazed at Emma who rolled her eyes. She smiled, then caressed Sin's face before walking away.

"So…" I began whilst we were alone. Sin had begun doing his gardening work like always.

And just like always, he was quite sexy but yet formidable.

"So?" He asked, stopping what he was doing. He tilted his brows whilst he stared at me in the eyes.

I stared back at him with unblinking eyes. I waited for a while to see if anything would snap in him to make him see and maybe feel happy that I was before him.

"Do you want to stare at me all day or do you have something important to say?" Sin asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I breathed out whilst staring at his cold eyes.

"Well." I began, then paused. I licked my lips, twisted a lock of my hair and let out a breath before continuing.

"I'd like to know what happened between you and Emma. I mean, I saw both of you in bed and you didn't say anything about it."

"That is because I have nothing to say." He grunted.

"Really?!" I asked. Then he nodded his head.

The anger from before surged through me and I stalked up to him.

My hand lifted before I could stop myself and it slammed on his chiselled cheeks.

"What do you think you are…"

"You b*st*rd!" I screeched. "You freaking went in with my sister and all you do is act arrogant about it. Do you know the gravity of what you've done?!"

I didn't know what had gotten into me. Creating a scene was what I detested, but I couldn't stop this one from happening.

"You are really selfish and I should have listened to what people said about you. I thought I'd see the good in you. I never knew I was dealing with an ungrateful b*st*rd and a monster!" My body shook and my hand tightened.

"Artemisia!" Sin grunted, then tugged me into him.

Since he was acting weird, it was the first time he had said my name. I don't know how to feel about it. Still, I was happy he at least knew who I was.

My body sizzled at the contact his hand made with my body and I gazed up at him. Despite how furious I was with him for betraying him, my treacherous body couldn't deny how I felt about his touch.

I shouldn't feel anything!

I should be furious and yell in his face. But, I couldn't help myself.

"Unhand me!" I mumbled weakly as his grip tightened on mine.

I winced at how the word came out. My body tends to do the opposite of what I wanted, as far as Sin was concerned.

If it was someone else's, I'd have shoved him with my might. But, I could not do so to him even as he was mean to me.

"One more bastard word from you…"

"Or else, what?!" I challenged without waiting for him to finish his sentence.

"I'm f**king locking you up. Stop freaking yelling in my face as well!" He shoved me roughly and I stumbled.

My back smacked into someone who steadied me.

"I got you."

I swirled and my eyes locked on Laurent who was still gripping me.

I flushed as I noticed it was not only Laurent present. A small group had gathered as well and each looked uncomfortable about what had happened.

I noticed the pity in their eyes but I shrugged it off.

"Thanks." I gritted my teeth, then yanked my hands off from Laurent.

"Anytime darling," Laurent yelled as I walked past him.

I sniffled as I felt the first wave of tears. There was no way I was breaking down in front of people like this.

I had embarrassed Sin as well as myself because of the scene I created, crying in front of them would be worse.

It was better to do so where no one would notice or decide to take pity on me.