79

ARTEMISIA

Anguish

If there was something better to describe than the word 'anguish' to describe the way I feel at the moment, I would gladly be happy to use it.

Not only did it feel as though I was carrying a weight which wasn't mine, but also, in between my legs throbbed and my stomach ached.

It felt as though something had been ripped out of me forcefully.

My back was another story. I couldn't describe the aching feelings that shot through me at intervals whilst I turned.

It even made me wonder if the bed I was on was made of spikes.

But then, I knew it wasn't.

Also, all I desired was for the aches within me to end as soon as they could.

I tapped on the bed and gripped the duvet whilst attempting to lift myself.

"Artemisia…"

My eyes flickered open as I heard my name. It was more like a whisper but due to the proximity of the voice, I heard it clearly.

Sin.

He was holding my hands and his head was bowed. I heard him sniffling and wondered if he had been crying. When his head came up as my hand brushed his messy hair, he stared at me.

I blinked my eyes as I stared back at him. He looked like a mess.

I didn't know how long it had been, but it seemed like I was seeing him for the first time in a long while.

He didn't look like Sin. Rather, he was more like an unkempt beggar who had been pitied to step into the room.

Only if beggars were this handsome. Despite how rough he looked, it didn't take away his handsomeness.

Heck, it was as if it added to it or maybe it was only I that saw him that way.

His eyes were red-rimmed as my vision cleared and his face swollen as if he had taken several blows on it.

My brows crunched and my fingers went to his face to touch a band-Aid that was at the corner of his lips.

"What happened to you?" I asked when he winced.

"Nothing." He mumbled then attempted a smile which turned into a grimace.

"I am glad to see you are awake. How do you feel?" He asked.

I knew what he was doing. He was trying to brush off the question and I didn't think anything happened as he said.

He must have engaged in a fight as I didn't see his face swollen before I collapsed.

I collapsed…

My head reeled as my mind flashed back.

"Blood," I said, yanking the duvet that covered my body.

I saw nothing nor was I in the dress I donned before. Sin must have changed me into the flowery gown I was in now.

I let out a sigh and relaxed. Perhaps, I had imagined the blood but I doubted it.

I turned to Sin and noticed he was staring at me intently. "Is anything the matter?"

"You didn't tell me how you feel?"

"Fine, I guess." I shrugged.

I was truly okay. Aside from the pounding in my head, I believed I could take a pain reliever for it.

"Artemisia."

I turned my attention to Sin as he called my name. He was acting strange. Perhaps, it was because he cheated on me.

We hadn't talked much except for today. Despite being mad at him for what he did, I enjoyed his presence and didn't want to send him away.

I loved Sin.

I loved him so much that it hurt that he broke my trust. But again, he was my husband. There was nothing I could do and I needed more answers from Emma as well since Sin felt sorry for everything.

"If it's about what happened between you and Emma…"

"It's not." He cut me off with a sigh. "It is rather serious."

"What could it be then?" I asked myself as I saw him stand from where he sat.

He strode to the window and stepped back to the middle of the room. Then he shook his head.

"What is wrong, Sin? I don't think it's anything we can't sort out."

After staring at me for a long while he stepped towards the edge of the bed and knelt.

Sin gripped my hand and brought them to his lips, he placed wet kisses on the palm and inside of each hand before gazing into my eyes.

"I know I have wronged you Artemisia, with your sister and…"

"Is there another woman?" I asked, interrupting him.

As he didn't answer, I snatched my hand from him and narrowed my eyes.

"How many women are you seeing aside from me, Sin? Are they pregnant for you as well? And don't tell me I act irrationally because so the goddess Hecate and Artemis help me, I wouldn't hesitate to rip off the heart of the woman if she is a werewolf and let the vultures feed on her remains and if it is a mere human, I will freaking curse her. If she is a witch, she wouldn't dare confront me!"

I yelled out the words in a breath. I gasped out from holding my breath for too long and I glared as Sin chuckled.

"I wouldn't do that to you, darling." He mumbled, caressing my cheeks. "I know what happened between Emma and I is all my fault. Even though I can't remember what happened, I wouldn't want to break your trust twice."

I let out a deep breath and shook my head. "Then what is the matter?"

"It's all my fault this keeps happening to you. If I had been smart enough, I should have protected you and my heir. I should man up and take responsibility…"

"Your heir?" I asked cutting him off again. "My baby?"

Sin nodded and his grip on me tightened.

"What's wrong with the baby?" I asked, touching my stomach.

"Nothing is wrong right?" I asked again.

My heart began to palpitate and my palms were clammy. All was due to the nervousness that was beginning to fill me because of the expression on Sin's face.

I didn't know what he had in mind, but it couldn't be good.

Sin grunted and shook his head.

I furrowed my brows gazing around the room. It was then I noticed I was not in my room, rather I was in Sin's room.

I must have been too focused on Sin to have noticed. Again, there was some equipment which I know only a standard doctor could have.

I was told it was present but I hadn't seen it until now.

But why was it in Sin's room?

I turned my head as the door to the room opened.

"Hey, Julie," I said, then turned to Sin.

"What is going on? You don't just give me half information and let me guess the rest. You know that isn't my speciality!"

"You need to calm down, Artemisia."

I turned to Julie who also had the same melancholy look on her face as Sin. Both knew what was going on but they didn't want to divulge it to me.

Or maybe they were trying to find a way to say so in an easier term.

"Let me guess, is it about Emma? Did you send her out yet?" I giggled at the thoughts of Emma being tossed out of Merene.

I wanted her far away from me.

She was my little sister but I didn't care much about her after all that she had done to me.

She didn't like seeing me happy and her being far away from me would make me have a large celebration.

"Emma is in her room," Julie mumbled.

"Bummer." I pouted.

"You lost the baby. Our baby is gone." Sin said before breaking down.

I didn't think I heard what he said correctly then I turned to Julie who nodded. And I saw tears streaming down her face, confirming my worst nightmare so far.

I didn't know what happened but I was sure I blackout out almost immediately. I heard my name and it was the voice of Sin yelling for me that jerked me awake.

Or maybe it was because I was yet to finish the mission given to me.

Whichever it was, it was cruel.

The world was f**king cruel and before I could control the rage that filled me, I let out a howl.