it's complicated
The time after their argument has been a total chaos for her. She can’t sleep for most of the night thinking about what she should have or shouldn’t have said, replaying their banter over and over again in her head.
She admitted that she’s been too harsh, even imposing towards him when it’s evident that he, too, has been fighting his demons. She forced herself on him, to open up, which is not advisable given the nature of Daemon’s attitude.
“Oh crap. I think I just made our relationship even worse.”
Palming her face in frustration, she stood up from the bed and walked out of her room. She stopped and glanced at the other door. Daemon has gone out somewhere. She saw his car sped away after their little confrontation.
Sighing, she went downstairs to pick out some beers and then proceeded to the yard to think.
“Why do I have to make it more complicated?” she whispered to herself regretting what she said. For some reason, she took pity on the man who didn't need the least of it.
“You had a fight with Daemon?”
She gasped and turned her head sharply at the person who spoke at her back. Henry sat next to the bench she’s sitting on and stole a can of a beer on her lap.
“How did you know?”
“Of course I know. Anyone who can see your face now will know what’s up. Actually, everyone in this house knows you two are not getting along quite well.”
“Really.”
Hugging her knees together, she rested her face on it and stared hard at Henry. What would it take for him to transfer her loyalty to her?
“Henry.”
He chuckled without looking at her. “No, you can’t buy me off, Devon. I’m too expensive.”
Laughing, she sat straight in awe. “How did you know I’m going to ask that?”
He finally looked at her, his eyes full of mischief. “You’re an easy woman to read, Devon. You’re easier to read now than back then.”
“Is that so but why can’t Daemon read me?” she uttered before cursing herself in her mind. How reckless and tactless! Henry is a loyal dog of Daemon. Of course, he will tell this to his boss.
“His mind is just clouded.” Henry squeezed the can into a pulp after finishing it. “You’re gone for years, Devon. Just give him time. Daemon is a good guy, you know. Going through all of that requires a different level of kindness.”
“Just not a good husband,” she said, ignoring what he meant. “Kindness? Kindness my ass. Don’t give me that crap. No kind human would become a mafia boss.”
“Your husband is cut out from a different cloth. And life is not just between black and white, Devon. If living is as simple as separating them into two divisions, then life would be so much simpler and better. Daemon Druft,” he paused, “he hates commitment and having someone to protect. He thinks all women are weaklings.”
“Except Maddy,” she spat out bitterly.
As she has lived her life within the big troubled bubble called Daemon, she learned to be accepting, to bend her wills and morals to survive. Being a wife of a mafia boss with no memories is a great challenge. To withstand a suffocating environment requires a strong mind which luckily she has.
“Yes, except her,” Henry confirmed. “That’s why Daemon is drawn to her but he didn’t marry her. He married you.”
“What are you trying to say? That he loves me? Oh please, don’t make me laugh.” She might have wanted to live in that fantasy, that Daemon loved Devon in the past but it’s too far-fetched to happen. “Marriage could end or break a relationship, Henry. Daemon treasures Maddy so much he doesn’t want to hurt her in the process. Marriage could easily do that.”
A long, filling silence ensued. In the east, the sun starts to rise.
“Does he really want to make you remember?” Henry asked out of the blue.
The chilling wind blew hard on her face as the ripples of faint arrays lit the dark sky.
Her heart began to thump loudly. “What do you mean?”
“Haven’t you asked yourself that?” He shrugged. “It’s just that I don’t think Daemon wants you to remember the past, Devon.”
“And why? Didn’t he search for me for that exact reason? To remember where did I hid Emily for him to have an heir?”
“Is that what he told you? To have an heir?” He shook his head and grabbed another can to drink. “He has his sperm frozen so having an heir is not a problem. All he needs to do is find another surrogate woman.” He glanced at her knowingly. “Science, science. Everything now can be done with science.”
Dumbfounded, she stood up in haste. “But why is he doing this? I… I don’t understand. He hates me to the core. I can feel it so why did he want me back? For revenge? I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Henry stood up emptying the can in his hand. “I don’t know. You figure it out yourself.”
“Henry,” she called for him when he started walking away from her.
He stopped but did not look back. “What is it?”
“Do I love him?” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Do I love Daemon, Henry?”
His shoulders tensed but he did not answer.
“I feel at ease when I’m talking to you. I think that we’re more like friends in the past, Henry. Can you… can you please help me remember what really happened back then? Please?”
But instead of answering, he just waved his hand at her then stretched his arms and ultimately left her. Sinking back into the cold seat, she fell into deep thoughts. What does he mean by that? Does Daemon really have another intention of bringing her back? And if he really does, then what is it?
“Devon.”
“What?” she asked, startled to see Daemon in her front. When did he get there?
He placed a small paper bag beside her. “I brought an extra cup of coffee. Here. Take it.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Devon.”
She raised her head at him. “Yes? What?”
He hesitated at first before saying it anyway. “I’m sorry… for last night. It’s my fault.”
Blinking, she nodded slowly, caught off guard by a sudden switch of his demeanor.
“I’ll go in. You should go inside too. It’s pretty cold here.” He removed his jacket and put it around her shoulders.
“O-Okay.”
Daemon brushed up a strand of her hair back before finally going inside the house. Devon still sat there, deeply confused by the turn of events.
