Suspicion 1
“What? Is Elice sick?”
The dinner table felt empty that night. Without Garrett and his wife, Elice’s presence, there were only two people at the table. Norah and Daphne.
Norah answered Daphne’s question with a nod. Then she said, “Lately Elice seems unwell compared to usual. Pale and lethargic. Garrett is in the room with her right now.”
Daphne could only sigh heavily when she heard Norah’s explanation. As she continued to enjoy her dinner, she asked her daughter-in-law again, “Have you asked Yocelyn to call the doctor? I’ve been telling Elice to get checked out for a few days now. But she refused, saying she just needed more rest.
In fact, Elice gave this reason not only to Daphne. In fact, Elice had the same reason for Norah and Garrett as well.
“They have. The doctor is on his way.”
Daphne nodded once in response to Norah’s answer. At least that could bring her some relief. Unconsciously, she let out a small sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness.”
Meanwhile, in their room, Garrett tried his best to calm Elice down as much as possible. No explanation was necessary. He could understand how scared Elice was when she realized that someone had been following her the whole time.
Because in reality, Garrett and Elice’s absence from the dinner table that night wasn’t because Elice was sick. On the contrary. It was because Elice was still shaken. Still in shock from the reality she had just learned.
“Is it Ariel?”
With a trembling voice, Elice expressed the only possibility that came to her mind. Because that name was the only one that came to mind when Elice learned the facts that had been happening all along.
Elice’s hands went up. She clutched Garrett’s clothes to her chest. Making a mess there as she tried to hold on to her husband.
“I-I don’t have any enemies, Garrett. No one has hated me all this time. No one,” Elice continued with a sad look on her face. “Except that family.”
Strangely enough, Garrett also received similar hatred from the family Elice mentioned. And if Elice did not suspect Ariel and his family, then Garrett would consider that possibility. Especially with the tendency for the recent attack on Garrett to have been orchestrated by Ariel.
“Shh.”
Garrett cupped Elice’s face. Trying to calm her as the fear intensified, causing tremors throughout her body.
When Garrett first met Elice, he knew the woman had shed too many tears. Even when they tried to grow closer, her tears still flowed during some heartbreaking incidents. And when Garrett finally married Elice, he made a promise to himself. He would protect Elice and make sure she would never cry again. But in reality?
“I’m afraid, Garrett.”
In every fear that Elice expressed, it would never be enough to represent everything. It was only a fraction of the overwhelming sense of terror that truly overshadowed Elice’s mind. Spinning around, making her afraid.
“I-I. I…”
So scared that she could barely breathe. Truly! The reality was truly unimaginable.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Elice never imagined that one day she would be followed. The thought of eyes constantly watching her brought an unimaginable terror.
Throughout her life, Elice never asked for much. She just wanted to live her days in peace and quiet. But she was aware. That as time passed, it was not her hopes that became reality. It was just the opposite.
“You don’t have to worry,” Garrett said quietly. “Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I promise.”
But confusion filled Elice’s mind, making it almost impossible for her to think clearly.
“I don’t know what’s really happening, Garrett. But I’m really scared. Y-you’ve been attacked by unknown people, and I’ve been followed the whole time.”
What Elice said was true. To be honest, Garrett himself did not know what was happening. And if Garrett thought that only he would experience something bad, he was wrong. It turned out that Elice was experiencing it too. A fact that really scared him.
If he were honest, Garrett would admit that he was currently overwhelmed by a similar fear as Elice. Maybe even more. This fear was many times greater than what he felt when he was attacked by unknown people.
However, Garrett tried to remain calm in front of Elice. Like a true man and husband, he had to be strong. He had to be able to calm his wife’s fear.
“Forgive me, Elice. But whatever happens, I will protect you,” Garrett said confidently. “You don’t have to worry.”
Elice looked at Garrett intently. There were unspoken promises in Garrett’s eyes. Her husband would protect her. And for reasons that didn’t need to be explained, Elice nodded. She believed completely.
Exhaling with relief, Garrett pulled Elice into his embrace. He closed his eyes and stroked Elice’s back as gently as he could. He tried to give her the peace she needed.
“I love you, Elice. I will protect you no matter what.”
Elice closed her eyes, trying to suppress all the panic and fear that was still trying to take over her senses. She had to be calm.
Be calm, Elice. Garrett is with you. Everything will be okay. Because hasn’t that been the case all along? Garrett will always protect you.
Because Elice will always remember that Garrett will always be her hero. Protecting her. Making sure that nothing bad happens to her. And in him Elice can trust everything.
But that’s how negative thoughts work. They dissolve quickly and poison the mind with other facts. And that’s what happened to Elice. When she closed her eyes, her memories came back. Which brings up a question. If Elice hadn’t accepted Garrett’s proposal, would this still be happening?
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