The Woman From Hell

I looked at him, not knowing what he meant by that. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"I've always thought of it as my responsibility and didn’t know that my actions would hurt you. From now on, stay with me, okay?" He stared at me with a glimmer in his eyes while waiting for my answer.

"Okay." I nodded gently. I did not know what he wanted to do, but his demeanor made it hard for me to refuse.

He got up and tried to hold me but I rejected him and insisted on walking on my own. He took my shoulder and we went downstairs together.

Downstairs, Cindy had changed into a princess nightgown and was sitting on the sofa, pouting and sulking. Sitting beside her and softly comforting her was Zedd, who had arrived some time ago.

Theo held me and we both sat down on the other end o f the couch.

Cindy stood up and dragged Theo's hand off my shoulder while saying with tears in her eyes, "I was wrong, Theowy. I shouldn’t have come over in the middle of the night to disturb you, but I was really scared to be alone. Please don't be angry.”

She cried her heart out as her tears streamed down

like broken beads.

Theo’s cold and dark profile softened as the chill in his eyes dispersed. He did not say a word.

I let out a wry smile. It turned out that Theo did not really mean it when he said that he wanted to 'talk'. H e was not able to get rid of Cindy, after all.

After a very long time, he said, "It's late, Cindy. You should go back with Zedd first." His voice was deep and low. There was a hint of displeasure in his tone.

“Don't you want me anymore, Theowy? My parents aren't around anymore and you’re the only one I have left in this world. If you don't want me too, then all I have left waiting for me is death.”

"Hah!" I could not stand it anymore and sneered.

"What are you sneering at, Wanda Lane? It's all your fault. If you hadn't guilt-tripped Theowy with your child, he wouldn't be entertaining you now at all. You shameless woman! You've resorted to all kinds of threats and are really smug now, aren't you?"

Cindy spoke louder and louder, completely forgetting the fact that she needed to disguise herself.

I laughed in anger. "You must be talking about yourself, Ms. Cindy! Who is the one who has been guilttripping Theo all this while and pulling out all sorts of tricks to make it seem that I have no husband? You even went to the extent of making me have to pretend to have aborted my own child!

After a pause, I continued, "Yes, Theo has the duty to take care of you. That's why I've been enduring your spoiled attitude this whole time. However, Ms. Cindy, what he has for you is just a sense of duty, which means that you don't have the right to ruin other people's families as you wish. Legally, I'm his wife, and you're no different than a mistress for constantly showing up at my door and making a scene like this."

"Nonsense, Wanda Lane! You're the mistress who ruined our relationship. You’re the one who interfered in our relationship!" Cindy screamed with no regard for her image, the veins on her forehead bulging out.

Looking at her exasperation with cold eyes, I said blandly, "You said I interfered, right? What about those years when I wasn't around? Did Theo promise to marry you?"

My words had struck a sore point. Cindy broke down completely and covered her ears while squatting down on the floor. "I don't know what you’re talking about. You! You're the one who ruined my happiness. You're the one who's occupying Theowy..."

Zedd bent down to support her and consoled her softly.

Theo's face was cold and chilly, his pupils so dark that they looked like an abyss. I could tell that he was mad.

I did not know if he was mad at me for saying those things to hurt Cindy or if he was mad at Cindy for making a scene in the middle of the night.

Refusing to look at them, I said in a deep voice, "This i s my house. Please leave or I'll call the police to report you for trespassing."

Cindy froze after hearing what I said and cried even louder. "Theowy, Wanda-"

"That's enough," Theo said. His tone was a little angry. "It's very late now. We can talk tomorrow. Send her back first, Zedd..."

I was in an irritable mood and turned around to go upstairs while ignoring them.

When I got back to my room, I curled up in my bed with a barren heart, feeling like everything had lost its meaning. I pulled out my phone to text Cecilia: [I think I'm sick.]

I had been on an emotional rollercoaster during this period, getting furious even when I slept. I had been trying my best to fix it, thinking that everything would be okay if I could control my emotions.

However, after having an emotional outburst tonight, I knew that I might be sick again.