Robert’s POV
I was sitting in the living room. Whatever happened today, I don’t know what to do anymore. I lost Max, the only one who knew me and understood me. I don’t have a single person I can share my thoughts with. And now… Hailey hates me too. She is uncomfortable with me. I think I won’t ever be able to win over Nicholson. He is Alex, and Hailey trusts him and loves him. I can’t do anything. Even if I ever tell Hailey, she will not believe me. I… I don’t even deserve her trust.
But you know selfish people? I am one of them. I don’t know, I can’t let her go. She has changed me so much; I can’t go back and be the person I was before. She is the first person I care about after so many years-- at least the first woman I care about. She is the one who changed me completely. I, Robert Anderson, who didn’t give a damn about anything other than money and power, is here in the living room, almost crying because his ‘wife’ suddenly hates him.
I-I know I deserve this hate. But what can I do? I don’t wanna be hated. I can’t blame you, but I don’t wanna blame myself. I wanna blame everything on God, he made me like this.
Even now, I can’t understand why she was crying or why she apologized. Am I so stupid on the page of emotions or is she too difficult to understand?
I suddenly heard footsteps and I looked up to find Hailey coming down. I know she didn’t come down to meet me, but I gotta tell her something.
“D-Don’t be uncomfortable near me. You are my wife. Please” I said as I felt a tear roll down my eyes.
I can cry?
I can feel pain over people?
“R-Robert?”
“I-I lost Max today. I need you” I confessed and she looked shocked. “Please”
“What do you mean…?” she looked down at her feet. “I don’t understand”
You don’t wanna understand Hailey.
You can’t believe that in your fate, a monster needs you.
I understand it.
Even if you say I love you, I damn know, you don’t.
I-I mean… you can’t!
“It’s… It’s okay” I exhaled and went back to my couch. “I’ll sleep here today”
“Wait,” she came to me and extended a hand. “Come”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes”
I faintly smiled and took her hand. She picked me up. “I will return in a minute. Let me drink water”
“Yeah” I replied and smiled. She smiled back and I went upstairs to our room.
Hailey’s POV
When he told me that he needs me, I was taken aback. It was… so touching.
But it doesn’t mean he loves me.
He could need me, but not love me. It isn’t compulsory.
I realized that he has lost his best friend today. I shouldn’t have behaved like this-- at least not today.
I need to console him; I need to let him go through all this. I invited him back to our room and went to drink water.
After drinking water, I returned and saw him lying on the bed. I laid next to him and he looked at me.
“What was in that letter?” I finally questioned the thing that has been disturbing me for a long time.
“Huh?” All the colors drained from his face. “No-nothing”
“Then tell me” I insisted.
He sighed. “Hailey, Max wished that you shouldn’t know it. So?”
“Okay” I closed my eyes and I felt strong arms around my torso. I opened my eyes and found him hugging me.
“A-Are you okay with it?” he asked.
“Y-Yeah” I replied, but still mentally face-palmed myself.
I just made a promise to myself that I will distance myself from him.
Is this how?
I was about to say something, but then I saw his face. He was smiling slightly. He rarely has this genuine smile on his face-- which isn’t fake.
I let him hug me and sleep.
Robert’s POV
I woke up and she was right next to me. If nothing, then this is the best moment of my life.
She woke up minutes later and looked at me. I realized I was staring at her, so I looked away.
“Morning” she whispered while yawning.
“Good morning” I got up and she looked at me with shock. “What?”
“You wished me?”
“Don’t I usually do that?”
“But never so nicely. Never an entire ‘GOOD MORNING’!”
I smiled at her and went to shower.
I don’t know Hailey.
You have changed me and I don’t know this new me.
I came out and found her combing her hair. I wanted to hug her from behind; the type every lovely husband does.
But she will not like it.
She feels uncomfortable now.
She doesn’t like being near to me. So, I should take care of it.
I sighed and left the room. I went back to her room after going half the stairs down.
“Hey… uh… you wanna come to the office today? Or I… I was… I was planning for a trip” I found myself nervous once again.
“Trip?” she turned around.
“Uh… yes. So, that we can get over Max’s death… uh… after his memorial and funeral. If you want?”
She thought for a moment. “I… I guess” She replied.
I smiled and nodded. “Pack whatever you need. We will leave tonight after the rituals”
“Yeah” she replied.
Hope this brings us together, Hailey.
I need us, you are the only one I have.