Paranoid Love

~ Garret's Bedroom ~

[Trigger Warning ⚠️: Readers discretion is advised]

"My wife, you're my wife now," Garret's voice quivered with desperation.

Peony stared into his eyes, finding no trace of emotion, just an unsettling void. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest as Garret loomed over her, pinning her to the bed. The torrential rain outside matched the turmoil within.

"Please, Garret, let me go. Please…" Her voice trembled as she pleaded.

He continued to hover over her, his predatory gaze unwavering, like a hunter locking onto its prey. She clutched the bedsheets tightly, her fear escalating.

"Don't do this, Garret. I'll despise you even more if you force me," she choked out.

He paused, releasing his grip on her. Peony sat up, her hand pressed against her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. Garret moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I won't divorce you, Peony, but I won't force you either. Just stay here with me. You can do whatever you want," he offered.

Peony's eyes welled with tears as she questioned him, her voice heavy with pain. "Why? Why are you so insistent on having me? You betrayed me, shattered my trust. Do you realize I gave up opportunities, even an offer abroad, all because I was worried about you? And when I finally went, you did this? What more do you want? Should I sacrifice my life for you now?"

"I love you, Peony, I truly do. I didn't cheat on you; she seduced me. Those girls, they're the ones who pursued me," Garret claimed.

Peony's words were tinged with bitterness, a dagger in her chest. "Right, all those girls seduced you? You freely give yourself to anyone. You even told her you'd need her after marriage. What kind of love is this? You have no basic respect for me. To you, I'm just a doll, someone who'll obey your commands and be by your side to showcase to the world. You never loved me."

"I won't be with any other women, only you. I want to wake up with you, talk with you, eat with you – everything couples do. I didn't cheat on you, Peony. I only love you. Why are you blaming me for everything? You've found another man behind my back, meeting with him. Even now, when you say you hate me, it's because you still have feelings for me. I should be angry with you, but my fear of losing you outweighs my anger. I'm terrified of losing you, of being abandoned," Garret pleaded, clutching Peony's hand.

Peony shouts, " Did you just follow me? Not only that, now you equate me to money? I can't reason with you. "

" So what if I do? It's my right to know where you are at every minute, every second. I should know wherever you are. You are mine. You don't love me anymore? You said you won't leave me. ", Garret grabs her hand.

She yells and throws his hand away from hers, "You're paranoid! I should have broken up with you before when I got to know your personality. I wasted my precious 8 years being indebted to you because you saved my mum. I thought my love could change you, but I was wrong. I shouldn't have bothered with you. No, I don't love you. I hate you Garret! I hate you! I'm not your property. Please understand, use your brain. Don't listen to whatever anyone says. For what you are doing right now, you don't even deserve forgiveness. You are crossing all the limits."

" I'm excusing you from everything, Peony. I'm not even forcing on you. It's you who is refusing to follow the marital rites. You're even meeting another man behind my back.

Still when you are saying you hate me, it is because you still have feelings for me. I should be angry at you yet my fear of losing you exceeds my anger. I'm more afraid of losing you. I'm afraid that you will leave me behind. " Garret clasps her hand.

His teary sincere eyes about his twisted feelings entrap her soul.

Peony's heart should have hardened by now. After everything he'd done, she should hate him unequivocally. Yet, she felt her resolve waver. His words, however twisted, held a peculiar charm over her. Despite the betrayal, she struggled to control her emotions. She was torn between offering solace and walking away.

She has no words to tell him. Talking to him now is talking to a stone. No matter what she says and what she tries to explain, he has his own interpretation. He is always right. He isn't even ready to accept his mistakes. In his mind, he is the victim and Peony is the perpetrator who colluded with Benedict.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Garret glanced at the caller ID. "Answer your phone, Peony. Your mom must be worried."

"Release my hand first," Peony replied coldly as she picked up her phone.

"Peony dear, where are you? You left early this morning," her mother's voice quivered with concern.

"Mom, don't worry about me. I'm a bit busy. Did you take your medication?"

"I took it. Please, tell me where you are. I've had a bad feeling all day."

"Don't fret, Mom. I can handle it. Trust me. I might be occupied for a few days. Make sure to take your medicine on time. I'll be back soon. Love you, Mom."

" No dear, I'm scared.. please come back soon. I will take my medicine properly. But please come back. "

" I will come back, mom." Peony speaks softly.

" No, she won't. She will stay with me in her own house. ", Garret interjected.

" Peony, are you with Garret? Tell me truly.", Her mom shivers.

Peony glared at him and whispered, "I'll escape from you if you try to interfere."

Then she spoke to her mother, "Don't worry, Mom. I'm outside, and there's a man arguing with a girl. I'll be home soon."

"If you say so. Call me if there's an emergency. I may be ill, but I'm not weak," her mother replied.

"I know, Mom. You're very strong. Take care. I'll be back soon," Peony assured her before ending the call.

She turned to Garret and said, "Don't come between me and my mom anymore. You lost that right when you made her unwell."

"What's happened to her? Is mom alright?" Garret asked, genuinely concerned.

"That's no longer your concern. And one more thing, you can't call her 'Mom' anymore. The moment she collapsed is the moment you forfeited that privilege," Peony asserted.

Garret remained silent, devoid of a response. This time, there was no argument.