Emmeline was given more shrimp ravioli by Abel. He asked, âHow does it taste?â
âDelicious!â
Emmeline remarked while licking her lips, âThe shrimp is tender and flavorful; besides that, you cooked it to perfection. Itâs better than the one I made.â
Abel said, âHaha! Itâs rare for my wife to praise me. Here, have another one.â
Emmeline caught Abelâs hand and stuffed the entire ravioli into her mouth.
Abel frowned again. He urged, âSlow down. How hungry are you?â
In between bites of ravioli, Emmeline remarked, âI was always hungry back in the Imperial Palace.â
Abelâs eyes became wet, and he asked with a choked voice, âDid they mistreat you?â
Emmeline answered honestly, âNot really. Anthony is a pervert who always wants to please me. I didnât endure any abuse.â
âThen why were you always hungry?â
âHe insisted on feeding me. I detest him. How was I able to eat?â
Emmeline sniffled and clarified, âNot eating wasnât an option, as my body would give out, but when I ate, I felt disgusted, so I was forced to remain hungry.â Abel could not say anything. He began to sniffle and came close to crying. He said, âOne day, when I catch Anthony, Iâll make him apologize to you.â
Emmeline tilted her head and asked, âHave you seen Anthony? How did he get away?â Abel replied, âHe traded you for himself. Otherwise, I wouldâve killed him.â Emmeline nodded and said, âWhy we werenât able to capture him puzzled me, but that explained everything.â Abel did not mention the knife Anthony held against her neck, or the strange drug he was forced to consume. He feared Emma would worry about him. Abel scooped up some Kasha and urged, âEnough about him. You need to listen to me and eat more.â Emmeline continued to have her meal. Her belly was full after she ate a bowl of kasha and six ravioli. âIâm really full this time,â she said as she patted her belly. Abel was delighted to see her consume so much food and felt pleased with his accomplishment.
âYou havenât eaten yet; all you did was feed me,â Emmeline remarked.
Abel replied, âThereâs still a bowl of Kasha and some ravioli left. Thatâs enough for me.â
Emmeline blinked her eyes and asked, âHas it gone cold? Should we warm it up downstairs?â
âItâs just right; itâs not cold at all.â
Abel picked up the kasha and took a big sip. Actually, it had gone cold, the same goes for the ravioli.
He enjoyed it and refused to leave Emmelineâs side, not even for a second.
God knows he did not even eat much when Emmeline went missing. Kasha and ravioli were delicious, but he would have been content with stones as well.
After dinner, Abel held Emmeline in his arms while sitting on the bed. They had a warm and gentle conversation. Emmeline felt relaxed as she leaned against his strong and warm embrace. She dozed off while they were conversing on Abelâs shoulder.
Half-lying on the bed, Abel continued to hold her while grasping her tender hands in his palms.
Emmeline eventually fell asleep more soundly.
After gently setting her down and wrapping a blanket around her. He reclined next to her and took her in his arms.
Emmeline suddenly quivered all over and screamed, âGo away! Donât touch me!â
Abel was alarmed to see Emmeline sit up and hurl a pillow at him.
She yelled, âGo away! Donât touch me! Leave, or Iâll bite my tongue and kill myself!â
Abel hugged her tightly and comforted her, saying, âEmma! Itâs me, itâs me, Iâm your husband!â
Emmeline hadnât fully woken yet, and she bit ferociously at Abelâs arm.
âEmmaâ¦â
Abel dared not move or shout. He was aware that Emmeline was still dreaming and that she was sleepwalking. He could not startle her.
Emmeline bit through his skin to the point where it was bleeding before she collapsed and fell back asleep.
Abel covered his bloody arm. He did not feel physical pain, only heartache.
How much terror had my love endured? She would much rather bite her tongue and die than let Anthony take advantage of her.
Abelâs vision abruptly turned hazy all of a sudden.