Episode 13

Clair went in search of Daphne in the greenhouse, it was already time to make dinner and she still had not returned, which worried her.

"Mrs. Daphne," she called out.

Daphne looked at her and smiled sweetly.

"I'm sorry, I had forgotten. Shall we go?" she said, walking ahead of Clair with quick steps. Upon reaching the kitchen, Daphne dismissed all the staff, including Clair. She did not want them to see her preparing food for her husband and lover. Although some time had passed, she could not get used to the looks filled with pity. As she cooked and smelled the food, she felt a wave of nostalgia and thought of her parents.

"I'm sorry," two words that echoed in her ears came from Das, who was standing at the entrance of the kitchen. She turned to him with disinterest.

"Do you need help?"

"No."

"Are you sure? I could help chop some vegetables..."

The sound of the knife hitting the cutting board silenced Das abruptly.

"What? Do you also want us to have tea together while eating cookies and talking about Samael?"

"No... I just want to help you."

"Ha, I never asked for your help. I told you, didn't I? I'm not so kind as to have a good relationship with you. Why don't you go somewhere else while your man comes home?"

He clenched his fists in anger as his face turned as red as a tomato.

"Why do you have to be like this with me? Wasn't it Samael who deceived you? Why take it out on me?"

Daphne smiled indignantly. It was true that Samael was the one who betrayed her, but he was not entirely innocent either. If she had not found them, he would still be deceiving her.

"Then how should I be? Do you want us to be friends? Why? Why can't you let go either? I don't care about any of that, I don't care how bad you feel, you can't force me to get along with you, because that's the only thing I can decide on. Do you think we are the same?"

Daphne cried with anger, unleashing all her frustration on him. Some employees who heard their shouts approached to prevent any physical confrontation.

"I can't go wherever I want, I have to sleep and eat when he says so. Tell me... are we the same? Has he hit you too? Has he humiliated you?"

The young man did not know how to respond. Although he was being threatened, Samael treated him well, as if he wanted to give him everything so he would not consider leaving.

"Do you even know that it's likely to be a terrible night for me again? I, the third wheel, dared to yell at my beloved lover. What do you think will happen to me? I have nothing left to lose, only something to hurt me with... to hit me."

"No! I can protect you, I don't want him to hit you again."

"Don't you think you've done enough?"

Daphne wiped away her tears and continued cooking. Clair entered and asked Das to accompany her to his room. When Samael arrived, he immediately entered Das's room. They came out holding hands and sat at the table, sharing a warm look between them. Daphne hurried to serve them, her eyes swollen from crying. Her face was expressionless. Samael stared at her, but she simply served.

"Sit," he ordered, pointing to the chair on his left. Then he looked at one of the employees and instructed her to continue.

Daphne sat at the table and started eating. As she tasted the familiar flavor, tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, lowered her head, and ate quickly. Samael glanced at her but said nothing.

"Das, my love. Did you like the food?" Samael caressed the young man's face, and he nodded sweetly.

"Yes, it's delicious."

"Daphne is a great cook. I hope you can learn from her."

Daphne remained unfazed, continuing to eat as if no one else was around.

"I'm done, I'll retire first," she said, stepping away. Das watched her leave, feeling a pain in his chest. She made him feel guilty. After finishing the meal, he entered the room with Samael, who hugged him from behind, showering his neck with kisses.

"Why are you so quiet?"

He turned around and kissed her on her lips.

"I've just been really bored lately. Could you have someone take me to see the kids tomorrow?"

"Of course, whatever you want."

Samael went into the bathroom to freshen up while he climbed into bed to sleep. Unaware, he fell asleep and when he woke up he felt the bed empty. He checked the time and realized it was the wee hours of the morning. He got up and looked for him in the bathroom but he wasn't there. Cautiously, he left his room and unconsciously walked to Dafne's room. He sighed and opened the door with fear. Inside, he saw Dafne kneeling on the floor with her back bare and covered in marks. He was alarmed and burst in, only to be surprised to see Samael sitting on the couch smoking a cigarette with a leather belt beside him.

"What have you done to her?"

He was so shocked, not understanding the cruelty Samael had towards that poor woman.

"Why are you in this room?"

Samael asked him as he stood up and walked towards him.

"I didn't feel you next to me and thought you might be here."

Das looked towards Dafne but she still didn't move.

"Why did you do that to her?"

"That's none of your business, go back to bed."

Samael kissed Das on the forehead and then ushered him out of the room. The image of that thin, beaten body of the woman stayed in his mind, gnawing at his conscience.

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