Thea
I was standing in the room with my mum, Angel and scott now. The party was still on but my mum had called the men, pulling them away from it.
Angel questioned me with his gaze. I was intentionally distant from him.
“Why did you call us here?” Scott asked my mum.
“Thea has a big announcement.” She said smiling and I could see the unease from Angel.
“Thea?” Angel called in a way that made me want to run into his arms and tear up. My mum came close to me, taking my hand and caressing my cheek.
“You’re a free woman Thea. You have the right to do whatever you want but I’d advise you to make the right choice my sweetie.” I shut my eyes like tears would spill from it the moment I opened it.
“I know.” I whispered then opened my eyes to look at Angel.
“Louisa what is this about?” Scott asked impatiently.
“Thea….” She called giving me the floor. I was too weak to talk but I had to say something. I could see how scared Angel was for whatever I had to say.
“Do you need a moment with me?” He asked, more like a plea.
“No, whatever she has to say will be in front of us.”
“It’s fine mum I’ll just say it.” I said and took my gaze back to Angel. “I’m a free woman right?” I asked and he looked confused.
“Of course you are. Why would you even ask that?”
“As hard as it may be, I want you to respect my decision Angel.” He blinked and clenched his jaw.
“What’s going on Thea?” He asked and tears flooded my eyes. I shook my head feeling so weak to do this.
“You can do this Thea.” My mum encouraged me but when I looked at Angel and noticed the look in his eyes laced with the mixture of pain and fear, I felt so weak. I let out a deep sigh and tried again.
“Angel-I… My goodness I can’t do this.” I said breathing heavily now.
“Thea!” My mum yelled, her voice thick and reminding me of her threat. Angel’s gaze fell in defeat, he seemed to have figured out what was going on.
“Forgive me Angel… I’m so sorry my love but I’m not coming home with you.” I said and tears began to spill from my eyes. Angel’s eyes were red with tears as well. He was visible shaking. Veins appearing on his face.
“Did your mum convince you to do this?” He asked looking like he was stopping himself from exploding in desperation.
“It’s her choice.” My mum countered Angel.
“Louisa….” Scott called. ” You didn’t force Thea to do this right?” Scott really looked concerned but I doubt he could convince her to take back het threat.
“If Thea were your daughter you’d kill Angel than to let him get close to her again so stay out of this.” She scolded scott who just seemed to accept and stay back.
Angel sighed deeply and took a step further. I wished he didn’t say anything to convince me. I needed to do this again, I was putting someone else before me and it was my mum.
“Angel don’t try to convince me. I’ve made my decision.” I said this while tearing up bitterly. My heart broke into shreds with each word.
“Thea you can’t do this to yourself.” He pleaded.
“Lets break up.” I said and he froze for a moment, his eyes squinting from shock to curiosity.
“You can’t mean that and I can’t accept that.”
“Even if you don’t it’s over between us Angel. I have to stay with my mum for at least a year.” I said feeling the weight of his absence already.
“Even if that is the case. We can’t break up.”
“I have to!” I cried out. “That’s the only way I can spend a year apart from you.”
“What do you mean by a year apart from me?” He was getting angry. I didn’t want to imagine what he’d do to have me back.
“That was the deal. No communication, you don’t get to see me or hear my voice for a year Angel.”
“That’s impossible.” He says, his eyes shining with disbelieve.
“Only then can my mum forgive you and accept us.”
“So you’re saying, I have to live one year without even hearing your voice?” He spoke moving closer but I took some steps backward.
“Yes.” I gasped out.
He sighed deeply. “That’s torture.” He said. It was torture for me too.
“Thea has told you her decision already, stop making this hard on her.” Louisa, my mum said.
“Is this what you really want or what you have to do?” Angel continued, ignoring my mum.
“It is what I want.” I said but I knew he already knew the truth.
“You’re lying.”
“Your opinion doesn’t matter Angel.” My mum butt in.
“I’m talking to Thea not you!” He yelled startling my mum.
“That’s the man you love? Violent.” She said that loud and clear taunting me. Alfred said the same exact thing. Could it be a coincidence or they had been talking about Angel all through the night to eventually have the same language. I couldn’t deny Angel’s violent side too.
“Just say it Thea. Tell me you don’t want this and I’ll burn this place to the fucking ground if I have to get you out of here.”
“He doesn’t even hide it.” My mum whispered behind me and I got incredibly irritated.
“Mum stop it already! You win okay. I’m staying with you.” I yelled bringing her to silence. ” Angel…” I said turning to him. “This is what I want and you don’t have to do anything to stop it.” My voice was firm and final.
Angel looked helpless but I had already made my decision. I saw tears spill from his eyes and I remembered how everyone spoke to me before I left. I had assured them that I was going come back but here I was already betraying their trust.
“I love you Thea.” He said softly his expression showing he had accepted defeat.
“I’m not giving up on you. I swear it.”
A year felt like a thousand years. I wasn’t strong enough for this. Angel moved closer but Louisa came in front of me.
“You’re not even allowed to hug her. You better be taking your leave now.” She said and Angel remained at a spot, waiting for me to counter but I couldn’t because if I hugged him or even said I loved him too. It would break me even more and make it harder for me to let go.
“Fine.” He said with so much pain in his voice. He turned his back on me and took slow and painful strides to the door.
When the door closed finally that was when I found my voice. “Angel….” I gasped out feeling like my heart was failing.
I couldn’t believe I just let Angel walk out of the door.
I’d never see or hear from him or feel his touch or perceive his scent. Could I really do this?
My mum looked at me with the most satisfied look on her face. She looked really proud of what she had achieved.
“You made the right decision Thea.” She said and pecked me on the forehead but something deep inside me said she wasn’t going to be done even after a year was over.
A/N: Dear readers, this is just a short chapter update. I did this due to how long it was taking to edit the remaining chapters. I will be updating over 25 chapters on the 13th of this month. Before the new year, I will update the final chapters of the book inclusive of the epilogue. Thank you all for reading.