CHAPTER 44: PLEASE HELP ME!

After a brief hug, Edison finally let go of Naomi. He searched her face but only saw sadness in her eyes. "What’s wrong, darling? You are not happy to see me? You didn’t miss me?" he asked.

Sensing the couple’s need for privacy, Alpha Thomas and Luna Alicia stood up.

"Guys, come and sit down on the sofa, make yourself comfortable. We are heading to the garden to get some fresh air. Follow us there if you are done talking," Alpha Thomas said.

"OK, sir," Edison replied cheerfully.

The older couple left the living room and exited the mansion, heading to the garden located at the back of the house.

Back in the living room, Edison and Naomi sat on the sofa beside each other.

Edison gazed into her eyes. "Darling, tell me everything. Why did you suddenly disappear without saying goodbye to me? Your father told me about the kidnapping incident. You were kidnapped by some illegal trafficking group and sold to a couple in a far away city. Is it true?"

Naomi nodded her head. "Yes it is true. I was kidnapped and sold to a wealthy family. I became their slave, assigned to taking care of their ailing grandmother. I became the old woman’s caregiver. She was kind to me. The whole family treated me nicely because the old woman liked the way I served her. So when the old woman died, the family decided to reward me with freedom. That’s why I was able to return home safely. That’s all," she said, lying guiltily, fighting back tears from leaving her eyes.

Edison smiled in relief. "I’m just glad you came into a good family, or else you might end up in a worse situation. Some people are not as lucky as you. They end up tortured and broken and never return home alive. I’m glad it never happened to you," he said. His eyes shimmered with sincerity.

It’s now Naomi’s turn to ask. "How have you been since my disappearance? What did you do with your life?"

Edison breathed deeply. His eyes displayed a troubled look. "Not much has happened in my life since you disappeared. Um, our business was in shambles though," he admitted sadly.

A frown appeared on Naomi’s forehead. "Why? What happened?"

Edison raked his hands through his hair, looking troubled. "My father fell into a gambling addiction and wasted our money in casinos and brothels. I’m trying my best to save our business. Your father told me not to worry because if we get married, he will invest in our struggling business and help me restore it to its former glory. Your father has a brilliant mind. With his help and guidance I can still save our family business."

Naomi bit her lower lip in frustration. "But I have something to tell you. It’s very important..."

"What is it?" He asked, his voice soft with affection.

"I...I... no longer have feelings for you," she confessed the truth.

Edison’s jaw tightens. "What? How did it happen? How can you stop loving me? I will never stop loving you. Before you disappear we are supposed to marry each other. That is our plan. Why did you change your mind?"

Naomi sighed inwardly. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings but she must tell him the truth. "I’m sorry... but... my feelings for you faded away during our separation. I no longer love you. Let’s just remain friends from now on. Find a woman worthy of your love. I no longer deserve your love."

Edison stared at Naomi’s face for a long time, trying to come to terms with her revelation. "Darling, this is not true. Please tell me you are joking," he said. Tears shone in his eyes, and his mouth was set in a hard line.

"Yes, it is true! Please listen to me Edison. I no longer love you. I’m a different person now. I don’t want to pretend that my feelings for you are still the same. I want to set you free so you can start forgetting me. I’m no longer the same woman you loved before. I’m stained..." she whispered, avoiding his penetrating gaze.

His eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean? Did you fall in love with another guy? Who is he?" he asked in a distraught tone.

"Yes. I fell in love with another guy and gave birth to his son. I only came home to inform my family about the truth. I told them that I already had a new man in my life. He got me pregnant and we had a three-month-old baby together. I will get back to them soon. Once I return to him we will get married. That’s what happened to me during my disappearance. I told you the truth because I didn’t want my father to use you. You have to tell him that you already know the truth and you no longer wish to marry me. Can you do that for me, please?" she begged. Only Edison could stop her father’s madness.

He went silent, shaking his head, deeply hurt by her revelation. "Your story was a big lie!"

"Yes, it was my father’s idea. He ordered me to lie to you. I’m so sorry for lying to you," she sincerely apologized.

When he spoke – what came out of his mouth made her lose hope.

"Sorry I can’t help you. Your father has already told me that if you ask for my help, I must not give in to your persuasion. Besides, your father and I have already talked about wedding arrangements. You can no longer back out. You will marry me whether you like it or not," he said with finality in his tone.

Naomi gasped in shock and disbelief. "Why do you still want to marry me? I already had a son with another guy. I chose them over you. I don’t love you anymore. Why insist on marrying me? I don’t understand you anymore. How can you be so stupid?"

Edison’s face darkened. "I don’t care if you call me stupid or crazy. Stop resisting our marriage. Your father and I have already talked about it. You can’t change our decisions. You have to obey us. What we are doing right now is for your own good. You should be thankful to me for saving your reputation," he ranted coldly.

Naomi was astounded. She asked, "What reputation are you talking about? Do you know who the father of my son is?"

Edison shook his head. "Not yet. But your father told me that he couldn’t accept the guy as your husband. He thinks I’m a better husband than that guy who impregnated you. Can you tell me his name? Do I know him?" he asked curiously, fishing for information.

Her father hid Alpha Maxwell’s identity from Edison, so she kept her mouth shut. "I’m sorry, I can’t tell you his name. Since you want to marry me, no need to know this guy. Let’s leave him alone from now on," she says in defeat.

"So, you are now willing to marry me?" Edison asked excitedly.

Naomi takes a long deep breath. "I have no choice, right? You joined forces with my father to trap me in this loveless marriage. What am I going to do? Two versus one. I’m outnumbered. I hope you won’t regret marrying me," she said, her tone filled with sorrow.

Edison smiled. "Believe me, I will never regret marrying you, darling," he said softly, trying to kiss her lips.

Naomi avoided his kiss and it landed on her shoulder.

Edison was pissed. "Why are you acting like this? You had never avoided my kisses before. Why are you doing this to me? I’m your soon-to-be husband. Your savior and your hero. You should not belittle me like this. What you did just now was a big insult to me. I will be your husband. Get used to it from now on!" he hissed angrily.

Naomi trembled, terrified of Edison’s new cruel persona. He had never acted this way before towards her. He has always been sweet and romantic towards her. His caring persona was gone and replaced with a monster.

"Please be honest with me. Tell me, do you want to marry me because you still love me or do you just want my father’s help to save your family business? Which is which? I want to hear your answer, please don’t lie to me," she pleaded, eager to hear his answer.

Edison went silent for a few seconds, then met her gaze and said, "Honestly, I still have feelings left for you. And secondly, I really need your father’s help saving our family business. If I can hit two birds with one stone, why not? Can you blame me?"

Naomi shook her head, disappointed by his answer. "I’m still hoping you come to your senses before this stupid marriage takes place. I really hope you will see that it’s going to be a loveless marriage between us, a one-sided union. I could never love you again because somebody already owned my heart. I’m just being honest with you. I hope you don’t take it against me."

"Don’t worry, darling. After we get married, I will make sure you forget about that guy who owned your heart!" Edison growled, jealousy flashing in his eyes.

Annoyed, Naomi stood up. "I’m sorry, I suddenly have a terrible headache. I need to rest in my room and take some medicine to cure my headache. Please go home now," she said politely, sending him away.

He didn’t reply or look at her.

Naomi quickly left his side, not caring if he was upset or angry with her actions. With heavy steps, she climbed the stairs and proceeded to her room on the second floor.

Edison was left alone on the sofa, gritting his teeth in anger.