A fate worse than death~~A Finnick Odair story~~

42. Like grandfather like grandson

Healing is a process that takes time. Being surrounded by those who love me could make the process shorter, only one problem, Cory didn't love me.

Don't get me wrong, almost always he had flowers in his hand when he was waiting for me, white roses to be exact, maybe he himself thought he loved me, that the meetings with his grandfather were only convenient for two love birds. Or maybe it was me desperately trying to see something good in an otherwise awful persion, hopefully I wouldn't find out.

But the truth remained. My brother had been gone for weeks, we had buried him, and only now was Cory standing at my door with roses in his hand and a sad expression on his face, and I wanted to slam the door in said face. I had tried to love him, really wanted to like him, but he was just so, so god I didn't even know how to describe it!!
I hate when that happens!! There was just something about him, or rather when I was with him.

He made me feel like a possession, something he could pick up and brag about to his friends, he didn't make me feel loved, barely even a persion. But when I was with Finnick, ohhh Finnick. Then I was happier than ever, it felt like he lifted me up, complimented me, just loved me.

So maybe I was the problem, not Cory, but me. Maybe I expected too much, maybe I didn't see all that he did for me. I mean, he was still standing here in front of me with flowers, no one had ever given me flowers before him, maybe it was me and my infidelity that was the problem, because let's face it, I had not directly tried to make it work between us.
I had only obeyed orders and sought comfort from Finnick, maybe it would be better if I just tried harder, if I just changed my mind.
But then he opened his mouth, and all thoughts were shattered.

"So are you going to let me in or not, honestly Elizabeth it's freezing out here!!"
I didn't say anything, just opened my mouth a little in shock, stepped aside and let him in.
But if I thought that was going to shut him up, I thought wrong.
"Honestly, it will be sooo much better when you move to the capital!! We can live together in my apartment and--."
"What?"
"Wha what, what do you mean Honey?"
He looked almost worried, and I was slightly shocked at the sight.
"Since when am I going to move to the capital?"
"Don't you remember?"
I shook my head slightly, because honestly, I didn't.
"Well, I don't blame you after everything that's happened, but when we talked to my grandfather, we agreed that you would move in when we were married."

Well shit.
He said he didn't blame me, but honestly, would I be a bad person if I admitted I'd completely forgotten.
I mean yes, a lot had happened in my life since that conversation, but if I admitted it to him, then I had to admit to myself that I hoped it wouldn't happen.
That none of it would happen.

"Yes of course honey, I can't wait."
He smiled again, surely pleased with my answer.
"I'm so glad you said that, because I've booked an interview!!"
"Great!! Where?"
"What do you mean where?!"
I was a little unsure of what he meant, of course I wanted to know where. He made it sound like the interview was in about an hour, but the capital was far away, so was it strange if I became hesitant and wondered??!!
Honestly, I thought it was a good question, perfectly reasonable, but judging by the look on Cory's face, he was both ready to scold me and call me an idiot.

"Elizabeth, Honey, why do you think I'm here?"
"Well…."
How do you answer that? After all, I was 99 percent sure he wasn't here just to be a loving and comforting fiance, but God knows what would happen if I said that. But sometimes patience just runs out, and you might accidentally say something that could potentially lead to your death.
"Ohhh god Cory I honestly don't know what you want me to say!! We both know you're not here to comfort me, sometimes I don't even think you love me!!!"
As soon as I said that, I threw my hands over my mouth.
Shit, fucking hell!!
Now I just had to wait for my death.

"Honey."
His voice sounded about the same, maybe a little more strained, but the anger was visible in his eyes. Something evil lurked in them and I just waited. So when the slap came I wasn't surprised. But with that said, that didn't mean I didn't cry out in pain.

My cheek tingled and felt warm, but I refused to let it show. Defiantly, I stared up at him, refusing to pay attention to the tears forming in my eyes. I just stared, and for the first time ever I saw something new in his face, something I never expected to see, astonishment.
Astonishment that was quickly replaced by a mask of regret.

"Oh Elizabeth you have to believe me--!!"
"Just stop!!"
"Wh--."
"I don't want to hear it!! I want to know two things, where are you going to have the interview AND what the hell are you doing here, because it sure as hell isn't comforting me!!"

I didn't know where I got the courage from, had it been any other day I would have never said no, but there was something in me that just overflowed, I was so tired of him doing what he wanted, treating me like he wanted and then expected me to just smile and be perfect, well you know what, fuck that!!

He had raised his hand as if to strike me again. Maybe he thought that would silence me, but before he hit my face I caught his arm.
"You wouldn't dare, now answer me!!"
"Fine, you want it your way, you're going to have it your way. The interview will be here in two hours, so I suggest you get up and put on something nice."
"What do you think gives you the right to--!!"

"I have every right!!"
"It's my house, my home!!"
"A house owned by my grandfather, a house you've been given the privilege to live in, so yes, I have every right, and Honey. If you haven't figured it out already, you belong to me, and I don't tolerate tantrums like this, so do now as I say, or else!!"

"Or else what, I have nothing left for you to take!!"
"Oh, are you shour?"
A slow evil smile spread across his lips. He paused briefly, as if to let me think, before continuing.
"What about your neighbors, or, maybe that little baker girl, Sara was her name?!"
He couldn't, he wouldn't,
would he?

The hesitation must have shown on my face, because a triumphant smile spread across his lips.
"Well what are you waiting for, go get change!!"
I had nothing left, couldn't resist, so I spat out the biggest insult I could muster.
"You are exactly like your grandfather."
Only when I turned to go up did he condescend to answer.
"I would hope so!"