Dear Immortal Tyrant

Lina was the first to wake up. She realized Kaden must've changed their position some time in the middle of the night. Now, they were on their sides, her back firmly pressed against his chest. His embrace was unnerving, but at least he wasn't cutting off her circulation.

Kaden held firmly onto her stomach. He remained with his previous nature, his face buried into her shoulders. From his cool and slow breathing, Lina realized he was still fast asleep.

Lina couldn't imagine how he slept when she wasn't here. Not to mention, when she was in a coma… Did he sleep at all? When she closed her eyes with him in the hospital bed, did he join her? Or, did he keep watch of her all night long?

"If only you knew, I'd cry tears of gold for you." Lina wondered if Kaden knew how much she loved him. Sometimes, she was worried for herself.

Lina should've walked away from this relationship. It would not be good for her future children. She had made up that decision. She didn't want to subject her future generation to this life. But she stayed. She didn't run. She wanted it to end with her.

Yet, here Lina laid, in his arms.

How did it become like this? Were they ever going to change?

Rina's words ran deep within Lina. 'You can't change a man just because you love him. He changes because he loves you.'

Back then, Lina was a little girl. She did not understand her grandmother's lectures over tea. Lina saw how much her grandfather loved her. Lina could never fathom why Rina always had a burdened expression, even when Lawrence loved her with all of his heart. Now, Lina shared the same expression as her grandmother that sunny morning.

Lawrence never changed his overbearing ways, despite proclaiming his love for Rina.

Rina gave a warning. Not advice, but a lesson. Lina wished she heeded it sooner.

Would Kaden ever change? Will he ever learn?

Lina was scared of the answer. So, she writhed and squirmed like a newborn baby, until she was finally out of Kaden's grasp. By reflex, he began to touch the spot she laid. His brows grew scrunched and she quickly replaced herself with a pillow. Immediately, his firm shoulders relaxed. He buried his face into the pillow and stopped fidgeting.

"I need to take my mind off of this…" Lina wanted to keep herself occupied whilst he slept.

The more Lina laid in his arms, the more difficult it was to think rationally. He muddled with her brain. His warmth, the comfort he provided her, she found it difficult to hate him when he was like this. How could Lina ever be so cruel to despise a man who clung to her? Not to mention, the pride he must be swallowing, the ego he set aside, and his dignity.

Lina sighed heavily. She climbed out of bed, went to his bathroom, and wasn't surprised by the setup. Since it was a guest bedroom, the layout resembled a five-star and overpriced hotel. Toothbrushes and pastes were packaged neatly with DeHaven Conglamorate's logo.

Lina brushed her teeth and headed downstairs. There, she saw the morning staff were already sweeping.

"Good morning Madam!" They greeted her.

Lina flashed them a tired smile. She glanced down and saw her apron was still on. She walked to the room opposite of the dining hall, for that was where the kitchen was. She heard there was one in the basement that was well ventilated, and the one upstairs was just if the guests wanted to cook their own meals.

Lina took out the ingredients for breakfast. Baking and cooking always kept her mind off of things. She could focus her energy on the measurements and the timing of everything. So, that was exactly what she did.

Lina prepared the chicken stock she found in the fridge to make rice porridge with scallions and ginger. She began to whip up the batter for waffles to be cooked with bacon bits and maple syrup. She placed the oranges into the squeezing machine that poured over a jug of ice.

"And now the fruit salad…" Lina trailed off when she saw her handiwork.

Everything was properly plated in front of the long table sitting in the kitchen. She had even set up the plates and trays for two people. Unconsciously, Lina had cooked for not one person, but two. She eyed the stack of waffles and the large pot of porridge, then the two glasses she set up.

As Lina was cutting the fruits, she heard a loud bang from upstairs. Gasping in pain, she quickly clutched her hand. She had sliced herself with the knife. But that was not what she was focusing on.

"Impossible…" Lina knew this was no longer the trick of a light.

Lina saw the blood on the fruit knife clear as day. Her blood dripped onto the white pears, soaking the crystal flesh pink. She saw droplets collect on the wooden cutting board, staining it dark.

Then, Lina gazed at her finger. No cuts. No bruises. No scarring. There was no blemish at all. In the blink of an eye, Lina was cured from the cut. And her heart dropped, for she was no idiot.

Lina knew.

"Bastard."

Lina stepped backward. She was bewildered by what he had done—without her consent. She said she wanted to be a vampire, that way, she could lie longer. But this… this was unlike anything she wanted. No, it was far from it.

In the distance, Lina could hear the thundering of his rapid footsteps. He had woken up and discovered she was no longer in bed. She predicted the thud from earlier was him furiously chucking the pillow across the room. He thought she was gone.

"Lina!"

Kaden threw the doors open. Out of breath, hair still wild from sleep, but eyes wide and alert, this was how her husband greeted her first thing in the morning. And how did she greet him?

"You liar!" Lina screamed.