Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 211: Do you love him

Braelyn’s POV

Genny’s room was cosy, and we were seated on a circular princess bed just like the one she had in her childhood bedroom.

The main lights were switched off, but multiple coloured bulbs lit up from the curtains of her bed, making her room dreamy.

The walls were decorated with photographs she took over the years and plastic vines. She had a flower pot next to her window and the air was filled with vanilla essence. Staying here reminded me of when life was simple

Genny’s current room was very similar to her blue princess theme childhood bedroom. This room was also baby blue themed down to her rugs. The only difference was that she didn’t have her Aurora princess poster from Sleeping Beauty, where Aurora’s gown was blue. Genny then would swear the original Sleeping Beauty gown was meant to be blue, along with several other posters.

She still kept some of her plush toys from back then, including her favourite Hello Kitty plushie. Genny might not look it with her baggy style and tall height but she was a real girlie girl. She didn’t give a fuck, her room still looked like a teenager’s room.

I used to be envious of her bedroom then and made all sorts of excuses to sleepover. Although I had dad get me a princess theme room. Mine was lemon colour instead, since it was my favourite colour, but Genny’s room was cooler.

I still remember the primrose flowers that were in my room. According to Dad, Braelyn also meant primrose, so automatically, primrose was my favourite flower. Those were the good times.

I sighed as I got lost in the memories for a bit. "So what happened?" I said, grabbing one of her plushies.

Genny sat up. She had her braided into twin pig tails. "After I gave birth, mum took Alora. She was raised within the confines of our home because they couldn’t let anyone know and I was absolutely not allowed to tell anyone," she said quietly.

"Including me," I added and she nodded

"You know how scary mum can be." She whined before adding carefully. "I am really sorry I kept this from you," she apologises.

"It’s fine. Things were complicated. " I replied. "Let me guess you mum took the place of her mother even when she started school. " I asked and she nodded.

"They hid it not to scare away potential bachelors like having a child out of wedlock is a disease." She grumbled. Despite it, Genny’s parents were pretty strict, but she was too stubborn for them.

Her parents were traditional, and to them, Genny’s pregnancy was a big disgrace. The only reason her mother probably fought for her to keep Alora was probably because of the risks the pregnancy posed to her

"The first year I stayed abroad nursing Alora, I loathed myself at first. Why did I do it? It was a dark time but I am glad she grew up well. Even Dad loves Alora more than he loved me. Alora cried saying she didn’t want to leave her grannies." She fought back a sob as she spoke. She was getting pretty emotional.

I reached forward to rub her back." It is fine, Genny." The more I listened, the more I realised how things were hidden in plain sight. After our finals, Genny had travelled with her mother for almost a year. We normally video-called and kept in touch.

I remember how pale she looked some days. She always brushed it off as nothing and I never questioned her. "Why are you with her now?" I asked a question that has been bugging me.

"Dad fell sick." She spoke in a low voice. "Mum didn’t want Alora staying close to a sick old man as she described. I am stuck with her for now until Dad gets better. Alora loves staying with them better."

I nodded. Genny’s gaze then snapped at me. "By the way, why did you come looking like you were 2 seconds away from crying?" She asked and I froze for a moment. Delay is not denial. This conversation was coming eventually.

"You have no idea what happened today," I admitted.

Genny’s curiosity was immediately intrigued. Her attention was solely focused on me now.

"What happened?" Her voice tugged my heartstrings, and my eyes started to burn again and everything started flooding back in.

I narrated everything to Genny, well, just the part that happened this evening. I couldn’t tell her about the fact that my mother was involved in a murder case, but I poured out my heart concerning the crazy situation and the way I was spiralling.

She listened tentatively to every word I said. "Did he hit you?" She asked quietly.

I shook my head fighting back the tears. "He only hurt Lucien, and they both stopped fighting when I told them to..."

I stared down at my hands. "Raphael said he loved me," I repeated the words, unable to believe how absurd I sounded. Genny’s gaze flickered, her mouth parted, then closed.

"He begged me to end the open marriage," I continued, my voice growing numb. "He was jealous and couldn’t stand sharing me."

"And how did that make you feel?" she asked quietly. I laughed bitterly. My laugh was mixed with my sobs. "Like it was too late. He can’t just flip the switch when he feels like it."

She reached for my hand. "Brae..."

"He hurt me, Genny," I whispered. "He hurt me so badly, and now he wants to pretend it didn’t happen. Like love fixes everything."

"It doesn’t," she said firmly. "Love doesn’t erase abuse." My throat tightened. "I don’t even know what I feel anymore."

"That’s okay," she said. A silent beat passed between us.

"Do you hate him?" She asked, leaving me stunned for a moment.

"What do you mean by that question?" I shot back at him. "I fucking hate his guts." I snapped at her

Her smile stiffened. "Honestly, Brae, I don’t know what to say. This entire situation, but you can’t really be with Lucien. You don’t even love him. " she said.

"I know you guys have had your fun just like that day in the kitchen..." she revealed leaving me stunned.

"You know..how did..." I stuttered, unable to finish my sentence. She knew.

.

"I know that look you had on your face. It was the same fishy look you had when you were with that bastard Raphael. " she snickered. Then her gaze softened.

"Before you do anything. I have a question only you can answer: Do you still love Raphael, or have you fallen for Lucien and are you ready to throw everything you fought for?" She asked me a question I have been avoiding.