The Traps of Black Swan

Sean looked at Aeon for help when Eliza was still unsettled after listening to the phone conversation between him and Leon.

He had painstakingly remained calm over the call just so that he wouldn't lash out at Leon by asking how he could beat his wife while saying he loves her too much.

He wasn't good at softly convincing anybody. He only knew to order and stubbornly make things in his way. So he sought Aeon's help.

Aeon was silent for quite a while, watching Eliza before he uttered, discerning what could be troubling Eliza, "Sister-in-law, Leon is too occupied to even think of troubling the Lane family. Don't worry, I will keep an eye on them."

Sean scratched his head, grasping the reason behind Eliza's silent endurance for his brother's violence. Nevertheless, he turned to Eliza and vigorously nodded his head.

"Sil, if Brother Aeon says something, he will definitely do. Don't worry about all that. Rest today. We will talk tomorrow." He urged, shaking her arm.

Eliza was mentally exhausted. She smiled, looking at Sean. He was trying his best to be in control without scolding or demanding her stay.

She tried to remain calm for Sean. "Why are you awake so late in the night? Go and rest." She rubbed his head affectionately.

Sean: "..."

He wanted her to rest well so that he can know everything about Leon. He again looked at Aeon, thinking Eliza might send them to sleep and leave the villa silently.

Aeon knew Eliza didn't want to talk about sensitive matters in front of Sean, so he added his words, "Sean, aren't you tired after your engagement? Go and rest."

Sean: "..."

He snorted in dissatisfaction for reminding him of Sara and also  Aarvi. He stomped towards the stair before pausing. 'Aarvi!'

"Bro, this is not your villa," Sean stated as he looked around the tasteful interior of the villa.

His brother's taste is quite different. Aeon was too simplistic, whereas the villa was too elegant.

It was a contemporary villa with the perfection of effortless, sophisticated interior designs. The neutral color palette was paired with bold golden hues for more dramatization.

The spacious layout and opulent furniture were a change in classiness. It persistently brought a person to Sean's mind repeatedly, 'Aarvi.'

He always thought of her as hot and sexy. Now he understood what he really felt about her look.

Elegant and classy.

He continued with his eyes falling back on Aeon, "This style reminds me of…."

Aeon cut in immediately, completely away whose name he was about to take, "Go to bed, Sean. We will talk tomorrow."

Even Aeon had felt the same way as Sean. He had brushed off his thought to get rid of any kind of feelings towards Aarvi.

Sean's brows raised before it struck him that they shouldn't talk about Aarvi in front of Eliza. Because they were unsure if Eliza would stay or return back to Leon.

They can't keep Eliza against her wishes, so Sean nodded at Aeon and went upstairs thinking, 'I shouldn't put Aarvi's life at risk.'

For the first time in his life, he was determined about one thing, Aarvi's safety.

'If this is Aarvi's place, is she doing so good at her work? Will she come and meet us?...' His thoughts started growing until he dozed off.

Downstairs, Eliza contemplated her actions before apologizing to Aeon, "I am sorry, Aeon, for troubling you so much today." She bowed her head slightly, really feeling apologetic for putting Aeon in trouble.

She saw him still nonreactive, so she apologized again for another matter, "I am sorry, I had lied to you that Leon looks after me well. I actually had a hint that he was having affairs for a long time."

Aeon had asked her to leave the Harmon mansion and divorce Leon when he got to know Leon had many affairs and doubted Leon was maltreating her.

Eliza was too scared of Leon. How could she have revealed the truth standing in the same room as Leon?

Aeon's brows knitted tight after hearing her. He couldn't believe Eliza had so much tolerance and behaved as though she was the happiest wife on the earth.

If she wasn't Eliza, he really wanted to say, 'You should try the acting profession.' Because he never felt like she was acting.

He took a deep breath to keep his cool, "Is he abusing you from the beginning, sister-in-law?" That is seven years. He didn't even want to imagine how long she might have suffered silently without sharing a single word with anybody.

Eliza bit her lips and looked down. She tried to hide her wrist when she noticed the bright red marks which were bruised when Leon had held her tight, but it was too late.

She didn't respond to Aeon and came to the topic of which needs urgent attention, "You know Leon. My stay over here will make him even angrier."

Aeon's voice turned cold, hearing her still thinking of living through the violence, "Sister-in-law, none can help you until you make your mind to help yourself."

Eliza trembled at his words. She knew Aeon was right, but she didn't dare to go against Leon.

Aeon continued hoping Eliza could realize that she could choose a better way to deal with Leon instead of becoming a vent to his frustration.

"If you treat your family as weakness, he will keep threatening you with it. Do you think he could do the same if you stand strong and face him?"

Eliza lifted her head to face him. Although what he said made sense, how could she go against Leon when he warns that he will torture her parents and bring them on the road?

"But…" She still tried to speak against their idea.

Aeon cut in as he stood up. His words sounded resolute without any leeway, "Sister-in-law, I won't force you for anything. I suggest you rest for a few days here and decide what you plan next."

Then he went towards the study. He had really thought Eliza would speak her fears out and reveal about Leon Harmon, but she didn't.

He understood why Aarvi advised psychologist counseling for Eliza. He could imagine the intense fear of Leon had grown in her.

Eliza sat there staring at the main door. She knew she could leave from there due to fear of Leon. Nonetheless, she didn't want to be the reason behind Sean doubting Aeon and return to Leon.

That didn't mean that she was ready to face Leon to go against him. She didn't have that guts. Even the thought of it was making her blood turn cold and tremble on the couch.

She felt cowardly, yet she couldn't bring herself to think of doing anything against Leon's wishes. He was a master in manipulating situations.

If he couldn't fear her, he would go to any length to clear his own image by sending men to molest her to show she was having an affair or killing her by depicting it as her suicide.

She was walking on the sharp edge of a knife.. It was bone-chilling to even imagine going back to Leon, and it was suffocating to sit and think what he was going to do.