Chapter 258: Repentance

"How would I know? Why are we even getting divorce in the first place?" she said as if it was all my mistake, my figment of imagination.

'Was she not the one who wanted to leave me in the first place?'

"I thought that you did not want to live with me anymore. Did you not say that you are not happy with me or do not love me anymore? I thought that you love someone else '' I asked and she looked at me with widened eyes.

"Of course I did not love you anymore the way you treated me in the past. I am not amongst the women who continue to love a person even when he insults me. But that does not mean that you can put all the accusion on me. You were the one who proposed to me, I just accepted it" she said as she looked at the other side with raised chin as if all the mistake was mine. 

Honestly, it was. She was right, i had never treated her well. Then how could I expect her to treat me well in exchange. But then there was still a glimmer of hope that our relationship was improving.

My face hardened and my fists clenched. I collected all my strength and asked,

"Then, Marianne, if I will treat you well and repent all my sins, would you give me another chance?" My words were sincere and my eyes were filled with expectations when I looked at her and she blinked.

She tilted her head and looked at me.

"How.. how would you do that?" she asked me with a voice filled with uncertainty yet I could feel the pain she was hiding behind.

"By apologizing, giving you all the rights and treating you better. I will try to improve my relationship with you and every person around you. In exchange, give me a chance.`` I asked as I held her hand, I looked at her.

This was the first time I had lowered myself this much in front of someone. But if that way I can save this marriage then I am ready.

She bit her lips as she looked at me and i sighed,

'Was it that difficult to accept me?' I wanted to ask but I stayed silent as I did not want to hurry her.

I stayed there silently giving her all the time to think when we heard footsteps.

I turned to see that all the men were awake and walking towards us. I became an alert and so was she.

"What is it?"[ I asked in a sharp voice and they chuckled.

"Don't be so harsh brother, you were the one who tricked us." said the tallest man among them.

"You have taken Shui as your sister.. So we are all her brothers now" said another one.

"Hey, except me. You are my brother in law. So I can take your wife as my sister." said another and they all chuckled as if it was a joke.

"Oh, poor Caleb did not want to take Shui as his sister." said another one chuckling 

They all were chuckling and laughing completely opposite of their rough behaviour from yesterday.

"Alright, that is enough. Now let's be serious. No matter what the reason is we have lost the chance of hunting. So we have to rely on fruits to collect before we go back. And you brothers are coming with us" they declared when I continued to look at them.

"As a clan member it is your duty," said another, looking at my silence.

And I sighed and nodded. They nodded back but did not move.

"So, what are you waiting for?" they asked tilting their head and only then did i realise that i have to go with them now. 

I wanted to go as early as possible yet I was  struck by these people. These crude men that wanted to kill us till yesterday were now calling me brother in law. Was one James not enough for me to bear, but then water was all I needed. Even Marianne would be thirsty.

I moved fast with that thought and took the pitcher from the man and started feeling it from the river.

"Brother, say how many years had it been to your marriage?" asked the man called Caleb.

"Why?" I asked , getting alerted.

"Oh, nothing special. I wanted to know your first night experience. Sister in law looks fiercer to me." he said and I gritted my teeth. 

"It is not something i want to share with you.'' I deadpanned and they chuckled.

"Oh brother, I was just asking about general tips. I am going to get married today" said the boy again.

"I say, just keep kissing him when you do the deed. Whenever she tried to protest or say anything, just kiss her hard and she would be too distracted. Women love love making, they just do not accept it. And yes touch her erogenous parts too." said another man chuckling.

"Say brother, do you plan kids?" asked another man, and I did not know why they were so indulged in making me part of that?"

"I have a son" I replied as I knew they would not leave me until I knew.

"Oh, I thought you were a newly married couple. Sister in-law is easily embarrassed so I thought she was newly wed."

"I felt that too, she was so fierce when fighting. Commons never stood a chance against her but at the same time she was so red in the morning when all you were doing was eating apples together." 

"Don't you think you have noticed her more than necessary?" I asked through gritted teeth and they shook their heads.

"She is like a sister to us, a brother. Do you know there is a temple of our goddess in the village? It is famous for newly weds prayers. It is said that those couples who go there and pray always stay together. Would you like to go and pray?" asked another and I shook my head. I did not believe in these things at all.