Ella

Inhaling the fresh scent of coffee, I go out on the deck, enjoying the view of a magnificent sunset over the ocean, the orange light reflecting in the misty blue water that calls for you to enter it and never get out.

The soft breeze touches my skin, giving much-needed cooling as my white summer dress sways around my legs.

Laughter on the beach snaps my attention and my eyes land on the two-year-old who chases the small husky dog. The puppy jumps from side to side barking, circling around his feet and licking them from time to time. The boy laughs joyfully, clapping his hands, and then lands on his diapered behind as the puppy jumps on him, nuzzling his neck.

Rex sleeps next to my feet, snoring loudly, and I shake my head at him. He got old and lazy, but still plays with Dean from time to time.

The familiar twitch in my hands creates uneasiness in me, and I know how to soothe it. I grab my camera from the hook nearby and snap a picture of Dean, capturing this perfect moment in time that will never happen again.

Focusing my lens on him, I notice how the man leans next to him and helps steady him, and the child grins, raising his arms.

The man complies easily, placing the child on his shoulders. I’m finally busted, and the man raises his brow.

“Mama is watching us,” he says to Dean, who waves at me joyfully.

“Mama!” Pride laces his voice as he tunnels his tiny hands in his father’s hair, and my man doesn't even wince.

I think at this point he is just used to it. Our baby boy is fascinated with his hair, maybe because they share the same color. Mine never has the same appeal for him.

“Hi, honey.” I walk closer, meeting them half way and, with a smile, place a soft kiss on my husband’s cheek while patting my son on the back in a soothing motion when he senses the tension between us.

I’ve been avoiding them the whole morning, knowing full well today’s date and hating it at the same time.

Because I know Kierian will go out to hunt and disappear for an entire week until his dark desires are satisfied.

This will never get better; he will never change.

But then, he never hides the truth from me, not anymore.

He gave me a choice five years ago, and I chose him for better or worse.

After he was declared dead, he managed to have new passports made for us with our new identities, and we left everything behind. He found us a piece of heaven where we could live and enjoy every minute of it. Despite him being a monster in a well-understood sense by the people, I couldn’t have been happier and never regretted my decision.

We’d been two lonely souls drifting in this world without much purpose, seeking things we thought were right. But truth be told, our childhood shouldn’t define us or dictate our life choices.

Our love story makes no sense for most people and never will. After all, how can I be so weak and love him? For whatever reasons he does what he does, it’s still wrong. He still touches me with his bloodstained hands, and I know if he ever feels I’m a threat to our child, he will kill me at once. His protective instinct is what defines him.

While he loves our son with everything he has, it doesn't change him.

And never will.

Although it scares me on most days, and even though I have nightmares of him ending up in jail and the police coming to my door asking me how I could live with him all these years, it doesn't stop me from being his.

Because I can’t imagine a different life. My heart forever belongs to him, and love is not an emotion that can be dictated.

It’ll always be wrong. But it’s a choice I make nevertheless.

Resting my forehead on his, I inhale his smell, and whisper, “I love you.” He doesn't say anything back. I think the concept’s too far gone for him to understand or want to acknowledge.

Kierian is silent for a moment, but then his arm locks around me, bringing us closer together, as he murmurs in my ear, “I know.” These words he says with gratefulness, and the smiles he gives our son are the reason I stay.

The reason I don’t run away. He needs us. He longs for acceptance and love, for a peace his restless soul can never find.

I’ve become Psychopath’s prey that he decided to keep.

And somewhere along the way, the prey fell in love with the hunter, and they lived happily ever after.

Kidding.

We don't have a happy ending, but we have the only ending that suits our story.

And I’m okay with that.