PRESENT TIME – September 10, 2017

Fredric’s POV

It’s been a month since my wedding to Mathilda, and honestly, I feel tortured. I don’t even know how to describe it. Waking up next to her face every morning feels like a nightmare — yet, strangely, sometimes I actually pity her.

Her life has completely changed. She doesn’t work anymore, she endures every cruel word that comes out of my mouth, and she’s still grieving her father’s death.

Hell is probably where I’m headed.

Another strange thing? Mathilda’s become my cover whenever I visit Paula. She’s the only reason I can stay out late without Grandma scolding me. I tell Grandma that Mathilda and I are going to clubs or having fun as newlyweds — a ridiculous excuse, but it works. For some reason, my grandmother doesn’t get angry at all. She actually approves of everything I do with Mathilda.

And here we are again — pulling into Paula’s apartment garage. I can’t wait to get out of the car and breathe air that doesn’t smell like Mathilda’s