In the days following their deep conversation, David began to show subtle but noticeable changes in behavior. Every time Elara was about to leave the house, David would ask in detail: where she was going, with whom, until what time. At first Elara saw this as concern, but over time it began to feel more like surveillance.
"El, did you wear a jacket?" David asked as Elara was about to pick up Alisha from school.
"Just to the school,David. The weather isn't that cold."
"No,wear a jacket. I don't want you to get sick."
David's touches also changed—no longer gentle, but full of claim. His hand often gripped Elara's shoulder tightly, like marking ownership. At dinner parties with business associates, David never let Elara stray far from him, always pulling her closer whenever a man tried to speak with Elara.
One evening, while they were relaxing in the family room, David suddenly said:
"El,no matter what, you are my wife. And I am your husband. I have the right to have you completely."
Elara looked at him, slightly surprised by his tone. "I know, David. But—"
"I don't care if many annoying insects approach you," David continued, his eyes sharp. "They can come, but I will always be here to chase them away. Do you understand?"
Elara felt her chest tighten. "David, I'm not property that needs to be guarded like that."
"But you are my heart," David replied, moving closer and grasping Elara's hand. "And when my heart was almost taken away, it's only natural that I want to protect it more strictly, isn't it?"
FROM DAVID'S PERSPECTIVE:
In his mind,this was an expression of love. After almost losing Elara, his fear had transformed into a need for control. Whenever Elara was out of his sight, his imagination conjured the worst scenarios—Elara secretly meeting Kael, Elara doubting her choice, Elara leaving him. His protectiveness was a shield to cover his insecurity.
FROM ELARA'S PERSPECTIVE:
David's behavior made her feel trapped instead.The commitment to honesty they had built seemed to crumble under David's possessiveness. She wanted to scream that she had chosen David, that she was trying hard to be faithful, but every time David acted like this, it only made her miss the freedom she once felt with Kael—the freedom to be herself without being monitored.
"David," Elara tried to communicate one morning, "I feel... pressured lately."
David immediately straightened up. "Why? Is someone bothering you? Who?"
"Not that," Elara took a breath. "But your way... sometimes makes me feel distrusted."
David approached and hugged her tightly. "This isn't about distrust, Darling. It's about how precious you are to me. I won't let anyone take you away from me again."
Elara bowed her head in David's embrace, feeling the conflict in her heart. On one hand, she was touched by David's immense love. On the other hand, she felt like a bird with clipped wings.
And in silence, she began to wonder: was this what she wanted? Living in a golden cage under tight guard? Or was there too high a price for the "security" David offered?
Meanwhile David, in his excessive effort to preserve love, didn't realize that he was actually pushing Elara further away—exactly what he feared most.