We Were Thunder Pretending to Be Lovers in the Storm by Coren Elen Vey 22 Summary
In Chapter 22 of “We Were Thunder Pretending to Be Lovers in the Storm,” Freya faces a tumultuous emotional moment as she approaches the door to her children’s room, her heart heavy with anxiety and anticipation. As she listens to muffled voices, she feels a deep ache in her chest, symbolizing her longing for connection with her children, especially after her prolonged absence. Gathering her courage, she knocks and asks if she can enter, revealing her hope to reconnect with her kids.
Upon entering, Freya is met with a painful sight: her daughter Emmy hides under the blanket, unwilling to engage, while her son Etty stands frozen, conflicted by the situation. Freya’s heart sinks, but she tries to reassure Etty, who seems to feel guilt about their circumstances. Their brief interaction, filled with tenderness and a longing for affection, highlights Freya’s desire to mend their relationship, despite the barriers that have formed during her absence. When Etty tentatively asks if she will “fall asleep again,” Freya’s emotional response underscores her determination to be present in their lives, promising that she will not leave them again.
Meanwhile, Emmy’s inner turmoil unfolds as she processes Freya’s presence and the implications it has on her bond with “Mommy Vanessa.” Despite Etty’s acceptance of Freya, Emmy’s loyalty to Vanessa creates a conflict within her, leading to feelings of irritation and frustration. She burrows deeper under the covers, resisting her brother’s attempts to communicate. This emotional struggle emphasizes Emmy’s fear of losing the connection she has built with Vanessa, showcasing the complexities of childhood loyalty and the challenges of navigating new familial dynamics.
As the story progresses, Freya’s determination to reestablish her role as a mother becomes evident. The next morning, she insists on accompanying Felix to drop the children off at school, eager to be involved in their lives. However, she quickly realizes that the bond Emmy shares with Vanessa is not easily replaceable. Freya’s observations of Emmy’s behavior, particularly her reliance on her phone and her reluctance to engage with Freya, highlight the emotional distance that still exists between them. The chapter concludes with Freya’s painful realization that Emmy’s desire to distance herself from Freya at school stems from her need to maintain her image among peers, further complicating Freya’s journey toward rebuilding their relationship.
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**We Were Thunder Pretending to Be Lovers in the Storm by Coren Elen Vey**
**Chapter 22**
Freya stood just outside the door, her heart pounding as she listened intently to the muffled voices within. Each word pierced through her like a dagger, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to stave off the overwhelming ache swelling in her chest. It felt as if a heavy weight was pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe.
After a moment of gathering her strength, she steadied herself and approached the door with determination. With a deliberate tap of her cane against the wood, she made her presence known.
“Etty, Emmy, can Mommy come in?” she called out, her voice a blend of hope and trepidation.
The door, only partially closed, swung open with a gentle push. As she stepped inside, her heart sank at the sight before her. Emmy, her little girl, instantly bolted to the bed, yanking the blanket over her head, retreating into a cocoon of denial. It was clear that she wanted nothing to do with Freya in that moment.
A wave of disappointment crashed over Freya, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
Etty, on the other hand, was frozen in place, his small hands balled into tiny fists, his dark eyes wide and shifting nervously. The realization struck her like a thunderclap: Had he just spoken about her? Did he understand the gravity of the situation?
Five-year-olds wear their emotions on their sleeves, and Freya could see the guilt flickering in Etty’s eyes. It tugged at her heartstrings, softening her resolve. She chose her words carefully, wanting to reassure him. “Mommy’s hearing hasn’t fully recovered yet. You’ll have to speak louder for me to hear you,” she said with a gentle smile.
Relief washed over Etty’s face, the tension in his small frame easing. Good, she thought, perhaps he believed she hadn’t heard anything.
He hopped off the bed and took tentative steps toward her, each movement filled with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Freya’s heart ached with the desire to scoop him up in her arms, to hold him tightly and never let go. But she knew better than to rush it; she couldn’t risk scaring him or raising Felix’s suspicions.
“Etty?” she crouched down, her smile softening as she looked into his eyes. “Can Mommy give you a hug?”
The boy stood still, his expression a blend of confusion and familiarity. He had seen her many times before, lying in bed, so still and silent that it felt as though she were lost in a deep slumber—one from which she might never wake.
Seeing him hesitate, Freya felt a pang of bitterness stab at her heart. Did he truly not want to be near her? Just as despair began to creep in, he surprised her with a soft, tentative question. “Will you… fall asleep again?”
Freya froze, her breath catching in her throat. Before she could respond, his small hand reached up, brushing against her cheek, as if he needed reassurance that she was truly there, that she was real.
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, blurring her vision. “No!” she exclaimed, pressing her face into his tiny palm, letting him feel her warmth and love. “Mommy will never leave you again!” The promise hung in the air, heavy with sincerity.
But she knew Felix would be upstairs soon, and with a reluctant sigh, she released his hand. Standing tall, she cast one last glance at the bed where Emmy remained hidden beneath the blanket, a wall of silence between them.
Freya felt her heart sink further as she turned to leave, the bitter taste of rejection lingering in her mouth. It was only after she heard the door click shut that Emmy dared to peek out, her little face scrunched in displeasure.
—
Emmy had heard every single word that Freya had spoken. Despite her brother’s insistence that Freya was their true mother, her heart remained loyal to “Mommy Vanessa.”
She had believed that this woman would never awaken from her slumber, but now, here she was, declaring that she would never leave. The thought sent a shiver of anxiety through Emmy. If Freya stayed in the house, would Mommy Vanessa ever return to play with her as she once did?
As long as Freya was around, Mommy Vanessa could never openly be her “real” mom. The more Emmy pondered this, the more her frustration bubbled up, causing her to roll around irritably on the bed.
So annoying!
She burrowed deeper under the covers, ignoring her brother’s gentle pat through the blanket.
“Emmy, let’s talk—” Etty began, but she interrupted him, her voice laced with irritation. “Etty, I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
She knew exactly what he would say next. He had been swayed by that woman, and he would try to convince her to accept Freya. Hmph! She would never betray Mommy Vanessa.
Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, Freya stood on the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against her face, helping clear her mind. During her five-year absence, the children, especially Emmy, had grown reliant on Vanessa. It wouldn’t be easy to replace that bond overnight.
She resolved to approach this delicately, to take her time in rebuilding their relationship, step by step.
The following morning, Freya rose early, her determination unwavering. She insisted on accompanying Felix to drop the children off at school, eager to be part of their lives again.
In the back seat, Etty and Emmy were strapped into their safety seats. Etty, sharp for his age and bilingual from the start, had developed the habit of listening to English radio every morning, a routine enforced by Felix’s strict training.
Emmy, on the other hand, was treated with a tenderness that made it clear she was the apple of Felix’s eye, raised like a delicate little princess.
At that moment, she was engrossed in her phone, her tiny fingers tapping rapidly on the screen, clearly sending messages to someone. Every so often, she would stifle a giggle, her face lighting up with uncontainable joy.
Through her sunglasses, Freya observed the scene in the rearview mirror, her heart aching with the realization that Emmy was likely contacting Vanessa.
To say she wasn’t hurt would be a lie. Throughout the ride, Freya made every effort to engage her children in conversation, asking about school, their interests, and their favorite activities.
Etty responded occasionally, but Emmy remained distant, offering only curt “mm”s when she had to reply, leaving Freya with no opportunity to connect.
As they approached the school gate, Emmy suddenly leaned forward, clinging to Felix’s arm. “Daddy, can you stop here? I’m a little tired from sitting in the car. I want to walk to school,” she said, her grape-dark eyes flickering with a hint of guilt as she glanced quickly at Freya.
In that moment, Freya realized the truth. Emmy wasn’t tired at all; she simply didn’t want to be seen getting out of the car with Freya. The thought of her classmates and teachers witnessing her mother’s blindness filled her with dread.
And besides…
Emmy’s eyes darted over Freya once more. She wasn’t ugly, but she certainly lacked the flair and style of the other mothers. No sparkly earrings, no extravagant diamond rings, and certainly no designer clothes. She looked plain, almost ordinary.
Her classmates’ mothers were all like Mommy Vanessa—glamorous and fashionable. Emmy desperately wanted her friends to believe that the sparkling, stylish Mommy Vanessa was her real mother.
Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of their tumultuous reunion, Freya stood at the precipice of a new beginning, her heart heavy yet resolute. The weight of rejection from Emmy and the silent tension that had enveloped their family felt insurmountable, but she understood that rebuilding trust would take time. As she watched her children from the rearview mirror, the distance between them was palpable, a chasm forged by years of absence and the bond that had formed with Vanessa. Yet, amidst the ache of longing and the bittersweet pangs of motherhood, Freya clung to the promise she had made—she would never leave again. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but each small interaction, each gentle word she offered, would serve as a stepping stone back into their hearts.
Meanwhile, Emmy wrestled with her own emotions, torn between the love she had for Vanessa and the undeniable bond she had once shared with Freya. Her irritation masked a deeper fear: the fear of losing the comfort of the familiar for the uncertainty of the unknown. As she buried herself deeper under the covers, her mind swirled with conflicting thoughts, leaving her feeling vulnerable and anxious. The arrival of Freya had shattered the delicate balance she had crafted in her young life, and the struggle to reconcile her feelings would not be easy. Yet, as the days unfolded, both mother and daughter would find themselves navigating the storm of their emotions, each step taken with cautious hope, inching closer to a place where love could flourish anew.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, tensions will escalate as Freya grapples with the complexities of re-establishing her place in her children’s lives. The emotional stakes are high, and readers can anticipate a poignant exploration of Freya’s internal struggle as she navigates the fragile dynamics between herself, Etty, and Emmy. With Felix’s presence looming as a constant reminder of the past, Freya must find the courage to confront her insecurities while simultaneously trying to win back her children’s trust. Expect heart-wrenching moments as Freya attempts to connect with Emmy, whose loyalty to Vanessa creates a wall that Freya must find a way to break down.
Additionally, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Emmy’s perspective, revealing her fears and frustrations as she grapples with the duality of motherhood. Will she continue to resist Freya’s attempts at bonding, or will a moment of vulnerability allow for a breakthrough? As Freya’s determination grows, so does the tension between her and Felix, who may not be as supportive as she hopes. The stakes are set for a confrontation that could change everything, leaving readers eager to uncover whether Freya can reclaim her role as a mother and what sacrifices she might have to make in the process. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless and craving resolution.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
