We Were Thunder Pretending to Be Lovers in the Storm by Coren Elen Vey 21 Summary
In “We Were Thunder Pretending to Be Lovers in the Storm,” Felix grapples with the emotional weight of Freya’s request to “prune the garden,” a metaphor that reveals deeper issues in their relationship. As he reflects on the vibrant tulips Freya lovingly planted, he struggles to communicate his feelings of anger and frustration. Freya, sensing the growing distance between them, reaches out for connection, but Felix’s response is fraught with tension. Their dialogue reveals the cracks in their marriage, highlighting Freya’s silent suffering and the sacrifices she made for Felix’s career, which have left her feeling invisible and unappreciated.
Freya’s determination to reclaim her identity becomes evident as she asserts her newfound preference for roses, contrasting her past self who would never have contradicted Felix. This moment signifies her desire for independence and self-recognition after years of submerging her own needs for the sake of their family. However, the arrival of their children, Emmy and Etty, complicates matters. Their indifference towards Freya and their affection for Vanessa, Felix’s new partner, pierces her heart, intensifying her feelings of isolation and inadequacy.
As Freya navigates her complex emotions, Felix remains oblivious to the depth of her struggles, believing her attempts to connect with the children stem from a desire for their affection. His dismissive attitude and insistence on patience further alienate Freya, who feels the weight of her sacrifices and the hypocrisy in his words. The narrative reveals Freya’s internal conflict as she grapples with her love for Felix, juxtaposed with the realization that his actions have often belied his professed affection.
The story reaches a poignant climax when Freya overhears Emmy’s enthusiastic call to Vanessa, declaring her preference for her over Freya. This moment shatters Freya, exposing the painful truth of her children’s emotional attachment to another woman while she remains a shadow in their lives. Etty’s hesitant response only compounds her heartbreak, leaving Freya to confront the painful reality of her situation. The chapter closes with Freya standing on the precipice of despair and determination, resolved to fight for her place in her children’s lives, even as the storm of emotions rages within her.
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**We Were Thunder Pretending to Be Lovers in the Storm by Coren Elen Vey**
Felix stood there, a storm brewing in his heart, as he contemplated Freya’s words: “prune the garden.” He had naively assumed it was a simple task, perhaps pulling a few weeds here and there. How could he have known that this benign phrase would carry such weight? After all, every vibrant tulip that adorned their garden had been lovingly planted by Freya’s hands, a testament to their love when they first exchanged vows.
As he remained silent, his dark expression betraying his inner turmoil, Freya took a step closer. She reached out, her fingers gently tugging at the corner of his jacket, a gesture meant to bridge the distance that had grown between them. With a tilt of her head, she adopted a facade of innocent vulnerability.
“Felix, are you mad at me?” she asked, her voice soft yet laced with an unspoken plea.
In that moment, despite the simmering anger within him, Felix found it impossible to unleash his frustration.
“Of course not. How could I ever be mad at you?” he replied, forcing a gentleness into his tone that felt foreign to him. His hand instinctively rose to caress her cheek, a gesture that once felt natural but now felt like a hollow echo of their past. “But why the sudden fondness for yellow roses? Haven’t you always cherished tulips?”
Her heart twisted at his words, the irony cutting deeper than he could comprehend.
Back in their college days, she had casually mentioned her fondness for roses, a fleeting admission that had slipped from her lips without much thought. At the time, he had remained silent, but later, she had overheard him on a phone call, dismissing roses as “too gaudy.” The realization that he didn’t share her appreciation for them had silenced her; she had never brought it up again.
Years had passed, and in her unwavering love for Felix, she had buried her own identity so deeply that she scarcely recognized herself anymore.
It was time to reclaim who she was.
“I like roses now,” Freya asserted, her voice steady, defying the shadows of doubt that lingered in her heart.
Felix’s brow furrowed slightly as he scrutinized her, as if attempting to peel back the layers of familiarity to uncover something new. Though her face remained unchanged, he sensed a shift, a subtle transformation in the essence of the woman before him.
The old Freya would never have dared to contradict him.
“Daddy,” came a small, bright voice, slicing through the tension. Emmy bounded over, her tiny hand grasping Felix’s large one, swinging it playfully. “I’m sooo sleepy. I just want a cup of milk before bed.”
“I’ll heat up some milk for you and Etty,” Freya interjected quickly, the words tumbling out before she could stop herself.
A wave of anxiety washed over her as she realized her slip. She was supposed to be invisible to them, a ghost in their lives.
Her grip on the cane tightened, her heart racing as she felt Felix’s piercing gaze scrutinizing her every move.
Yet, he said nothing. Instead, he released Emmy’s hand and directed Etty, “Take your sister upstairs first. Daddy will bring you both milk later.”
Earlier that day, Freya had glimpsed their shared bedroom.
It was a modest suite, spanning over a hundred square meters, with two separate beds—Emmy’s adorned like a princess’s throne—and each child had their own washroom.
Emmy, eager to ascend the stairs, deliberately circled around Freya, avoiding her as if she were a shadow cast upon the light.
Etty, hands stuffed in his pockets, swaggered past her, though he couldn’t resist stealing a glance at her face, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
Neither child offered even a hint of warmth, their indifference piercing her heart like shards of glass.
The ache in her chest deepened, a familiar pang that had become all too common.
Felix stepped closer, lowering his voice to a soothing murmur. “Don’t rush it. The most important thing right now is for you to get better.”
He believed her earlier slip was a desperate attempt to win the children’s affection.
She allowed him to think that, letting the misconception linger in the air between them.
“They don’t warm up to you right away. It’s normal,” he continued, his tone soft and reasonable. “They were born without a mother. Give them time.”
The hypocrisy of his words churned her insides, a bitter reminder of the truth he would never acknowledge.
Others might remain oblivious, but Felix knew the reality all too well—her frail body, the grueling labor, the years lost in a coma—every hardship had been borne from her sacrifice for him.
In those years, she had toiled relentlessly in the lab, exposed to countless chemicals, just to help him secure his position as general manager.
Her health had deteriorated, nosebleeds and fainting spells becoming her unwelcome companions. Once, she had awakened in a hospital bed, Felix sitting beside her, his expression a mix of concern and guilt. She had overheard his father’s sharp inquiry: When would the new drug be ready?
She remembered how he had taken her hand, his eyes red-rimmed, voice thick with emotion.
“Freya, even if I lose my position, I can’t let you work yourself this hard for me again.”
In that moment, she had believed she had married the best man in the world.
But reflecting on it now, if he truly cared for her, he would never have allowed her to leave the hospital without his consent.
A man’s love isn’t measured by his words, but by his actions.
And what had Felix done?
The instant she expressed a desire to be discharged, he had signed the papers, and the very next day, she found herself back in the lab, back to the grind.
He knew her too well, understood how deeply she loved him. A single frown from him could have moved mountains in her heart.
He had drained her of every ounce of strength, all to solidify his position.
A chill spread from her heart to the tips of her fingers.
Felix… how ruthless your heart is.
With a tilt of her head, she forced a sweet smile, masking the turmoil within. “You’re right. I was too impatient. I’ll listen to you. I’ll take it slow.”
Her compliance brought a glimmer of satisfaction to his eyes as he patted her head, oblivious to the storm brewing beneath her surface.
“Go rest. I’ll come by later.”
“Mm.”
Turning away, cane in hand, she stepped out of his line of sight, but once she was beyond his gaze, the smile fell from her lips, replaced by a determined resolve. She quickened her pace toward the children’s room, knowing she had to seize any opportunity to connect with them, to show them the depth of her love.
But just as she reached the door, Emmy’s voice rang out from inside, high and sweet, cutting through the silence like a knife:
“…Mommy Vanessa, I had so much fun tonight! Will you come pick us up after school tomorrow? I don’t want to come home and see that woman. She’s awful!”
Freya froze, her heart dropping into her stomach, her body trembling with disbelief.
Inside, Emmy lay sprawled on her bed, clutching a phone, her voice animated as she sent a voice message to Vanessa.
Etty, engrossed in a game of Snake, was momentarily distracted by his sister’s words, causing his virtual snake to crash into the wall with a resounding GAME OVER.
He turned to her, his small brow furrowing with the weight of an older brother’s responsibility.
“Emmy, I told you not to call her ‘Mommy Vanessa’ at home.”
Emmy pouted, her defiance shining through. “Well, that bad woman pulled out all Mommy Vanessa’s tulips. I don’t like her one bit. I don’t want her to be my mom! I only want Mommy Vanessa!”
Seeing the stern look on her brother’s face, she scrambled off her princess bed and wrapped her arms around his arm in a pleading hug.
“Ethan, between that woman and Mommy Vanessa, who do you like more? Tell me! And you can’t lie—teacher says lying is bad!”
Outside the door, Freya felt as if her heart had lodged itself in her throat, choking her.
Etty hesitated, brow knitting in thought.
He knew that Freya was his biological mother. But for the past five years, Vanessa had filled that role, attending every school event and parent-child gathering alongside their father.
Even he had called her “Mommy Vanessa.”
After a long pause, he finally muttered, “…Auntie Vanessa is closer to us.”
Conclusion
In the storm of emotions that swirled around Freya, the realization of her own worth began to crystallize. The echoes of her past sacrifices reverberated within her, a haunting reminder of the love she had poured into Felix and their family, only to be met with indifference and betrayal. Yet, as she stood outside the door, listening to her children’s innocent declarations, a flicker of determination ignited within her. She understood that reclaiming her identity was not merely a personal journey; it was a battle for the love and recognition she deserved from her children. No longer would she allow herself to be a ghost in her own life, fading into the background while others took center stage. The seeds of her resilience began to take root, and she resolved to nurture them, even if it meant facing the tempest of rejection.
As Freya turned away from the door, the weight of her decision settled upon her shoulders like a cloak of strength. She recognized that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but the storm within her had transformed into a powerful force, propelling her forward. The love she had once poured into her family would now be redirected toward herself, cultivating a garden of self-acceptance and authenticity. With each step she took away from the door, she felt the shackles of her past loosening, allowing her to breathe more freely. Freya was no longer just a woman defined by her roles; she was a force of nature, ready to reclaim her place in the world and, in doing so, teach her children the true meaning of love, resilience, and identity.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *We Were Thunder Pretending to Be Lovers in the Storm*, the tension between Freya and Felix is set to escalate as the emotional stakes rise. Freya’s determination to reclaim her identity will clash with Felix’s obliviousness to her struggles, creating a powerful undercurrent of conflict. As Freya grapples with the pain of being sidelined in her children’s lives, readers can expect her to confront not only her past sacrifices but also the reality of her family’s dynamics. The revelation of Emmy’s affection for Vanessa will serve as a catalyst for Freya, forcing her to take bold steps toward reshaping her role within the family.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Freya’s internal struggle as she navigates her feelings of inadequacy and resentment. Will she confront Felix about his dismissive attitude toward her health and sacrifices, or will she continue to wear a mask of compliance? The emotional landscape is rich with potential for growth and conflict, as Freya’s interactions with her children will reveal just how much she is willing to fight for her place in their hearts. Expect poignant moments that will tug at your heartstrings as Freya battles against the shadows of her past, igniting a storm of emotions that could either tear her family apart or bring them closer together.
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.
