Chapter 2
Wednesday, 3 PM. Cyprine Hotel lounge.
The person she was supposed to meet was the rising capitalist, Kaiden Hegwins.
“He wants to talk to you about the Eldenberg land. Find out why he wants that land.”
Remembering what she had been told, Irene checked the time.
2:50 PM.
She had already been standing in front of the hotel for 20 minutes.
She knew she had to go in soon, but her feet would not move easily.
She was afraid of people’s eyes.
She knew how they would look at her… and what they would whisper.
Maybe meeting Kaiden Hegwins would only make those ugly rumors worse.
But…
She wanted to change.
Nothing would change if she stayed still.
Instead of continuing this miserable life, she wanted to try something—anything.
So… she had to go in now.
Irene finally gathered her courage and stepped inside the hotel.
At once, many eyes turned toward her.
Even though she wore a simple lace dress with minimal decoration, people still stared.
Some even whispered while looking at her.
Her head naturally lowered.
She felt like she had done something wrong—even though she hadn’t.
Her steps became faster.
The waiter at the lounge entrance looked surprised when their eyes met.
Irene forced a calm smile.
“Could you guide me to a quieter seat?”
“Ah… yes. This way, please.”
The waiter quickly regained his composure and led her to a corner where people wouldn’t notice her easily.
It seemed Kaiden Hegwins had not arrived yet.
Only after sitting down did Irene look around.
The fancy candles, furniture, and elegant decorations were still beautiful.
What she loved most about this place was the piano music.
Each melody played by the pianist used to take her to another world.
Sometimes soft and warm,
sometimes calm and deep…
The music always comforted her.
It cleared her complicated thoughts.
She hoped today’s music would calm her anxious heart too.
But something felt strange.
The piano was playing… but the sound was very faint.
The notes sounded distant, like a fading memory.
Just as she wondered about it, the waiter approached her.
“Do you need anything?”
Irene blinked blankly.
When she didn’t respond, the waiter asked again carefully,
“Is there any problem?”
“…I’m sorry, could you say that again?”
“I asked if you were uncomfortable in any way.”
Irene looked at him, unable to hide her confusion.
Many sounds mixed together and entered her ear.
She couldn’t clearly separate the waiter’s voice from the noise.
“Um… Lady Irene? Are you alright?”
Her fingers trembled slightly.
When you hear with only one ear, you cannot tell which sound is which.
The moment she accepted that undeniable truth, the color drained from her face.
In this condition… she couldn’t talk to Kaiden Hegwins.
Irene suddenly stood up.
Her arm hit the glass of water, and it fell to the floor.
Crash!
The loud sound echoed through the room.
All conversations stopped.
A cold silence filled the air.
Everyone’s eyes turned to her.
Fear rushed over her, suffocating her.
Her breath tightened with anxiety.
Then—
a familiar voice reached her ear.
“Irene?”
She quickly turned her head.
Not far away stood someone she never expected to see.
Golden hair like sunlight.
Wide green eyes filled with surprise.
His face looked thinner and more tired than before…
but she recognized him immediately.
It was Enzo.
“Are you okay?”
Enzo walked toward her with concern.
People began whispering again.
Irene stood frozen, staring at him.
His eyes were filled with confusion and worry.
“Are you hurt? Don’t move. Your ankle is bleeding.”
Her tightly closed lips trembled.
She couldn’t understand what he was saying.
It was just like that day—
the day she suddenly lost her hearing.
That day, Enzo had also looked at her with the same worried expression… saying something she couldn’t hear.
The painful memory came back clearly.
Irene grabbed her throat.
She couldn’t breathe.
Her vision shook, and it felt like she had returned to that day.
Save me.
The words stayed inside her mouth, unable to come out.
Even as she struggled to breathe, Enzo was busy talking to the waiter.
“Bring the first aid kit! Hurry!”
Someone… please… save me.
Just when she felt she couldn’t endure it anymore—
a hand gently held her shoulder.
“Breathe.”
A low, calm voice entered her left ear.
Irene suddenly breathed out, as if pulled out of water.
“Take a slow breath in… now breathe out.”
The voice was clear, even in the noise.
She followed it like it was a lifeline, breathing in and out repeatedly.
Her racing heart slowly calmed down.
“It might be better to step outside. What do you think, Lady Whitfield?”
Irene nodded.
She didn’t even have the energy to think about who he was.
She just wanted to leave this place.
With the man supporting her, she started walking.
But after a few steps, she stopped.
Enzo was blocking their way.
“Wait. Where are you taking Irene?”
“Please step aside.”
“She needs to stay still right now. I’ve already called a doctor. Wouldn’t it be better to wait here?”
“I think it would be better for her to rest somewhere quiet.”
“It’s not too late to move after the doctor arrives.”
“Enzo… please move. I want to rest somewhere quiet.”
Irene spoke with difficulty.
Even though she couldn’t fully hear Enzo, she could guess the situation.
But Enzo didn’t move.
“Irene, then come with me. Wouldn’t it be better if I stay by your side?”
“I’m sorry, Enzo.”
She didn’t want to face him right now.
Irene lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze.
“Let’s go.”
The man led her out without hesitation.
As they stepped outside, a cool spring breeze blew.
The faint scent of cedarwood from the man became stronger.
It was calming.
“Would you like to rest here for a moment?”
He pointed to a small bench.
Irene sat down, nodding.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long for her to calm down.
She slowly lifted her head.
Only then did she properly see the man who helped her.
Tall and well-built.
Sharp jawline, well-shaped lips, straight nose.
Dark eyes and neatly styled black hair.
When she met his golden eyes, she felt a strange pressure and flinched.
He had helped her…
but somehow, he felt intimidating.
Still, his voice was gentle.
“Are you still having trouble breathing?”
“…No. I’m much better now, thanks to you. Thank you for helping me. If it’s not rude, may I ask your name?”
“Oh, my apologies. I introduced myself too late.”
The man stepped back slightly and smiled.
“Nice to meet you, Lady. I am Kaiden Hegwins.”
Irene’s eyes widened in surprise.
Kaiden Hegwins.
The very person her father told her to meet.
Did he notice that she couldn’t hear from one ear?
Even though she knew it was unlikely, she felt nervous.
She had always hidden her hearing problem carefully.
Partly because the Fredman family asked her to…
but also because she feared it becoming her weakness.
Showing your weakness is like handing a weapon to your enemy.
It was something she had learned as a child.
Irene forced a calm smile.
“Ah… so you are Kaiden Hegwins. I’m sorry. You wanted to talk about the Eldenberg land, right?”
“We can discuss that slowly another time. For today, wouldn’t it be better if you return and rest?”
“But…”
“If you still feel uncomfortable, then how about this?”
Kaiden bent down on one knee.
“What are you doing? Please get up—ah!”
Irene tried to stop him but let out a small cry.
A sharp pain came from her ankle.
It was cut by glass, and blood was slowly coming out.
“Stay still.”
Kaiden wrapped her wound with his handkerchief.
His hand supporting her ankle felt warm.
He was only stopping the bleeding…
but somehow, she felt embarrassed.
Maybe nervous too.
His careful and gentle touch made her feel strangely aware.
When he finished and stood up, Irene quickly looked away.
She felt like she had been caught staring at him.
To hide her awkwardness, she spoke first.
“This only makes me feel more uncomfortable.”
“It’s because I want to ask you for a favor… one that might be too much.”
“What kind of favor?”
The man, standing against the sunlight, looked down at her.
His golden eyes shone darker in the shadow.
They looked dangerous… yet attractive.
“Once a week… would you give me some of your time?”
