Chapter 3
Irene sat stiffly, her back straight and tense.
Steam slowly rose from the teacup.
Soft sunlight came through the curtains.
The antique furniture in the drawing room…
Everything belonged to the Whitfield family, so it should have felt familiar.
But somehow, it all felt strange.
Because of one person.
Kaiden Hegwins.
A man who didn’t seem like he should ever be here.
“How have you been?”
Kaiden gently placed his teacup down as he spoke.
He looked calm and elegant.
Irene still couldn’t relax. She gave a polite smile.
“Of course. Mr. Hegwins. My invitation must have been sudden, so thank you for accepting it.”
It had been exactly three days since they last met.
She had hesitated a lot before contacting him.
If she had answered his request that day, she wouldn’t feel this heavy now.
“I would like it if you could give me some of your time once a week.”
Those words meant he wanted to keep meeting her.
Was it just for business?
Or was there another reason?
She thought about it for days, but couldn’t find an answer.
In the end, she invited him to the mansion.
There was also something she needed to return.
Irene held out a handkerchief.
“The bloodstain wouldn’t come out, so I prepared a new one. Thank you for that day.”
“No, not at all. I’m more worried that my presence caused trouble for you.”
After the incident at the lounge, rumors about Irene Whitfield spread even more.
She saw it herself in scandal magazines.
She had expected it, so she wasn’t surprised.
Though… it had become bigger than she thought.
There was nowhere lower for her to fall anyway.
She had already been pushed out of society.
And more than that—
she could no longer have conversations comfortably in crowded places.
So what would change by worrying about her reputation now?
Still… there was one thing that bothered her.
Kaiden Hegwins.
“You must be the one in a difficult position. You got dragged into a ridiculous rumor because of me.”
Kaiden was known as a successful businessman among the new rich.
She had heard he gathered great wealth and even bought a noble title.
For someone like him, rumors could be a problem.
“You can blame me. If I hadn’t caused a scene, it wouldn’t have gotten this big.”
Irene lowered her gaze quietly.
Her misfortune even troubled someone who approached her kindly.
She was ready to take responsibility.
“Yes… it wouldn’t have gotten this big.”
Her shoulders shrank slightly.
Kaiden watched her, then let out a soft sigh mixed with a smile.
“But what can I do? Unfortunately, my business isn’t weak enough to fall apart because of a simple scandal.”
Irene looked at him blankly.
She felt a little confused.
His golden eyes softened.
“More importantly, it’s enough if you stand confidently yourself. You came to meet me because you know those rumors are false, didn’t you?”
“…You don’t believe those rumors?”
“I only believe what I see and hear myself. And the Lady Whitfield I met… is completely different from those rumors. You seem like a very warm person.”
Irene blinked slowly.
She had never expected anyone to look at her without prejudice.
She didn’t even hope for it—because hope only brought pain.
But maybe… she had wished for it deep inside.
Her lips lifted slightly.
Her heart started beating faster.
She held her teacup.
The warmth felt especially comforting.
“…I have so many things to thank you for, Mr. Hegwins.”
“I don’t remember the last time I received this many thanks.”
“That just means you’ve done many kind things.”
“I wonder. Now I feel like I should do even more.”
Irene laughed without realizing it.
“Mr. Hegwins, you’ve already done enough. I don’t want anything more.”
“So… that doesn’t mean you won’t see me again, right? It would be a shame if today were our last meeting.”
“I…”
Irene opened her mouth, then closed it again.
When the silence grew long, Kaiden stepped back.
“It was just a joke. You don’t have to think too deeply about it.”
A joke…
For some reason, that word felt disappointing.
Talking with Kaiden was enjoyable.
Even if only for a short time, she had truly felt that.
That feeling… was like excitement.
Even the strange tension she always felt didn’t seem bad anymore.
She couldn’t even remember the last time she felt like this.
It was strange.
After losing her hearing, she had never wanted to meet anyone.
“Shall we talk about Eldenberg now? I heard you know a lot about the southern region.”
That was why she wanted to accept his request.
“It won’t be enough to explain everything in just one day.”
Irene placed her teacup down and stood up.
“Let’s meet again next Wednesday. Today, I only meant to return the handkerchief.”
A gentle smile appeared on Kaiden’s lips.
“Then from now on, I’ll make sure to leave my Wednesdays completely free—for you.”
* * *
“It looks like you’re meeting him again today.”
Mrs. Devitt smiled warmly.
Irene nodded shyly.
Her father had been right.
Meeting Kaiden Hegwins had brought a big change.
She began to look forward to each day.
Her life became lively again.
Bright dresses returned to her wardrobe.
She found herself smiling more often.
Looking in the mirror, Irene tilted her head slightly.
“Are these earrings too simple?”
“Lady Irene, you look beautiful no matter what you wear.”
“You’re too kind to me.”
Irene laughed softly and changed her earrings.
Whenever she met Kaiden, she found herself checking her appearance more carefully.
“I’m sure he thinks the same whenever he sees you.”
“…Do you really think so?”
“Of course. He might even formally ask to court you soon.”
“Nanny… Kaiden and I are just friends.”
“Who puts this much effort into meeting just a friend?”
Irene froze at those words.
Had she ever cared this much about her appearance when meeting Enzo?
Not unless it was a special day.
She looked into the mirror.
A woman wearing a bright coat and silk gloves looked back at her.
Even a pearl necklace—something she only wore on special occasions.
Her neatly tied golden hair no longer looked dull.
Her pale face had color again.
Her blue eyes were full of life.
She already knew, deep inside.
Her feelings for Kaiden were no longer just simple kindness.
They were becoming something deeper.
But… was this really love?
Or was she just mistaking it for the warmth and kindness she hadn’t felt in so long?
She couldn’t tell.
“I didn’t say this before because I was being careful… but the Duke also hopes things go well between you two.”
“…I understand what you mean. But it’s still too early.”
Irene avoided the truth.
She was afraid to accept the feelings growing in her heart.
“Kaiden doesn’t even know that I can’t hear from one ear.”
Once a week.
It had been 10 months since she started meeting Kaiden regularly.
They talked a lot.
They got to know each other deeply.
But she never told him about her hearing.
They only met in quiet places—like the mansion’s drawing room or private rooms.
Kaiden had been curious, but seemed to think it was because she avoided people.
Mrs. Devitt held Irene’s hand.
“Lady Irene, a true relationship begins when you share the truth.”
In the mirror, she saw herself holding Mrs. Devitt’s hand.
Now, only Mrs. Devitt was allowed into her bedroom.
Because of her father’s order.
“People don’t easily let go once they find a target. If they discover your weakness, they will all try to use it against you. So don’t disappoint me with a foolish choice.”
Her father’s words echoed in her mind.
It was better not to tell.
Her father was always right.
Irene gently pulled her hand away.
She wanted to escape these complicated feelings.
“It took longer than I thought. I might be late.”
“Lady Irene…”
“I’ll be back, Nanny.”
With those short words, Irene ended the conversation.
