Chapter 5
Irene opened her eyes slightly in surprise.
Kaiden’s gaze was calm and steady—too serious to be a joke.
The question he just asked… was not simple curiosity.
“I want us to be the couple in that painting.”
His quiet words made it clear.
Becoming lovers with Kaiden.
It felt like a dream.
Irene took a quiet breath and looked at him.
Memories of the past months came back to her—
the letters they exchanged, his gentle gaze,
the subtle emotions between them.
None of it had been a dream.
Today was the same.
At the exhibition, when he held her hand… she couldn’t push him away.
She liked the gentle tension.
She liked the fluttering feeling.
She didn’t want it to end.
That was how special Kaiden was to her.
And yet…
she hesitated.
Because she still hadn’t told him the truth.
He didn’t know the pain she had gone through because of her hearing.
“I…”
Irene opened her lips, then closed them again.
Her thoughts were a mess.
She didn’t want to lie.
But she was afraid to tell the truth.
She had finally become happy.
Those three months before meeting Kaiden felt like three years.
Every day was like hell.
She had even thought it might be better to die.
Now, she could finally smile again.
Now, she could finally look forward to the future.
Can you give all of this up?
The question echoed inside her.
“I’m… not as good a woman as you think.”
In the end—
fear swallowed her truth.
Kaiden’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Did you play with my feelings?”
“Of course not!”
Irene quickly raised her head.
She had denied it before, but her feelings for him were real.
Just looking at him made her heart race.
When he smiled, her chest felt warm.
She wanted to hold his hand.
She wanted to stay close to him.
At some point—
she had fallen in love with Kaiden Hegwins.
That was why she couldn’t reject him.
“I like you, Mr. Hegwins. I truly like you… but…”
Kaiden’s golden eyes softened.
He pulled her gently into his arms.
His heartbeat, felt through their closeness, was calm—like gentle waves.
“Lady Whitfield, just give me your heart like you are now.”
Irene’s eyes trembled.
She wanted to stop thinking… and just lean into him.
“A true relationship begins when you share the truth.”
Mrs. Devitt’s words suddenly echoed in her mind.
As if he understood her hesitation, Kaiden whispered softly,
“Follow your heart. It’s natural that we don’t know everything about each other yet. We can take our time.”
His gentle voice and eyes made her heart move in a direction she couldn’t stop.
“…Do you really think so?”
“Yes. In time, we will naturally understand what matters to each other.”
After hesitating, Irene slowly wrapped her arms around him.
He was right.
She didn’t need to reveal everything at the beginning.
When she was ready…
when she was no longer afraid…
she would tell him the truth.
She didn’t know what the future with him would be like.
But for now—
she wanted to believe this choice was right.
The sun set, and darkness slowly covered the land.
Irene buried her face in his arms.
It felt like she had stepped into a beautiful painting.
She didn’t want to leave.
Ever.
* * *
[To my beloved Kaiden,]
Are you doing well?
I was thinking of visiting you in Nervia, but I was shocked to hear it takes 12 hours by train.
And I heard it’s still winter there. The food and culture are also very different.
I’m sure you’re adapting well, but I can’t help worrying.
Spring has come again to Cyprine Hotel.
And my brother, who went abroad to study, has returned.
I wish it had been you who returned instead.
I’m sending you my favorite dried flowers from the garden.
This autumn, for your birthday, I’ll give you an even better gift. You can look forward to it.
P.S. Father said you haven’t contacted him.
When did the two of you start writing to each other? I feel a little jealous.
From Irene Whitfield, who is waiting only for you.
[To Irene,]
Spring has also come to Nervia.
That means it’s almost time for me to return to your side.
I received your proposal letter well.
I was worried because I hadn’t heard from you for a while, but I didn’t expect such a surprise.
I should have proposed first. As a man, I feel ashamed.
When I return, I will properly propose to you.
I also heard that you don’t want a wedding.
It’s a pity I won’t get to see you as a bride.
But it’s still a good thing that we can start living together this summer without delay.
You don’t need to reply. By the time this letter arrives, I will already be with you.
—Kaiden Hegwins
* * *
A cool breeze brushed past her cheeks.
Late at night, Irene walked while holding a canvas.
Dry leaves crunched under her feet.
Autumn had deepened.
It had been two years since she started dating Kaiden.
Including the time she had known him, three years had passed.
And now—
it had been three months since she became his wife, without even a wedding.
It wasn’t a typical marriage, but she had been happy.
Every morning, she woke up beside him.
They ate together.
Sometimes they joked over tea.
Sometimes she fell asleep in his arms.
It was a peaceful life.
But recently—
she had been spending more time alone.
She woke up alone.
She ate alone.
Only the warmth left on the bed told her he had been there.
It had been four days since she last saw him.
Finally, Irene stood in front of Kaiden’s office.
The clock showed 11:40 PM.
She didn’t want to disturb him…
but she had to see him before it was too late.
She gathered her courage and knocked.
After a moment, she heard his voice from inside.
She couldn’t hear clearly, but it seemed like he told her to come in.
She opened the door.
Kaiden was sitting at his desk, looking at documents.
“Kaiden… can you spare a moment?”
“I have work to finish.”
“It will only take a moment.”
“I’d like to return those words to you.”
His reply was cold.
Irene bit her lower lip.
It felt unfamiliar.
Was this really the Kaiden she knew?
“…Are you angry because I disturbed you?”
Instead of answering, he just turned a page.
He had no intention of responding.
Irene stood still, staring at him.
Steam rose from the cup on his desk.
Now she understood why she smelled coffee.
“When… did you start drinking coffee again?”
He remained silent.
11:55 PM.
The clock moved toward midnight.
He didn’t look at her even once.
Irene glanced at the clock nervously.
11:59 PM.
Less than a minute left.
She slowly opened her lips.
“I didn’t want to disturb you, but I had to say this before it’s too late.”
“…”
“Today is your birthday.”
“…”
“Happy birthday, Kaiden.”
Dong.
The clock struck midnight.
Kaiden slowly raised his head.
His golden eyes were dark and deep.
Irene avoided his gaze on purpose.
He would smile soon.
She was sure she could make him smile.
“I prepared a gift for you.”
She walked closer and placed the canvas down.
The painting held a beautiful memory.
A sunset sea.
A snowy beach.
And a couple.
It was a painting made only for him.
Kaiden looked at it.
“Do you remember? You said you wanted a couple in the painting I make. It’s you and me.”
“…”
“I thought about using it as the main piece in my future exhibition… but I think it’s more valuable if I give it to you. What do you think?”
Irene carefully watched his face.
But his expression didn’t change.
The silence became unbearable.
Then—
his lips twisted.
There was contempt in his golden eyes.
“You disturbed my time… just to give me something like this?”
“…Kaiden?”
Her body stiffened.
Her heart started beating unevenly.
Something like this.
Those words echoed in her mind.
Her blood felt cold.
“I don’t want to see it. Take it away. Before I throw it out.”
His voice was cold and dry.
After saying that—
he looked away.
Irene stood frozen, blinking blankly.
It felt like she had been pulled out of a dream she thought would never end.
