Chapter 6
It was a dawn she spent awake all night.
For a long time—she didn’t even know how long—Irein kept thinking about Kaiden’s cold attitude.
He had never gotten angry before.
Whenever she felt hurt, he would come to her even late at night, hold her, and gently kiss her.
But now…
He was lying with his back turned. She could hear his quiet breathing. Looking at his broad back, Irein tightly gripped the bedsheet.
What went wrong?
What made him become so cold?
What… happened?
Her unanswered questions echoed in her mind.
Dim light slowly pushed away the darkness. Irein’s eyes gradually closed.
She had a dream.
In the dream, Kaiden received her painting and smiled brightly. He whispered “I’m sorry” and kissed her forehead. Irein happily accepted his apology.
Even though his words had left a deep wound in her heart, it was okay.
She could just bury the pain deep inside.
That was something she was used to.
The way to be happy again was simple.
Morning came quietly.
Irein lay still, listening to faint sounds.
The sound of water, steady footsteps, clothes brushing.
Sounds you usually couldn’t hear filled the early morning.
When she slowly opened her eyes, she saw Kaiden’s blurry figure. As her vision cleared, reality returned.
He was going to leave again… without saying anything.
She stared at his back for a moment, then slowly sat up.
“…Are you very busy?”
Kaiden paused while tying his tie. But soon, he continued as if nothing happened.
“Are you going to keep ignoring me like this?”
No answer.
Just like last night.
Irein continued, refusing to give up.
“At least tell me why you’re acting like this.”
A quiet sigh escaped from Kaiden.
Irein flinched and closed her mouth.
In the mirror, she saw his expression—he looked annoyed.
Finally, he spoke.
“You’ve been so busy with useless paintings that you don’t even know what’s happening in the world, do you?”
“Are you upset because I stayed in the annex painting? I’m sorry. I was preparing your gift, so I neglected you.”
She apologized without hesitation.
She didn’t want to see him like this. She wanted him to go back to how he used to be.
Their eyes met in the mirror.
His golden eyes were still cold—like ice.
“Are you pretending not to know? Or do you really not know?”
“What… do you mean?”
Kaiden gestured toward the bedside table.
“There. Check it.”
Irein picked up the newspaper.
She hadn’t read one for a week, since she had been focused on preparing his gift.
What does this have to do with him?
Frowning slightly, she flipped through the pages.
Politics. Economy. Social events.
Nothing unusual—
Until her hand suddenly stopped.
[Shocking News in High Society: The only daughter of the Whitfield family revealed to be born out of wedlock.
“Hiding the truth is a greater sin.”
“I wanted to protect my daughter, but the family’s honor came first.”]
A chill ran through her body.
Without thinking, her eyes moved quickly across the article.
It included an interview with her father.
“Kaiden Hegwins tried to use my daughter as a tool to take over our family’s honor and wealth, and even aimed for the Duke’s authority.
To stop him from abusing our name, I had no choice but to reveal that Irein is illegitimate.
It was painful, but it was necessary to protect the family.”
“Why…?”
Why would her father make such a choice?
Her kind father’s face came to mind.
The way he hugged her and told her to marry for her happiness.
The way he smiled, saying she would find new happiness with a family and children.
His letters, saying he wanted to see his grandchildren soon.
She had never imagined something like this.
Not even once.
Ever since she had been accepted as a member of the Whitfield family, she had forgotten about her birth completely.
“No matter what anyone says, you are my daughter.
Do not be ashamed of your birth. Live with pride.”
Her father had erased that weakness completely.
A hidden weakness cannot be used against you.
And because of that, she had stopped thinking about it at all.
Her vision blurred.
Then—
The sound of a door opening.
Kaiden was leaving the bedroom.
Irein snapped back to reality and quickly called out to him.
“Wait.”
Her voice came out calm.
She took a small breath and looked up.
Their eyes met in the air.
“Do you still have something to say?”
Of course she did.
More than her father’s actions, she couldn’t understand him.
“So… you’re saying your attitude changed because I’m illegitimate? That doesn’t make sense.”
“I don’t see why it doesn’t.”
“Our relationship isn’t something that can change because of something like that.”
The two years they spent together were not light.
She had truly loved him.
They had laughed together.
His warm gaze and gentle touch had been real.
She tightened her grip on the newspaper.
“You didn’t love my status.”
Just like I loved you.
She searched his expression for an answer.
But she couldn’t read anything.
“Kaiden… if you felt betrayed… if you’re disappointed in me… just tell me honestly.”
“Should I feel betrayed?”
“Then what is it? Why are you acting like this?”
“We’re simply getting to know each other better. Just like I didn’t know everything about you.”
Irein looked at him in confusion.
Is this really Kaiden Hegwins?
Or… did I fall in love with an illusion?
The man she loved was warm.
He would never look at her like this.
“…Then just say you hate me. Why are you acting like a completely different person?”
Silence filled the room.
At that moment, a servant’s voice called for Kaiden from outside.
He checked the time while adjusting his cufflinks.
A faint sigh of irritation escaped him.
Then—
Without answering her,
He turned and left.
Irein stared at the empty space where he had stood.
It felt like something inside her chest had been torn away.
She stood there for a long time.
Only when the room became bright did her eyes regain focus.
She slowly looked toward the window.
Whenever Kaiden left early in the morning, he would always close the curtains—for her.
But now—
The dry autumn sunlight filled the room.
Golden dust floated in the light.
She stared at it quietly…
Then slowly closed her eyes.
* * *
The Hegwins mansion was magnificent.
Marble pillars, golden decorations on windows, a grand fountain, and perfectly shaped trees.
It was as luxurious as any noble estate.
“Looks fancy on the outside, but it’s nothing but an empty shell.”
The Duke of Whitfield clicked his tongue as he stepped under the pergola.
Kaiden was already seated at the outdoor table.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh, judging the place where your beloved daughter lives?”
Kaiden smiled politely.
The same confident, relaxed attitude that always irritated the Duke.
But today was different.
The Duke smiled brightly and sat down.
“Did you like my birthday gift?”
Kaiden’s golden eyes darkened slightly.
The Duke didn’t miss it.
Click.
He lit a cigarette.
“Beautiful things often carry poison. Kaiden Hegwins… it seems your judgment has gotten worse. Or maybe… you’ve been blinded by a woman.”
He exhaled smoke slowly.
“I was honestly surprised watching you these past few years. I thought you had actually fallen in love.”
His sharp gaze fixed on Kaiden.
Kaiden smiled faintly.
“If I managed to fool even you, Your Grace, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
His voice turned colder.
“But as you know, I’ve suffered quite a loss recently, so I don’t have the luxury for small talk.”
Then he added calmly—
“Let’s get to the point.”
