Chapter 8
“It is not worth mentioning. It has become a marriage with no meaning.”
The answer was calm, but inside it carried uncontrollable resentment.
A meaningless marriage and a wife who had lost her worth—all of it made him uncomfortable. It was only natural since Irene Whitfield had caused him massive losses.
“I told you before. That this would be a marriage you would regret.”
Cernia stepped forward with a faint smile.
“Why don’t you choose me instead? Maybe I can give you everything you want.”
A sneer slipped between Kaiden’s lips. Nobles were truly skilled at maintaining dignity while pursuing profit.
“An interesting offer, but it seems a bit early.”
Cernia raised her eyebrows slightly, then stepped back.
“Alright. But don’t make me wait too long.”
Kaiden turned away without replying.
It was when he saw the red sky outside the museum that he suddenly thought of that woman.
The sunset, the sea, and lovers.
The painting Irene drew was certainly beautiful. It remained vivid in his mind even now. Yet what made him feel unpleasant was the fact that the man in the painting—himself—was smiling so brightly. As if he were in love.
There was no such thing as noble love in his world. That was something carved deep into him since childhood.
“We will take you to the Hegwins mansion.”
The attendant opened the car door. Kaiden got in. The dazzling sunset still lit up the world outside.
“I instructed them to have Lady Devitt ready by the arrival time.”
Kaiden nodded and looked away from the window, clearing his thoughts.
The car accelerated toward the Hegwins mansion.
* * *
“Um… have you seen Lady Devitt?”
“How would we know?”
One of the maids replied indifferently.
Soon after, she looked away from Irene and began giggling with the others.
Irene stood in the hallway, silently watching them.
When her illegitimate status was first revealed, it had only been curious glances. But after even the master of the house began treating her with cold indifference, the disregard toward her became blatant.
And not just that.
New disgraceful labels began attaching themselves to Irene’s name again.
The illegitimate daughter who devoured the Duchess of Whitfield.
The cunning woman who deceived even Kaiden Hegwins.
Newspapers and gossip columns were filled with criticism of Irene. There was no way to defend herself. It was all true.
It was something she had experienced even in her childhood.
“No matter my birth, I am still a member of the Whitfield family. I will be living here with you all, so please be careful how you speak in front of me.”
The courage she had gathered back then only brought ridicule.
“Girl, an illegitimate child is an illegitimate child. What else should we call you?”
“Your mother was a maid, right? Then how are you any different from us?”
No matter what she said, it was useless. It only made her more of a joke.
Irene passed by the maids in silence. Arguing would only make her a laughingstock. Staying silent was better.
Moreover, after marriage, she had not been able to fulfill her role as the lady of the Hegwins house. Not because she was incapable, but because she was never given the chance.
She had tried to create opportunities, but Kaiden was firm. He said she should spend the first year simply adapting to the mansion. Whether he truly meant it, she didn’t know.
Maybe… he had already expected this situation.
She shook her head at the sudden negative thought. There was something more important now.
The nanny was missing.
It had already been a week since Lady Devitt disappeared, and she had found no clues.
Maybe she should ask Kaiden.
Now that she thought about it, the nanny had disappeared after being summoned by Kaiden.
If she had asked him earlier, she might have found out quickly. But fear kept delaying her.
Divorce.
That word—one she never wanted to hear from Kaiden—terrified her. His indifference and coldness almost felt like a relief now.
As she walked aimlessly, Irene suddenly stopped.
A pair of polished men’s shoes appeared in her lowered view. Above them, the hem of his trousers was perfectly straight, without a single wrinkle.
Before she even confirmed who it was, her heart began to race.
Kaiden always looked unusually flawless in appearance.
“So you were here.”
A lazy voice fell above her head.
Irene looked up nervously. Black hair neatly slicked back with pomade, a perfectly tailored suit—without a doubt, it was Kaiden.
His golden eyes curved softly.
“You weren’t in the bedroom, so I was looking for you. What are you doing here?”
Irene blinked blankly. He looked as if he was worried about her. Kaiden tilted his head slightly as he looked down at her.
“Irene?”
“…I was looking for the nanny.”
Kaiden’s eyes filled with doubt.
“Why are you looking for Lady Devitt?”
“She’s been missing for a while. Do you know where she went?”
“Didn’t you hear about it from her?”
“Hear what?”
“Her daughter contacted her. She thought she was dead, but she was actually alive. Her condition is not good though. She suddenly applied for leave that day… it seems she didn’t tell you.”
Irene let out a small sigh. She felt a bit hurt that the nanny left without saying anything, but she also understood.
It must have been urgent.
Lady Devitt was a deeply affectionate and devoted person. Especially toward her family.
“It’s lunchtime. Would you like to have a meal together after a long time?”
Irene widened her eyes at Kaiden’s unexpected suggestion. A meal with Kaiden—it had been so long she couldn’t even remember.
After hesitating, Kaiden held out his hand.
“You’ve been walking all morning. You must be hungry.”
Irene looked down at his large hand. Complicated emotions filled her.
Why are you suddenly being kind?
The words almost came out, but she held them back. She now understood she couldn’t simply blame him for being cold.
His wife—whom he thought was a noble lady—had turned out to be an illegitimate child.
Even the maids had changed their attitude instantly. Expecting Kaiden to remain the same might be selfish.
Yes… love could fade.
He could even consider divorce.
But what mattered now was that Kaiden was reaching out to her again. Even if he was distant, he had come back.
That meant the three years they spent together were not meaningless.
So if they spent time together again, they could return to how they were before. Back to the love and seasons they once shared.
Irene took his hand.
“Alright. Let’s go now.”
* * *
Something was strange.
Irene felt it when they entered the hallway leading to the dining room.
The surroundings were noisy and chaotic. Several trays were lined up near the dining room.
She tilted her head.
“Is something happening?”
“They are preparing meals for many people. It must be busy.”
Many people?
Before she could think further, Kaiden opened the dining room door.
The sight inside made Irene freeze.
Clack.
The noise she had been hearing suddenly stopped.
The dining room was filled with guests. Numerous gazes turned toward them.
Irene instinctively stepped back, but Kaiden held her waist to stop her.
“Irene, what is wrong?”
His low voice reached her ear.
She forced an awkward smile.
“…I thought it was just the two of us having dinner.”
“Oh. Didn’t I mention it?”
His expression remained calm, as if it was a simple mistake.
Hesitantly, Irene let go of his hand.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t prepared for this. Can I go back to my room?”
She wanted to avoid crowded places. Especially conversations.
Kaiden’s golden eyes, which had always shown kindness, darkened.
“Didn’t you once ask me to introduce you to my business partners? Have you changed your mind?”
