Chapter 10
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Hey! Open the door!”
Layla felt a twinge of fear as Hugo pounded on the door. She hated it whenever he acted so violently.
In the past, whenever he did this, her heart would ache. She always thought it was her fault, that she had done something wrong to make him behave this way.
But now she knew better—he was just a terrible man who threw tantrums whenever things didn’t go his way.
“You dare stay in the same room with another man, leaving me out?!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The door rattled loudly as he kicked and slammed against it.
“What are you doing, Hugo?”
Layla realized that voice belonged to Siever. She remembered Siever saying there was going to be a tea party this afternoon, yet she was still at home.
She must be leaving soon, Layla thought.
She shifted her gaze to Rainier, who was staring at her intently.
He clearly wanted something from her—that’s why he was being kind.
But their proper meeting had only happened this lifetime. Which meant he must have a specific reason for becoming the family’s physician.
Could my small changes this time—different choices—have caused some kind of butterfly effect?
Rainier wasn’t the type to offer kindness without a reason. In the original story, he only treated “his woman” well.
That’s why, in the original, he was good only to Siever. Even in her previous life, Layla had seen how attentive he was to her sister.
“Where are you going?”
“If I tell you, will you promise not to follow?”
“Yeah.”
“To a tea party. Lady Beryl is hosting.”
“I’m coming with you. I was invited too.”
“You said you wouldn’t follow! Besides, I already have another partner.”
“What? Who?”
“Ianas Kovich.”
At that name, Layla couldn’t help but laugh softly.
It was the name of the man who used to be her lover.
“Didn’t you break up with that bastard?”
“I broke up with you too, Hugo.”
“Hey! Wait!”
As the sound of their footsteps faded quickly, Layla finally let out a sigh of relief. She felt so dizzy she could barely stand.
“Miss.”
“Ugh…”
Rainier caught her before she fell backward, holding her tightly so she wouldn’t collapse.
“Ah!”
But as if startled by his own actions, he abruptly placed Layla down on the bed a little too roughly.
“Sorry.”
“Ah… it’s fine…”
“…It’s my first time holding someone.”
He spoke with his back turned to her. Layla, feeling weak, climbed fully onto the bed without responding.
“Hugo’s gone now, so you can leave. I need to rest.”
“We can’t be certain he’s completely gone yet.”
“Then leave when you think he is. Lock the door from the inside—see that button? Press it before you close the door.”
“Yes.”
Layla groaned softly as she lay down and stared up at the canopy.
She felt feverish. Earlier, she thought the heat was from anger at Hugo, but now her body ached and chilled. She must really have a fever.
“Miss.”
“Yes.”
“You’re ill.”
“I’m sick almost every day.”
Layla was half-conscious as she mumbled.
She cracked her eyes open when she heard a chair scraping. Rainier had moved a chair close to the bed and sat down.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m a doctor. I’m going to make you better.”
“…Alright.”
Layla relaxed into the bed.
“What… are you doing?”
“I said I’ll make you better.”
She felt his hand close over hers. Layla considered opening her eyes wider but gave up.
“Miss.”
“Yes.”
“You really seem done with Ronald.”
“I told you it’s over.”
He seemed to chuckle under his breath, but Layla was too tired to care. She figured he had his own motives for being here. Maybe they had to do with Hugo.
How can I get close enough to him to obtain his blood?
That thought didn’t last long—she drifted off the moment she closed her eyes, slipping into a deep sleep.
Layla dreamt a wonderful dream for the first time in ages.
In it, she was healthy and married. Her husband’s face was hidden, but he clearly loved her dearly.
She was relieved that none of the men she’d dated before appeared in that dream.
When she woke up in the morning, Layla was shocked to realize she had slept an entire day.
And her body—how could it feel so light?
Never in her life had she felt this strong. Energy pulsed through her as though she had never been ill at all.
Although, oddly, she could taste a faint trace of blood on her tongue, as if she had bitten her cheek while sleeping.
Knock, knock.
“Miss.”
“Yes?”
“Viscount Sonnet Bruce is here to see you.”
“Layla, I came because I was worried.”
At that, Layla snapped back to reality. She looked around—she definitely looked like someone who had just rolled out of bed.
“Ah! W-wait a second! I just woke up…!”
She scrambled to get up—
“Ah!”
A cramp seized her leg, and she collapsed.
“Layla! What happened?!”
The door burst open with a loud crack and slam—Sonnet had broken the lock in his rush to enter.
Layla trembled in shock at how easily he had smashed the door.
“Ah… I… just fell…”
“I see…”
Sword hilt in hand, Sonnet scanned the room before relaxing at her explanation.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes.”
Layla felt embarrassed for letting him see her in such a disheveled state. Her face was puffy from sleep, and her swollen eyes barely opened.
“I just got a leg cramp.”
At her words, Sonnet extended a hand. Her leg tingled painfully, but she accepted his hand and rose slowly.
“Ah…!”
Layla staggered, and Sonnet pulled her into his arms.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
He didn’t let go for quite some time—even after her cramp had eased. Layla became convinced he had an agenda of his own.
When she tried to pull away, uncomfortable, he finally released her and said,
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. You were just worried I might fall again, right?”
“…Not only that.”
Layla looked closely at his face.
Sonnet had striking golden-blond hair. His brows and lashes matched, and his golden eyes gleamed like molten metal.
That made the flush on his skin even more obvious—along with the sound of his pounding heartbeat.
Layla thought he was truly remarkable.
What on earth does he want from me, to act like this?
“I’ll have refreshments brought to your room, Miss.”
“Ah, okay.”
Catherine, who had been waiting outside, opened the door to speak. That’s when Layla saw it—Siever’s shocked face peeking through the gap.
So Layla, pretending not to notice her sister, leaned back into Sonnet’s arms.
“Layla…?”
“Sonnet smells nice. Is this thyme?”
“Ah, yes… You said you liked it.”
Then Layla laughed softly, as if amused, and eased away from him slightly.
“We agreed to speak casually, remember?”
“Ah, r-right.”
As she spoke, Layla kept an eye on her sister, who looked ready to pounce like a wild animal.
With a click, the half-open door swung wide.
“Oh my, Viscount Bruce?”
“Ah, this is…”
“Come in, sister.”
Layla gave Sonnet a shy smile before releasing him. He straightened, greeting Siever politely.
“Good to see you again, Lady Siever.”
“Yes, I’ve heard you’ve been spending time with our Layla.”
“It’s thanks to Layla being kind to me.”
Siever scanned them both quickly before smiling. Layla knew that look—her sister had gotten the message.
Layla had shown interest in Sonnet and pushed Hugo aside. And now, having shown herself in Sonnet’s arms, Siever would definitely act as she hoped.
“Sis, could you keep Sonnet company for a bit?”
“Oh? Why?”
“I just woke up… I need a little time.”
Siever’s face brightened visibly.
“You look beautiful now. Really, you’re still pretty, Layla—don’t worry about appearances.”
As Sonnet hurried to reassure her, Layla waved a hand shyly.
“I’m embarrassed. I only want to look perfect for you.”
Before Sonnet could protest, Siever hooked her arm through his.
“Let’s go to my room.”
“Why are you holding my—”
He cut himself off when he saw Layla watching him.
The two left for Siever’s room. Layla closed the door and sat at her vanity.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
She assumed it was Catherine. But the person who entered was—
“It’s me. We need to talk.”
Hugo. The unwelcome guest.
“I thought you were Catherine. Get out.”
“I saw everything— you and Sonnet hugging.”
Layla suddenly realized Hugo must have been with Siever earlier when she went out. She sighed.
“So what?”
“You’re mistaken if you think Sonnet’s sincere. He already has a mistress.”
“…What?”
“He wants to marry you because you’re going to die soon. That’s why.”
Layla froze in surprise, and Hugo, mistaking her shock for a victory, pressed on.
“Want to know where his lover lives?”
