Chapter 80
Despite my heart saying otherwise, my body, which had already welcomed him many times, was wet with anticipation for Kallion’s intrusion.
The merciless invader pressed deep inside, and only then did my mind snap awake. Trembling, I clenched my fists and pressed against his chest.
“…Please.”
At my broken whisper, his rough breathing faltered, and he froze, staring down at me.
Before I knew it, tears slid down my cheeks.
He stood there, rigid as stone, staring at me in silence.
“Stop… please, stop.”
Hot tears streamed down beneath my swollen eyes.
Kallion, frozen like ice, let out a low curse and suddenly pulled away.
“Damn it.”
Turning his back, he caught his breath, then picked up the blouse from the floor and put it on. Without once looking at me again, he walked straight out of the room.
I forgot to even gather my underclothes. My legs buckled and I sank to the floor. Curling on my side, I hugged my stomach tightly.
His words echoed in my ears—
That even in death, I could never leave him.
I knew it was true.
Not even death could free me from him.
I had chosen death many times before, and yet I always returned here.
Curled up, I sobbed quietly.
The thought that maybe I truly could never escape him filled me with fear.
After crying for a long time, I forced myself up, still holding my belly.
I couldn’t afford to be weak.
Only I could protect this child.
No matter what, I had to get away from Kallion.
At any cost.
I couldn’t escape Kallion—or the shadows he set on me—alone.
This was the very last method I had wanted to use.
But this might be my final chance.
Once my belly grew bigger, it would be impossible to try again.
I steeled my heart.
Just then, a knock came, and Layla entered the room.
“You called for me, Madam?”
I swallowed hard as I looked at Layla standing upright before me.
Meanwhile, Kallion rubbed his face, troubled.
Since that night—since seeing Yuliana’s tears—he hadn’t been able to concentrate on work.
Her trembling shoulders, her red-rimmed eyes…
The weak side of her he had never seen before stirred something deep inside him.
It provoked both the filthy lust hidden in his darkness and an unfamiliar urge to protect her.
She was like a bird with broken wings—something he wanted to break further even as he wanted to shield her.
That contradictory storm inside him had nearly made him lose control, so he had been forced to leave.
And he still hadn’t recovered.
He hadn’t meant to force himself on her while she was unwell. But whenever he faced her, his reason vanished in a white haze.
Then came a knock.
“Kallion.”
It was the butler.
“Come in,” Kallion said, forcing Yuliana from his thoughts.
But the butler’s next words turned his guilt into a sudden, burning anger.
“My lord, Her Lady went to the Bas Trading Company again today.”
Yuliana sat blankly, staring out of the carriage window.
She had left some emergency savings hidden for Kate under the excuse of asking her to tidy the dressing room.
She felt sorry, but she couldn’t drag Kate into a journey with no guarantee of safety.
When the carriage stopped, Yuliana stepped down, walking toward what might be her last visit to the trading company.
And, as always, a black shadow followed from afar.
The man leapt up a tree, watching carefully through a window as Yuliana exchanged documents with the merchant head.
The moment she stood to leave, he prepared to follow her again—
But someone blocked his way under the tree.
Another man, also cloaked in black with his face hidden beneath a hood.
“State your affiliation,” the stranger demanded.
The first man drew his sword nervously. “You first.”
He cast a glance at the building entrance, anxious.
“I belong to Valdomer. If you interfere, you won’t live to regret it.”
The hooded man smirked and shrugged.
“What a coincidence. So do I.”
The first man’s eyes narrowed. “What?”
Steel clashed before any more could be said.
Clang!
At the first strike, he realized this opponent wasn’t ordinary.
But abandoning his mission wasn’t an option—failure meant death.
He attacked fiercely, determined to kill.
Yet his opponent fought too casually, almost as if buying time instead of aiming to win.
Realizing this, the first man cursed through clenched teeth.
He’s stalling me!
And indeed, the hooded man seemed satisfied once enough time had passed. He leapt lightly back into the trees.
“Best we don’t work together again,” he said, vanishing in an instant.
The man spat curses and rushed after Yuliana’s trail.
Thankfully, she had just left the building and was climbing into the Valdormer carriage.
He exhaled in relief and followed quickly.
But when the carriage reached the Valdormer estate and its door opened—he froze.
The one who stepped out, wearing a dress much like Yuliana’s, was Layla.
Stunned, he forgot his mission and revealed himself before her.
“Where is Her Lady?!” he demanded, peering into the carriage.
Startled, Layla answered, “She should’ve arrived before me. I only went back to deliver some missing papers.”
The man’s face twisted in disbelief.
“Damn it…!”
Something had gone terribly wrong.
Crash!
The sound of furniture smashing filled the room.
Before Kallion stood Butler Cliff and Layla, both stiff and bowing deeply.
“Yuliana… is gone?”
His voice trembled with restrained fury.
“I beg your forgiveness!” Cliff bent even lower, as if begging for his life.
Kallion clutched his chest, his heart hammering, the other hand gripping the table for support.
“A-are you all right?” Layla asked nervously.
His eyes, sharp as blades, cut to her.
“Layla. Why were you at the Bas Trading Company?”
His voice promised death at the slightest suspicion. Layla swallowed and answered evenly.
“Her Lady left part of the ledgers behind, so I only went to deliver them. When I arrived, she had already departed. I thought she had returned here ahead of me.”
Her expression was perfectly composed.
Kallion stared at her, ready to kill, then let out a bitter laugh.
Of course—Layla had no fondness for Yuliana. She would never have helped her escape.
His legs gave out and he collapsed into a chair.
If she really was in contact with Heister…
She might have gone back to them.
Forcing himself to think calmly, he gave his order in a sunken voice:
“Find out if Yuliana returned to Heister. Leave nothing unchecked.”
“Yes, my lord,” both Cliff and Layla answered, bowing low.
Inside a moving carriage…
A woman with brown hair and a plain dress slowly removed her hair.
The brown locks came away easily—it was a wig.
Beneath it, golden hair shone in the window’s reflection.
It was Yuliana.
She stared blankly at the fading Valdormer estate.
Just as she had vowed, she had used every means available to escape him.
Even Layla, once little more than an enemy.
Even Jared, with whom she had now severed ties.
And…
She turned her heavy gaze to the man seated before her.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Her eyes lingered on his neat silver suit.
“Lloyd.”
Though she voiced gratitude, her face held no joy.
But Lloyd gave her a gentle smile.
“No. I should be the one thanking you, Yuliana.”
His smile was pure and soft, like snow falling from a winter sky.
“Thank you for coming to find me.”
Thank you very much 🌺