Chapter 15
“You’re still in your prime, Mother. Please don’t say that.”
“The younger you are, the more time you have to hold your grandchild. I want to hold mine at least once before I die.”
“Yes, I’m trying, Mother.”
“You and Hayden are sharing a bed often, aren’t you? A child comes when the woman does her part, dear. It’s all up to the woman.”
Her words caught in my throat.
I glanced sideways at Victon and the maid sitting nearby. Victon’s eyes were fixed firmly on some distant point in the air, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.
Being told such things in public was mortifying.
But Melinda seemed entirely unbothered, continuing her advice as though it were the most natural topic in the world.
I understood what she meant—but that didn’t make it any less suffocating.
“What exactly does she mean by ‘doing my part well’?”
A question far too improper to ask one’s mother-in-law surfaced in my mind.
It had been quite a long time since Hayden and I last shared a bed.
During those years, I had done everything I could to bridge the growing distance between us.
Every time he turned me down with one excuse or another, I couldn’t help but feel I lacked something as a woman.
So what could I possibly do now? Crawl into his bed half-dressed, hoping to tempt him?
Hayden was always busy, and when he did come home, he was exhausted.
He would always explain, in detail, why he was so busy, why he was so tired—and because he took the trouble to explain, I could no longer bring myself to complain or ask for more.
“I’ll… try harder, Mother.”
I smiled demurely and agreed.
“Oh, by the way, Mother—I booked a nearby hotel for your stay.”
I hurried to change the subject.
Melinda’s eyes swept over me with mild disapproval.
“Why? You couldn’t spare a room at home?”
“It’s not that, Mother. I just thought you’d be more comfortable there. Our townhouse is rather small, so it might be inconvenient for you.”
“I told you before to find a bigger place. How unseemly for the Marquis’ household. Maybe that’s why no child’s been conceived—living in such cramped quarters!”
I forced an awkward laugh.
Before Hayden inherited the title, Melinda had lived in the old townhouse, which was under her husband’s name. We’d had to find a new residence after that.
“It’s not like that, Mother.”
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, so I fell silent.
Melinda, too, said nothing more until the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the department store. Her gaze, distant and pensive, stayed fixed on the window.
Soon, the grand building came into view.
The Wolfhaze Department Store—its elegant spiral structure and marble façade reflected the light of the Zelro River behind it, a masterpiece of modern architecture.
Even on a weekday, the place was crowded.
It was, after all, the largest department store in Edenfail.
Melinda looked on with quiet pride.
“Seeing the Wolfhaze Department Store still standing strong makes me proud. It feels like it’s preserving the empire’s history.”
She began walking slowly toward the square, where a fountain stood in the center. Though the water had been shut off for winter, the fountain was still a spectacle, draped in colorful lights.
“When I first said I wanted to open a department store, everyone told me it wasn’t a woman’s place to do such things. In the end, your father-in-law had to handle the business side, but truthfully, it was my devotion that kept this store alive all these years.”
I’d heard this story at least three hundred times.
Melinda often condemned old-fashioned ideas about women, yet in the next breath, she would lecture me on a wife’s duty and a daughter-in-law’s virtue—because, as she always said, ‘that’s what life teaches you.’
I didn’t bother pointing out the irony. Instead, I simply smiled and nodded quietly.
“Derrick was good with people, but he wasn’t made for business. Do you know how many times his foolish decisions almost ruined the store? If it weren’t for me, none of this would exist.”
I listened silently.
She caught her breath, frowning slightly before turning to look at me.
“I’ve heard the department store isn’t what it used to be. But this is exactly when a child can give you strength. Parents will do anything for their children, you see.”
The same refrain again.
“Yes, I’ll try harder, Mother.”
I agreed obediently.
Melinda stopped speaking and stared up at the department store, her green eyes filled with memories.
“A man just needs to avoid getting another woman pregnant outside his marriage. The legitimate wife must be the one to bear the heir.”
A fine wrinkle deepened on her brow—she must have been thinking of Derrick.
After marrying Melinda as a political arrangement, Derrick had become Marquis of Wolfhaze by marrying into her family.
As she said, he was charming and good with people—but unfaithful at heart.
When his mistress became pregnant, he demanded a divorce.
Though the battle dragged on for years, the divorce was never finalized.
The scandal nearly destroyed the family’s reputation, forcing Derrick to hand over his title early to Hayden and leave the capital.
It was Melinda’s choice not to divorce, and Derrick’s choice to stay with his mistress and child.
In the end, both had acted to protect their own children.
Whenever family events required his presence, Derrick would appear briefly, only to return immediately to his other household.
“At least Hayden is kind and considerate. You should know how fortunate you are. Always be ready to sacrifice—that’s what a virtuous wife must do.”
With that final remark, Melinda marched ahead.
I left Victon to handle the luggage and followed her into the department store.
Lunch with Melinda was as uncomfortable as I expected, but the food was excellent, which helped.
Even she seemed pleased, setting down her utensils with an uncharacteristically content expression.
“Mother, would you like to do some shopping afterward? Hayden told me he’d arrange everything with the department store.”
“Hayden did?”
Her face softened instantly, a gentle smile spreading across it.
“What a thoughtful boy. Even with all his work, he still thinks of his mother. Once you have a son of your own, you’ll understand how that feels.”
I wanted to tell her how many times I’d reminded him of this lunch, just to make sure he didn’t forget—but I held my tongue and smiled quietly instead.
There was no point in spoiling her good mood.
“I think I’ll skip the shopping, though. I’m rather tired. I should rest for a while.”
Her voice trembled slightly, and she blinked slowly as if weighed down by fatigue.
“I’ll take you to your hotel, Mother. I booked a new place nearby—it’s called the Winters Hotel.”
When I’d made the reservation, I hadn’t realized the hotel belonged to Eugene.
Knowing that now didn’t change anything, and yet it made my heart stir faintly, like a whisper of warmth brushing over my chest.
“They say it’s well-managed. It’ll certainly be more comfortable than your townhouse.”
“Yes, it’s one of the most reputable hotels in the capital.”
Since it wasn’t far, we decided to walk.
The sky had grown heavier, clouds thick with the promise of rain.
Even with my coat buttoned, the chill slipped in through the collar, making me shiver from time to time.
“The Wolfhaze family once considered entering the hotel business,” Melinda said, pulling a pair of leather gloves from her bag. “If your father-in-law hadn’t made such a mess, it might have been a successful venture.”
She clicked her tongue softly.
“Would you prefer to take a carriage, Mother? It’s cold.”
“No, I’ve been cooped up too long. I’d like to walk a little.”
I took the scarf I’d brought and wrapped it around her neck. She didn’t refuse, nestling her face into its folds.
“I’ll tell the front desk to make sure your room’s nice and warm.”
“Yes, thank you.”
When we arrived at the hotel, her maid was already waiting in the lounge.
“You’ve done well today, dear.”
“Oh, not at all, Mother. You must be exhausted from the trip.”
“Let’s have dinner with Hayden soon. I came all the way to the capital—I can’t leave without seeing my son.”
“Yes, Mother. How long will you be staying this time?”
“I think I’ll remain for a while. We’ll see each other again soon.”
With tired eyes, she nodded at me and walked toward the elevator with her maid.
I turned to the front desk to make one last request.
“May I help you, ma’am?”
A neatly dressed receptionist greeted me with a friendly smile.
“Yes, my mother-in-law just checked into room 1103. She’s not feeling well with the cold weather—could you please make sure the heating is turned up?”
“Ah, the VIP suite. Of course. We’ll ensure everything’s perfect.”
“Thank you.”
“Is there anything else we can assist you with?”
I hesitated, thinking of Melinda’s meticulous habits.
The hotel had such an excellent reputation that I didn’t bother mentioning cleanliness or service.
Somehow, knowing this was Eugene’s hotel made me trust it instinctively.
Eugene…
I suddenly wondered where he was right now.
When I’d glimpsed him at the train station earlier, he had looked busy.
If he was on business, maybe he was still here—perhaps even in his office somewhere inside this building.
That thought made my heart beat faster.
After all, the last time we’d met, I had lost my temper and walked away. The memory still weighed on me.
(To be continued…
