Chapter 10
“Is that really true?”
Melvin bit her fingernails as she asked Clara again.
Apparently, Kayden Verder had personally come to the mansion to go on a date with Chloe.
“The carriage was so big and extravagant. There were even two sleek black horses pulling it! You could tell at a glance they were of excellent breed…”
Clara explained Kayden’s wealth without noticing how distressed her daughter looked. She didn’t forget to praise his handsome appearance in between.
“I just don’t get how Chloe managed to snag a man like that.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
How could Chloe, who had nothing going for her, meet such a perfect man? And she wasn’t even interested in men!
“The more I think about it, the more suspicious it seems.”
Melvin recalled the day she first saw Kayden—how he had smoothly joined their conversation.
If they were really a couple, and especially since it was in a hotel, Chloe should’ve been with him from the start.
But she was alone.
Melvin and Dyur wouldn’t have noticed Chloe if she hadn’t been by herself. She had been drinking leisurely, not looking like she was waiting for anyone.
I think he was sitting at the table behind us.
She hadn’t gotten a good look in the heat of the moment, but someone in a similar gray suit to Kayden’s had been sitting just over Chloe’s shoulder.
But if they were dating, why would they be sitting apart?
“What was Dyur thinking, inviting Lord Verder to the wedding? All the attention that should go to the bride and groom will end up on him.”
“I actually just had a fight with Dyur about that.”
She was furious that he had invited Kayden Verder without consulting her. She even started wondering if he still had feelings for Chloe.
No, that wasn’t the real reason she was angry.
[Dyur, what the hell are you doing?]
[M-Melvin.]
[Why are you investigating Kayden Verder?]
What kind of ex-husband digs into his ex-wife’s new boyfriend? Anyone would find that suspicious.
And it wasn’t ordinary information Dyur was digging for either. He was snooping into when Kayden last dated and when he first met Chloe—distasteful, invasive details.
[Do you still have feelings for Chloe?!]
[Of course not. You know you’re the only one for me.]
[Then why!]
Inviting Kayden Verder to the wedding was one thing, but digging into his past?
Dyur grabbed Melvin’s trembling shoulders and said:
[It’s Chloe Garrett. Just Chloe Garrett. There’s no way a woman like her is dating someone as big as Kayden Verder. I just wanted to expose her lie.]
[Then why invite Lord Verder to the wedding?]
[If he really is her boyfriend, he’ll come to our wedding. But if he’s not…]
Then Chloe would have to come alone, probably making up some excuse about breaking up.
[We’ve been engaged and now getting married—I’ve known Chloe for seven years. Do you think I wouldn’t notice something off?]
Who would know better than me that there are no men around her?
Normally, Melvin would’ve snapped back—asked how he could know Chloe so well, whether he still had feelings for her. But she didn’t have the energy for that now.
Because like Dyur, she too was beginning to suspect Chloe and Kayden’s relationship.
“But Melvin, I’m telling you—just a few days ago, Lord Verder came all the way here himself.”
Clara shook her daughter’s shoulders, snapping Melvin out of her thoughts.
“That part still bothers me a bit…”
Could it be some sort of arrangement between the two? But what would someone like Kayden Verder gain from dating penniless Chloe?
“Hmph. Let’s just wait and see. If it’s fake, it’ll get exposed soon enough.”
“We’re screwed.”
Having overheard Melvin and Clara’s conversation, Chloe collapsed onto the sofa.
“People are free to imagine things, but how could they jump to that conclusion? Both Madam and the Young Lady are being too much.”
Anne, the maid who brought this news, spoke in protest. She had lingered near Clara’s room under the pretense of cleaning and overheard the conversation.
“Seems like the Young Lady is jealous that you’re seeing Lord Verder.”
Judging by her expression, Anne was convinced Chloe and Kayden were really dating.
It’s not just imagination—it’s true, Chloe thought but held back from saying it aloud.
Dyur, fine. But I never imagined even Melvin would think like that.
Too sharp for their own good. Now she couldn’t even pretend they’d broken up. That would just confirm she wasn’t really dating him in the first place.
Honestly, getting caught might be the least of my worries.
Knowing Melvin, she’d spread the news far and wide. She might even paint Chloe as a gullible divorcee who got played by a rich man. If anyone could make up a story like that, it was Melvin.
Chloe pictured herself at her sister and ex-husband’s wedding, getting humiliated for faking a relationship.
It’s humiliating… but I have no choice.
Should she just leave home? Quit her job and disappear from the capital—maybe people would forget about her existence…
“Young Lady, dinner seems to be ready. You should head down to the first floor before it gets cold.”
“Okay…”
At Anne’s prompting, Chloe stopped her thoughts and headed down to the dining room.
When she opened the curtains and stepped inside, the room was filled with delicious aromas. Despite there only being five people in the family, a feast of smoked turkey, salmon poke, and red wine filled the table. Clearly, the chef had gone all out since Melvin was visiting.
But the number of people didn’t match the spread. The only ones seated were Melvin and Clara.
“Where are Father and Mother?”
“Father should be arriving soon. Lady Ena said she wouldn’t be joining.”
Of course. She probably didn’t want to share a table with this disgraceful mother-daughter pair.
Honestly, Chloe didn’t want to be here either. But out of spite from earlier, she felt an unexpected stubbornness.
Why should I leave? This is my home.
She’d already lost her husband—was she supposed to give up her right to enjoy a meal too?
If I’m not here, they’ll eat all this delicious food by themselves, giggling together.
Melvin’s favorite meal wasn’t turkey.
They’ll be feasting on gossip about me instead.
There was no way she’d let that happen.
Chloe had a maid send a separate meal to Ena’s room, then went to take her seat. As always, the head seat belonged to Count Garrett. Chloe’s seat was to his left—directly opposite Melvin.
Sure enough, Melvin’s eyes followed Chloe. From the look on her face, she hadn’t expected Chloe to join them.
Ignoring the gaze, Chloe picked up her fork. Let her stare all she wanted—Chloe was going to enjoy this fancy meal to the fullest.
Her first target was the grilled salmon. She reached for it, planning to pair it with some mild onions…
But the moment her hand moved, Melvin snatched the plate.
“Mother, you have to try this. The fish is so tender.”
The dish, originally at the center, now sat in front of Clara.
Melvin glanced at Chloe’s awkwardly suspended hand and said:
“Oh, I thought you weren’t having any. My apologies.”
If it had been ten minutes into the meal, fine. But Chloe had just sat down.
“Mother’s gums have been bothering her lately. If it’s not soft, it’s hard for her to chew…”
Melvin even cupped her mouth with both hands and sorrowfully drooped her brows, as if she were truly apologetic.
It was petty beyond belief.
Chloe wanted nothing more than to dump her soup on Melvin’s pretty little face—but she held back. She wouldn’t stoop to her level.
“…It’s fine. I’ll just eat something else.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
Chloe smiled politely back at Melvin. But under the table, her clenched fists trembled with frustration.
Fine. It’s not like that’s the only dish here.
She could eat something else. Anything else.
But Melvin’s quick hands had already moved every edible dish out of Chloe’s reach.
Some were “for Mother,” others were “good for the bride-to-be’s skin,” and a few were “accidentally spilled.” Chloe could hardly touch anything.
“Melvin.”
Chloe finally couldn’t hold back.
“I’ll just starve.”
“…What?”
“That’s what you wanted, right?”
She nodded toward her now-bare section of the table.
“I’m sorry, Sis. I didn’t mean to…”
“Even if it wasn’t on purpose, don’t you think this is a bit much? You’re basically telling me not to eat.”
All that was left on her side were some wilted greens.
“If you don’t want to eat with me, just say so. It’s not like I enjoy it either.”
“Sis…”
With just a few words, Melvin’s eyebrows curved in a dramatic arch. Her large eyes shimmered with tears as a bonus.
