Chapter 13
“So many conditions.”
Edmund responded bluntly. But Chloen calmly raised her fingers one by one and continued.
“First, from this moment on, never mention divorce again.”
“That’s what I wanted to say. We’re not getting divorced unless I say so.”
“No, I mean don’t even mention it. I’m really not thinking about divorce anymore.”
Chloen said with a sharp tone. Edmund looked genuinely surprised.
He thought she was just saying it with no real intention, but now it seemed she truly meant it. He couldn’t find a single trace of a lie on her face, which only made him more flustered.
“Fine. What’s next?”
He forced himself to stay calm and answered coolly.
“Second, stop doubting or misunderstanding everything I say. Just trust what I say. I don’t have a reason to lie to you, right?”
“Don’t you think you’ve said a lot of unbelievable things so far?”
“You’re doing it again! Doubting me! You said trust was important, remember?”
Chloen narrowed her eyes and repeated his earlier words back at him.
“Ahem. I’ll try.”
“Third and last—spend time talking with me at least once a day.”
“…!”
In that moment, a soft touch grazed his skin, and Edmund’s red eyes twitched slightly. His uneasy heart beat faster, and his breathing turned irregular.
“From now on, listen to what I say, not what Sasha says.”
Do you understand? Her gentle whisper made his heart pound louder.
Their distance had closed. He could feel her warm breath, and everything about the moment was starting to feel like a romantic illusion. Edmund shook his head as if trying to break free from a dream.
Something was clearly wrong. His wildly beating heart made him uncomfortable.
“I have a condition too.”
“What is it? Tell me. I’ll agree to anything.”
Chloen smiled sweetly and asked in a playful voice.
“No physical contact. I’d like you to stop touching me unnecessarily.”
…Huh? What did he just say?
She thought she misheard. Her pretty face crumpled up instantly. No physical contact? What kind of nonsense was that?
“What did you say?”
“Didn’t you hear me? No physical contact. And also, stop with that weird breathing. No whispering, either.”
He had already stepped back, and his voice was firm. Chloen felt like her world was crashing down.
Like a delicious dessert she could only look at but never eat.
It was cruel. She glared at him with wide, angry eyes.
“We’re married! How can we not touch each other? That’s ridiculous! We should just live separately then.”
“We’ve been living just fine until now.”
“Is that how someone who got rejected on their wedding anniversary talks?!”
“That was… ugh. Let’s just not talk about it. You said you lost your memory, but now you’re more shameless than ever.”
Edmund rubbed his throbbing temple, trying to hold back his frustration.
“Well, I absolutely can’t accept this!”
“And yet we’ll keep living like this.”
“We’re husband and wife! We should sleep under the same blanket, bump into each other, live like a real couple! No touching? How are we supposed to make babies and continue the family line?”
Edmund’s jaw dropped open. How was he supposed to respond to that?
Chloen wasn’t just bold—she was aggressive. Her honest gaze startled him, and he instinctively raised a hand to stop her.
“No touching. Remember that. Anyway, since we’re done with treatment, maybe you should go back to your room now?”
His cold attitude filled her with a strange sense of defeat. He had just said he wanted to fix their relationship, and now this?
She couldn’t accept it.
“No. I won’t accept it.”
She clenched her fist and declared firmly. Then she quickly stepped closer to him—though Edmund stepped back just as fast.
“W-What are you doing now?!”
His voice trembled with tension. Chloen just smiled slyly.
“What else? I’m trying to fulfill our marital duties.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“You said we should try a new approach. This is part of it. I’m already ready.”
She leaned in with a playful smile and whispered softly by his ear.
“Haa… You really don’t make any sense. Just go back. You’re giving me a headache.”
With a sigh, Edmund stood up and walked to the door. She saw the back of his flushed neck as he walked away.
‘It’s not your head that hurts—it’s your heart.’
What an innocent guy. Seeing his red skin like a roasted sweet potato made her laugh without realizing it.
“Honey, your ears are red!”
“It’s just hot in here.”
He answered instantly, completely defensive.
“No, I’m pretty sure you’re embarrassed.”
“You’re imagining things. Just leave.”
Click. He opened the door, and his strong arm waved her out like a command.
Seeing him so serious made her want to mess with him even more. She stood up and walked toward him. When she got close enough, she pouted and said,
“I want to sleep here tonight.”
His face turned red like it was about to explode. He let out a laugh and replied with disbelief.
“What? Is that what happens when people lose their memories?”
“Is it such a problem to fulfill our duties as a couple? When the bodies connect, the hearts do too!”
“You really say anything, don’t you?”
He looked completely disgusted. Judging by his face, if she pushed any more, she really might get thrown out.
‘Okay, a step back now for a bigger leap later.’
She sighed and continued, pretending to give in.
“Fine. I’ll stop here. Oh, right! I have a favor.”
“As long as it’s not about staying the night, go ahead.”
“I want to go to the bookstore.”
“The bookstore?”
“Yes. There’s a book I really want to read. Can you go with me? And also… I want a tutor.”
“A tutor? What for? Planning to plot something with your tutor now?”
“Tsk. Trust.”
Her quiet voice shut Edmund up. She took a deep breath and added,
“There’s a book I want to read, but unfortunately, I can’t read yet. I can’t stay a fool forever. I have to learn something.”
“If that’s the reason, there’s no need to hire one.”
What was that supposed to mean? She tilted her head, confused.
“I’ll teach you myself.”
“Really? I’m touched!”
Her heart fluttered from the emotion. She smiled brightly and threw herself into his arms.
‘Wait, why can’t I touch him?’
All she hit was empty air. A large palm held her forehead firmly in place.
‘Ugh. So this is what it’s like dealing with a fast-reacting guy.’
She struggled to reach his broad chest but couldn’t get anywhere close. Her disappointed gaze lifted to him, and his smug lips parted again.
“Let’s add one more rule. Don’t get your face within a meter of mine. Especially not your lips.”
“What?!”
“Let’s not make each other uncomfortable.”
“Ugh, you’re so uptight! We’re married, and I can’t even touch you? Isn’t that too much?”
“You used to want this too.”
“When did I ever?”
“To be precise, the old you did.”
“Well, the current me doesn’t! I’m a whole new person now. More than anyone, I want to be close to you!”
Hearing her honest words, Edmund quietly rubbed his forehead.
“Sigh… That’s enough. I’m tired of repeating myself. Don’t tell me you’re going to grab my collar again? It won’t happen a second time, just so you know.”
“I told you, that was an accident! Anyway, let’s have a proper conversation as husband and wife, okay?”
“Leave.”
His big hand gently pushed her out into the hallway. The sudden rejection seriously hurt her pride.
“How can someone be so cold? Not even a crack in your wall! There’s no way in!”
“Exactly. Now go. It’s late. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
“I told you, I want to sleep here! What kind of newlyweds sleep in separate rooms—!”
It happened in a flash. Edmund’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. She could feel the firm muscles through his thin clothes.
“Ah…!”
A gasp slipped through her parted lips. His warm breath fell on her forehead. His intense red eyes locked onto her.
They were so close, their lips would touch if she leaned in just a little more. Her face flushed bright red.
“This is as far as I’ll go.”
His low voice echoed in her ear. He slowly raised a hand.
Then, gently, he brushed her silver hair from her face—so tenderly, while keeping eye contact. Her lavender eyes trembled.
“One step at a time. Let’s keep our distance.”
His soft words made her swallow hard. Then, as if she were something dirty, Edmund tapped her shoulder with the tip of his finger to push her away.
At that moment, several thoughts rushed through her head. Edmund’s secret meetings with Dr. Mars, and even earlier with Melvin.
They were people who should be close to her, but something felt off. Their meetings always seemed too secretive. And whenever she appeared, they always looked shocked and flustered.
‘Wait… is that why they’re avoiding me?’
A sudden thought hit her.
Could it be… was the original story secretly a BL?
