After Declaring Divorce, My Husband Became Lewd - CHAPTER 9_ In The End, It's Love (Part 2)

Begging for affection with a weakened body, it was unimaginable for a Richt Calitheon. It was unthinkable that someone like had this side of him.

“When you’re discharged, come home right away. I feel burdened when I’m imposing, and it makes me unnecessarily uncomfortable and self-conscious.”

“Why do you think it’s imposing? That place is your home. I bought it because I wanted to give it to you in the first place.”

“I never wanted it. I hope you intend to keep your promise, I’ll move out.”

“…Then you’ll say you’re leaving, right?”

“Well…”

“Okay. I’m sorry, I did everything wrong.”

Richard quickly interjected, trying to prevent any further discussion. It seemed he wanted to stop Isabelle from actually saying that.

“I’ll go home. So you won’t worry about it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

He nodded.

“Is that all I need to do?”

“Stop drinking and take care of yourself.”

“Okay.”

This time, Isabelle nodded.

Even though Mia and Mrs. Mason were sincerely taking care of her, she’d felt hollow, and now that she was facing Richt like this, she knew why. Why her heart felt as empty as if it had been pierced.

Her feelings toward Richt were always beyond her control. It wasn’t a matter of liking or disliking with her willpower. It seemed like she wanted to turn away and deny the predetermined feelings, as Mia had said.

In the lonely, difficult, and yearning times, there was a kind of unfairness. To cherish yourself, to suffer, and to love yourself more.

Realization came with sadness. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her mind became clearer. Her cheeks became wet.

“Why are you crying?”

“…”

“Is it because I touched you?”

Richt removed his hand from Isabelle’s body.

“Should I wipe it for you?”

She could no longer deny that she had never not loved him, even in the moments when he had hurt her.

***

Richt returned home as promised.

The mere fact of his return, Isabelle felt liberated from the discomfort. As the discomfort eased, she went back to getting along with Mia as before, and Mrs. Mason also seemed less vigilant around Isabelle.

Although they didn’t openly talk about it, both Mia and Mrs. Mason were relieved that the relationship between Richt and Isabelle had taken a positive turn.

They still used separate rooms, but they ate dinner together. They didn’t talk much, but they spent more time sitting next to each other than ever before. They didn’t argue or fight, and they gradually started sharing bits of everyday conversation.

Mostly, it was Richt asking questions, and Isabelle answering. He watched her every gesture, every word. Perhaps instinctively, he felt that this might be his last chance.

He circled around her, anxious not to disturb the peace that she had achieved. His nerves were on edge because Isabelle hadn’t given him any assurances that she wouldn’t leave.

Returning home, Richt sought out Isabelle’s room first.

“I’m back.”

Isabelle, leaning against the bed’s headboard, looked up from the book she was reading. Ever since she’d asked him to come home, he’d been dropping by, as if to make a report, and he’d always added, ‘I’m sober.’

Though he wore a hopeful expression, like a child seeking praise, Isabelle showed no particular reaction.

There were three things Isabelle demanded of Richt: to come home every day, to stay sober, and not to hurt himself. As if Fabian’s words about Richt being a drunkard had been a lie, with a simple request to quit drinking, Richt immediately complied.

“Is it entertaining?”

“It’s worth reading. It’s hard to move, and there’s not much else to do.”

“Are you busy?”

“It’s fine.”

Richt looked for an excuse to say something.Isabelle’s indifferent response was a bit disappointing, but he should be thankful that things had gotten to this point.

“Can I come in?”

Without waiting for approval, he had already entered. He pulled a chair from the table and set it next to the bed, then sat down.

“I need your word.”

“What kind of reassurance?”

“Promise me you won’t leave me.”

Her eyes met his in midair, and there was a desperation in them.

“Do you not have any feelings left for me?”

As much as she wanted to discard them, the emotions she had for him persisted.

“I want to continue being your husband.”

“…….”

“Let me do that.”

“…….”

“I can do anything but let you go.”

He was trembling. Isabelle spoke with difficulty.

“I might not be able to love you as before.”

“I don’t mind.”

Richt held Isabelle’s hand.

“It’s okay if you don’t love me.”

“…”

“Just stay by my side.”

“…”

“Don’t leave me.”

Richt could do nothing but beg. A profoundly awkward man, as Fabian had said, and Isabelle couldn’t bring herself to be cruel to him.

“Give me a chance, Isabelle.”

“…”

“Please.”

“…”

“I’ll try to be a good husband and a good father.”

“…”

“Can’t you give me a chance?”

Without releasing Isabelle’s hand, Richt gently rested his dry cheek on her thigh. The way he rubbed his face begged for love. Isabelle didn’t push away, but he pressed more insistently,

“At that time, hearing you say you want a divorce drove me crazy.”

“…”

“I regret everything. The words I threw at you, the way I treated you, and the times I couldn’t be honest with myself…”

“…”

“I regret it all.”

“Stop, I don’t want to be reminded.”

“I didn’t mean any of it. I was the one acting like a crazy bastard. Even now. I couldn’t stand seeing you.”

The penitent apology went on for a while.

“It’s all in the past. I want to focus on what’s ahead. Our child who will be born.”

“Okay.”

Neither of them wanted to talk about the past, when they hadn’t been honest with each other, when they hadn’t trusted each other, when they had been so lost in their own thoughts, unable to see each other properly in the past. They didn’t want to talk about those past mistakes; what mattered now was the future that lay ahead.

Why did we come back like this? To look at each other squarely, to understand, and to love.

Isabelle thought.

For over three years, they’d done nothing but mix their bodies, misunderstand, hurt, hate, and suffer. It was time to start over, to do it right.

“I love you, Isabelle.”

Looking into her clear blue eyes, Richt whispered his love. Very tenderly and passionately.

Now, they were beginning anew.