Helena knew Nigel had another woman.

She even knew who that woman was.

Scarlet Duff.

Ironically, it was Helena who had originally brought Nigel and Scarlet together.

After Scarlet was injured in a carriage accident, Helena took her in and looked after her. When Scarlet confessed that she had nowhere else to go, Helena arranged for her to work at Nigel’s theatre company.

Nigel had been reluctant to accept her at first, though.

Helena pleaded with him several times.

He agreed on the condition that he would treat her well.

She never imagined that her seemingly insignificant act of compassion would one day turn against her.

***

Five years earlier…

When Helena accepted the persistent proposal of the handsome Nigel Schuytz Brandt, nobody doubted that the couple had a bright future ahead of them.

She was an intelligent, beautiful wife and he was a devoted, loving husband.

They were said to be the perfect married couple in the Pretium Empire.

With their equally striking looks, refined manners, and kind natures, it seemed as if they were destined to be together.

Of course, there were whispers that Helena Evans was out of his league.

But she paid no attention to such remarks.

At the time of their marriage, the House of Brandt was in severe financial decline.

The turning point came after their wedding, when the theatre business established by Nigel Schuytz Brandt achieved remarkable success, completely transforming the fortunes of the struggling family.

At first, criticism came from all sides.

How could a nobleman involve himself in something as ‘ungentile’ as business?

However, once the long years of war finally ended, the aristocracy found themselves restless and hungry for new forms of entertainment. One by one, they began flocking to Nigel’s theatres, and before long his business was thriving beyond anyone’s expectations.

What began as the acquisition of two small theatres eventually evolved into a project large enough to fund the construction of a new, grand theatre.

Gradually, the House of Brandt reclaimed its former glory.

The territories that Nigel had sold before they married were bought back and restored.

‘It wasn’t easy.’

‘Nigel may have possessed artistic talent, but he had no talent for business.’

But marriage was a partnership — a shared journey in which two people carried the same burdens.

Whenever Nigel faltered, Helena stepped in without hesitation.

Convinced that this was simply what a wife should do, she took on every responsibility placed before her, balancing countless roles with remarkable grace.

She took care of the duties Nigel neglected as head of the family, increased the estate’s wealth, oversaw the household, and looked after every family member.

Helena carried it all.

Without her unwavering dedication, the House of Brandt would never have survived.

Everyone knew that.

Everyone except Nigel Schuytz Brandt himself.

In truth, Helena had learned of the affair more than a year ago.

“Oh, stop. Really, that’s enough for today. What if someone catches us?”

“Who would catch us? Everyone’s gone out for a meal by now.”

“Still. Jacqueline has been looking at me suspiciously lately. She keeps asking why my lips are swollen every day.”

“Really? It’s a good thing Helena is so oblivious. She doesn’t seem the slightest bit suspicious.”

“That’s because she trusts you that much. Though in the end, the one you love is me.”

When Helena found the two of them having s*x in Nigel’s theatre office, it was as if she had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer.

All her beliefs crumbled like a sandcastle.

The marriage that everyone envied.

A husband who loved and cherished her.

Even a dear friend.

‘I was the only one living in a fairy tale.’

‘Like a fool.’

The betrayal cut deeper than Helena could ever have imagined.

For the first time, she knew what it felt like to be in so much pain that death seemed like a welcome release.

“Why have you lost so much weight lately? Are you unwell? Should I stay with you tonight?”

Whenever Nigel Schuytz Brandt pretended to be a caring husband, revulsion churned in her stomach.

There were nights when she would stand beside his bed, watching him sleep, silently wishing for his death.

But she could not leave him.

So she buried every wound deep within her heart and chose to protect her family instead.

There were still things she had to preserve through this marriage: Her family’s reputation.

The honor and standing she had spent her entire life building up.

And her pride.

Ultimately, however, Nigel failed to protect any of these things.

***

[When your father heard what had happened, he nearly collapsed with shock. I’m worried that it may make his condition worse. You have no idea how furious he was. I only just managed to stop him from removing your name from the family register. There must be some misunderstanding, right? Please tell me there is. Write back as soon as you can.]

[How could you bring such disgrace upon our family? Ingratitude has its limits! Do you have any idea how people mock you in every corner of the city? Or how the newspapers are dragging your name through the mud? Don’t ever think of coming home. We don’t want a daughter who has brought us nothing but shame.]

When news of their divorce was made public, the whole city erupted.

The golden couple that everyone had envied was splitting up.

It was the most entertaining scandal imaginable.

Wherever she went, people were talking about them.

Curious onlookers lingered outside the gates from morning until night, making it impossible to open the windows.

“I heard the Marquis has been going out frequently with legal documents.”

“The coachman said he visited the temple yesterday… He really must be planning to divorce her.”

“Poor Madam! But what about us? If Madam leaves, are we supposed to serve that woman as our mistress?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I’ll quit immediately. I’d rather die than do that!”

The mansion offered no refuge from the rumors.

The servants were just as consumed by gossip and could be heard whispering about their master and mistress behind closed doors.

Helena endured it all in silence, pretending she could neither see nor hear nor speak.

Those days were a living death.

Once, she had been someone whom people admired.

Now, they pitied her.

Once, she had been the pride of her family.

Now, she had become their disgrace.

With nowhere else to turn, Helena’s mother told her,

[Stay at your grandfather’s estate until the noise dies down. It’s far from civilization, and hardly anyone ever goes there. The rumors probably haven’t reached that place yet. Go. Hide there and live as though you were dead.]

Yes.

That was why Helena had fled here.

To live like a dead woman.

To escape the world.

To escape life itself.

***

“Wake up, Miss! The sun is already high in the sky, and you’re still asleep. They say beauties are sleepyheads—is it really true?”

Swish.

The curtains were drawn open.

As blinding sunlight poured into the room, Helena frowned and squeezed her eyes shut.

“Ah…”

The maid threw open every window in the room and spoke in a cheerful voice.

“Josephine just made a pot of potato soup, and it smells absolutely wonderful. You went to bed without eating anything again yesterday, didn’t you? You can’t go too long on an empty stomach.”

“I’m not hungry. I don’t feel like eating.”

“Oh, that’s exactly when you need to eat more. Would you like a glass of water?”

Without waiting for an answer, the maid poured a glass and handed it to her.

“My name is Mabeline. You can just call me May. Everyone does.”

Mabeline was a middle-aged woman with a plump figure and rosy cheeks. She had a warm and approachable appearance. She wore her greying hair in a neat bun, and she was exceptionally talkative.

‘I just want some peace and quiet…’

Helena found Mabeline’s loud, overly familiar manner somewhat tiresome.

But this was not her townhouse in the capital.

She would have to grow accustomed to inconveniences like this.

“I’d like to change first.”

Letting out a quiet sigh, Helena climbed out of bed.

“I hung your clothes by the fireplace, and they dried quickly. Would you like me to help you get dressed?”

“No. I’ll do it myself.”

Handing over her nightgown, Helena asked,

“By the way, will my grandfather be joining us for breakfast?”

“No, ma’am. The master and his guest have already finished their meal.”

Helena paused in the middle of slipping into her dress.

“…A guest? Are you saying someone else is staying here besides me?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?”

Mabeline scratched one of her rosy, plump cheeks.

“The master’s guest arrived about a week ago. I heard he’ll be staying here at the Hitchins Estate for the entire summer.”