Chapter 14

A hollow laugh escaped between her closed lips.

Marriage.

For the past three years, she had never once truly been his wife. She had lived as a foolish woman, never a priority in his life, unable even to hope for his gaze. Her eyes hardened.

“It won’t be for much longer anyway.”

Her voice was cold, as if asking for confirmation.

Carlisle’s gaze narrowed, watching her, who clearly had no intention of backing down.

“You think submitting the divorce papers is some big deal, don’t you?”

“It may be nothing to you, but it’s not nothing to me.”

Carlisle quietly watched his wife, who responded with an oddly irritating tone.

His wife had changed.

He didn’t mean her recent actions. It was something in her eyes that always sought his affection, but now was gone.

Even as distant spouses, his wife had always looked at him with eyes hoping for his love.

Now, those eyes seemed bleak, as if nothing remained.

Something was definitely wrong. As he thought that, his head throbbed.

Images of her with that man flashed through his mind, and his fists clenched automatically.

“Why are you suddenly like this?”

“It’s not sudden. It should have happened long ago. You always hated me, just as I hated you.”

“Mutual, then, as always.”

Carlisle reached into his coat as if to search for a cigarette, then, realizing the location, withdrew empty-handed.

Yvonne noticed the car was nearing Cadney Road and gripped her handbag. In the cityscape bathed in sunset, she saw the bridge spanning the Luthers River.

“We’re here. I’ve said everything I need to say.”

“I’m not done.”

As Yvonne tried to get out of the now fully stopped car, Carlisle reached out and slammed the open door shut. The loud bang startled Yvonne, and she glared at him as his once handsome face drew closer.

“Don’t provoke me. This isn’t over just because the divorce papers are filed.”

Carlisle’s meaningful words met Yvonne’s trembling gaze.

“Our marriage was a transaction. The real party was Earl Sellus, not you. Your father will surely handle the aftermath.”

“……”

As always, her face paled at the mention of family, and Carlisle laughed quietly.

They’d lived as family for three years, but for her, family meant only those at the Sellus Earldom, not him.

Realizing that again made his mood sink even further.

“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that the Earl will always prioritize you, his beloved daughter.At least make sure you don’t cause me any trouble. If you can handle that, try it.”

He drew back, adjusting his posture, as if to say she could leave now.

Yvonne quickly opened the door and got out. As soon as she stepped onto the road, the car sped away without hesitation.

“Ha…”

Her tense breath finally released. Her body, held together by stubbornness, felt drained.

Regaining her resolve, Yvonne stared at the disappearing car for a while before turning away.

Entering the mansion’s courtyard, before she could ring the bell, Jane poked her face out from the suddenly opened door.

Hearing the car, Jane had come out and was startled by Yvonne’s pale face, rushing over.

“Madam, are you alright?”

“Yes. Just a bit tired. Any word from that man?”

Yvonne asked if Ethan had contacted her since their last conversation days ago, and Jane, drooping, shook her head.

“Maybe he changed his mind, thinking you were using him?”

“He seems more cautious than I thought.”

Though rumors in society said he was frivolous and light, she’d heard he was quite competitive in business. Maybe he was calculating things himself.

“Oh, Madam, there was a message from Valley Lane earlier.”

“For what?”

At the mention, Yvonne’s tired face quickly grew wary, and Jane handed her a paper she’d hidden in the inner pocket of her apron.

* * *

Three days later, the bell at Lisian House rang.

Yvonne opened the door in place of Jane, and Ethan tipped his hat. Dressed in a stylish white fedora and oatmeal beige flannel pants, he looked as dashing as ever.

His smile, under the sunlight-dusted blond hair, was dazzling.

“Were you waiting for me?”

Yvonne gently relaxed her lips as she looked at Ethan, who once again brought a bouquet of roses.

“Would agreeing make you happy?”

“I’d be happier if you said you were disappointed I hadn’t contacted you, but that answer’s not bad.”

Ethan put one hand in his pocket and gestured toward his car parked outside.

When Yvonne looked puzzled, he smiled.

“I’ve had enough tea to last me a lifetime. Let’s move on. If we’re done probing each other, it’s time to go.”

“Where?”

“Out. For a date.”

As he said he’d wait while she prepared, Yvonne went inside, dazed.

Ethan leaned loosely against the car and took out a cigarette, looking subtly excited. Jayde clicked his tongue.

“Even Lady Yvonne, the so-called flower of society, seems powerless before your looks, Sir.”

Ethan, who rivaled Carlisle Polshared in winning women’s hearts, just smiled.

He had to thank his mother, who thirty years ago had captivated all the men of Aerondo, for his good looks.

Leaning against the car’s hood, Ethan soon saw Yvonne come out, ready for the outing.

“Well, it might turn out to be the other way around.

Jayde turned around at Ethan’s murmured words and gasped.

The rumors weren’t exaggerated.

Wearing a pale beige muslin dress, white silk gloves, and a lace poke bonnet, Yvonne looked like a walking doll.

The bow tied under her small chin accentuated her delicate features, and her blue eyes radiated a girlish charm.

If he hadn’t seen her himself as the noblewoman who recently lost a child, he would never have believed how lovely she appeared.

He understood why the Earl and Countess Sellus had kept her out of public view. Ethan opened the rear car door instead of Jayde.

“Thank you.”

Yvonne smiled sweetly as she got in, and Ethan sat beside her, naming the destination.

“Let’s go to Federation Square.”

Jayde gently pressed the accelerator, heading for the square in Aerondo.

The water beside the road along the Luthers River sparkled in the sunlight.

Watching it, Yvonne recalled the man she’d spoken with just days ago, riding in a car from the same company along the same road.

His stern warning still echoed in her ears, so she changed the subject.

“Where are we going?”

“Hmm… I’ve been thinking, Lady Yvonne.”

His voice, usually light, turned serious, and Yvonne looked up at him. His long eyelashes shaded his hazel eyes, now calm.

“If you’re ready to betray that man, how about one more? Instead of a cliché revenge, wouldn’t something different be more fun?”

Yvonne’s platinum lashes slowly blinked, and her unusually blue eyes widened.

“Something new?”

“Let’s become lovers for real. I’ll play the villain, but if I’m going to do it, I’d rather enjoy it.”

“In what way?”

“Let’s be lovers.”

“Lovers?”

Looking at her clear eyes, as if the word didn’t suit her, Ethan felt amused.

But her next words made him laugh for a different reason.

“I thought we already were.”

“Pfft.”

Jayde couldn’t hold back his laughter from the front seat and quickly apologized.

“Sorry, I think I caught a cold…”

Always with an excuse.

Ethan glanced at his aide, embarrassed, covering his mouth with one hand. He peeked at Yvonne, who still looked at him with gentle eyes.

He laughed a little at her calm face, which seemed unaware of her own actions.

He asked the woman, who sometimes made serious remarks with a calm demeanor as alluring as Carlisle’s own.

“Of course. That’s right, but let’s make it clearer. Like this.”

He tried to gently take Yvonne’s hand resting on her knee, but the once-confident woman quickly pulled her hand away in surprise.

Huh.

Usually, women drawn to his looks longed for his touch. This was the first time someone avoided it, and his expression twisted slightly.

Perhaps surprised by her own reaction, Yvonne’s eyes widened like a deer, and she offered an explanation.

“Sorry. I was just startled. I’ve never held another man’s hand before.”