Chapter 22

Yvonne, struggling for breath, suddenly raised her head.

“That breaks the promise. Didn’t you agree not to touch my siblings, and I did everything you wanted?”

Her voice, full of resentment, made the Earl snort.

“Siblings? You crazy girl, the only family you have is me, your half-blood. How dare you talk back!”

“Enough. Just like your lowborn mother, you mock people. Remember this—solve everything before all your precious Euphoria family are loaded onto a cargo ship and sold as slaves.”

Leaving a vicious warning, the couple turned away. The Earl put on his hat as if nothing had happened, and Denise elegantly placed her hand on his arm as they walked out. Yvonne gritted her teeth at their retreating figures.

Once their attendants withdrew, a chilling silence settled over the wrecked house.

“H-hng… Madame…”

Jane, looking at Yvonne’s disheveled hair and battered face, finally burst into tears.

There was not a single place on Yvonne’s body that wasn’t aching. Her throat was still swollen and rough, but what hurt most was being treated this way even in her own home. Tears welled up in Yvonne’s eyes.

“How… did they come here? They should have at least half a year left before returning from Asnesh Kingdom…”

At Jane’s trembling words, Yvonne squeezed her eyes shut.

Six months. All her plans to resolve everything within that time had been ruined. Anxious, Yvonne looked around the destroyed house and asked,

“I’m fine. Did you notice anything else before I arrived?”

“No. They only got angry about the divorce papers. They didn’t seem to know about Euphoria.”

That was a relief.

For the past year, Yvonne had been secretly preparing to move her siblings from Euphoria. The building they were supposed to move into would be finished in two months. At least it seemed that her plan to relocate the children hadn’t been discovered.

“Jane, are you hurt anywhere?”

“You… hng… you’re suffering more than I am, Miss.”

Yvonne stroked Jane’s head, which must have been struck before she arrived, and Jane’s sobs grew louder.

She was ashamed—Yvonne had been beaten even worse, yet still worried about Jane first.

Jane was originally a maid in the Sellus Earldom and had been sent with Yvonne to the Polshared Dukedom to monitor her. She was supposed to report Yvonne’s every move to the Earl and Countess, but, disgusted by their cruelty, Jane confessed her role to Yvonne and begged forgiveness, becoming loyal to her instead.

Even after being forgiven, Jane felt she owed Yvonne, who always took care of her first.

“Madame, let’s go to the hospital.”

“I can’t show myself like this.”

“But still…”

Even after beating her so badly, the Earl and Countess had never taken Yvonne to a hospital. They only tossed her a few medicines. If anyone found out she’d been beaten, they threatened to send all the children she considered family to the slave ship.

Worried her siblings might be harmed, Yvonne couldn’t even go to the hospital freely.

“It’s alright. The medicine will be enough.”

With Jane’s help, Yvonne stood up, frowning at the pain. Jane brought the medicine box and sat Yvonne on the sofa.

“Please, Miss, you first.”

Jane brought a mirror, and as she gently applied ointment to Yvonne’s face, she fought back tears at the sight of the bruises already forming. Yvonne’s arms and shoulders were bruised, and her cheeks, slapped repeatedly, were swollen and red.

Finally, Jane’s big eyes overflowed with tears as she looked at Yvonne’s pitiful face.

She shouldn’t cry—her lady was enduring so much. But thinking of the pain Yvonne had suffered, her throat burned.

“Ah…”

“Does it hurt?”

Startled by Yvonne’s groan, Jane wiped her tears with her hand and brought a dry towel to dab the ointment. Yvonne, gently touching her torn lips, spoke.

“At least it’s a relief.”

“What is?”

If she’d been dragged to the Earldom, the beating would have lasted all night, but it wasn’t something to say after being so badly abused.

Jane looked at her worriedly, and Yvonne’s small chin trembled.

“If I had been pregnant, I might have shown something I shouldn’t have.”

If she’d been pregnant, even the Earl wouldn’t have laid a hand on her. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t have hurled cruel insults. Yvonne said it was a relief she didn’t have to hear such words, and Jane finally couldn’t hold back her tears.

“…hng…”

Poor Miss. 

Jane’s heart twisted with guilt that Yvonne couldn’t protect the child she’d struggled so hard to have.

How could she not have known?

Even though her period had stopped, Jane hadn’t suspected anything because Yvonne’s cycles had always been irregular, especially after the harsh treatment at the Sellus Earldom.

When Yvonne had saved Jane from being beaten nearly to death, Jane had vowed to serve her loyally.

Swallowing her tears, Jane rubbed her aching nose and asked resolutely,

“Miss, let’s just run away.”

“What about Euphoria?”

The orphanage where Yvonne had lived was transferred to Earl Bernard Sellus the moment she entered the Earldom. The contract was supposedly for sponsorship, but in reality, it was just a way to keep Yvonne from escaping—a weakness.

“They’ll understand. You can’t suffer like this forever.”

Jane’s tearful words made Yvonne squeeze her hand.

The director and children at Euphoria, who had accepted Yvonne without question, were in danger because of her. She couldn’t just turn her back and walk away.

“Don’t worry. Today is the last day I’ll let them beat me. Once the children are moved safely, I’ll leave this place too.”

Yvonne reached into the lining of the sofa and pulled something out.

It was the ownership document for the building being constructed for Euphoria’s children and a ticket for passage to the New Continent, seven months from now.

They’d taken all her dresses, jewelry, and valuables, but hadn’t found these.

“When that time comes, we’ll be able to live freely.”

Reassuring Jane, Yvonne bit her bloodied lower lip.

* * *

Late at night.

Close to midnight, Carlisle arrived at the mansion, and the butler Harold approached quietly.

“Earl Sellus is here.”

“He’s quick.”

Carlisle nodded lightly, unbuckled his black leather gloves, and walked. Entering the drawing room, Bernard anxiously stood up.

“Oh, you’re here.”

Without replying to the Earl’s eager face, Carlisle sat in the seat of honor and loosened his tie.

“It’s not polite to come at this hour without notice.”

“Sorry. I was so urgent I rushed here from Asnesh Kingdom. I heard the news, but what is going on, Son-in-law?”

“I’m not your son-in-law, Earl Sellus. You said you heard the news.”

Bernard’s smile faded at Carlisle’s curt reply about the divorce papers.

The Duke, who had at least treated him as a father-in-law before, now saw no reason for respect and addressed him coldly.

Ignoring Bernard’s embarrassment at the change in attitude, Carlisle picked up the whiskey glass brought by the attendant and swirled it leisurely.

Clink. The amber liquid mixed with the ice, making a soft sound under the lights. Even with someone so troubled before him, Carlisle remained calm, making Bernard’s lips tremble in humiliation.

He’d always looked at Bernard with contempt, as if he were a beggar coming to plead, but tonight it was even more pronounced.

But since Bernard had made a mess, he had no choice but to bow his head and laugh as he sat on the sofa.

Even after settling in, no glass was offered to him. Sensing Carlisle’s refusal to toast, Bernard swallowed his frustration and began,

“The divorce? I rushed here as soon as I heard. She hasn’t even had a child—what is this?”

“If you’ve heard the news, you should know everything. Yvonne filed for divorce, not me.”

“Yes, that’s right. But…”

D*mn it. 

Bernard had to smile obsequiously because Yvonne had submitted the divorce papers herself, not because she’d been cast out. Still angry after venting at her, he put on a sympathetic face.

“Yes. She acted out because she was upset you were busy. She says she regrets it now.”

“Regret?”

Carlisle recalled Yvonne, who hadn’t seemed regretful at all, and shook his whiskey glass with a wry smile. Bernard, almost distracted by the drink, nodded.

“She seems to be doing well for someone who regrets it.”

“That can’t be. You know how many men are infatuated with her in Aerondo. Even before, she rejected countless proposals and chose you. She is the noble Lily of Sellus Earldom. I sent you a well-raised child, but how could you sign divorce papers without even an heir?”

Bernard made it sound as if he’d chosen Carlisle for Yvonne after weighing all the families in Aerondo, but Carlisle knew the truth.

Carlisle stared coldly at Bernard, who was so transparent.

“Now that divorce papers have been filed… what do you expect me to do, Earl?”

“That’s easy. There’s always reconciliation.”