I swallowed hard at Yuri’s question. How did I know?

‘I saw it in the future.’

In the future I came from, the young Count Esrenche was secluded due to an incurable disease.

However, I hadn’t yet told Yuri that I had traveled back in time.

Nor had I told Yujin how I knew. After a moment of hesitation, I stammered.

“He collapsed at the shop. When you weren’t there.”

“The day my shirt was stolen?”

“That…”

Honestly, I couldn’t remember. Knowing how the future was supposed to unfold, I hadn’t paid attention to the details.

“I’m not sure. Sorry for telling you late.”

“No, Titi, you have nothing to apologize for. It’s my fault.”

Yuri said with a soft smile, but somehow it felt like there was a wall between us.

While I hesitated, Yuri bowed his head slightly.

“Then, I’ll be off.”

With those words, he disappeared without waiting for my reply.

Had Yuri ever turned his back on me before?

In all the times people meet and part, showing one’s back is common, yet seeing Yuri turn his back on me felt very unfamiliar. I shook my head, feeling momentarily dazed.

‘I’m being too sensitive. Yuri can’t always be happy.’

Yesterday, especially, there were many sensitive topics discussed. It was natural for Yuri’s mood to be low.

Right, Yuri said he was going to spend time with Yujin.

‘What should I do?’

I decided to return to my room, freshen up quickly, and then came out. As I tied my hair in front of the mirror, a thought occurred to me.

‘Oh, but won’t the notice about Robi’s trial also come to the Este Baron’s house?’

Thinking of home, another thought crossed my mind.

‘Should I visit my house once?’

Once this matter was wrapped up, I wouldn’t have any more reasons to visit this town. The same went for my house.

‘Whether I like it or not, it’s the house where I was born and raised.’

Having made up my mind, I packed only a small handbag and left the hotel.

***

The walk from the hotel to my house was a bit long, but I chose to walk willingly.

‘So this is what my hometown looked like.’

Knowing I wouldn’t walk this path again made it feel nostalgic.

‘It felt so tedious when I was living here.’

Feeling surprisingly generous, I was able to smile and greet the townspeople who recognized me along the way.

After a while of walking and imprinting each scene in my mind, I arrived at our house.

Standing in front of the gate, I placed my hands on my hips and let out a long sigh.

‘The house is in shambles.’

Weeds had overgrown, the front door was half-open, and trash was spilling out through the gap.

As I habitually picked up the trash, I suddenly thought, ‘What am I doing?’ and tossed it back into the garden.

‘Honestly, there’s no hope for Father and Robi.’

The house had become a mess as soon as there was no one to clean it.

‘Going inside will just raise my blood pressure, won’t it?’

I hesitated briefly but bit my lip and opened the door. I wanted to take at least one photo of my mother.

‘I was too rushed when I moved to the capital to bring any.’

Opening the door revealed an even more dismal sight inside. Dishes were left on the floor after meals, attracting insects, and laundry and trash were scattered everywhere. Something had spilled on the first-floor floor, making it so sticky that it was almost impossible to walk.

‘Ugh, the smell.’

I wanted to flee immediately, but I held my breath and opened my mother’s room.

But then.

‘None of Mom’s things are here.’

The room was empty. No, it was filled with trash. There were no clothes my mother used to wear or small items like pens she often used.

‘Did Robi sort through Mom’s belongings?’

That didn’t seem like him. As I puzzled over it and stepped outside, the neighbor lady, who was peeking over the fence, recognized me.

“Oh my, Titiana?”

“Hello, ma’am.”

The neighbor lady knew our family’s circumstances better than anyone else in the village. Since she often shared food and daily necessities, even my father, who had nothing but his title to boast about, had nothing to say against her friendly manner.

“What brings you here after being away for so long? Rumor had it around town that you ran away.”

This was perfect timing. I smiled warmly and asked her about my mother.

“I’m here to visit the grave. Do you know where my mother’s grave is?”

When I asked my question, the lady covered her mouth with her hand and jumped back in surprise.

“Oh my, you really don’t know anything, do you? Your mother was just buried in the church’s communal cemetery.”

“…What?”

The church’s communal cemetery?

I stood there, dumbfounded, as the lady explained the situation in more detail.

“You know how it is. Tombstones and everything cost money. Your father’s funeral was barely a ceremony, and he made a fuss about not setting up a grave. So, the priest took pity on her and gave her a spot in the communal cemetery. The townspeople went together to bury her.”

“No way…”

Did they really say they couldn’t even pay for the funeral? After everything my mother did for them?

Stunned, I could only move my lips silently before finally managing to squeeze out a response.

“Isn’t that just too much?”

The lady waved her hands dismissively.

“So, hurry and run away again. Why come back here before your father sees you?”

“Haha…”

I let out a weak laugh. My insides twisted so painfully that I couldn’t even cry.

‘Do we really have to hit rock bottom like this?’

Just as I was struggling to control my breathing, which was boiling up from my throat, the last voice I wanted to hear reached me from afar.

“Titiana, there you are! I went to the hotel and couldn’t find you, so I looked everywhere.”

It was my father. I glanced at him with sharp eyes and asked, “Did you come looking for me? Why?”

“Well…”

His eyes darted around, as if weighing whether to scold me or coax me.

Finally deciding on the latter, he put on a sickening smile.

“Titiana, I know I’ve made you suffer all this time. Yes, it must have been hard and frustrating. But the bond between parent and child isn’t something that can be severed so easily.”

“And so?”

Predictably, his speech led to the same request.

“Help your father just this once. I promise not to trouble you anymore. I’ll pull myself together and live honestly, so just this once, please help me.”

“Father.”

Even as I wore a cold expression, he didn’t stop his pitiful tale. Perhaps he instinctively felt this was his last chance.

“This time, it’s true. To make a fresh start, I need to clear my debts first. If you help me just this once, I’ll never bother you again.”

Whether he meant it or not, I responded logically.

“Living an honest life is something for those who have lived that way. You’ve never been honest, have you?”

In all my three lives, had I ever given my father such a blunt piece of advice?

He seemed so shocked that he froze with his eyes wide open. As I brushed past him, I offered one last piece of advice.

“Just pay for your sins. Who knows, maybe you’ll find peace of mind in prison.”

“Titiana…”

His voice trembled as he called my name, but I deliberately kept walking away from him.

Then, from behind me, I heard his chilling voice.

“You’re right. I’ve always lived like this.”

Was he finally admitting his faults?

I thought so, but as I sighed through my nose, a sudden blow hit me with terrible pain.

I couldn’t even scream. The intense impact made my vision flicker between white and darkness.

My sight blurred, and I couldn’t tell if I was standing or sitting. Above my staggering head, my father shouted with trembling lips.

“I showed leniency because you’re my daughter! Now I can think of you as just anyone else.”

‘What is…’

His twisted face looked just like a demon’s. As I thought how hideous it was, I suddenly wondered why I was looking up at that face.

A moment later, the lady let out a piercing scream.

“Titiana! What are you doing?”

My father didn’t hesitate to threaten her too.

“If you don’t want to die, keep your mouth shut. If I hear Titiana’s or my name from you, you’ll be the first I come for!”

“Eek!”

The lady fled in a flash. With the obstacle gone, my father sneered and continued.

“It’s thanks to me you were born pretty. So it’s only right you use it for me, isn’t it?”

‘Ah…’

I should have come with Yuri. No, I shouldn’t have come home at all.

No matter what regrets I had, it was already too late.