Still, when her husband who returned visited her bedroom, she harbored hope that something might change. It was the first time since their rushed wedding night. Meeting her husband in the bedroom.

And Chloe, who had been extremely nervous on their wedding day, couldn’t even remember clearly what it had been like with him then. That’s why. That’s why she simply froze before Andert, who suddenly appeared in her bedroom.

Then he headed to the bed and added dryly,

“You must know the marital duties that must be kept in House Dietrich.”

Marital duties… Chloe wasn’t unfamiliar with what that meant among noble houses. Though not particularly influential, she was still the only daughter of Viscount Hardin.

In short, it meant that now that they were married, they needed to have children. How could he express those words so coldly and bleakly?

That too was one of Andert’s outstanding abilities. Still, this was far better than guarding a mansion where he wasn’t even present. Chloe consoled herself with such thoughts back then.

When their bodies met in bed, though suffocating, it was also heartaching. But during those times, there was also a thread of hope that Andert was truly seeing her, if only then.

Maybe he would visit tonight?

The time spent straining to hear sounds outside her door slowly broke Chloe down. Even pregnancy, which Andert had termed a ‘marital duty,’ was not easily granted to her.

What more could she do? Besides just keeping her place like this, barely existing.

She wanted to end this life mixed with helplessness and anxiety. Chloe lowered her gaze that had met his, then calmly held out the divorce papers.

Anyway, Andert surely hadn’t even noticed that the person before him was holding something. The paper she handed was wrinkled from being gripped tightly in her hands. Even that crumpled appearance resembled her current self.

Chloe opened her mouth calmly, as if she was bidding farewell to all the past time.

“I don’t want anything from you. Just one thing — divorce.”

“……Hah.”

The silence that had lingered was broken by Andert’s shallow sigh.

He looked truly displeased with the situation. And why wouldn’t he be?

Chloe lowered her gaze in understanding. For Andert, conversations with his wife were nothing but inefficient uses of time. So she intended to leave after saying what she needed to say. She didn’t want to feel like a useless burden anymore.

“I’ve finished signing everything. Please check it and forward the documents to the lawyer.”

Since the divorce proceedings would be handled by the lawyer anyway. It was surprisingly fresh to realize there wasn’t much to discuss.

And with that, the business was concluded. 12:07. Chloe glanced at the clock. Less than 10 minutes had passed since she entered the study.

To think it was such a simple matter. It made all those times she agonized as if her life was ending and gathered every ounce of courage seem meaningless.

“Well then, I’ll be…”

“Chloe Dietrich. What exactly do you want?”

Just as she was about to say she would leave. Andert asked while holding the divorce papers, like he was confirming something. The tired Chloe shook her head slightly.

“I’ve already said what I want.”

“So you really intend to abandon the Dietrich name? By your own hand?”

Andert let out a light scoff.

Putting down the papers he was holding on the desk, his face seemed to say not to try such obvious tricks. Of course, until now, Chloe had been a quiet, dutiful wife. But she must have endured all that time because she had something she wanted too.

So is this how she’s expressing all her pent-up dissatisfaction?

That’s how Andert assessed the current situation.

“If you want something, say it clearly and distinctly. Whatever it is, it’s not worth negotiating over the Dietrich name.”

“……”

“Does the Hardin family want to gain more from this marriage? If it’s too awkward to say to my face, relay it through the butler or lawyer.”

Chloe was well aware of his cold side. But this reaction was something she hadn’t anticipated.

Does he really think I’m doing this because I want something else?

The arrogant and indifferent man clearly knew nothing proper about his wife. And while the Hardin family had nothing to show compared to the Duke Dietrich’s household, Chloe still had her last remaining pride.

“I didn’t come to you with any other intentions. Divorce is my only business. Please stop insulting the Hardin name.”

Chloe deliberately emphasized each final syllable as she finished speaking. Whether Andert, who had lived as the Dietrich family’s heir since birth, would understand her meaning was questionable.

At the same time, the black shoes stepped closer to Chloe. He still had that look , like he’s trying to gauge something.

“Chloe, you’re not foolish enough to make such a reckless move. Besides, I don’t think your parents, especially the Viscountess of Hardin, would have wanted to see you like this.”

Chloe’s eyes trembled at his cynical voice. Thinking of her mother, the sorrow she had been suppressing rushed up to her throat all at once. Her always kind and warm mother had passed away a year ago.

Chloe clenched her fist to keep from showing tears. Until her well-manicured nails dug deep into her skin.

Only after barely collecting her emotions did she lift her head high. If he was going to act this way, she had no choice but to be harsh as well.

“I wonder. You weren’t close enough to my mother to know what she would have wanted.”

“What?”

“Exactly what I said. This is strictly between us two. Don’t mention my mother.”

Chloe drew a firm line against him as he questioned in disbelief. Andert seemed to dismiss the current situation as mere needless obstruction. But the reality was the opposite.

Thanks to her mother, Chloe had realized the reality and found courage. Although it took a year to reach today’s resolution.

“Chloe, please live happily. There’s no need to wander down paths that aren’t meant for you. There are always other paths in this world.”

Those were her mother’s last words as she struggled to caress her daughter’s face with her dry hands.

The voice still felt vivid, as though it was ringing in her ears. Though no direct words were used, she could understand the meaning well enough.

No matter how hard she tried not to show it, her mother had raised her since she was a baby. Viscountess Hardin must have noticed Chloe’s sadness long ago.

Meanwhile, Andert found the wife before him completely unfamiliar. He had never once seen Chloe being sarcastic like this before.

What exactly is the problem?

Andert slightly furrowed his brow. Was there something else going on with Chloe?

He thought there must be a reason for such sudden changes. Though he couldn’t understand it now, he figured he would soon enough.

Moreover, solving such problems wasn’t particularly difficult. He was used to providing solutions appropriate to situations.

Above all, divorce required consent from both parties. Not only was it unlikely that Chloe truly wanted a divorce, but it couldn’t be established without his consent as her husband anyway.

Having organized his thoughts, Andert decided not to provoke her further today. There was no point in prolonging a conversation with a predetermined answer.

“Chloe, it’s getting late, so let’s stop here. We can talk another time.”

Andert took a step back. It was certainly a considerate behavior considering his personality. Of course, it was a rather subjective judgment that didn’t take Chloe’s feelings into account.

That was the end of it. Chloe concluded that today would be her last conversation with him. It was an ending that suited Andert.

“I’ll take my leave.”

Chloe left the study without delay. She could feel his gaze following her as she closed the door, but it didn’t matter.

From now on, she planned to look only forward, never backward.

She planned to live her own life completely without Andert. Of course, she didn’t expect divorce to be possible in an instant. Regardless of affection, he wouldn’t want the word divorce attached to the Dietrich name.

But what about after he realizes that keeping a wife who demands divorce is quite inefficient?

Chloe could easily gauge what would happen next. Once Andert realizes she won’t live as before, he’ll turn away as if nothing happened. He was always someone who considered anything that’s not top priority not worth considering.

So their ending was as good as decided. Just as Andert had always been.

***