Chapter 3

Chloe tied the papers securely with string so they wouldn’t get scattered. As soon as she finished the work that had continued for a while, her next task came to mind.

It was the manuscript work for the publication starting this month.

With about two weeks of time left, she reviewed the topics she had selected one by one. Among them, she had just decided on a section introducing the works of Tickelon, who had become the most notable artist in Artion in recent years. Since he was a sculptor and painter who had been staying in Bergen continuously, the conditions were sufficient for an interview.

As Chloe was writing long notes in her notebook, she suddenly checked the time. Except for Quincy who was on a business trip to Oslo, it was time for other employees who had gone out to return. It would be better to concentrate on the remaining work after everyone had gone home. Just as she finished that thought…

Knock knock knock, a very precise and firm knocking sound came from beyond the door. There were limited people who would visit the office near closing time.

Either another team’s employee or an artist belonging to the association. Chloe, who had roughly guessed the visitor’s identity, answered properly.

“Yes. Come in.”

But despite the answer, the door remained closed.

What? Just as Chloe took two steps forward in confusion, the door slowly began to push inward. At the same time, a strange tension shot through her entire body.

Finally, someone stepped firmly through the fully opened door. The owner of those shoes that looked like they wouldn’t have even a speck of dust on them was unrelated to the visitor she expected. At the same time, he was also a familiar figure.

Andert Dietrich.

He was a man who didn’t match anything about the small office. His blue eyes, made even clearer by his completely slicked-back hair, met her gaze silently. Chloe unconsciously clenched one hand that had been holding a pen.

Once, she had wished countless times for moments like this — a face-to-face meeting. She wanted Andert to look at only her, even if just for a very brief moment. And this was the first time since she had decided not to have such futile expectations anymore.

While Chloe stood still, Andert took another step closer. His facial features had grown sharper since she last saw him. Finally, he spoke.

“Chloe.”

During the train ride to the unfamiliar city of Bergen, Andert had imagined countless times. The appearance of Chloe when they would reunite.

“The place Mr. Norden sponsors is the ‘Bergen Artists Association.’ And Kate Norden has been working at that association for two years.”

Daniel’s report matched almost exactly what he had expected. At the same time, those who had gone to Bergen to find the missing person’s whereabouts sent news.

「Finally confirmed the missing person’s whereabouts.
Current location: Bergen Artists Association office」

Andert immediately cleared all his schedules for several days. Daniel accompanied him on the train he boarded right after.

The journey that would take a full day was tedious and frustrating. And during all that time, he couldn’t help but think of Chloe. But not as concrete as she appeared before his eyes now.

In his memories, his wife was always dressed ready to go out at any moment. If not that, then in her nightgown in the bedroom.

Andert’s eyes checked her plain, her modest dress, and her flat shoes one by one. He wanted to say something, but face to face with Chloe, he couldn’t open his mouth to say anything first.

Was she really working in a place like this? What kind of work?

Moreover, having no interest in the arts, he couldn’t gauge anything. He blinked slowly. Chloe was the first to break the continuing silence.

“Shall we go out first? Other employees might come in soon.”

“……”

After finishing her words as calmly as possible, she quickly left a note. The writing that says she would be away briefly on business became slightly messy due to her unstable breathing.

She expected that she would face him someday. Of course, it was sooner than she expected, but…

“There’s a coffee shop nearby.”

Chloe grabbed her wallet and opened the door without hesitation. And Andert, who had been standing as if nailed to the spot, finally followed.

Chloe, who had stepped into the corridor first, discovered Daniel waiting in front of the door. The lawyer quickly bowed his head when their eyes met.

After briefly returning the bow, she walked straight ahead. She didn’t want to run into anyone from the office while with Andert. This was now her workplace where she had just finished adapting, and where was working hard.

Until they left the building and sat facing each other at the table, Chloe walked without looking back. It felt awkward and subtle to be leading the way when she had always watched her husband’s back.

“Please enjoy.”

Not a word could be heard from him until the employee set down the teacups and disappeared. Chloe, who had been quietly looking down at her teacup, deliberately raised her head calmly.

Immediately, she encountered his heavily sunken eyes. He must have been looking her way the whole time. Chloe opened her mouth calmly without avoiding his gaze.

“You go first. You must have something to say.”

Since she was the one who had left the capital without a word, she decided to listen to him first. Whether it was resentment, anger, or disappointment, it didn’t matter. It was all her own choice, and she didn’t want to avoid responsibility.

But the man who usually just briefly stated his business before standing up remained silent. But that appearance seemed to suggest he was hesitating about what to say. Chloe immediately dismissed the thought that suddenly occurred to her.

Andert Dietrich hesitating about something? That was impossible. And in front of her of all people. It made even less sense.

“…So you really have been working here.”

His voice, when he finally spoke after a long while, was rough, as if mixed with grains of sand. But he didn’t even attempt to clear his throat.

Chloe, in a dress buttoned up neatly to just below her neck and her long hair tied back in one, wore a face without even a light touch of makeup. But because of that, her delicate features stood out more.

His eyes, which had wandered over her neat eyebrows and full eyelashes, confirmed her empty fingers. Of course, since the ring that had been on that hand had already been returned to him.

But actually confirming that sight made his feelings difficult to explain.

At that moment he realized. Chloe, who had seen her husband’s hands without rings throughout their married life… this must have been how she felt every time. Swallowing down an indescribable sense of loss, Andert finally cleared his throat.

“Chloe, you will return with me on tomorrow morning’s train. It would be better to have our detailed conversation after arriving in the capital.”

“……”

He, who always cut off conversations first, gripped the teacup handle at Chloe’s silence. But how could they have any serious conversation in such a noisy space, with other people sitting right next to them?

Andert was used to having prepared private spaces. The constant noise from around them irritated his already tense nerves.

And crucially, Chloe was his wife. For a member of the Dietrich family to live alone and do such work — it didn’t match any of Andert’s standards.

“Daniel, so what exactly is Chloe doing in Bergen?”

“Lady Dietrich mainly handles publication work for the association, from what I’ve gathered.”

“…Publication?”

“Yes. It appears she works on collecting materials and organizing manuscripts for their monthly periodical.”

Though he heard the report, Andert didn’t exactly understand what the work entailed. He had never carefully examined any publications from the artists’ association. Moreover, he remained silent at the additional explanation.

According to the lawyer who had gathered various information, the monthly salary for those working at the association was average.

But the thought of Chloe working all month and living off that money… that’s what stunned him. Although House Hardin had fallen on extremely hard times, Chloe was still a well-bred noble lady.

Just as his thoughts reached there, a calm question was posed.

“Have you finished what you wanted to say?”

Before he could answer, Chloe declared,

“I won’t return to the capital.”

“Chloe.”

“Please listen to me until the end this time. I’m doing well here, learning my work. And the divorce papers I gave you were my carefully considered decision. It wasn’t driven by momentary emotions, nor did I do it with the intention to gain anything else.”

“……”

Andert knew now too.

If Chloe had other intentions, she wouldn’t have left the capital so discreetly. He was about to say something but closed his mouth.

“I know well how House Dietrich has helped House Hardin multiple times. If you’re pointing out that it’s practically impossible for me to repay that debt, I have nothing to say.”

“Chloe, I didn’t come all this way to discuss such things.”

Andert, who had been listening silently, took a sip of tea, frustrated. The now lukewarm tea went down his dry throat.

He had never once calculated the money he had given to Viscount Hardin after Chloe disappeared. Moreover, he didn’t even know the exact amount.

It was always Daniel or Roman who handled matters swiftly. Andert had only given instructions to resolve issues as quietly as possible.