Chapter 4

Five years of marriage. Of course, even excluding the two years he spent in Daloa, he had visited Chloe’s bedroom quite a few times.

Certainly, if an heir had been born quickly, their marriage would have been more stable. But that was merely the best-case scenario. Andert didn’t particularly regret the absence of pregnancy.

If her position becomes unstable, the child’s safety would be obviously at risk anyway.

Rather, whenever he embraced Chloe, he would encounter his buried instinctual desires. Chloe was particularly sensitive around her nape. He used to bury his face there more, wanting to see that helpless expression of hers.

Although they were now discussing separation, they had such moments too. His gaze, which had grown deeper, consciously withdrew from Chloe. Now it was his turn to answer.

He didn’t want to be remembered as someone who couldn’t speak properly this time either. After all, this would be their last time together.

“The divorce proceedings will begin as soon as I return to the capital. The grounds for divorce won’t be officially announced.”

The response to the divorce papers he had delivered months ago finally reached Chloe. Sitting with her back straight, Chloe silently accepted the end of their relationship.

“As mentioned before, there won’t be any issues regarding the money Dietrich gave to House Hardin. Also……”

Andert, who hadn’t shown even the slightest movement, paused. Only after Chloe’s eyes blinked several times did he continue speaking.

“There will be a succession of the title of Dietrich soon. Of course, barring any special circumstances. I thought you should know in advance rather than hearing it from someone else.”

“……Ah, congratulations. That’s really good news for you.”

Chloe’s greeting came a few beats late. It was because she couldn’t understand the meaning of his words at first.

Duke Andert Dietrich.

The title that would soon follow his name. Having been immersed in work day and night, it felt almost unreal.

Despite her sincere congratulations, he merely nodded without showing any particular change in expression. He was originally a man who rarely showed emotional fluctuations. Chloe understood this moment to that extent as well.

With this, she had become completely more distant from him.

Chloe realized the cold reality. Suddenly, her appearance, which hadn’t bothered her before, began to concern her. A beige dress without any decorations and a matching hat. Though neat and comfortable for movement, it wasn’t particularly fashionable.

In contrast, Andert’s appearance showed not even the smallest flaw. The man, wrapped in luxury from head to toe, was like oil that wouldn’t mix with this space at all.

The difference between Andert and herself. That was exactly the gap. And now the title of Duke would be added to that.

Chloe held her head high to avoid lowering it. She didn’t want her last moment with him to be pathetic. Although her mind had shrunk considerably after realizing the reality.

“Shall we get up then?”

It was Chloe who broke the suffocating silence.

Andert slowly rose from his seat. Ending a relationship with someone was surprisingly simple. His darkened eyes gazed at Chloe, who was almost buried in the sunlight. Her small hat was barely blocking the midday sun at its peak.

After adjusting her hat, Chloe smiled.

“I used to imagine something. What if our beginning had been different. Though it was a pointless wish that could never have happened. Still, I’m glad that our ending isn’t a bad one.”

Our beginning?

Andert remained silent at this fact he had never considered. It was foolish to add ‘what-ifs’ to time that had already passed.

But what if Chloe hadn’t been from House Hardin? What if they had met by chance somewhere else? Would they have been different from how they are now?

Instead of asking, he extended his hand. Because rather than imagining things that hadn’t happened, he needed to focus on what was accurately predicted to happen next.

Chloe stared at the large hand extended toward her. It was exactly a handshake gesture with no other apparent intention. Moreover, it was an unusual greeting for a man to offer first to a woman.

Though she had held his hand at official occasions before, this was their first handshake. Chloe felt as if she was finally meeting the man before her at eye level.

It felt as if Andert was formally acknowledging her existence. And only after they had finished discussing their complete separation.

“I wish you happiness, Andert.”

It was Chloe’s blessing as she carefully placed her hand in his.

That was the end of their farewell, maintaining courtesy until the last moment. It was also an attitude befitting the separation of mature adults. A dry smile spread across Andert’s lips.

Their joined hands were incomparably warm and soft. For a moment, a desire surged strongly within him—not wanting to let go of this hand, instead wanting to pull it forcefully toward himself. He held onto her hand and stared at Chloe. The shadow cast by her hat flickered across her fine-featured face.

To even wish happiness for her departing ex-husband…

Chloe was clean and cold in ending love.

Then he too should match that image. His perfectly symmetrical lips curved up pleasantly. Being able to smile regardless of his mood was one of the things he was most confident in.

With an impeccably smooth face, Andert placed the final period.

“May all your future endeavors be successful, Lady Chloe.”

***

After parting with Andert and returning to her residence, Chloe shed the tears she had been holding back.

It was a decision she made after thorough consideration, and it was her own choice, not pushed by anyone else. But she simply couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. The man’s smile, which she had captured one last time in her eyes, appeared in her blurry vision.

A polite and gentlemanly farewell.

That was enough. She hadn’t expected a different ending. She certainly hadn’t wished for the miracle of Andert suddenly falling madly in love with her.

It was merely mourning for time that had passed fleetingly. Perhaps it was consolation for the foolishness of struggling in unrequited love, ultimately hurting herself.

Chloe buried her face in both hands and tried to take deep breaths. The process of putting an end to eight years continued until dawn broke. Having not slept at all during the night, she blankly stared at the sky as darkness receded.

She hadn’t been able to sleep the night before meeting Andert either. It was when Chloe was repeatedly splashing cold water on her face, struggling to raise her heavy body—

There was a faint sound came from outside the door. The person who came saying they had something urgent to tell her was Daniel. Due to what seemed to be important business, Chloe moved to a quiet place without further words.

As soon as they sat in an empty coffee shop, the lawyer pushed a paper toward her.

“The Master has returned to the capital this morning. And he asked me to deliver this to Lady Dietrich.”

Andert?

The green eyes filled with doubt only lowered to confirm the contents. ‘Artron Oil’. Below the unfamiliar company name was just a very brief phrase.

「I hereby transfer the following bonds to Chloe Dietrich.」

Bond transfer? Only then could she understand what this document meant.

However, she didn’t want anything from Andert in exchange for the divorce. And she had already clearly conveyed that intention.

“Lawyer, I’ve already stated that I don’t want any alimony.”

Chloe’s words were sincere. Having dealt with House Hardin’s money problems throughout their marriage, she wanted to be dignified at least at the moment of divorce.

Besides, bonds? While Chloe excelled in the basic refinements expected of a noble lady and had a keen eye for art, she knew nothing about business or bonds.

It was just two months ago that she opened her first bank account.

The bank she visited after receiving her first salary felt strange. Opening an account for the first time in her life was unbelievably simple. It took less than 10 minutes from handing over the money to receiving the deposit certificate.

“Is it all done?”

Only after repeatedly confirming with the employee even after receiving the rectangular certificate could she leave the bank. What was someone like her supposed to do with bonds meant for long-term investment?

Chloe pushed the documents back to the lawyer. Despite her clear rejection, Daniel looked troubled but politely drew the line.

“I am someone who follows Master Andert’s will. This is the only divorce condition my client demands.”

“……”

Daniel waited silently without further pressing. He knew better than anyone the value written on that paper, though the name would be unfamiliar to those uninterested in investments.

What Andert had handed to Chloe was a bond transfer document for an oil company. Of course, currently it was just a stack of paper whose face value had been devalued due to continuous drilling development failures.