It was around this time that she, already prickly and sensitive, gradually became more ferocious. While obsessing over the concept of “family,” she paradoxically lived apart from the Peyton family.

The fact that she called Bella “you” or “that woman” showed how hostile she was to her brother’s family.

She even had a young niece. Gloria was jealous of even that newborn baby.

She even disliked the household calling her “elder Miss” and her niece Heidi “younger Miss,” suggesting she wanted to be the only Miss in the house.

This was precious information obtained by coaxing and comforting the terrified Dona who trembled with every word she spoke.

Seeing the annex with her own eyes, it really had a very different atmosphere from the main building.

Traces of Gloria’s use remained throughout the antique interior and the first-floor library where book dust had settled.

The second floor was also entirely rooms used by Gloria. From the child’s room full of cradles and dolls to the bedroom and dressing room, everything was filled with her belongings that hadn’t yet been organized.

According to Dona, only Gloria herself and her lady’s maid Dona were allowed to enter this place.

Especially Bella and the head maid Marie, whom she had brought along when marrying into this family, weren’t allowed anywhere near it.

But Gloria now knew why she had strictly limited others’ access to this place.

There was another person besides the two of them who was permitted to enter this annex, especially Gloria’s bedroom.

She didn’t have to wait long.

It happened that very night.

“Gloria.”

Gloria suppressed a scream as she saw the man standing at the bedroom door, not knowing when or how he had entered.

‘He’s here.’

“……Jack Deviers.”

Gloria murmured his name softly.

She could tell immediately. She didn’t have to search her memories for long to recall his description.

Hair as black as obsidian and navy blue eyes.

Spotlessly clear skin. Delicate and harmonious features.

Regardless, beauty that didn’t satisfy a single corner of her aesthetic sense.

‘He’s like a pretty boy gigolo.’

It was fortunate that she wasn’t foolish enough to be captivated by the male lead’s beautiful appearance.

And his lips curved into a gentle smile.

“So you really are alive.”

It was a sweet voice that matched his beautiful smile.

However, Gloria noticed something odd.

That wasn’t the reaction of someone facing a lover who had died and come back to life.

Unconsciously, Gloria’s gaze fell on the dressing table mirror. A strange woman was reflected there.

Glossy blonde hair and deep blue eyes.

Her limbs were slender, and her skin was so white it glowed without a single blemish.

For a brief moment, she thought of Isabel. She too was a beauty with blonde hair and blue eyes.

But she was certain that even if she looked in the mirror without knowing who she was, she wouldn’t confuse herself with Isabel. Isabel was described as having such a gentle impression that just looking at her would melt one’s heart.

Her small smile broke down all defenses, and her perpetually rosy cheeks were full of loveliness.

But Gloria’s expressionless face was very cold. Even to herself, she looked so frigid that she might seem angry, and no matter how she tried to lift the corners of her mouth, it looked like she was sneering.

‘Her face is caked with spite.’

Even with the soul of the level-headed Kang Jae-hee inside, the facial expression of the long-maintained outer shell didn’t change easily.

It was rather fortunate. What good would it do to grin foolishly in front of Jack?

Meanwhile, Jack strode over to her.

“What happened? Is this also some kind of plan?”

Seeing him act so familiar, Gloria abandoned the last hope she had been unable to discard in her heart.

‘I had hoped it was all delusion stemming from Gloria’s unrequited love.’

As his face became visible in the faint candlelight, she slightly furrowed her brow.

“Who are you?”

As expected, his uninhibited movement paused momentarily.

“Who are you to enter here so freely?”

Having caused a scene at the funeral and failing to recognize even her brother Chris, rumors about Gloria’s strange behavior would already be spreading.

She needed to know how much he knew and what purpose he had in coming.

“I suspected as much.”

Jack raised his hand and grasped Gloria’s chin. The action was so natural that she couldn’t avoid it in time.

“Are you acting? Or are you testing me?”

‘He’s quite perceptive.’

“I really don’t know who you are. Oh, or are you that person? The one who visits me every night?”

“How do you know about that?”

“The maid told me.”

Jack’s eyes moved diagonally for a moment before returning. He seemed to be thinking about something.

“How much did the maid tell you?”

“Generally speaking.”

“Generally, huh.”

Suspicion still remained in his eyes, but he released her chin and stepped back. Then he stroked his own chin.

It must be difficult for him too. His lover had died, then awakened again, and now she couldn’t even remember him.

But Gloria kept feeling something was off about this situation.

‘Is he really her lover?’

If someone you loved had died, then came back to life, and even if they couldn’t remember you—no matter how calm a person you were, there should be some emotional expression.

Yet he still showed a certain composure.

“It’s like we’ve gone back to the day we first met.”

Then he smiled. That fresh smile made Gloria narrow her brow instead.

“Yes, that expression. You looked at me with those eyes back then too.”

He even seemed to be enjoying her reaction. Jack suddenly reached out and grabbed Gloria’s wrist. Caught off guard by the sudden movement, Gloria stumbled and placed her hand on his shoulder to maintain balance.

Dumbfounded, she jerked her head up, and the corners of his eyes creased slightly.

His long, thick eyelashes accentuated his fox-like eyes.

“There’s a lot I don’t like, but I just can’t push you away. Have you forgotten that moment too?”

Incensed, Gloria pushed against his shoulder to create distance between them.

“Yes, I don’t remember. If you knew I’d lost my memories, isn’t it rude to visit so abruptly? It’s obvious I’d be startled.”

“What else did the maid tell you?”

“……What do you mean?”

Regardless of whether she expressed her displeasure or not, Jack cut off her words and asked only what he was curious about.

“About me. What else did she say?”

“……That you’re Duke Deviers, a cousin of the current Queen.”

“And?”

What answer was he looking for?

Gloria stared at him blankly. Her naturally fierce expression would make it look like she was glaring at him.

“That you truly love me.”

“The maid knows that too?”

“I suppose we must be quite an open couple.”

Gloria reflexively shot back, then touched her lips, realizing her mistake. She was so agitated that her true feelings had slipped out without her realizing it.

Yet he still maintained his gentle smile.

“So that’s why you’re so upset? Because you find it distasteful to be that kind of person?”

“It’s not exactly pleasant to learn ‘we’ had that kind of relationship. It’s confusing.”

“Hmm.”

He stepped half a pace closer again. Though she was responding sharply, the conversation was strangely superficial.

“You’re still bold even after losing your memories. But somehow you seem like a different person.”

He murmured. Meanwhile, Gloria’s mind was racing.

Numerous sentences passed through her mind, and several were swallowed back at the tip of her tongue.

Gloria was tense, worried he might touch her body again, but since the topic had come up, she decided to ask one more question.

“Excuse me.”

His gaze, which had been openly examining Gloria, returned to her eyes.

“As you can see, I’ve lost all my memories, so I’m having trouble understanding the situation. So…”

“Yes?”

“Does the Duchess know about what you’re doing here?”

Instead of answering, he tilted his head slightly and brushed aside a strand of Gloria’s hair.

“You’re not wearing your earrings.”

“Ah.”

And he changed the subject.