My Ex-Husband is My Neighbor - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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โCatherine! Did you really think I was referring to Viscount Edward when I mentioned Edward?โ
Lillie shouted. Her mouth opened in shock. Her face turned crimson as if she had heard something outrageous.
โHuh! How could, ha! Oh my!โ
Lillie burst into a laugh that seemed to say she was speechless from sheer astonishment.
She trembled, her already large eyes widening further, and questioned Catherine accusingly.
โCatherine, how could you think that?โ
โWhat do you meanโฆ.โ
Lillie cut off Catherineโs words and poured out her own like a waterfall.
โI thought of you as my friend!โ
Catherine felt the same way.
Until Lillie started liking Hugo. No, even when Lillie confessed her feelings for Hugo, Catherine still thought of her as a friend.
She considered that people’s hearts donโt always follow their will, and Lillie must have been distressed to fall for Catherineโs husband.
But watching Lillie persistently pursue Hugo made Catherine give up on being friends with her.
โIs she being hypocritical?โ
Catherine narrowed her eyes and listened to Lillie.
โHow could you think I liked your ex-husband?โ
Well, because you did in the past.
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Unable to say it out loud, Catherine just mouthed the words as Lillie raised her hand.
โWait a moment. We need to clear this up properly.โ
Lillie took a deep breath.
โI donโt like the Viscount, I like Brian!โ
Lillie shouted. Catherine blinked rapidly.
โBrian? She likes Brian?โ
The Lillie who couldnโt live without Hugo in the past, even following him to a barren estate, now claimed to like Hugoโs brother Brian?
โHa! Thatโs a relief.โ
Lillie leaned back comfortably on the sofa after her outburst.
For Catherine, it was hard to believe immediately.
โIs it true?โ
Catherine asked in a whisper.
โItโs true. Would I lie in front of the family of the man I like?โ
Catherine inwardly scoffed.
The Lillie she knew in the past would lie without hesitation. She was a good person in general, but when it came to love, she wouldn’t lie.
Catherine even envied that aspect of her a little.
โItโs true, Catherine. I like Sir Brian.โ
Lillie leaned toward Catherine and whispered.
Though she spoke as if it were a secret, her voice wasnโt lowered at all, as if it didnโt matter if everyone heard.
It was amusing that she whispered after already shouting it.
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Catherine stared into Lillieโs eyes for a while.
โIs she lying? No, but Lillie genuinely likes Brian.โ
When Lillie mentioned Brianโs name, her eyes were the same as when she used to talk about Hugo.
There was no doubt, seeing the deep affection in her gaze.
โCould it be true?โ
The suspicion that Lillie might be acting crept in.
But the hypothesis that Lillie might be acting soon lost its strength.
Because Lillie had lived a life far from acting.
She had always been loved and respected for whatever she did, so she had no need to fake her life.
Even in the past, though she might lie with her words, she couldnโt hide the emotions on her face.
Though time had changed her life, some things remained unchanged. A personโs nature.
โIf itโs not acting, does she really like Brian?โ
โCatherine, I like Brian. Let me make it clear here. I like him so much that it feels like I exist for Brian.โ
Lillie was still unhesitant in expressing her feelings, and her eyes were as determined as ever to win her love.
Catherine knew better than anyone how Lillie was when she was in love.
So, she had no choice but to believe Lillieโs words that she liked Brian.
โโฆIโm sorry.โ
There were still parts she didnโt understand, but Catherine accepted it with the intention of taking a step back.
She almost introduced Lillie to the wrong person without knowing her true feelings.
โThe messenger of love almost broke love. Iโm not qualified.โ
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Catherine took a moment to reflect.
At the same time, she wanted to tell Lillie that her misunderstanding wasnโt entirely baseless.
But it was impossible.
โShe wouldnโt believe it even if I told her.โ
Instead, Catherine apologized once more, sincerely feeling sorry.
โIโm sorry. I misunderstood you.โ
Lillie looked at Catherine with a sharp gaze, then smirked, pushing her lips to the sides.
At first, she was angry, but now she felt relieved that the misunderstanding was cleared.
Lillie had wondered why Catherine kept her distance, and now it made sense that Catherine thought she liked her ex-husband.
Despite having received a groundless misunderstanding, Lillie strangely didnโt feel angry at Catherine and was just relieved that the misunderstanding was resolved.
โLetโs get along well from now on.โ
Lillie accepted Catherineโs apology.
The two held hands. Catherine remembered why she had become friends with Lillie.
She liked Lillieโs honesty.
The confidence unique to someone who had grown up loved, and the generosity that came from it.
โIf Hugo hadnโt been involved between us, I would have been good friends with Lillie. So, this time, we can be friends again.โ
Losing love and not having feelings returned is painful, but losing friendship is equally uncomfortable.
โBut whatโs changed? Why did Lillieโs feelings change? Was it because I divorced Hugo or because the war ended quickly?โ
While it was great that the time she had returned to wasnโt wasted, seeing the sudden change in Lillie raised questions.
โIs this the side effect Mom mentioned?โ
Things around her subtly changing.
But Lillie liking Brian was a good thing for both Lillie and Catherine, so it didnโt seem like a bad side effect.
โIโll think about it later. Even if it is a side effect, itโs not a big problem. Brian and Lillie. They suit each other, donโt they?โ
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Imagining it, the picture looked great. Catherineโs enthusiasm flared up.
โWhat kind of woman did Brian like again?โ
Catherineโs mind started working busily.
โUm, I just heard something incredible.โ
At that moment, Paul, sensing the mood, spoke up.
โIโll pretend I didnโt hear it.
Catherine and Lillieโs expressions twisted as they shouted in unison.
โWhat do you mean, pretend you didnโt hear?โ
โWhy would you pretend you didnโt hear?โ
Catherine and Lillieโs eyes met in the air. The two, who had been at odds, suddenly united.
โWell, naturallyโฆ to be considerate of the lady.โ
Pressed by the twoโs momentum, Paul stammered.
โThatโs not being considerate of the lady, itโs ignoring her, Paul.โ
Catherine spoke clearly. There was a very outdated notion in the kingdomโs social circles.
Things she hadnโt noticed before, but after going through a marriage and returning back in time, Catherine saw all the unreasonable aspects clearly.
โIt’s wrong to think that there’s something wrong with a woman if she gets divorced.โ
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Catherine had boldly dispelled that notion by not hiding after her divorce, but many women still hid because of it.
โI had a hard time too.โ
There was a superstition that talking to a divorced woman would bring misfortune to oneโs marriage, leading to ostracism.
Aside from the wrong beliefs about divorced women, there were many unreasonable aspects, especially in the process of dating and marriage.
A prime example was that women couldnโt ask men to dance first.
โAt least they can refuse.โ
Though it had to be done very politely.
It was also annoying that men had to initiate dating.
Though it seemed like they enjoyed free love, it was all limited to men, and the whole process of making appointments and visiting homes had to be led by men.
Catherine found it uncomfortable but endured it for the sake of the ladiesโ dignity and a smooth marriage.
In that atmosphere, it was Paul who first approached Catherine. The same Paul who now made such an outdated remark!
Though it was meant to be considerate of Lillie, Catherine disliked the atmosphere where one couldnโt even express their feelings, and she felt betrayed hearing it from Paul, who had always opposed such norms.
โThatโs not it, Catherine.โ
Sensing he had made a mistake, Paul tried to make amends, but it was too late.
โI heard it clearly.โ
A soft, low voice came from right beside Catherineโs cheek.
His warm breath tickled the fine hairs on Catherineโs skin as he spoke.
Though she felt uncomfortable sitting next to him, Hugo had slowly closed the distance until they were practically touching.
They were so close that a slight movement would make their arms brush, making Catherine want to fold herself like paper.
โLady Lillie, I clearly heard you say you have feelings for my brother.โ
Hugo emphasized clearly, as if making sure Catherine and Lillie didnโt miss it.
โAnd I will remember it.โ
Hugo looked at Paul. Paul raised his eyebrows in displeasure.
On the other hand, Hugo smiled pleasantly as if he found something amusing.
โWhatโs wrong with a lady expressing her feelings first? Itโs not something to judge or evaluate.โ
Hugo met eyes with Catherine and Lillie in turn.
โIf someone wants to express their affection more, they should. When Lady Lillie declared her feelings for my brother, I got chills because she was so cool. Of course, this is separate from feelings toward the opposite sex.โ
Hugo completely sided with Lillie. Catherine turned to look at Hugo. Just then, Hugo also turned his head.
He smiled at Catherine. His fierce eyes softened. He didnโt take his eyes off Catherine as he spoke.
โI think itโs great when a woman actively pursues love. Anyway, expressing affection is beautiful, and those who express it are lovely. Catherine, what do you think?โ
The focus of the conversation should have been Lillie or at least Paul.
Catherine felt burdened by Hugoโs attention directed at her.
โYes, Catherine, what do you think?โ
Paul asked, trying to steer the conversation back to Lillie.
Though he still didnโt understand why he was being criticized, he seemed relieved that the conversation was moving on.
โYes, Catherine. Tell us. Do you have someone you like?โ
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