My love has always been one-sided and terribly self-centered. I never once considered her perspective. I never once gave her a choice.

This kind of love will eventually devour both of us. Maybe Adrian realized this truth sooner than I did. Is that why he was able to accept the divorce papers Blair offered him?

Bang. Bang.

The reason the past keeps grabbing my pant leg is simple. It’s because I haven’t changed much from before. Since I’ve always been the same, it inevitably leads to similar outcomes.

Cedric decided. That is, he must change.

Not just change, but change significantly. Only then will there be a change in our disastrous relationship.

* * *

Cedric’s older sister, Evelyn, surveyed the scenery of the village she just arrived in. Her gaze was resolute as she lifted the edge of her large lace bonnet to shade herself from the sun.

‘Little Port, a village you can only reach by changing boats twice because the sea route is cut off due to the anticipated war.’

There was one reason she had to come here.

‘…My family, the Fitzgeralds, need an heir.’

Since Cedric’s deployment was decided, Evelyn couldn’t just stand by. Her younger brother Cedric Fitzgerald was still unmarried. The noble bloodline of our family, the Fitzgeralds, was on the brink of being cut off. A letter she received three years ago popped into Evelyn’s mind as she felt the urgency. Cedric’s hidden woman, Blair, had sent a letter to the Fitzgerald family home.

‘Did that lady safely give birth to the child…? If it’s a boy, he could be Cedric’s heir.’

Cedric would surely consider making his own blood child his heir. Then, even if it’s forced, he might marry for the sake of raising the child. Young men might not want to settle down with one woman. But as men age, they desire a wife and children.

Of course, she didn’t want to bring that lady Blair into their family. With her insignificant family background and history of divorce. So, paying a large sum to take only the child was Evelyn’s goal. If Blair resists, she’ll even use forceful means if necessary.

‘Naturally, all this is a secret from Cedric.’

Evelyn’s hand tightened into a fist inside her lace glove. She slightly lifted the hem of her dress and entered the center of Blue Port village.

Evelyn knocked on the shop door, and shortly after, the wooden door opened, and Blair greeted her with a bright smile.

“Welcome,”

“It’s been a long time, Miss.”

Blair’s complexion turned pale as if she had seen a ghost upon recognizing Evelyn.

“……You are……”

* * *

The two went up to the second floor of the shop and exchanged a few words. It didn’t take long for Blair to jump up from her seat.

“That’s absurd!”

“I will pay you an amount that allows you to live in luxury for the rest of your life.”

On the table between Blair and Evelyn sat a document. It was about adopting Alvin as a member of the Fitzgerald family.

“Cedric will either marry a a woman of noble birth and adopt him under that, or…”

“……”

“Your child will be registered as the son of my father, James Fitzgerald.”

Blair’s veins bulged in her neck.

“Absolutely not!”

“We can provide everything for the young Alvin that you cannot offer. Of course, you will also receive a substantial amount that will leave you wanting for nothing.”

“What about my child then?”

“……You’re asking about something obvious.”

Evelyn murmured softly.

“Your rights as a biological mother will not be considered. It would be easier for you to make a fresh start, wouldn’t it? You’re still young, and no one would know you gave birth to a child in this countryside if you move to another place.”

“……Ha!”

Blair let out an incredulous exclamation.

“If you just hide your past, men who like you would line up. Well, if you really want to see your child, we can prepare a space for you in the mansion’s annex.”

“……Haah,”

“You wouldn’t want that, right? To live locked up in an annex as a concubine for life?”

“No, I definitely do not want that.”

Blair shook her head firmly. Annex, locked up, concubine. None of those words appealed to her.

“……Take your document. I will not sign it, Evelyn.”

Blair said, staring straight into Evelyn’s eyes. Evelyn clenched her jaw as she stared back at Blair’s blue eyes for a moment.

“……Do you think you have a choice?”

The air in the room froze with her cold voice.

“……What do you mean?”

Panic was evident in Blair’s voice.

“I didn’t come here unprepared.”

“……”

Blair’s complexion turned pale. At this moment, only Evelyn and Blair were in the house. Alvin would be at the daycare at this time.

“……Alvin.”

Blair’s lips weakly murmured.

“You won’t be able to find your child at the daycare anymore.”

Evelyn put down her teacup and brazenly stated, and Blair slammed her hand down on the table. Bang! The wooden table shook, and water from the teacup spilled over.

“What have you done to my child!”

“Don’t worry. I also prioritize your child’s safety.”

“……Did you kidnap my child……?”

Blair asked as she shook her head in disbelief. Her incredulous words were laced with a metallic edge.

“I’ve been watching your house for a week. Cedric never showed up. I guess things aren’t going well with him?”

Evelyn tried her best to maintain her composure as she spoke. She knew how terrible her actions were. But the honor of her family mattered more than her shame.

“……”

Blair’s face was filled with incredulity, unable to utter a word.

“I can take care of the child better than you. Let’s think only about the child’s future. I’ll leave the documents, so it would be best if you sign them. Well then.”

Having finished her business, Evelyn stood up from her seat.

Left alone, Blair looked powerlessly at the firmly shut door, tears filling her eyes. Her shoulders, barely supported by the wooden table, began to tremble.

What should I do.

Tears fell drop by drop from her large eyes, wetting the dining table.

I have to ask Cedric for help. To let me see the child. But… he will surely demand marriage as a condition.

The thought of never being able to see Alvin again made her tears flow endlessly. Why hadn’t I thought that Cedric’s family would intervene? Blair’s eyes suddenly sparkled.

…That letter. The letter I wrote while giving birth to Alvin! That went to his family home. So…!

There was a letter, the one she wrote like a will when she thought she was going to die during her childbirth. Surely, Evelyn must have seen that letter and come looking for her.

Oh, heavens. It was my mistake that Evelyn found out about Alvin’s existence.

Thinking it was her fault, she couldn’t blame anyone else. Blair wiped her tears and calmed herself down a bit. She had to find the best solution in the current situation. She bit her lips and paced ceaselessly around the small house.

After hours of deliberation, Blair concluded she had to go see Cedric. Forgetting Alvin and moving on was impossible, no matter how much she thought about it.

Blair put on her coat and ran to where the military camp was located. She mustered her courage and spoke to the guard at the entrance.

“Excuse me… I’m here to see General Cedric.”

At her words, the soldier guarding the camp entrance looked at Blair menacingly. The look on his face was, ‘Who are you to seek our highest-ranking officer?’ General Cedric had been in a private meeting with the crown prince even today.

“…Please wait.”

The guard spoke reluctantly to another soldier beside him, and that soldier went inside the building and then came out with someone of higher rank. Blair was led inside by him. Throughout several transfers inside, the soldiers’ expressions were all unwelcoming.

It’s natural for them to be suspicious of a strange woman, who appears to be a local, wanting to see the general…

But still, the process was too harsh. She was searched by a female nurse affiliated with the military at one point, and above all, the most difficult part was the soldiers’ fierce expressions.

I never knew just having a conversation with Cedric would be so difficult.

After a long wait and passing through several stern soldiers, Blair became desperate for Cedric.

Upon entering a new room, a familiar face finally appeared. It was Eden, Cedric’s secretary. The soldier who had taken her to Baydebury when her parents passed away. Her shoulders lifted in joy.

“Hello.”

As Blair greeted him with an excited voice, Eden turned his gaze towards her and his eyes widened.

“Bl… Blair.”

The urgency and politeness in Eden’s attitude changed the air among the surrounding soldiers. Since Eden, Cedric’s right-hand man, recognized Blair. He ordered the soldier beside him.

“Please take this lady to the general’s office.”

“…Yes!”

“Please wait here.”

Led by the soldiers, Blair entered the office. It was a clean and tidy place for something that was put together hastily. Just before Cedric appeared, Blair’s heart raced as if it would burst. She had come here ultimately giving up on something.

“Blair!”

Then, with the door flung open, Cedric entered.

“…Cedric.”

As soon as she saw Cedric, tears welled up in Blair’s eyes. With a huge sigh of relief, Blair ran towards him.

* * *

That night, Blair returned home in the pitch-black night with Alvin. Soldiers assigned by Cedric escorted her to her house’s front door. Their attitude was unbelievably polite all the way from the military camp to Blair’s home.

Exhausted, she collapsed into bed after washing up.

“……”

Blair recalled the time spent in the office with Cedric earlier.

…It was unexpected.