Chapter 170
Read ahead of public and coin chapters ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊ GoM kofi ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊
“……”
“After that, you’d spend the rest of your life surrounded by rumors—people questioning the child’s true father because the birth wouldn’t match the timing of the marriage. And… we’d both be forced to give up the advantages we could have gained through our respective matches.”
People like to believe that loyalty to the state can be proven through something as trivial as marriage. A trace of fatigue flickered across the man’s cool expression as he spoke.
“And in the end, we’d grow more irritated, more exhausted… until we were slowly choking the life out of each other. That’s what marriage is.”
He sighed, as though the mere thought was tiring, then tilted his lips into a faint, crooked smile.
“I thought our views on marriage aligned rather well, Vanessa Siren Somerset. We both agreed it was a meaningless institution.”
“……”
“And I’m perfectly satisfied with what we have now.”
The Duke’s eyes softened slightly with a quiet exhale—enough to momentarily remind her of the man from that summer garden.
“I feel at ease when I’m with you. Like I can breathe. I wondered if I’d feel the same way here in Linden… and surprisingly, I do.”
“……”
“Let’s go upstairs.”
Vanessa stared at him, wide-eyed.
“That’s not why I came. And besides, we—”
“I know, Vanessa. You intended to follow that outdated notion that relationships should begin and end with proper decorum.”
“……”
“There’s still more to discuss. And hotel lobbies tend to attract reporters. Unless you’re in need of more scandal, I won’t stop you.”
Her uneasy gaze flickered to the side. He rose and crossed the length of the table, stopping beside her.
“We had a contract. And I’ve honored it so far. By that agreement… we’re still lovers, aren’t we?”
“…We agreed to end things when summer ended. Not to interfere in each other’s lives.”
“But it’s still summer, Vanessa.”
It was nothing more than sophistry. She clenched her teeth, staring at the hand he extended toward her. The composed and elegant man felt unbearably unfamiliar.
The unfamiliar hotel, the unfamiliar faces, the glances stolen toward them—it all pressed in on her from every side.
“Come.”
As if giving up, Vanessa took his hand and rose. The moment her legs wavered, he caught her easily, his arm slipping around her waist.
Even as they rode the elevator up, he didn’t let go of her hand for a single moment. As though she might run the instant he did.
‘…It’s just my imagination.’
The doors opened to reveal a spacious sitting room. A strange silence lingered behind them as the doors closed and the elevator descended again.
He guided her inside with effortless grace.
The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the large windows, settling over antique tables and plush sofas. Slowly, deliberately, Vanessa slipped her hand free from his.
“As I’ve said, I want a child. And I understand very well that you… are against the idea.”
She forced herself to breathe through the tremor in her chest.
There was already a child growing inside her. A child that, to its own father, might be nothing more than an unwanted burden.
There was only one path left. Unless she intended to leave Ingram entirely, she had to end things with the Duke as quickly and cleanly as possible. Before he ever suspected.
Vanessa lifted her gaze, steady and resolute.
“I only have one thing to say. I want to end our arrangement earlier than planned. I want a child as soon as possible.”
“You want a child?”
“Yes. And it doesn’t have to be yours.”
“…You’re saying you’ll have a child with another man?”
His voice turned cold.
“And then leave me here?”
The faint trace of laughter that followed sounded almost like a challenge. As if asking—do you really think you could live in Ingram after that?
Vanessa pressed her lips together.
“Our contract ends next month. River Ro—”
“Theodore.”
The gentle correction cut her off and she was momentarily breathless.
