Garden of May - Chapter 79
Chapter 79
“So, it’s better to ruin my reputation. It would be even better if I were pregnant and didn’t know who the father was. I was going to keep this a secret, but… I’m planning to spread rumors with a few other men as well.”
“…What?”
“You said you’d try to keep me out of it. I’ve been thinking about a surefire way.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened, as if asking if he’d forgotten their conversation. Of course, she hadn’t taken him seriously. It was practically impossible. She’d assumed it was just a persuasive tactic and honestly hadn’t given it much thought since. After all, removing the name “River Ross” from the gossip wouldn’t be difficult for the Duke of Batenberg.
“At the upcoming picnic, I’ll disappear with as many men as possible. I won’t actually do anything, just long enough for people to think I did.”
“….”
“Men treat being involved with a beautiful woman like a heroic tale. As long as I keep my mouth shut, they’ll brag about it, and people will believe them. It won’t be a lie if they find out later, either.”
He let out a disbelieving laugh. He’d never heard a woman so shamelessly call herself beautiful, but it was true, so he couldn’t exactly scoff.
“When the rumors of my pregnancy spread, you’ll probably be mentioned as one of the potential fathers. The more men involved, the less sustained the interest will be. After that, I’ll claim to have miscarried, and then…” Vanessa trailed off, about to add something more. A sudden breeze filled the silence between them. “…If the plan works, I’ll be free. Or at least, I’ll end up with a husband who isn’t obsessed with purity.”
Gazing at the stars, Vanessa’s profile appeared fragile, as if she might shatter. A strange sense of relief emanated from her, having finally voiced the words she’d kept bottled up. Only then did he see the burden she carried. Her stubborn refusal to drag others into her misfortune. Her somewhat warped, radical conviction. And the realization that all of this was a struggle to ensure she was the only one who broke.
“Is that your new plan? To approach as many men as possible?”
“Huh?”
“What if something actually does happen when you approach them like that?”
“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll ask Blair to stay nearby and come find me after a while.”
Theodore ran a hand through his ruffled hair in frustration. An inexplicable sense of unease rose in his chest. He wasn’t sure if this vague discomfort stemmed from the unfamiliar name or from this reckless woman. She was meticulously calculating, yet utterly lacking in foresight. She must have lost her mind. Or perhaps, no one could be this cruel to themselves unless they had.
“Anyway, I really enjoyed myself today. Thank you for the wonderful memories, River.”
Vanessa stretched again and turned to him with a bright smile. A sunny expression, as if she had completely forgotten her complicated circumstances.
“I’ll probably remember today until the day I die.”
Theodore, unable to release the breath caught in his throat, let it out as a laugh, as if by habit. It was a little hollow, bitter, and yet sweet at the end, like the clean scent of soap emanating from her.
“Liar.”
“It’s true. You call me a liar every time I say anything.”
“You’ll forget my face in a few years.”
“…How could I?”
“You forgot what ‘River Ross’ looked like from when we were children.”
Vanessa’s face flushed crimson. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she hesitantly glanced at him.
“How long… have you known?”
“From the beginning.”
“It’s hard to believe, but, well, I do remember… vaguely…”
“Tell me.”
“He had black hair.”
“Let’s say that’s right.”
“And blue eyes.”
“Liar.”
“Your eyes are right here. How can that be a lie?”
He burst out laughing at her brazen, innocent expression. He felt a prickle of tears in his eyes.
- Protected: Garden of May Chapter 152 - Jun 16, 2026
- Protected: Garden of May Chapter 151 - Jun 16, 2026
- Protected: Garden of May Chapter 150 - Jun 16, 2026
