The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 102
The man who had disappeared moments ago was someone best avoided.
No matter how strained their marriage was, a man who offered to introduce him to a courtesan couldnât possibly be normal.
Being on good terms with someone like that wouldnât help his reputation in the slightest.
And yetâŚ
ââŚArenât you going to ask about the courtesan?â
He had expected that to be the first thing she questioned, so why had she brought up chocolate instead?
âHe said he would introduce you, not that he had introduced you. Isnât that so?â
Ash hadnât lived a life of strict morality, but when it came to relationships with women, he had always been particularly scrupulous.
Until Ian was officially recognized as heir to the family, he had no intention of getting involved in any scandal.
Because if he did, Ian might start to doubt him.
A boy who had lost his father because of his own mother had every reason to be wary.
And if, someday, Ash had a family of his ownâif he had children of his ownâŚ
Would Ian suspect that, just like Ashâs birth mother, Ash might push him aside to secure his own childâs place as heir?
It was an absurd thought, but it was enough to make Ash determined to create an environment where Ian would never have to worry.
Now, he knew Ian no longer doubted his sincerity.
But back thenâŚ
ââŚStill though, if you ever do end up keeping a courtesan or if thereâs someone you like in the future, donât mind me. You can meet them.â
âWhat?â
âJust be careful not to let anyone else find out. If rumors spread before the divorce, it wouldnât be good for you or for the other person.â
ââŚHave you lost your mind?â
Was she trying to frame him as the guilty party in their divorce? Was this some ploy to gather evidence against him?
âI mean later, if you find someone youâre interested in. They say love and marriage are all about timing, and Iâd hate for you to miss an opportunity because of me. Then again, you probably wouldnât miss out on anything, would youâŚ?â
Listening to her nonsensical rambling, spoken with such an innocent expression, made his irritation surge like filth spilling over from a sewer.
Was she really saying this for his sake?
Or did she have a reason of her ownâsomething that required him to have an affair?
ââŚLetâs meet again⌠no matter whatâŚâ
Could this all be about someone she had desperately called out for in her dreams?
ââŚYou, by any chanceââ
Just as his sharp gaze fixed on her and he was about to press furtherâ
“His Majesty, the Emperor, and Her Majesty, the Empress, have arrived. All present, maintain silence and show due reverence.”
The chamberlainâs voice rang out, announcing the imperial coupleâs entrance.
Ash swallowed his questions, bowing his head as protocol dictated.
Even as the Emperorâs speech echoed through the grand hall, his mind remained elsewhere.
The day she had demanded a divorce.
The day she had lashed out at him, demanding the fulfillment of their marital obligations.
Even further back than that, he searched his memories for any man who might have been a suitable candidate.
But no one came to mind.
And it made sense. Until now, his wifeâs interest had been obsessively focused on him to the point that it could only be described as madness.
If there was anyone remotely suspiciousâŚ
âItâs been three days, Madam.â
It was none other than the foreign Crown Prince standing before him now, lightly kissing his wifeâs hand.
***
Her eyelids felt heavy, her head spun, and her stomach churned unpleasantly.
Nina folded her arms, leaning against the wall with her eyes closed.
Her entire body was a mess.
She had boldly claimed she had no intention of losing, but that didnât mean she wasnât nervousâher palms were damp with cold sweat.
She hadnât eaten since lunch, knowing she needed to, yet her lack of appetite made even finger foods unappealing.
âMadam, are you alright? You donât look well.â
âYes, Iâm just a little tired today. I worked hard since itâs the last dayâŚâ
âI had planned to offer you some champagne to celebrate the end of the event, but thatâs unfortunate. Have you taken any medicine?â
âNo, itâs just fatigue. A full day of rest should fix it. But thank you for your concern.â
Nina smiled reassuringly at the Crown Prince.
âThat aside, why is he sulking?â
She subtly glanced at Ash, who had gone completely silent at some point.
He stood rigid, exuding an icy aura that seemed to ward off anyone who might approach.
With his overwhelming height and strikingly beautiful features, he already gave off an aura that ordinary people wouldnât dare intrude upon.
But now, standing there with a cold expression, he seemed untouchableâlike a sacred entity one shouldnât even dare to look at.
The nobles lingering nearby, clearly wanting to approach, hesitated and merely stole glances from a distance.
It was almost pitiful how they hovered, wanting to speak yet unable to.
âNo matter how I look at it, this is hilarious. Why is he the one getting angry?â
