The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 193
âThereâs something I want to ask, Aunt⌠No, never mind.â
He stopped mid-wayâŚ
Which only made her more curious.
âWas it a question that might put me in a difficult position?â
Ian was only ten years old, but he was sharp and quietly thoughtful in his own way.
And children as mature as he was sometimes swallowed their words in the name of being considerate.
If it was about something she had done before the regressionâŚ
She had always figured that Ian might one day learn the truth.
But the thought that he might have found out so soon after starting his vacation left a bitter taste in her mouth.
âItâs something I braced myself for, anywayâŚâ
It was also possible that he had heard the rumors at the academy but pretended not to know until now.
Even if the academy was a place cut off from the outside world.
Children who went home during break couldâve heard something and passed it on.
A shadow briefly passed through Ninaâs sea-colored eyes.
ââŚWhat are you curious about? Itâs okay, you can speak freely.â
It made her uneasy to think that Ian might be disappointed in her.
But even so, she had no intention of smoothing it over with lies.
He was going to find out eventually, anyway.
At her encouragement, Ian hesitated, chewing his lip a little, and then finally asked with resolve.
âAunt, do you⌠like sleeping alone?â
Nina’s eyes widened at the question.
It was something she had never even thought about before.
* * *
At the Nord ducal residence, in the bedroomâ
Rebecca was nervously biting at her fingernails, her eyes filled with anxiety.
Ever since her maternal grandfather had paid a visit, the atmosphere in the household had been in complete disarray.
If it had just been a loud argument, that wouldâve been one thing.
But her grandfather had smashed the doorknob of the study and wreaked havoc before storming out.
After cleaning up the wrecked study and repairing the door.
It was impossible for the incident not to have spread through the household.
The whole estate was unsettled because of it.
âBenny, has he still not come home?â
At Rebeccaâs question, Benny replied with a dark expression.
âNo, Madam. It seems the Master still hasnât returned.â
Her husband, whoâeven when he came home lateâwould never miss a night.
He had started staying out ever since her grandfatherâs visit.
Now that evening was setting in, if he didnât come back tonight, it would mark four nights away from home.
She had no idea where Frederick, who had irresponsibly left the house, might have gone.
Sheâd wondered if he had gone to the Nord River to clean up the mess heâd made.
But even that wasnât the case.
She had sent people to check, and he hadnât been there.
The site was still left unsupervised and neglected.
âDonât tell me⌠he went to see a woman?â
As bad as things were, surely it wasnât that.
But if that wench Nina found out her husband had stayed out for four days?
She would no doubt scoff and laugh in her face.
âDonât tell me sheâs planted someone inside the household?â
Rebecca, her eyes bloodshot, stared into space, then suddenly stood up.
What if that wench had placed someone in this mansion, just like Rebecca had once done?
What if she was now spreading rumors about this incident?
âNo, that canât be it.â
If that woman had the kind of cunning to pull something like this.
Why would she have done nothing until now?
But what if it wasnât Nina, and someone else leaked the story?
Others might not realize it, but Rebecca knew.
She had seen that peculiar look Nina gave when mocking someone.
The very look that could break a person.
She had watched Nina fall apart for two whole years, knew exactly how much damage that gaze could do.
And if this incident went public, wouldnât that gaze of ridicule now be turned on herself?
Ninaâs warning rang in her ears.
To worry about her own household first.
Those words had felt like a slap to the face, chokingly humiliating.
The way Nina had spoken, as if she already knew something.
As if one of her people was already inside Rebeccaâs home.
âNo, noâŚâ
Rebecca shook her head, veins bulging in her eyes.
She had already checked the background of every servant.
The only one who had any connection to House Bayern was Hans, whom she herself had once employed.
âM-Madam! It seems the Master has returned!â
âHim?â
Rebecca, who had been pacing in anxiety, nearly at her breaking point, hurried down to the front lobby.
Just as Benny had said, he was stepping out of the carriage.
But his appearance was⌠a mess.
