The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 292
Nina moved her lips as if to speak, then closed her eyes for a moment.
Just because she mainly handled internal affairs didn’t mean she was unaware of the family’s situation.
It was the season when everyone was busy preparing for the severe winter.
And did he think she wouldn’t know that he was investigating the Delphinium Foundation?
Manpower was limited.
Dividing personnel during such a busy and important time wasn’t a good choice.
“Think about it rationally. If this can be settled with a single medical opinion, then it’s better to do it that way.”
When Nina spoke seriously, he covered his eyes with his hand.
“…You once said this. That no woman in the world wouldn’t be hurt after hearing that her husband felt nothing for her.”
That day she had smiled like a rock weathered by many years, worn and eroded.
As if it might collapse at any moment.
On the imperial palace balcony she had done nothing but listen to the noble ladies’ mockery.
Enduring the humiliation until her skin turned pale.
And yet now she was willing to accept such a humiliating demand as if it meant nothing.
“…The reason you have grown accustomed to enduring humiliation is entirely because of me.”
Since she had suffered even worse wounds before, this might feel insignificant.
But could it truly mean nothing to her?
“…So please, just this once, follow my decision.”
“……”
Nina suddenly realized.
She had wondered why he felt so guilty, and why he had ended up living in the study.
‘What is a distant past to me is the present for him.’
She couldn’t see his face because he had his back turned, but she could feel it from the heavy silence and his unmoving back.
His regret.
“I regret hurting you.”
At the time his apology had been only a single sentence.
“I’m sorry, sincerely so. You probably cannot forgive me with just a single apology like that.”
Until now, he had kept the guilt hidden deep inside his heart without revealing it.
Nina quietly watched his back.
The dark night, too deep for the faint lamp to dispel, seemed to swallow him whole.
She still didn’t know how deep and heavy the emotions he carried truly were.
But she could tell they were sincere.
“…Alright. Let’s do it your way.”
She sighed and gave a faint smile.
As he said, using her own ‘sacrifice’ simply because it was convenient wasn’t a good method.
And if he said he would handle it himself, there was no need for her to step in.
‘Anyway, I think I’ve heard everything I needed to know…’
She walked over to the display cabinet and took out another wine glass.
“Wife…?”
“Come here, let’s have a drink.”
Nina sat on the sofa, lightly clinked glasses with him, and took a sip.
She didn’t want to stay trapped in a heavy mood over a conversation that had already reached its conclusion.
‘I don’t really like red wine, but it can’t be helped. I’m not drinking it for the taste anyway.’
When the atmosphere was heavy and awkward, nothing worked better than alcohol.
“Ah…”
But perhaps because the study air was cold.
Her wrist suddenly weakened from the chill, and she dropped the wine glass.
Crash!
The glass shattered into pieces.
Ash immediately knelt down, lifted Nina’s leg, and asked,
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No, I… I don’t think so.”
“There might be glass fragments, so it would be better to remove your shoes.”
Nina flinched.
Because he carefully removed her indoor slippers.
Why did that line suddenly come to mind at this moment?
“I’m saying… I’m begging you for a chance.”
The knee bent in submission.
Serious eyes visible between long, dense lashes like a fine comb.
A straight nose and neat lips.
His gaze carefully examined her, checking in case any shard had scratched her.
Her body temperature seemed to rise little by little.
This felt a bit dangerous somehow…
“…Fortunately, you’re not hurt, but it is late at night, so it would be better to clean this up.”
Saying it would be safer to leave the slippers here just in case, he lifted her into his arms.
A deep yet soft cedar scent mixed with a man’s warmth.
A firm, reassuring embrace.
And his heart beating loudly, thump, thump, asserting its presence without pause.
“……”
Nina stared blankly at his tense profile and the reddened tip of his ear, then slowly reached out her hand.
