Chapter 292
Nina moved her lips as if to speak, then closed her eyes for a moment.
Just because she mainly handled internal affairs didnât mean she was unaware of the familyâs situation.
It was the season when everyone was busy preparing for the severe winter.
And did he think she wouldnât know that he was investigating the Delphinium Foundation?
Manpower was limited.
Dividing personnel during such a busy and important time wasnât a good choice.
âThink about it rationally. If this can be settled with a single medical opinion, then itâs better to do it that way.â
When Nina spoke seriously, he covered his eyes with his hand.
ââŚYou once said this. That no woman in the world wouldnât be hurt after hearing that her husband felt nothing for her.â
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 ladiesâ 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.
ââŚThe reason you have grown accustomed to enduring humiliation is entirely because of me.â
Since she had suffered even worse wounds before, this might feel insignificant.
But could it truly mean nothing to her?
ââŚSo please, just this once, follow my decision.â
ââŚâŚâ
Nina suddenly realized.
She had wondered why he felt so guilty, and why he had ended up living in the study.
âWhat is a distant past to me is the present for him.â
She couldnât see his face because he had his back turned, but she could feel it from the heavy silence and his unmoving back.
His regret.
âI regret hurting you.â
At the time his apology had been only a single sentence.
âIâm sorry, sincerely so. You probably cannot forgive me with just a single apology like that.â
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 didnât know how deep and heavy the emotions he carried truly were.
But she could tell they were sincere.
ââŚAlright. Letâs do it your way.â
She sighed and gave a faint smile.
As he said, using her own âsacrificeâ simply because it was convenient wasnât a good method.
And if he said he would handle it himself, there was no need for her to step in.
âAnyway, I think Iâve heard everything I needed to knowâŚâ
She walked over to the display cabinet and took out another wine glass.
âWifeâŚ?â
âCome here, letâs have a drink.â
Nina sat on the sofa, lightly clinked glasses with him, and took a sip.
She didnât want to stay trapped in a heavy mood over a conversation that had already reached its conclusion.
âI donât really like red wine, but it canât be helped. Iâm not drinking it for the taste anyway.â
When the atmosphere was heavy and awkward, nothing worked better than alcohol.
âAhâŚâ
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 Ninaâs leg, and asked,
âAre you hurt anywhere?â
âNo, I⌠I donât think so.â
âThere might be glass fragments, so it would be better to remove your shoes.â
Nina flinched.
Because he carefully removed her indoor slippers.
Why did that line suddenly come to mind at this moment?
âIâm saying⌠Iâm begging you for a chance.â
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 somehowâŚ
ââŚFortunately, youâre not hurt, but it is late at night, so it would be better to clean this up.â
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 manâs warmth.
A firm, reassuring embrace.
And his heart beating loudly, thump, thump, asserting its presence without pause.
ââŚâŚâ
Nina stared blankly at his tense profile and the reddened tip of his ear, then slowly reached out her hand.
Erica
Are they about to finally consummate the marriage?! Please oh please let that be the case!!! Go ash!