The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 78

“…Then, I’ll borrow your arm for a moment.”

Nina slid her hand lightly into the crook of his arm, applying just the faintest pressure, careful not to make it seem too clingy, lest he find it unpleasant.

But as they neared the banquet hall, she unknowingly tightened her grip.

Only someone who has experienced it could understand the filthy feeling that wraps around your whole body.

The way people’s expressions subtly change the moment they see her, the awkward silence that fills the space between them.

It creates an atmosphere that hints they had been discussing something she wasn’t meant to hear.

In the midst of it all, the conversation of noblewomen she once overheard resurfaced naturally in her mind.

“…No matter how desperate she is for her husband’s love, a woman should have pride. How could she stoop to something like that?”

“If she’s been cast out of the bedroom, it must mean she’s truly unappealing…”

“For a man to reject her, there must really be something wrong with her, don’t you think?”

“Now that I think about it, didn’t her personality start to change after marriage? Could those rumors about them not consummating the marriage actually be true…?”

As if sinking into a wrecked ship, she found herself involuntarily immersed in old memories.

Get a grip.

Other people’s judgments aren’t an actual threat.

Just as she was calming her expression and preparing to walk forward with Ash—

A coarse, gruff voice called out from behind her.

“Well, well, to see the two of you standing so affectionately together—what a sight to behold!”

They say enemies meet on narrow bridges.

When she turned around, Duke Nord was standing there, arm-in-arm with Rebecca, grinning in a vile manner.

Duke Frederick Nord.

Even disregarding her bad blood with Rebecca, he was someone she loathed to deal with.

He was constantly picking on her, using her as an outlet for his insecurities about Ash.

“I heard rumors that you two had a rather big argument recently, but it seems they were just that— rumors?”

Ash shot a cold glare at Rebecca, standing beside Duke Nord, then wrapped his arm around Nina’s shoulder pointedly and said,

“I also heard rumors that your new venture was running into difficulties. Seeing you looking so robust, I guess that was also just idle gossip.”

Ash smirked, tilting one corner of his mouth in a mocking manner, causing Frederick to flare up.

“You…!”

“Dear.”

But just before he could shout, Rebecca pulled on Frederick’s arm, holding him back, reminding him where they were.

Feeling the eyes of others on him, he glared at Ash with a red face, then stormed into the banquet hall, fuming.

‘Honestly, he always starts something but never comes out ahead.’

Is it tenacity or just plain stupidity?

Nina shook her head inwardly and said,

“Let’s go in, too.”

While Duke Nord may not have intended it, seeing someone as foolish as her past self still walking around with his head held high gave her an unexpected boost of confidence.

‘And…’

Walking in with her husband beside her, she noticed Rebecca casting a sharp, envious glance her way.

It felt like her resolve to face the night had been bolstered.

Nina took her steps with a bright, unbothered expression, as if she had never been nervous at all.

The ceiling molding, shaped like square-cut emeralds, and the verdant ceiling paintings.

The grand chandelier draped with crystals, clustered like grapes.

The beautiful golden candelabras crafted by master artisans and the walls decorated with works by famous painters.

And the round tables arranged throughout the hall.

The lavish and beautiful banquet hall was already filled with nobles who had arrived early, gathered in small groups, chatting.

As Nina scanned the room as if searching for someone, Ash asked,

“…Is there someone you’re looking for?”

Nina swallowed a bitter smile and replied,

“No. Nothing like that.”

Despite her two months of self-reflection, it seemed it hadn’t been enough.

As in her previous life, her grandfather and parents were nowhere to be seen.

Neville had promised to deliver her message, yet…

‘No, who can I blame?’

“We can’t bear to watch you live like this any longer. Until you’re divorced, we won’t see you again. Understand that well.”

Her mother was a woman of her word.

That’s why, in her previous life, she had only sighed and accepted her back after the divorce.

“In the end, was all that struggle really worth it?”

The official reason for their absence was health issues, but in truth, it was likely because of her.

After all the disgrace she’d brought upon the family, how could they face society?

Nobles abusing their status is so common it’s hardly gossip-worthy, but her scandal had gone far beyond that.

‘I would’ve liked to at least see their faces, but it can’t be helped…’

Her family needed time to accept her transformation.

‘For now, let’s focus on making it through the banquet successfully.’

Pushing aside her melancholy thoughts, she scanned the room for a seat, then froze at the sight of a woman lingering curiously near the banquet entrance.