Chapter 158
The âhusband of the female leadâ, a character who didnât exist and could never have existed in the story.
âWhy didnât I think about this more deeply?â
Adeline had known of his presence since the day she returned to Delmuz. She had been so shocked by the fact that Genevieve had chosen someone other than the âmale leadâ, Shane, that she hadnât really thought about who he was as a person.
Of course, she had done a light investigation through Lucian and Jeff.
She had even joked that if anything seemed off about him, she would make Genevieve divorce him immediatelyâbut truthfully, 90 percent of that had been serious.
Yet, neither Lucian nor Jeff found anything strange about âGenevieveâs husbandâ.
His origins, upbringing, career, personalityâthere was nothing to criticize.
The fact that he was one of Edwinâs imperial guards played a part as well. Edwin, who was notoriously suspicious of everyone, would never allow just anyone to carry a sword and stand by his side.
So, Adeline had felt reassured.
She had trusted that Genevieve had made the right choice.
âBut wasnât that just what I wanted to believe?â
The truth was, since âthe female leadâ Genevieve hadnât ended up with âthe male leadâ Shane, there was now a possibility that he could belong to her instead.
Even if many things had gone awry, the premise that âthe female leadâ Genevieve was happy had been necessary.
So, perhaps she had deliberately convinced herself that Genevieve had made a wise decision.
Now, Adeline wasnât sure what she could trust anymore, or what the right thing to do was.
Even the nightmares she had relied on as a guide for so long were now uncertain.
If those nightmares had never been a true guide from the beginning, then what was the meaning of the life Adeline had lived up to now? Nothing she had believed to be right had been the truth.
âMy head hurtsâŚ.â
Closing her eyes only made the dizziness worse.
Last night, Adeline hadnât been able to sleep at all. She hadnât even laid down on the bed. She was afraid of what dreams might come if she closed her eyes, and without Shane, she didnât want to lie down at all. Curled up on the sofa, she had watched the dawn break, and then LloydâŚ
LloydâŚ
In the end, it was impossible not to think about Lloyd.
Maybe if she moved her body, it would help her stop thinking so much. Gently, Adeline lifted Genevieveâs head off her lap and carefully laid it on the floor.
âUghâŚâ
As soon as Genevieveâs head touched the ground, she groaned and her eyelids fluttered.
Her whole body trembled as if gripped by terror, her fists clenching tightly. Adeline lightly shook her to wake her up.
âGenevieve, wake up. Genevieve!â
âAh, ugh, please, Father, no, forgive me, ahâŚâ
âIâm sorry.â
Though she likely couldnât hear it, Adeline apologized and then slapped Genevieve hard across the cheek.
The sound echoed louder than she expected.
Genevieveâs pale face quickly reddened, but fortunately, she seemed to have woken up.
Tears clung to her long eyelashes. Adeline wiped the tears streaming down her cheek as Genevieveâs dazed eyes slowly began to focus.
Trauma is a wound carved into the soul.
Even when such wounds heal, if they are never tended to, they leave scars.
Adeline met Genevieveâs gaze and slowly asked,
âGenevieve, are you awake?â
ââŚYesâŚâ
âDo you recognize me?â
ââŚLady AdelineâŚâ
âThatâs right. You answered well. Good girl.â
ââŚâŚâ
âYour stepfather is gone now. If youâre scared, Iâll hold your hand, but donât cry, Genevieve. Heâs not worth crying over.â
â…Ah… UghâŚâ
The more Adeline tried to comfort her, the more tears poured down from Genevieveâs eyes like a waterfall.
It seemed that, as she returned to reality, Genevieve was overwhelmed by the flood of memories. Unable to bear it, she covered her face with both hands.
âIâm sorry, Lady Adeline⌠Iâm so sorry, itâs because of me, I⌠Iâm the one who brought himâŚâ
She sobbed like a child, apologizing between her tears.
