Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 227

Adeline welcomed Genevieve in the drawing room.

Despite the expedition only lasting ten days, Adeline greeted her as though they had been apart for a year.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Did anyone bother you? Was anyone giving you trouble?”

“No, nothing like that happened.”

Even if it had, it wouldn’t have mattered. She could just deal with them and be done.

Lately, Shane seemed to have started managing the people around Genevieve as well, which had reduced the number of people who dared to speak out of line. The reason for this management, however, was absurd—Shane claimed he was jealous that Adeline was paying attention to Genevieve’s struggles. But ultimately, it worked in Genevieve’s favor.

Genevieve asked, “I thought you’d be in the garden at this hour. What brings you indoors?”

“I overslept. I’ve been sleeping more these days.”

“That’s good to hear. Your complexion looks great, your eyes are bright… You look very healthy. You’re doing well.”

She wasn’t a newborn, yet Genevieve offered sincere praise for eating and sleeping well. Adeline, looking slightly bashful, averted her gaze.

‘Is she actually hiding something?’

Although Genevieve thought Shane was insane, she trusted his instincts when it came to Adeline.

Now that she thought about it, there did seem to be subtle differences compared to ten days ago. Or were there? Maybe not?

How much could a person really change in just ten days? Her hair wasn’t shorter, she didn’t wear makeup, so her lipstick hadn’t changed either.

‘What’s so different that he’s making such a fuss about it?’

No matter how much Genevieve scrutinized, she couldn’t figure it out.

Besides, if there had been any changes regarding Adeline, it should have been Lloyd—not just Shane—who noticed first.

Even with his composed demeanor, Lloyd was just as obsessive as Shane when it came to Adeline’s health. Genevieve figured there was no need for her to get involved.

Perhaps she should have asked Shane to explain what exactly he had noticed that was different. But she had been so repulsed at the thought of being alone with him that she had fled without looking back. Now, she regretted it. Still, the thought of continuing a conversation with him had felt impossible.

‘Whatever it was, it must’ve been something incomprehensibly trivial, like the portion of her meals or a change in her word choice. Something so minor I’d have to ask, Why does that even matter?’

Genevieve had a surprisingly accurate understanding of Shane.

Realizing it was impossible for her, a normal, rational person, to discern what two hyper-perceptive and obsessive men had failed to, Genevieve asked directly,

“Adeline, are you hiding something?”

Adeline gasped.

“How did you know, Genevieve…?”

“……”

Shane was right.

Genevieve was momentarily stunned.

“His Grace… um… was concerned.”

Or was it really ‘concern’?

Could you call it concern when someone was practically threatening you with murderous intent the moment you returned from an expedition? Genevieve, refusing to give Shane the benefit of the doubt, decided to rephrase.

“Well, he was suspicious.”

“Suspicious, huh…”

Adeline trailed off. Even she couldn’t entirely deny it. Shane’s behavior was consistent with such an accusation.

“The truth is, I’m pregnant.”

“…What?”

“I found out recently. Remember when I visited the Bertrand family physician because of my mother’s health? That’s when I learned about it. It was just before you left for the expedition.”

“…What?” Genevieve’s mind blanked.

“So, I’m… pregnant…”

“With whose child…?”

“If it’s not Shane’s, it would be an absolute disaster, wouldn’t it?”

Adeline wasn’t looking for that kind of thrilling life.

“Adeline, you’re having his child…?”

“I was wondering how to tell Shane, but how did you figure it out?”

Genevieve immediately declared,

“I’m the godmother. It’s me.”

“Huh?”

“I won’t yield that role to Rachel. Rachel can deal with Jeff—knock him out or marry him if she wants the aunt position. But the title of ‘godmother’? That’s mine. It has to be me. No other candidates. I’ll be the sole nominee. It’s me.”

“Uh, um… sure?”