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.
âAre you hurt anywhere? Did anyone bother you? Was anyone giving you trouble?â
âNo, nothing like that happened.â
Even if it had, it wouldnât 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 absurdâShane claimed he was jealous that Adeline was paying attention to Genevieveâs struggles. But ultimately, it worked in Genevieveâs favor.
Genevieve asked, âI thought youâd be in the garden at this hour. What brings you indoors?â
âI overslept. Iâve been sleeping more these days.â
âThatâs good to hear. Your complexion looks great, your eyes are bright⌠You look very healthy. Youâre doing well.â
She wasnât a newborn, yet Genevieve offered sincere praise for eating and sleeping well. Adeline, looking slightly bashful, averted her gaze.
âIs she actually hiding something?â
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 wasnât shorter, she didnât wear makeup, so her lipstick hadnât changed either.
âWhatâs so different that heâs making such a fuss about it?â
No matter how much Genevieve scrutinized, she couldnât figure it out.
Besides, if there had been any changes regarding Adeline, it should have been Lloydânot just Shaneâwho noticed first.
Even with his composed demeanor, Lloyd was just as obsessive as Shane when it came to Adelineâs 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.
âWhatever it was, it mustâve been something incomprehensibly trivial, like the portion of her meals or a change in her word choice. Something so minor Iâd have to ask, Why does that even matter?â
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,
âAdeline, are you hiding something?â
Adeline gasped.
âHow did you know, GenevieveâŚ?â
ââŚâŚâ
Shane was right.
Genevieve was momentarily stunned.
âHis Grace⌠um⌠was concerned.â
Or was it really âconcernâ?
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.
âWell, he was suspicious.â
âSuspicious, huhâŚâ
Adeline trailed off. Even she couldnât entirely deny it. Shaneâs behavior was consistent with such an accusation.
âThe truth is, Iâm pregnant.â
ââŚWhat?â
âI found out recently. Remember when I visited the Bertrand family physician because of my motherâs health? Thatâs when I learned about it. It was just before you left for the expedition.â
ââŚWhat?â Genevieveâs mind blanked.
âSo, Iâm⌠pregnantâŚâ
âWith whose childâŚ?â
âIf itâs not Shaneâs, it would be an absolute disaster, wouldnât it?â
Adeline wasnât looking for that kind of thrilling life.
âAdeline, youâre having his childâŚ?â
âI was wondering how to tell Shane, but how did you figure it out?â
Genevieve immediately declared,
âIâm the godmother. Itâs me.â
âHuh?â
âI wonât yield that role to Rachel. Rachel can deal with Jeffâknock him out or marry him if she wants the aunt position. But the title of âgodmotherâ? Thatâs mine. It has to be me. No other candidates. Iâll be the sole nominee. Itâs me.â
âUh, um⌠sure?â