TLVGAJ 69

~Chapter 69~

That day—the day I was diagnosed with cancer.

The day I heard the cruel words that it was too late for treatment, that I wouldn’t live long.

On the way home, the road felt much longer than usual. As if time itself wanted me to feel the despair every passing second.

When I arrived home, I blankly told my parents:

[Mom, Dad. They say I have cancer.]
[……What?]
[I said I have cancer. They said I’ll die soon. It’s too late for treatment.]
[…….]

My parents looked at each other in shock, mouths opening and closing wordlessly.

Soon, they turned to me, their voices trembling, tears streaming down their faces:

[That’s impossible, Sehee. Please, say it’s not true.]
[Sehee, how will we live without you…….]

But that night, I accidentally overheard them talking in their bedroom.

[Good thing we bought that insurance. With the death payout, our family can live comfortably for years.]
[That’s right. As long as Sehee dies quickly, it’ll be fine. She’s not even our blood anyway.]

That was the day I learned—I wasn’t their real daughter.

It turned out they had adopted me from an orphanage because of infertility. But later, they conceived a child of their own, and though they didn’t abandon me, they raised me grudgingly.

Now, with me sick, they were actually satisfied at the thought of cashing in the insurance money.

Even though after becoming an adult, it was my part-time wages that supported them.

When I burst into their room, asking what they meant, they got angry instead. They told me I should be grateful they had raised a stray orphan at all. That raising a non-blood child was such a burden, and now it was my turn to repay them.

That night, I cried under the blanket until dawn.

The reason I had worked so hard to live was only for my family.

But to them—I had never been family.

I was just an orphan who didn’t know her real parents, forced to be grateful to foster parents who wished me dead.

[Let’s stop traveling, Irene.]

So it felt… strange.

[Stop traveling, and let’s find a way to live, even now. I’ll help you however I can.]

That she was surrounded by people who truly cared for her.

[Just live. That’s all I want.]

That there was someone who sincerely begged her not to die.

Yes, Fabian’s words weren’t wrong.

I had no reason to live. No desperate will to keep going.

Because in my past life, I had already lost the reason to live, before I possessed Irene’s body.

As Yoon Sehee, and as Irene—I was someone who shouldn’t have been born at all.

Even if I had saved Finn’s life.
Even if I had taught a child how to read.
Even if I had helped Sophie chase her dream.

All of it, in the end, was just preparing for my own death.

As Yoon Sehee and as Irene…

I still couldn’t find a reason to live.

Fabian brought me back before dawn.

As he teleported, the starlight of the Riden Desert spilled from his cloak, along with a faint hollow scent.

I had always liked that scent from Fabian.

It was cold, sharp—but strangely warm to me.

“Thank you, Fabian.”

I spoke to him as he was about to leave.

“Talking with you helps me organize my thoughts. Thanks to you, I feel better today.”

It was strange. Fabian wasn’t someone who felt emotions well. Yet he always empathized with others.

Talking to him calmed the storm inside me.

He only shrugged.

“Not really. I just listen. Sorting it out is your own doing.”

“…Ah.”

“Well then, see you next time.”

With a slight nod, Fabian swung his cloak.

Swish—he disappeared.

I stared at the empty spot he left and sighed.

Still… I had no intention of more treatments.

I wasn’t someone passionate enough about life.

I just wanted to enjoy the little time left and end it peacefully.

Yes. I had resolved myself.

Even if others tried to tempt me otherwise, I could resist.

“Ah, right.”

I looked back at where Fabian had stood.

Now that I thought about it, I was supposed to introduce Emily to him too.

But I shook my head.

“…Forget it.”

Emily herself said she had no interest in romance. Forcing it would be weird.

And besides—

For some reason, I just didn’t want to introduce Fabian to her.

Anyway.

The project to restore romance between Emily and the male leads had failed.

My dream of watching their love story unfold was quickly collapsing.

It was discouraging, especially because Emily herself had no will to love.

So, half-giving up, I spent the remaining time making her clean the mansion.

Thanks to that, the Hartmann estate sparkled uselessly bright.

And finally, the day came for Emily to return to Lady Elina’s estate.

That morning, after breakfast, I was in my room when—knock knock—the door opened. Emily peeked her head inside.

“Lady Hartmann.”

“Emily.”

I greeted her with a warm smile.

Even though my plan failed, she was still the heroine—I had to treat her kindly.

“Today’s the day you return to your estate, right? I hope you lived well here.”

“Of course. Thanks to your care, My Lady.”

Emily smiled brightly.

“The servants are all upset about leaving. It’s the first time any of them stayed in such nice rooms.”

“Really? That’s good to hear.”

Actually, I had only given out those rooms to impress Emily.

Still, my reputation must have risen because of it. That was satisfying.

“Be careful going back today, Emily. And if you ever need help again, ask me.”

“No, you’ve already done so much for me. I’m truly grateful…”

Emily shook her head, lips pouting shyly.

Ah, right. I also had to return the divine beast. But when?

If I sent the chick back now, it would cause chaos.

‘Since Emily hasn’t awakened as a saint yet, it’ll just go wild if I release it… I’ll wait until then.’

Emily bowed deeply to me.

“Thank you so much for everything, Lady Hartmann. And also…”

She lifted her head, smiling radiantly at me.

“And… I really missed you.”

“……”

I stared blankly at her.

Emily’s brown eyes curved beautifully as they met mine, shining with warmth.

That gentle gaze felt like it reached the soul inside Irene’s body.

“……”

For some reason, I was certain—that smile would stay in my heart for a very long time.