Chapter 6
Right. I’ve become a foolish wife who imagines terrible things about her loving husband.
A bitter feeling washed over me. Before I knew it, Chloe had pushed us both onto the dance floor.
Hayden’s hand naturally slipped around my waist, and I placed mine on his shoulder.
When did you come to love me?
Was there some moment, back in our school days, that gave you a reason to?
…Do you even truly love me?
Our steps moved in familiar rhythm, but through it all, my mind swirled with thoughts of Hayden, Chloe, and myself.
Only when the music stopped—and I found myself nearly collapsing against Hayden’s chest—did I come back to my senses.
“Winter. Are you alright? You look dazed.”
“Eh? Oh—no, I’m fine. I was just… thinking of something.”
“Really? If you’re uncomfortable in any way, tell me. You don’t have to force yourself to stay.”
Knowing how uneasy I felt in crowded places, Hayden spoke gently.
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
I smiled faintly and took his hand as we returned to our seats. But a quiet guilt pressed at my chest—for doubting his heart even for a moment.
As soon as we sat, Chloe narrowed her eyes mischievously and pulled me aside.
“Alright, husband out of the way—Winter, come here.”
“Huh?”
“Look over there. See that guy? The one with black hair.”
Following the direction of her finger, I spotted a tall man—head and shoulders above most others in the room. Even from the side, his features stood out sharply.
Thick brows, neat lashes, a high, elegant nose, and lips—full, slightly flushed, and firmly pressed together.
His masculine features and lazy, languid movements only added to his charm.
“Don’t freak out, but that’s him.”
“Him…?”
When I tilted my head questioningly, Chloe smirked and tapped my shoulder.
“The infamous Felterwyn second son.”
“Oh.”
“Well? He’s gorgeous, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
I was about to say something about the rumors claiming he was hideous when Chloe turned toward Hayden with a grin.
“Ha! You heard that, Hayden? Your wife admitted it—he’s better looking than you.”
“That’s not—”
“I’m going to go talk to him.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
Before I could finish, Chloe gave a playful scrunch of her nose and glided toward the man.
I glanced at Hayden. One of his brows had lifted slightly—his quiet way of showing displeasure.
Could he be upset by what I’d said?
“Um… I didn’t mean he’s more handsome than you.”
“Hmm?”
“To me, you’re the most handsome of all.”
My cheeks burned, but I managed to say it clearly.
“Ahh.”
Hayden tilted his head, a small smile forming—but the faint furrow between his brows didn’t ease.
He looked toward Chloe, who was approaching the black-haired man, then back at me.
“I don’t mind, Winter.”
He smiled gently and brushed a loose strand of hair from my face.
I gazed up at his olive-colored eyes—but they didn’t stay on me for long. His gaze drifted back toward Chloe.
And in those soft, olive eyes… it wasn’t me reflected there. It was her.
My heart thudded hard in my chest.
Why? Why don’t you mind?
I wanted to demand an answer. Didn’t it bother him at all when I said another man was handsome?
When he called another woman pretty, I felt jealous—didn’t he feel the same?
Why wasn’t he looking at me now?
Could it be… that your kindness doesn’t mean what I thought it did?
I blinked, struggling to steady myself. I hated that I kept doubting him, no matter how much I tried not to.
“What the hell. Unbelievable.”
Chloe’s irritated voice snapped me from my thoughts. She had returned, scowling.
“What happened?”
“That guy’s weird.”
Chloe crossed her arms and huffed.
“How could he not be interested in me?”
“Looks like the great Chloe Bennett finally met her match,” Hayden teased with a soft laugh.
“I’m Chloe Bennett! How could he not notice me? Impossible. Maybe he’s into men?”
Her lips jutted out in a pout. Her confidence was as unshakable as ever.
“I’m furious. I’ve never been brushed off like that before.”
She stomped lightly, and Hayden chuckled, flicking her nose playfully.
Finally, the slight tension in his brow seemed to ease.
“So, when’s your next dance? Weren’t you going to find a handsome man to dance with?”
“Ugh, don’t talk to me.”
Their easy banter only made me feel more out of place. I turned my gaze away—only to lock eyes with the black-haired man Chloe had pointed out earlier.
Violet eyes—deep and strange—met mine, flashing briefly with intensity.
Who… is that?
Something about him felt oddly familiar. If a man like that had ever been part of my life, surely I’d remember.
I frowned slightly, tilting my head. The man’s lips curved into a crooked smile.
“…You alright, Winter?”
A voice beside me called my name. I turned blankly to see two pairs of bright eyes fixed on me.
“Huh?”
“Mind if I borrow Hayden for a bit?”
“I’ll only go if my wife allows it,” Hayden said with a soft smile.
An uncomfortable feeling twisted in my chest. I hesitated, glancing between them.
Why do I hate this so much…?
The sudden wave of resistance surprised even me.
After all, by social custom, once the first dance was over, even married couples were free to dance with others.
And Chloe—she was my friend. There was no reason to feel this way.
But with both of them waiting for my answer, my throat tightened.
I forced a smile and nodded, hoping it didn’t show.
Hayden turned to Chloe and offered his hand. Her slender fingers slipped gracefully into his.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Just wait for me a moment.”
Before leading her to the floor, Hayden leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
Even then, my eyes followed their joined hands. A strange, hollow humiliation crept over me.
Those gentle olive eyes bound me where I stood… and then left me behind.
I didn’t want to watch them dance, so I took a glass from a passing waiter and turned away.
The champagne on my tongue tasted bitter—just like my thoughts.
“You look like a woman whose husband’s just cheated on her.”
I nearly flinched at the unfamiliar voice. I had been about to slip out to the terrace when someone spoke to me.
A deep, resonant voice — one I’d never heard before, yet somehow felt familiar.
When I turned, I found myself staring up into those same violet eyes.
“…Excuse me?”
“Your face. You look like you’re about to cry.”
It wasn’t sympathy that colored his tone, but arrogance. I stiffened and narrowed my gaze.
“That’s a rude thing to say to someone you’ve just met.”
“Just met?”
The man shrugged lightly, a faint smile curving his lips.
“Have you really forgotten me, Winter Olivier? Or should I say—Winter Wolfheize now?”
Those violet eyes darkened, gleaming with something profound.
It had been so long since I’d heard my maiden name that I froze, staring up at him.
And as I studied those rare, amethyst eyes, a memory surfaced.
“…Eugene?”
The corner of his lips curved sharply upward, as if I’d answered correctly. I gasped and covered my mouth, taking in his face again.
The boy from my memories was gone. In his place stood a tall man—broad-shouldered, towering over most, his presence commanding.
“Why are you… here?”
The warmth of recognition faded quickly into confusion.
Could Eugene really be the rumored Felterwyn second son?
“How…?”
I looked at him in disbelief, and he extended a large, steady hand toward me.
The faint scent of his cologne stirred an old, long-forgotten memory—of a small cabin at the end of a mountain trail behind our estate.
A cabin where a young boy lived with his widowed mother. That was where Eugene and I had first met.
“May I have this dance?”
His expression remained cool, his voice low and even. It hardly sounded like an invitation—it felt more like a challenge.
I hesitated and looked toward Hayden.
On the floor, he and Chloe were smiling—faces bright, movements perfectly in sync.
They spun gracefully in circles, petals swirling around them like falling blossoms.
“What’s wrong?” Eugene’s lips curved faintly. “Do you need your husband’s permission first?”
The mockery in his tone was clear.
(To be continued…)
