Chapter 12
“What?”
“I think my parents have been secretly asking you for money….”
“Hmm… I won’t tell you about that.”
Hayden smiled faintly as he finished his meal. That smile only made the ground beneath me feel further away.
My parents had asked my husband for money. Without my knowing, I was already in his debt.
A sudden fear struck me—what if Melinda found out?
She would surely think, We’ve married into the wrong family. This daughter-in-law has brought shame upon us.
My face burned hot. Cold sweat slid down my back from sheer humiliation.
How could something like this even happen? I couldn’t make sense of it.
I forced a steady smile as I saw Hayden off, then turned on my heel and picked up the phone.
It took a long time for the call to connect, and I chewed on my lip in nervous silence as I waited.
— Yes, this is the Olivier Barony.
After what felt like forever, an unfamiliar voice answered.
“This is the Winter Wolfhayes residence. Is the Baroness available?”
— Wolfhayes…? Oh! Yes, yes, Marchioness, I’ll connect you right away.
After a shorter wait, a familiar voice came through.
— Oh my, Winter. What’s going on? You never even replied to my last letter.
“Mother. Did you borrow money from Hayden?”
— Really now, is that why you called?
“Please answer me. Did you contact him to borrow money?”
— Well, you hadn’t written back, so I was worried and called the Marquis myself. The topic of money just happened to come up….
My mother’s voice trailed off in a mumble. I rubbed a trembling hand across my face. So this was because I hadn’t replied to that troublesome letter?
No—it wasn’t that simple.
“This happened before too, didn’t it?”
— ……
The silence that followed was unusual for my usually chatty mother.
“Mother.”
— Well, that time he was just helping out a little. Nothing major.
“How many times? And how much?”
— Oh, two or three times maybe…? Really, sweetheart, must you make such a fuss? Your husband was only being kind since your family was struggling. Why act so stingy over a bit of help? It’s nothing—
“How much, Mother? Please, just tell me.”
— Fine, fine! I’ll tell you! Honestly!
Her reply made my head spin.
— What, is it a crime to accept a little help from a wealthy son-in-law? Are you really going to scold me over pocket change?
I told her to promise it would never happen again. She only grumbled a half-hearted, “Mm-hm, sure, fine.”
My hand trembled as I hung up the phone.
Had my parents always been this shameless? My mind went blank; I couldn’t comprehend what I’d just heard.
Why do you make such a big deal out of your husband helping us? Mother would say. Just be thankful, and focus on being a good wife.
Her voice held not a trace of shame or guilt.
And of course, there was nothing I could do now—except exactly what she said: focus on being the wife I was expected to be.
Feeling the weight in my chest grow heavier, I slowly climbed the stairs.
Outside, sunlight still spilled brightly through the tall windows, indifferent to my turmoil.
I drew back the curtain that covered the large window. The sky was gray—perhaps it would rain soon.
“Muaaaang.”
My cat, Myang-ssi, stretched and approached. I picked her up and gazed out the window. Her warm body filled my arms.
Kneading her soft jelly paws between my fingers, I watched the people hurrying along the street below.
“Myang.”
She squirmed, meowing impatiently, and I set her back down. Then I suddenly remembered the note that had been tied around her neck a few days ago:
Well, if I heard that kind of rumor, I’d probably doubt my husband too. It’s a natural worry, isn’t it? If it bothers you that much, maybe you should talk to him about it. A good husband wouldn’t just brush it off.
The words had comforted me—proof that I wasn’t completely irrational.
And it even offered a clear solution.
It was true. Hayden was a good husband. He wouldn’t ignore my concerns so easily.
But… I can’t tell him.
I already owed him so much—my flawed family, this very marriage that had saved me.
How could I possibly bring myself to question a husband like him about infidelity?
Even the kindest man wouldn’t enjoy hearing such doubts from his wife.
So—
If I just endure it, everything will be fine.
Yes, if I simply closed my eyes and ears—if I didn’t waver—then everything would continue as usual.
I tore my gaze away from the window. The world outside flowed along its calm, predictable rhythm.
“Haa…”
With a sigh that had become a habit, I stood up.
Today, I was meeting Chloe. It had been a while since we’d seen each other—she had been the one to invite me.
Winter, why don’t you come by my place for tea? I found a delicious cake shop and bought a whole cake, but it’s too much for just me.
Her voice over the phone had been cheerful as ever.
Still, this would be our first meeting since the banquet incident, and I couldn’t shake a faint awkwardness.
Perhaps it was because I still hadn’t gotten over my husband’s night away.
After getting ready, I stepped outside and found Bickton working nearby.
“Good morning, Bickton.”
“Good morning, Madam. The Marquis left early this morning.”
I already knew—he had told me the night before that he’d be leaving on a business trip to the provinces.
Nodding, I slipped on my coat.
“Going out, Madam?”
“Yes. I’m meeting Chloe for tea. Is there anything I should be briefed on before I go?”
“No, ma’am. Everything’s under control.”
Bickton smiled playfully and bowed.
“Please enjoy your outing, Madam.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back soon.”
His unusually lighthearted tone made me chuckle softly. I’d grown so used to his stiff professionalism that this side of him felt oddly refreshing.
When I checked the clock, I realized more time had passed than I’d thought. I hurried out of the mansion.
After a short carriage ride, I arrived at Chloe’s apartment right on time.
The elevator carried me quickly up to her floor—
[8B]
I double-checked the nameplate and pressed the doorbell. From inside came a loud clatter of hurried footsteps.
“Winter? Is that you?”
“Yes, Chloe. It’s me.”
Before I could finish my sentence, the door burst open.
Chloe greeted me with her chestnut hair messily tied up and her bare face glowing with warmth.
“Winter! I missed you so much!”
It had been over two months since we’d last met, yet her reaction was far more affectionate than I expected. Her embrace carried the sweet scent of cream.
But as soon as I saw her face, something deep and uneasy stirred inside me—feelings I’d been trying so hard to suppress.
I quickly masked it with a polite smile and stepped inside.
Chloe beamed and led me toward the sofa. The apartment was just as I’d imagined—a cozy, modestly furnished place perfect for a young couple starting out.
Though she lived alone, the whole space felt warm and alive, touched by her presence everywhere.
“Winter, do you want black tea?” she called, hurrying to the kitchen. The kettle was already steaming. She glanced over her shoulder with a playful tilt of her head.
“Yes, I love black tea.”
“Hehe, good choice! It goes perfectly with the cake I got.”
She giggled and began pouring the tea. I leaned back on the sofa, pretending at ease.
From where I sat, I could see her moving around the kitchen—pouring, slicing, arranging the cake on plates.
Every gesture of hers was endearingly delicate.
Did she ever look like that in front of my husband too?
I knew it was ridiculous, but a sudden surge of jealousy made me avert my gaze.
“How have you been feeling?” I asked as she brought over the tray. “You seemed pretty shaken up last time.”
Chloe smiled brightly and nodded.
“I was! I was terrified that night. But now that I think about it, maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Everything’s turning out better than I ever hoped.”
She set the cups down, the air sweetened with milk and honey. I tilted my head, not quite understanding.
Her cheeks flushed pink as she leaned closer, eyes sparkling.
“Winter—don’t be shocked!”
She slid one teacup toward me, holding the other in her own hands, then perched beside me on the couch, excitement bubbling in her voice.
“I’ve been chosen as the final lead of the year in Queen Viola!”
“What?”
I clapped a hand over my mouth, staring at her in astonishment.
Chloe squealed, shoulders quivering with giddy pride.
(To be continued…)
