Chapter 26 (2/2)

‘Nobody thinks of you in that way. You’re respected. You’ve constantly brought development through your inventions.’

At the voice that still rang in his ears, Eric slightly bit his red lips.

‘I’m sorry.’

Why did she apologize?

What exactly did he hear? Even if she were to become so terribly unruly, there was nothing about her that’s lacking.

‘…That’s right. I’m sorry.’

What a foolish woman.

Eric glanced down at Chloe, who still had her eyes closed the whole time.

Whenever Eric looked at Chloe, he sometimes remembered that day he went up the Pierre Bridge and was beaten up so much even after he’d already made up his mind to end his life.

There was a bitter taste in his mouth. Eric shook Chloe carefully, moving his arm.

“If you’re awake, open your eyes.”

“You knew?”

There was a small smile on Chloe’s lips as she slowly opened her eyes. As clear as the summer sky, her bright blue eyes sparkled like jewels.

“How can I not when you’re wriggling like that? Get up now.”

“Are you thirsty?”

“A maid can be called for that.”

Eric pulled the rope before Chloe could even move. With nothing to do, Chloe smiled awkwardly and sat up.

“What happened?” Eric asked.

“Nothing happened,” Chloe answered.

Chloe pointed to her own neat clothes as she said this. Eric frowned.

“I can guess that at least. I’m asking why we slept together.”

Chloe recalled how Eric clung to her last night, rejecting Daniel’s assistance.

When she barely brought him to this room and tried to change his clothes, he suddenly embraced her and lied down like that, subsequently falling asleep.

That’s why Chloe had no choice but to sleep next to him.

Chloe could still feel on her chest Eric’s warmth and even breathing.

“Would you believe me if I told you that you were clinging to me?”

Chloe burst into a peal of laughter. It was a childlike laugh, and Eric liked the sound of it. There was a small smile as well on his lips as he tousled his hair. Then, he glanced in the mirror. He should really straighten out his unkempt appearance right away.

“It would be better for you to return to your room now, Wife.”

“Are you kicking me out?”

Did it sound like that? Eric had a serious expression. Chloe shook her head in a hurry.

“I’m joking. You don’t have to take it so seriously… I don’t get hurt by those kinds of words.”

“What did you hear being said behind your back?”

“It’s nothing like that.”

Chloe smiled brightly as she went to the other side of the room. Eric looked away for a second, towards the disorganized bed, then looked back at Chloe as she was walking away.

“I’ll take care of that matter with Gatsby.”

With her perfect posture, Chloe stopped walking. Eric continued to talk.

“And, I apologize. Because of me, you heard something you shouldn’t have heard.”

She turned towards Eric. With clear, translucent eyes, she stared at him. And for a moment, Eric felt suffocated. He quickly avoided her gaze.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“……”

“Really. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Chloe spoke with all her heart.

“The people who are wrong are those who live their lives with those thoughts.”

Eric breathed out roughly. His chest was tight.

He remained silent for a while, one hand pressing against his eyelids because of his hangover.

“Would—”

He took a step closer to Chloe and continued.

“—you like to eat breakfast together?”

Chloe held her hands together, shaking her head.

“No thank you.”

She replied with a hard smile.

“You mentioned before that it’s uncomfortable for you to eat with me.”

“That’s…”

“And I’m a little tired. I need to rest.”

Eric hesitated for a moment, but he soon replied.

“I see.”

Chloe left the room rather hurriedly.

The room she left then felt empty. Even though the heater was warm, the cold seeped into him.

Eric led his legs back to the bed, not knowing why his right one was throbbing. Then, he placed a hand over the spot where Chloe had been lying before. The bedroom, which had felt warm until just now, felt terribly cold.

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