The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 143
“…”
Leonid’s expression briefly hardened, but Johanna, who had turned to look at Karl at that moment, didn’t notice. Clasping her hands together, she spoke with a voice filled with apology.
“I’m sorry… Seeing this painting suddenly brought back old memories…”
“Ah… Are you feeling better now?”
Karl carefully observed Johanna’s face, while subtly glancing at Leonid. Leonid, normally cold and aloof, now exuded a menacing aura, as if he was ready to lash out at anyone.
“Yes, I’m alright now. The painting you’ve created… I truly love it. …It’s going to hold a special meaning for me.”
“…I’m glad to hear that, but…”
Karl hesitated, unsure if he should explain the story behind the creation of the painting. It didn’t seem like the right time. The main reason was Leonid, standing beside Johanna, glaring at him with a murderous intensity.
It was common knowledge that an Alpha’s possessiveness toward their Omega could be intense, but he hadn’t expected to witness this side of Leonid Neubitz. And Karl himself was a Beta. The fact that Leonid displayed such heightened wariness even toward a Beta suggested that his possessiveness and jealousy were beyond extreme.
‘Alphas…’
Suddenly, a bad memory flashed through Karl’s mind, momentarily freezing him in place. He quickly took a deep breath, regaining his composure. Right now, his priority was to diffuse the tension and make a swift exit.
“I’ve successfully delivered the painting, so I’ll take my leave now. Perhaps next time…”
He almost added, *I’d like to see you again*, but a quick glance at Leonid’s fierce demeanor, still as intimidating as a predator protecting its territory, made him change his mind.
“Perhaps we’ll meet again at a social event. Alongside the Marquis of Neubitz, of course.”
Karl’s words were meant to convey a clear message: *I have no intention of provoking you.* As expected, Leonid’s intense aura seemed to ease slightly. Though the sharpness in his gaze remained unchanged.
Karl’s carriage rolled away from the Weimar estate until it disappeared completely from view.
Johanna lowered the hand she had been waving and stood there for a moment, gazing up at the sky. The vivid blue stretched out endlessly above her.
Many thoughts flickered through her mind, yet none of them held any real weight. They scattered like meaningless mist. A faint smile touched her lips, though it, too, was devoid of meaning.
She decided it was time to head back inside, turning toward the main house. But as she did, her eyes met Leonid’s.
He was standing on the steps leading to the entrance, watching her intently. Johanna had assumed he would have already left, so she froze momentarily, taken aback.
For the past month, Leonid had always been the first to disregard her, never bothering to initiate conversation without reason.
It felt strange to see him… staring at her so openly, unlike his usual self. Johanna hesitated when she reached him, lowering her head in a polite nod before trying to slip past him.
She wanted nothing more than to head straight to her room, to lie down on the bed and do nothing. Yet a part of her also wanted to visit the gallery once more, to take a closer look at the painting Karl had made for her. It was astonishing, how perfectly it seemed to emerge from the depths of her memory… it was both surprising and mystifying.
Seeing that painting had brought her to tears… It made her realize just how deeply she missed her mother, far more than she had been aware of.
Sometimes, she thought about going back to those childhood days.
If she could be forever trapped in the beautiful, preserved memories, would she be happier than she was now?
Back in her room, Nella chattered about something, but Johanna couldn’t focus on the words. She buried herself under the blankets and lay on the bed, closing her eyes regardless of whether sleep would come. She tried to empty her mind in the comforting darkness.
But suddenly, someone pulled the blanket away.
She frowned, thinking it was Nella, but her eyes widened at the unexpected sight.
Leonid was there, staring down at her with an intense, unyielding gaze.
“…”
In the silence that seemed to hold no meaning, Johanna slowly sat up. She hesitated for a moment, then began unbuttoning her blouse. Watching her, Leonid let out a soft, incredulous laugh.
She paused after removing the blouse, leaving only her skirt, uncertain of what to do next. His voice cut through the air, sharp and unyielding.
“What are you doing? If you’re going to take it off, take everything off.”
“…”
So he really had come for that, she thought. Johanna complied, sliding her skirt down and stepping out of it, leaving herself fully exposed. Leonid’s gaze swept over her bare form with slow deliberation.
“Do you… starve yourself?”
“Pardon?”
Caught off guard by the abrupt question, Johanna blinked and asked again. Starve? That couldn’t possibly be the case.
“I… eat well enough.”
“Is this what someone who eats well looks like?”
