The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 185
Her mind went blank. Johanna felt as though someone had struck her with a hammer, the shock crashing down on her like a tidal wave. It felt as if the ground beneath her feet had caved in.
Her hand, clutching the document, trembled uncontrollably. The disbelief clouded her vision, making it hard to see anything clearly. Could this be a nightmare? But no dream could feel so vivid. The document in her hands, Hermia’s piercing gaze… all of it was an undeniable reality.
“Confess the truth. Did you conspire with Oder to deceive us?”
Hermia’s voice lashed out like a fierce blizzard. Reflexively, Johanna flinched, her pale lips quivering as she looked down at the document once more. No matter how many times she read it, the words hadn’t changed.
Infertility.
That word drifted aimlessly in her mind. The reality that had crashed upon her was suffocating, rendering her thoughts slow and heavy. The first question that surfaced was, had Victoria deceived her?
But the Victoria Johanna knew wasn’t someone who would deceive anyone over something like this. Something felt wrong. Could there have been a mistake?
She couldn’t bring herself to look toward Leonid. She was too afraid to see the expression on his face. Keeping her gaze fixed on the document, she asked in a voice that betrayed her fear.
“Victoria… Where is she now?”
“Answer the question!”
“Enough, Mother.”
Leonid’s voice cut through the tension as he warned Hermia in a cold tone. Turning his back to Hermia, he pulled Johanna into his arms, shielding her. Thanks to him, Johanna was finally able to escape Hermia’s piercing gaze.
As Johanna rested her head against Leonid’s broad chest, she felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. A soothing pheromone seeped from him, clearly meant to calm her. She exhaled the breath caught painfully in her chest, breathing in short, shallow gasps.
“Victoria Oder fled in the middle of the night.”
Leonid’s low voice fell softly above her head, and the unbelievable news made her heart sink.
“Her family doesn’t know where she is, either. No one’s seen her.”
The string of bewildering information left her feeling dizzy. Victoria cherished her family. And yet, she had abandoned them and fled? No matter how she tried to process it, it didn’t make sense.
“Victoria… she wouldn’t do something like that. This doesn’t add up. Something is… wrong…”
As she stammered, almost hyperventilating, Leonid let out a heavy sigh and tightened his embrace around her. She clung to him as if he were gravity itself, anchoring her to the earth.
“I know. Dr. Oder isn’t someone who would do that.”
“I… I didn’t know… Really…”
At last, the tears she had been holding back spilled down her cheeks. The harsh reality crashing over her filled her with dread. If it was true that she was infertile, then she couldn’t give him an heir. She would be of no use at all.
Then, she wouldn’t receive the promised money, nor could she repay her debts. It was the worst-case scenario. Her future had never felt so bleak.
“I believe you.”
“Sniff…”
“And I don’t care if you’re infertile.”
At his words, Johanna’s sobs quieted, and she looked up at Leonid, dazed. His gaze was steady, unwavering. He didn’t look like he was lying. But to say he didn’t care if she was infertile…
“Stay by my side. We can find another omega to bear the heir.”
“…”
Johanna stood stunned, his words echoing in her mind. Another omega to bear the heir… Then what was she supposed to be by his side for?
A chilling thought crept over her, a dark premonition that soon became reality. And the one to set it in motion was Hermia.
“What are you saying? Are you planning to keep her as your mistress?”
“And if I am? Are you planning to meddle in my personal life too, Mother?”
“You’ve lost your mind, Leonid. You’re seriously thinking of not divorcing her? I will never allow her to take the title of Duchess of Elderique. If you persist, I’ll have no choice but to tell your father.”
“How could I defy Grandfather’s will? If he demands a divorce, then so be it. But I won’t let Johanna go. Even if I have to imprint her, she will stay by my side.”
At that moment, Johanna nearly collapsed in Leonid’s arms, her body trembling as if she might fall apart. Too much was happening at once. Her heart felt as though it might burst, unable to bear the shock.
“How far are you planning to let your reputation fall, Leonid? Can’t you imagine how the gossips will mock and scorn you?”
“Let them mock. I won’t care, one way or another.”
“Leonid!”
Unable to contain her rage, Hermia shouted, her shrill voice piercing Johanna’s ears, making her head ring like a struck bell.
