The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 20
The amount Victoria hinted at was beyond imagination. With that money, she could pay off the debt and still have plenty left. Perhaps, after everything was over, they could move to a better place. From the old, top-floor apartment where the hot water frequently cut out and the ceiling leaked on rainy days, to a more comfortable home.
The problem was the steep price she had to pay to get that money.
Johanna spent the entire day thinking and rethinking. And late at night, as she looked down at her peacefully sleeping brother’s innocent face, she made her decision.
There was no other choice.
Her father was still missing, and there was no one left to turn to for help. She had to choose between the worst and the lesser of two evils.
The choice that was slightly less miserable.
The choice that allowed her to protect her brother’s future…
The only thing that bothered her was that the person involved was him.
Leonid Neubitz would have long erased any fleeting connection they had.
But Johanna could still vividly recall that time. It was a memory she could never forget.
* * *
Johanna visited the Elderique family’s townhouse with Victoria. It was a particularly cloudy Tuesday afternoon. Despite the gloomy weather, the well-manicured garden with evergreen trees was strikingly beautiful.
The estate was as vast as a royal palace, and the buildings on it were luxurious and grand. It was clear why this family held such power and influence in the country.
Johanna first met with the marquis’s aide for a brief interview, submitting the test results proving she was an omega and her personal details. Afterward, she was separated from Victoria and led to the reception room, where she felt overwhelmed by the opulent surroundings.
What would it be like to live in a palace like this every day? It was hard for her to imagine.
After waiting for about twenty minutes in the reception room, he finally appeared—Leonid Neubitz Rinke Elderique. As soon as he entered the room, Johanna quickly stood up. Feeling awkward, she fidgeted with her hands clasped above her navel, aware of his discerning gaze.
From the moment he arrived, her heart pounded so hard she could barely think straight. It had been four weeks since she last saw him. Her heart fluttered at the sight of her first love, as handsome as ever. His nearly perfect features were shaded with deep contours, resembling a sculpture. He had a large, strong build characteristic of an alpha, and an imposing presence that dominated the air around him.
In her work as an illustrator for a newspaper, Johanna often had to follow journalists around. Thanks to this, she frequently had the chance to see and draw him in person.
The first time she did this was when she was sixteen. Naturally, Leonid Neubitz never spared a glance at the plain illustrator standing behind the reporter.
She wondered if he might recognize her, but quickly realized he wouldn’t spare her even a glance and resigned her to the fact.
They lived in different worlds anyway. He was a grand noble who held sway over the country, while she was the daughter of a fallen noble family that lost its title long ago.
The fact that we were meeting and talking again was, in a way, a miracle.
“Miss Johanna Lucerne?”
“Yes, it’s an honor to meet you.”
“Honor, my foot.”
He chuckled as she greeted him nervously and then sat down. He took a seat on the sofa opposite to her. She licked her dry lips nervously and watched his reaction.
When she continued to stand, Leonid glanced at her and ordered in an indifferent voice, without any warmth.
“Sit down. Don’t make my neck hurt.”
“I’m sorry.”
She quickly bowed her head and sat down. The luxurious velvet-covered sofa was so soft that it felt like sinking into a cloud.
“Dr. Oder recommended you.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Oder was Victoria’s family name. The fact that the marquis referred to her as “Dr. Oder” suggested she was highly trusted.
“You must already know the rules. Everything about meeting me, our conversation here, and my purpose must remain confidential.”
“Of course. I will keep it in mind.”
“It hasn’t been long since you manifested as a dominant omega… has it? It must be difficult to adjust to living as an omega all of a sudden.”
Leonid looked up from the documents and directly at Johanna. His eyes, as beautiful as twilight or whiskey in a glass, made it hard for her to breathe.
