The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 51
“It’s nothing. Have you had dinner?”
“Not yet. I was waiting to eat with you.”
Although Johanna had already eaten, staying with her brother while he had dinner wasn’t a difficult thing to do.
“Then let’s go upstairs and have dinner. Nadia, Mr. Singkel, we’ll be heading inside now.”
“Oh, alright…”
“Enjoy your dinner! Tell me everything next time!”
Unlike Mr. Singkel, who still seemed a bit dazed, Nadia looked excited, thrilled by the unexpected gossip. Johanna offered a faint smile as she left.
“What were you talking about earlier?”
As they reached home and headed to the kitchen, Daniel asked Johanna. Expecting this moment to come, Johanna wetted her dry lips with her tongue. Now that the neighbors knew, she couldn’t postpone explaining things to Daniel any longer. Especially since she was moving into the Weimar estate within the week, it was something that couldn’t be delayed any further.
She opened the cupboard and took out a pot for stew. With a sigh, Johanna rested her hand on the counter and turned to face him. She met Daniel’s gaze, who stood there silently.
“Actually, I’ve been seeing someone.”
“What do you mean? Seeing someone? As in, dating?”
As Johanna nodded to confirm, Daniel’s eyes wavered like a candle in the wind. Johanna could easily guess how Daniel might take this news.
To Daniel, Johanna was more than just a sister—she was a caregiver, the only adult he trusted and relied on. Hearing that Johanna had someone she was going to marry…
‘He’ll feel anxious.’
Johanna approached Daniel and held his hand tightly.
“The person I’m going to marry. I’ll be moving into his house within the week, and you’ll have to come with me.”
“Something this important… Why are you telling me just now? How long have you been seeing him? What does he do?”
Daniel bombarded her with questions, almost gasping as he spoke. His eyes were filled with deep confusion. Johanna regretted not telling her brother sooner. The unease in her heart had held her back, making it difficult to speak.
“I’ve been overwhelmed too, I’m sorry. The person I’m seeing is Marquis Neubitz. You know who he is, don’t you?”
“Marquis Neubitz…?”
Daniel’s reaction wasn’t much different from that of the neighbors. He only frowned slightly, his expression becoming complex. His sky-blue eyes lost focus for a moment, as if searching his memory.
After a brief pause, Daniel asked in a confused voice,
“But… doesn’t he hate Omegas? How…”
“It’s true he dislikes Omegas, but he says he’s okay with me.”
Unlike before, telling this lie to Daniel pricked at her conscience. Perhaps it was because Daniel was the most precious family member in her life. But it was precisely because of that, she wished he would never learn the truth.
“Are you really… seriously seeing him? Do you like him?”
It was a question filled with the innocent curiosity of a fourteen-year-old. It was more direct and to the point than any question she’d received from others about her relationship with Leonid. Her heart ached. Johanna answered honestly.
“Yes, I like him.”
“…”
“He’s someone I… like.”
“Does he… like you too?”
“Of course. Why else would we be planning to get married?”
She was relieved that she didn’t hesitate for even a second. If her response had been delayed or her voice had trembled, Daniel would have noticed immediately.
“…Ha.”
Daniel let out a deep sigh and sank into a chair at the dining table, running his hands over his face as if washing it. Somehow, he looked older than his years in that moment.
“It’s… really surprising, but if you like him… it’s not really my place to say anything.”
“Yeah.”
“But… isn’t it too soon to get married? It doesn’t seem like you’ve been together for long. It’s all just… so sudden…”
As Daniel rambled, his words trailed off. He suddenly froze, then quickly looked up. His eyes, when they met hers, were filled with intense, unsettled emotions.
“Sis… Are you… pregnant?”
For a moment, Johanna was so taken aback that she was at a loss for words. Misunderstanding her reaction, Daniel jumped to his feet and shouted.
“Is it true?!”
“No, it’s not true!”
Johanna quickly retorted. She had never imagined that Daniel would misunderstand the situation like this. But now that she thought about it, it was an understandable mistake. Others might be making similar assumptions.
“It’s absolutely not that… It’s just that the Marquis’s family wants the wedding to happen quickly, so that’s why they’re rushing it.”
“Then… it’s really not a shotgun wedding, right? You’re really getting married because you love him, right?”
“Yes, I’m really getting married because I love him.”
Suddenly, it struck her as absurd that she had to make such an excuse. Ignoring the rising sense of self-reproach, she forced herself to smile convincingly. She had to look happy. Only then would Daniel and everyone else have no reason to doubt her.
“…Alright. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions. As long as you’re happy with him… then I’m okay with everything.”
Daniel scratched his cheek and smiled awkwardly. Seeing her brother, who knew nothing of the truth and was only worried about her, made Johanna’s eyes sting. She felt like she might cry. But she couldn’t let herself show any tears, so Johanna forced herself to hold back, pressing her eyes tightly to stop the tears.
She just hoped her smile didn’t look too forced.
