The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 98
“…I thought you were deeply loyal to your family. But it seems that devotion is only for your brother.”
“To be exact, it was only for my mother and brother. Now that my mother’s gone, my brother is the only family I have left.”
“And you don’t consider your father family?”
“How could I? He’s never acted like a proper parent, he’s a gambling addict, and he even stole my name to take out loans. Would you consider someone like that family?”
“……”
Leonid hadn’t known about her father stealing her name. He probably just thought her father was in debt, and Johanna, as his daughter, was responsible for paying it off.
He didn’t know about the mess her father had made of her mother’s funeral or how close she had come to being dragged into ruin because of him.
And he didn’t need to know.
Their relationship wasn’t the kind where they shared such personal details. They were tied by a contract, temporary and shallow, like standing in a shallow puddle they could step out of at any moment.
That’s all it was.
“My goal is the money, you’re right. With that damn money, I can pay off the debt, cover my brother’s school fees, and move into a house where the roof doesn’t leak. You, Marquis, who’ve never known a life of scarcity, could never understand how desperate people like me are for that damn money.”
“…Would you look at that, you’ve learned how to be sarcastic too.”
“I’m not giving even a piece of my soul to that bastard Ilian Rediess, so stop pushing me about it. I’ll make sure there are no rumors about the Marchioness of Neubitz having inappropriate ties with a loan shark. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”
The apology at the end was so half-hearted it was almost laughable. Leonid let out a dry chuckle, caught off guard by her audacity. He had expected her to be resilient, but this level of boldness exceeded his expectations.
“…Fine, just make sure you handle things properly.”
“…”
“This child, growing in your belly, will only carry my blood.”
His hand rested firmly on Johanna’s lower abdomen, a clear warning to her. The implication was unmistakable—she was not to give herself to anyone else.
As the meaning of his words sunk in, Johanna’s face turned pale, the weight of the insult striking her hard. She trembled from the sheer force of the humiliation, and Leonid watched her silently. She bit her lower lip before finally releasing the breath she had been holding.
“…Yes, I’ll give you the heir of House Elderique…”
Her voice wavered with suppressed rage, but there was defiance in her tear-filled eyes, as if she refused to be broken completely.
“And in return, you must give me my due.”
Leonid let out a low, mocking laugh before crushing his lips against hers. His hand gripped the back of her neck, pulling her closer, making escape impossible. He bit at her tightly pressed lips before forcing her mouth open and sliding his tongue inside.
“Hmph, mmm…!”
The taste of pheromones, sweet like fruit nectar, mixed with the salty tang of her tears. He sucked at her tongue, pulling it deeper before pulling away just long enough to gaze at her tear-streaked face.
Despite her defiance, despite her sharp words, she was now reduced to tears, which made her earlier resistance seem almost absurd. He pulled her even closer, their bodies flush against one another, her warmth and the pounding of her heart undeniable.
There was no meaning in this act. It was just a procedure, nothing more than a means to an end: pregnancy. Yet, the pleasure he derived from her body was undeniable.
“Not here… please…”
As Leonid began to undress her, Johanna pushed him away, shaking her head in resistance. He felt the surge of frustration, wanting to ignore her protests and continue, but her pitiful sobs softened his resolve. It stirred something in him, a strange desire to soothe her, like one might comfort a small, vulnerable kitten or puppy.
With a heavy sigh, Leonid forced himself to reign in his anger. He couldn’t even fully explain why he was so furious. It was as if the mere idea of another alpha—especially that cursed bastard—wanting his omega, even temporarily, sent hot blood rushing to his head.
“…So, what can we do here, then? Hm?”
He gently stroked her tear-stained cheek, his voice soft, but Johanna just looked up at him blankly, as though she didn’t understand the question. She was clearly overwhelmed and not in a good state.
In the end, all he did was hold her and kiss her. By the time they reached the estate, her lips were swollen and red like ripe cherries from the intensity of their kisses.
Wrapping his coat around her, covering her from head to toe, he lifted her into his arms. As they exited the carriage, the waiting servants quickly bowed their heads, not daring to meet their master’s gaze. Leonid carried her through them and into the manor.
His pheromones, which he had stopped trying to control, poured out in waves, and the omega in his arms trembled intermittently, responding instinctively. Leonid’s steps quickened as urgency overtook him.
