The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 49
Nina, who was staring intently at the school festival invitation, asked Marsha,
“…Should I go? Or should I not?”
Marsha, who was removing ornaments from an outdated dress, sighed and replied,
“Madam, that’s the thirtieth time you’ve asked that.”
Since opening the invitation, Nina had asked the same question thirty times over the course of half a day. Marsha’s answer had remained consistent: it was up to Nina’s discretion.
“Well, I’m technically his aunt, so I feel like I should go, but I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to do…”
She had a feeling her husband would be angry if she interfered, but she wondered who else would go if she didn’t. Before Ian returned to the past, he had not come home for three years, and Ash had never visited him either. This meant he had never attended any of Ian’s academy events.
Not bringing Ian home during vacations could be justified as protecting the child’s emotional well-being in a household like theirs. But that didn’t explain not visiting him at all.
The Hennige Marquisate was about a two-day trip using the portal. It wasn’t an impossible distance to cover even with a busy schedule.
Thinking about how the man who seemed more likely to break than bend had married her primarily because of his nephew, Nina realized it wasn’t just out of duty.
“Won’t the young lord’s grandparents attend?”
“Well, I heard they’re too old to travel long distances. They’ve passed on their title and are living in the countryside…”
“What about his other uncle?”
“Isn’t that uncle the one who fought with my husband over inheritance rights…?”
“Ah…”
Thinking of mentioning it just in case, Nina shook her head.
‘Why am I even trying to act like an aunt when I’ll be leaving in a year?’
It was truly unnecessary meddling. She felt overly empathetic towards the child.
Events like sports days, open classes, and graduations… Even ‘Jang So-young’ had times when she eagerly waited for her parents, looking around for them. Though they weren’t exactly fond memories.
‘Why am I even remembering this…’
Nina shook her head to clear away the thoughts of the past. Despite feeling for the child, all she could do as a one-year aunt was to ask her husband if he planned to attend.
“Marsha, can you ask the Duke if he could spare me five minutes?”
“Yes, I’ll be right back.”
She wasn’t asking for a chat but requesting a clear purpose for just five minutes… Surely, there would be no misunderstanding.
“Madam, the Duke said he will come soon.”
“Him?”
“Madam, you injured your leg.”
“It’s not even that uncomfortable to walk anymore…”
A few days had passed since the incident, and scabs had started to form on her wounds, with the swelling in her ankle subsiding. Though her wound still tingled slightly, it wasn’t to the point where she couldn’t walk…
The fact that he was showing such consideration for her injury, though not grand, felt like a significant change given the previous neglect.
‘I have a good feeling about this…’
Thinking back, despite her embarrassing past, she hadn’t been clingy. She had diligently managed the household, saved Marquis Saldersford, and even her own life. With such efforts, even if judged conservatively, he might be willing to put aside some of his long-held grudges.
If he couldn’t even allow her to ask about attending the school festival, then he truly would be an ‘icon of uncommunicativeness’.
“You mentioned wanting a divorce, but are you perhaps eyeing the aunt’s position?”
Indeed, he was the icon of uncommunicativeness. His sarcastic smile left Nina flustered as she replied,
“I just wanted to ask if I should attend since an invitation arrived. How does that imply something else…?”
“I will handle matters concerning my nephew. If you have no ulterior motives, do not concern yourself with such matters from now on.”
Nina’s lips parted slightly at his emotionless, low voice.
“The marriage will end in a year, so there’s no need for you to act as an aunt, is there?”
His restrained gestures and even more restrained emotions left Nina at a loss for words.
Anger. Irritation. Wariness.
None of the reactions she expected were present.
