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Chapter 34
Pregnant. I had expected it, but I didn’t think she’d act so quickly.
“Today, she looks strangely confident.”
Doana, who usually played coy and wary around others, now seemed to think she was in a position of advantage. With a child in her womb, she was intoxicated with the sense of victory, like someone who had already raised the flag of triumph. The makeup she had stolen and applied still looked grotesque. Though she covered one cheek with gauze, it was obvious even at a glance that her wound wasn’t healing easily.
“Did Eric promise to fully take care of it? She’s so calm, so different from when she was throwing a fit before.”
Truly, Doana didn’t seem to think much about her injury. She probably hadn’t fully grasped that medicine in this era wasn’t the same as in the modern world. Right now, what mattered to her wasn’t her skin—it was the child. Worries about her skin could wait until after she had driven Rose out.
“You were bragging about your boyfriend so much… Congratulations. Does he know you’re pregnant too?”
A small smile tugged at Doana’s face, as if ready to burst out, in response to Rose’s words. Yes, it must be ridiculous to be congratulating a woman pregnant with your husband’s child. Doana forced herself to hide her smirk and raised her chin arrogantly.
“Yes. I told him, and he was thrilled. He said he would marry me and promised to explain it properly to his wife.”
“So he already has a wife, huh? Well, in this world, mistresses are common. They usually call them ‘official partners.’ That’s fine. Don’t be too embarrassed about your behavior. Even if it would be a scandal in Korea, committing adultery isn’t such a big deal here.”
Rose spoke to Doana in a tone that was oddly sarcastic. Doana noticed immediately. She raised her eyebrows arrogantly and leaned back.
“An official partner, huh…”
Doana’s voice trailed off slightly, her eyes narrowing into slits. Could she really remain so calm even knowing the full truth?
“Ha, she’ll probably cry her eyes out, all tears and snot,” Doana thought.
She wanted Rose, who was acting haughty, to crumble. Stealing from someone who appeared happy was such a thrill. Unable to hide her excitement over something that hadn’t even happened yet, Doana fidgeted in place.
“Well… he said he’d give me the title of ‘Countess,’ not just make me a mistress.”
She raised the corner of her mouth, casting a provocative look at Rose. Here, I’ve given you a hint. The moment she heard “Countess,” what kind of expression would appear on your face? Doana, staring at Rose with eyes full of madness, continued without stopping.
“Honestly, I was surprised. I’m only a maid? I deserve at least the rank of Countess.”
Doana stood up and slowly approached Rose. She went behind Rose, placed her hands on her shoulders, and looked into the mirror in front of them. In the reflection, Rose was in an elegant dress, while Doana wore her rough uniform. Doana touched Rose’s dress and spoke gently.
“You’re going to congratulate me on my marriage, right?”
The word “congratulate” almost made Rose’s face freeze. You say the same thing exactly as before… Rose clenched her teeth as she recalled the past. In her previous life, Yarue had betrayed her, smiled brightly while carrying her husband’s child, and it was just as disgusting as before. Eric… it didn’t matter to her whether he was involved or not. But the anger of reliving the same events didn’t subside easily. Memories surged like waves. Rose glared at Doana with cold eyes. I mustn’t be swept away. I can’t let this happen…
“Is he really my husband, Count Wens’ child?”
Her anger was hard to control. Doana, watching Rose get excited just as she planned, felt exhilarated. Yes, this is the feeling I’ve been craving. I want to crush Rose completely. Doana nodded, not surprised or apologetic, with the happiest expression on her face. Rose’s expression hardened fearfully at this. I wanted to leave gracefully with a smile… but it seems impossible. Seeing that expression twice and letting it slide…
“What a fool.”
No longer would Rose live as a pushover. She slowly lifted the cold teacup. Standing abruptly, she poured the remaining tea over Doana’s head without hesitation.
“Ahhh!”
Doana screamed as the hot tea soaked her. In her previous life, she could never have done this. Back then, she could only cry stupidly and run away.
“I should’ve done this back then.”
For three years, she regretted staying in a tiny studio apartment. She thought about grabbing her hair, slapping her, anything to take revenge. Finally, being able to settle that debt, even this way, felt immensely satisfying. Rose looked coldly at Doana, who trembled like a drowned rat.
“Aren’t you even sorry? That’s my husband! You messed around with Eric behind my back. At least say you’re sorry.”
Doana stomped her foot. Wearing high heels, she was easily ten centimeters taller than Rose and looked down at her while shouting.
“Huh? What are you doing? He’s not even someone you love! You just got lucky and stole the Countess’ position!”
Slash! Doana’s face turned sharply to the right as Rose struck her. She touched her stinging cheek, realizing she hadn’t expected to be hit. Wide-eyed, she raised her hand toward Rose.
“What the—!”
Rose easily blocked Doana’s strike and smacked her cheek once more.
“Ah!”
Beaten not once, but twice!
Rose’s strikes, sharper than before, made Doana lose her balance. Wearing high heels, she fell to the floor with a scream. Not willing to remain a victim, she glared at Rose, plotting revenge. Doana’s eyes landed on the still-boiling kettle on the table. If she poured the hot water on Rose’s face…! Just as she was about to act, the door burst open.
“What’s all the noise?”
It was Eric. Doana, who had been burning with anger, instantly changed her expression as he entered. Tears welled up in her eyes. Seeing Eric, she clutched her belly and called out pitifully.
“Eric…”
“Doana!”
Eric lifted her gently. Seeing her swollen cheeks and wet hair, he was furious. Blinded by jealousy, she had done such a thing! Inside her was his precious child, one they couldn’t have had in their marriage. Eric glared at Rose with a piercing look.
“What is going on here?”
Perhaps because of his anger, he hit someone for the first time in his life. He didn’t regret it.
“My hand slipped,” Rose shrugged toward Eric.
Doana glared at Rose.
“She said she’s carrying the Count’s child. You must be really angry…”
Her voice was gentle, despite her murderous gaze.
“Shameless. Telling such an obvious lie.”
Hearing Doana, Eric’s gaze burned into Rose. Why were cheaters always the same? Who’s the shameless one? Holding Doana, carrying his child, he glared at Rose.
“Congratulations. You finally become the father you wanted so much.”
“Yes. Something you couldn’t do for years.”
He looked at Rose with disdain, continuing with barbed words.
“You didn’t even take care of your body and caused a miscarriage. And yet you…!”
Slash! Before Eric could finish, Rose slapped his cheek hard.
“That bastard… How dare he say that to a woman he’s been with for three years!”
Though it wasn’t her miscarriage, Rose’s anger boiled over. Eric’s harsh words to his own wife were unbearable.
“Who’s fault was the miscarriage anyway…!”
In the original story, Rose had no fault. Eric’s infidelity caused her miscarriage. Her only “sin” was loving that wretched Eric too much. Eric laughed absurdly, holding his slapped cheek.
“Divorce. I don’t want to spend a single moment with a woman like you.”
At the word “divorce,” a faint smile appeared on Doana’s face.
‘I was planning to threaten him if he lingered, but the Count handled it himself.’
Rose met Doana’s gaze in Eric’s arms. She smiled slightly, unafraid.
“Yes. Let’s divorce.”
Eric’s eyes twitched in surprise.
‘I thought she’d beg on her knees…’
She was supposed to cry, plead, and beg for life. But Rose’s reaction was odd. Eric glared in disbelief.
“Did you eat something bad? Why are you so confident?”
“You don’t even love me. Do you know Doana knows about you seeing other women every day?”
Doana’s face hardened slightly at Rose’s words. Despite committing adultery, she didn’t want her man seeing other women.
“Don’t you know the baby can hear from the womb? Nothing is off-limits in front of the baby.”
“I didn’t say anything wrong. I’m just stating facts.”
Rose slowly approached Eric, looking him in the eye.
“I can’t say congratulations, but thank you. I really wanted a divorce from you.”
“What?”
Eric looked as if he’d been struck by a hammer.
‘…Is this woman insane? She’s going to live without me?’
Once she clung desperately to marry, claiming she couldn’t live without him, even staging a suicide. Eric thought Rose’s words were mere stubbornness. Perhaps she said that in anger because she was carrying his child.
“I’ll have a maid fetch my things.”
“Wait.”
Eric stopped Rose from leaving. Doana flinched in his arms.
‘Why is he stopping Rose? Could it be… he’s going to revoke the divorce?’
Doana, feeling everything was going smoothly, tensed at Eric’s voice. But her worry was unnecessary.
“You need to sign the divorce papers before leaving. Don’t think I won’t catch you if you leave carelessly.”
Rose slowly turned toward him, looking him in the eyes.
“Gladly. I don’t want anything more to do with you anyway.”
Eric’s face twisted in disbelief at her audacity.
“I’ll be watching how long that pride of yours lasts.”
“Why watch me now that we’re divorced? I hope you don’t bother with me anymore.”
He gave a hollow laugh at her boldness.
“Fine, keep annoying me. It won’t do you any good. If you want alimony, it’s better to behave till the end.”
Now he threatened her with money. Rose sighed at his pathetic attitude.
‘Good thing I teamed up with Duke Artium. Otherwise, I might’ve had to lie just to get alimony from this jerk.’
“Forget it. I don’t need alimony. I have enough money anyway.”
Although she hadn’t received it yet, she would soon. Rose stood tall, speaking confidently, and left the room with a smile. She felt free. No longer was she the wife who cried after being taken from. She stamped the documents prepared by Eric. The servants, unsure how to react to her bright farewell, held back tears. Rose waved to them cheerfully, then glanced around.
‘Where did Sir Cern and Jane go…?’
She wanted to say goodbye, but couldn’t find them. Leaving short notes for both, she exited the mansion. Partly, she thought it was better to leave without seeing them, avoiding Jane’s tearful chase.
“What perfect weather for a divorce.”
Outside, she basked in the warm sunlight. Eric didn’t give her a single penny or even a carriage. If this had happened to a noble, it might’ve felt shameful. But Rose, from Korea, didn’t care. She often jogged. Today, with the weather perfect, she could walk to the bustling streets near the Count’s estate. Maybe she could even sell some gems from her dress for transport money.
“Hmm… I feel a bit dizzy…”
Her steps were heavy, her body still weak since yesterday. Rose moved cautiously. She felt feverish, but it was manageable. Having grown up with parents who told her to go to school even if sick, she had always received perfect attendance awards. She could manage this too. She just needed to sell the jewels and buy medicine.
“The ground is so uneven here…”
Sweat dotted her forehead as she stumbled through the busy streets.
“Where’s the jewelry store?”
As she looked around, a familiar figure appeared.
“Huh…?”
Even in a robe, it was clear. The platinum hair and sapphire-blue eyes—it was Duke Artium. Rose rubbed her blurry eyes and waved. Normally intimidating, today he seemed warmly welcoming. Smiling, he approached her.
‘The Countess of Wens? Alone without a guard…’
Rose muttered to herself as he neared.
“Indeed, it’s Duke Artium.”
He studied her quietly.
“You look happy.”
He asked why she was alone, prying into her situation. Rose eagerly responded.
“I just got divorced.”
She smiled widely, feeling completely free. But after saying this, she lost consciousness. Her body collapsed forward. The Duke caught her limp form.
“…Countess Wens?”
He looked down at her in his arms, concern in his eyes.
