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Chapter 5
Elaine opened her eyes slightly in surprise.
For something that sounded like a joke, Kaiden’s eyes were calm and steady. The question he had just asked was not simple curiosity.
“I want us to be the lovers in that painting.”
The quiet words he added drove the point deeper.
Becoming lovers with Kaiden.
It felt like a dream.
Elaine quietly steadied her breathing as she looked at him. Memories of the past few months together surfaced in her mind. The letters where they exchanged greetings, his gentle gaze, the subtle emotions that passed between them.
None of the time she spent with him had been a dream.
Today was the same.
When he overlapped his hand with hers at the exhibition hall, she could not bring herself to pull away. She liked the gentle tension and the fluttering excitement too much to ruin the moment.
That was how special Kaiden’s existence had become to her.
And yet the reason she still hesitated…
…was because she still had not told him the truth.
He knew nothing about the pain and wounds she suffered because of her hearing.
“I…”
Elaine parted her lips, then closed them again.
Her thoughts were a mess.
She did not want to lie.
But she was also afraid to tell him the truth honestly.
She had only just finally become happy.
The three months before meeting Kaiden had felt like three long years. Every single day felt like hell. There were times she even thought it might be better to die.
Only now could she finally smile comfortably again.
Only now could she finally look forward to the future.
Could she really give all of this up?
The question echoed emptily inside her.
“I’m probably not as good a woman as you think I am.”
In the end, fear swallowed her true feelings.
Kaiden’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Were you playing with me?”
“Of course not!”
Elaine quickly lifted her head.
She had denied it for so long, but her feelings for Kaiden were genuine.
Just looking at him made her heart race. Whenever he smiled at her, her chest tingled warmly. She wanted to hold his hand and stay beside him for even a little longer.
At some point, she had fallen in love with the man named Kaiden Hegwin.
That was also why she could not firmly reject his confession.
“I like you, Mr. Hegwin. I truly, sincerely like you, but…”
The golden eyes looking down at her softened gently.
Kaiden pulled her into his arms.
The heartbeat she felt through their touching bodies was calm, like gentle waves.
“Lady Whitfield only needs to give me your heart, just as you are now.”
Elaine’s eyes trembled.
For a moment, she wanted to lean into his broad embrace without thinking about anything else.
A true relationship only begins when you share the truth.
Mrs. Devitt’s words suddenly repeated in her mind again and again.
As if Kaiden could read her hesitation, he whispered softly,
“Follow your heart. It’s natural that we still don’t know everything about each other yet. We can learn slowly over time.”
His gentle eyes and soft voice pulled her heart in a direction she could no longer resist.
“…Do you really think so?”
“Yes. I believe that with time, we’ll naturally learn what each of us worries about and what each of us wants.”
After hesitating, Elaine slowly wrapped her arms around his back.
He was right.
There was no need to reveal everything before they had even truly begun. When she became more prepared… when she was no longer afraid to tell the truth… she wanted to gather the courage to say it.
She did not know what kind of future awaited them together, but at least for now, she wanted to believe this choice was the right one.
The sun fully set, and darkness quietly fell around them.
Elaine slowly buried her face against his chest.
It felt like stepping into a beautiful painting.
She never wanted to leave.
Forever.
* * *
[To my beloved Kaiden,
Have you been doing well?
I almost decided to visit you in Nervia, but I was shocked when I heard the train ride takes twelve whole hours. I also heard it’s still winter there. They say the food and culture are very different too. I know you’ll adapt well no matter where you go, but I still can’t help worrying about you.
Spring has come once again to the Cyprine Hotel.
And my older brother, who went abroad to study, has finally returned home. I wish it had been you returning instead.
I dried my favorite flower from the garden and sent it with this letter because I missed you.
This autumn, on your birthday, I’ll give you an even more wonderful gift. You may look forward to it.
P.S. Father said you haven’t contacted him lately. Since when did the two of you start exchanging letters? I think I’m starting to feel a little jealous.
From Elaine Whitfield, who waits only for you.]
[To Elaine,
Spring has finally arrived in Nervia as well.
Which also means the time for me to return to your side is approaching.
I received your proposal letter safely. I had been worried because I hadn’t heard from you for a while, but I never imagined you were preparing such a surprise. I should have been the one to propose first. As a man, I suppose I’ve failed in that regard. When I return, I’ll properly propose to you even if it’s late.
I also heard you do not want a wedding ceremony. It’s unfortunate that I won’t get to see you as a beautiful bride. Still, being able to start living together immediately this summer without unnecessary wedding preparations is certainly a good thing.
You do not need to send a reply. By the time this letter reaches you, I’ll already be by your side.
Kaiden Hegwin.]
* * *
A cool breeze brushed against Elaine’s cheek.
Late at night, Elaine walked while carrying a canvas. Dry autumn leaves crunched beneath her feet with every step. Before she realized it, autumn had already grown deep.
It had already been two years since she began dating Kaiden. Including the time they had known each other before that, three years had passed in total.
And it had been three months since she became the wife and family of one man without even holding a wedding ceremony.
It was not the beginning of a normal marriage, but she had been happy.
Every morning, she woke up beside Kaiden and shared meals with him. Sometimes they drank tea together while exchanging small jokes, and sometimes she fell asleep in his arms.
Their days had been peaceful.
However, for some reason, recently she had spent more and more time alone.
She woke up alone in bed.
She ate meals alone.
Only the lingering warmth left on the bed told her that Kaiden had returned at some point.
Today marked the fourth day since she last saw him.
In the end, Elaine found herself standing in front of Kaiden’s office.
The clock pointed to 11:40 PM.
She did not want to interrupt his time, but she had to see him before the day ended.
After calming herself, Elaine knocked on the door.
Not long later, Kaiden’s voice came from inside. She could not hear it clearly, but it seemed he was telling her to come in.
Elaine opened the office door and stepped inside.
Kaiden sat at his desk, reviewing documents.
“Kaiden. Could you spare me a little time?”
“I still have work to finish first.”
“It’ll only take a moment.”
“I’d like to return those same words to you.”
The reply was cold and merciless.
Elaine bit her lower lip.
It felt completely unfamiliar.
So unfamiliar that she even questioned whether this was truly the Kaiden Hegwin she knew.
“…Are you angry because I interrupted you?”
The only answer she received was the sound of papers turning.
It clearly meant he had no intention of replying no matter what she said.
Elaine stood there silently staring at him.
White steam rose from the cup sitting on his desk. Only then did she understand why the office smelled strongly of coffee.
“When… did you start drinking coffee again?”
Once again, he answered only with silence.
11:55 PM.
The clock inside the office slowly approached midnight.
Even until then, Kaiden did not look at her a single time.
Elaine anxiously glanced at the clock.
11:59 PM.
Less than one minute remained until midnight.
Slowly, she opened her lips.
“I didn’t want to disturb you, but I thought I should say this before it became too late. Today was your birthday.”
“……”
“Happy birthday, Kaiden.”
Dong.
The grandfather clock quietly announced midnight.
Kaiden slowly lifted his head.
His golden eyes looked deep and dark.
Elaine purposely avoided his gaze.
Because she believed he would smile soon enough.
More than anything, she was confident she could make him smile.
“I prepared a gift for you.”
Elaine quietly walked closer and placed the canvas down.
Inside the painting was a beautiful memory.
A sunset sea.
A snowy beach.
And a pair of lovers.
It was a painting created only for Kaiden Hegwin.
Kaiden’s gaze moved toward the painting.
“Do you remember? You once said you hoped there would be lovers in the sea painting I imagined. It’s you and me.”
“……”
“I considered using it as the main piece for my future exhibition someday. But I thought giving it to you would make it even more meaningful. What do you think?”
Elaine carefully watched Kaiden’s expression.
His face remained completely emotionless.
Just as the heavy silence became unbearable—
His lips twisted upward.
Disgust filled his golden eyes.
“You interrupted my time just to give me something like this?”
“…Kaiden?”
Her entire body stiffened, and her heartbeat became unstable.
Something like this.
Those careless words echoed endlessly in her mind.
It felt as though her blood had turned cold.
“I don’t want to see it, so take it away. Before I throw it out myself.”
His voice was unbearably cold and dry.
After saying those words, he looked away again.
Elaine stood frozen in place, blinking blankly.
It felt as though she had been dragged out of a dream she thought would never end.
