CWMBR 55

Chapter 55

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“If that's what I wanted, I wouldn't have gone through this troublesome process. I never wished for your death. You're the one who keeps…”

“Threaten you with my own life? I have no intention of doing that. How much meaning could my life possibly hold for you that you’d use it as leverage?”

Threats, by their very nature, must be directed at someone vulnerable and delivered in a way that works. Could Bridget’s life even dent Ain’s social standing? Bridget had no will to sacrifice her life for an uncertain outcome.

Frankly, she didn't have the energy for such an effort.

"It'll be the same from now on. I don't intend to force responsibility onto you because I'm sick, so you don't need to be so restless."

Of course, this was solely Bridget's personal stance. It meant she wouldn't deny it if the royal investigators concluded Ain bore some responsibility based on their findings.

Ain fell silent for a moment, seemingly at a loss for words in response to Bridget's detached reply. Then, in a stiff voice, he said,

"I didn't expect the doctors to refuse to treat you."

"How impressive, Lord Ain Wise."

Bridget sighed as she absentmindedly flipped through the neatly arranged papers on the desk, trying to draw attention.

"If you thought that blatant contempt and disgust you showed me at the wedding ceremony would have absolutely no effect, you're a fool."

Was that really a wedding? Bridget recalled Ain, who hadn't laid a finger on her. He hadn't even bothered to dress properly for the occasion, making Bridget look ridiculous in her wedding gown.

Was there really any need to dig deeper into the story? A bride in a white veil and wedding dress, a groom in casual clothes.

The mere sight of the two standing side by side made their circumstances as clear as day to the whole world.

"That's why the gap between our statuses is so vast. We were never on the same level from the start. Just because we hung out together for a while, I thought something had happened between us... and I..."

If only she had refused his personal request to show him around the city, would she have fallen into such a delusion?

If only she hadn't accepted his dinner invitation... No, she should never have gotten involved with Ain in the first place.

Bridget licked her lips and forced a smile.

"At least you don’t intend to sue me for alimony. I'm grateful you show mercy one last time. Selling the mansion would have left me in a tight spot anyway."

"Why are you so certain about the outcome of this lawsuit?"

"The moment you denied and doubted 'us' at the Breford mansion, the outcome was decided."

Bridget, who had firmly refuted him, shifted her gaze from the floor to Ain.

"Do you realize how strange your behavior is right now? Didn't Mr. Rogers warn you? Or did the investigation uncover something unfavorable about you? Is that why you're trying to change tactics like this?"

"Your behavior is the one that doesn't make sense."

Ain's expression showed he couldn't agree with Bridget's criticism.

"If you don't maintain this marriage, you'll end up with nothing."

Why did he assume she would fight to keep this marriage? Bridget let out a hollow laugh.

"You married me because I was pregnant. I did the same. I married you because I was pregnant."

Amid the grand theater's scenery, where it felt as though she'd lost her place, the news of her pregnancy arrived just as she couldn't find a single spot to settle her heart. Bridget found the baby's existence both bewildering and welcome. She was, after all, a little glad at the thought that she wouldn't be alone anymore.

"What I wanted was just..."

Bridget paused, swallowed dryly, and said in a parched tone.

"Just a normal, happy family."

To have believed that was possible with Ain was utterly foolish.

After Bridget finished speaking, silence hung in the office. Bridget touched her forehead, her face looking somewhat weary.

"I came to check on the person who collapsed and ended up at the Grand Theater, but it seems like an unnecessary trip after all."

Fortunately, Ain seemed to realize that Bridget needed some mental rest. Bridget quietly watched Ain’s empty hands as he said he would leave now that he'd seen her face. Outside, the rain was still falling, and the man's shoulders remained damp. Bridget briefly glanced at the umbrella he had left standing before turning her attention back to the desk with a blank expression.

And she said nothing until he left.

***

During the time Bridget was ill, Ain received word that the photo submitted as evidence had not been tampered with. The additional film he had provided was also genuine.

That scene had truly occurred that night.

"It was true that Donna Green climbed on top of me."

Saying it aloud made it feel even more horrific. That it was real. That it had truly happened. Then what about the photo of Bridget and Finn?

This was sickening. He couldn't bring himself to do anything. There was more unpleasant news. Reports indicated the photographer who took these pictures had vanished without a trace. Since Donna said she'd been threatened, he must have been in Glynford until recently. The delay in apprehending the photographer naturally put the brakes on efforts to uncover more details about the circumstances of that night.

The press agency, already in turmoil, only confirmed the photographer had quit long ago. The circumstances suggested he had printed the photo in advance and used it to blackmail Donna. However, all work taken during his employment belonged to the agency, so he couldn't take the film when he left. The company had no idea that particular photo was among those he'd taken.

Of course, that excuse wouldn't save them from going out of business.

Thinking of the newspaper company soon to close, Ain recalled his earlier conversation with Bridget.

"Are you really asking that because you didn't know?"

Ignorance was no excuse.

"I was denied treatment."

It was clear his attitude had isolated her. Saying he hadn't meant to, or that he genuinely didn't know, couldn't absolve him of responsibility for what had happened.

"Excuse me, Sir Wise."

Lost in thought, Ain stopped on the stairs at the call. It was Ronan who had called him.

Glancing around, Ronan quickly approached Ain.

"Haha, it feels rather strange to see you again here. Do you have a moment?"

Ronan's awkward smile stretched across his face as he spoke, his body constantly bowing.

"Whatever Bridget did, it was probably done in ignorance."

Clasping his hands together, Ronan wore a look of utter misery and servility. When he was Patrick Sherman, Ronan had been so haughty, but ever since it was revealed he was Ain Wise, he had always been like this.

This wasn't the first time he'd seen someone like Ronan. In fact, this was the most familiar and common type of person Ain had encountered, making it easier for him.

"So please, let go of your anger, if only for Donna's sake..."

"Why is Donna Green's name coming up here?"

Ain, who had been listening silently, cut Ronan off and asked. Ronan answered with a bewildered expression.

"Huh? Well, you have a deep connection with Donna, don't you..."

"If we're talking about connections, it's not that woman but my wife with whom I share a deeper bond."

Those memories from the past were undoubtedly precious to him. Yet he believed he had already repaid her sufficiently for those memories upon their reunion. Truth be told, it wasn't as if their first love had been anything special, and she seemed to have no recollection of it at all. What reason did he have to care any more than this?

In fact, he was starting to feel annoyed with Donna Green. Turning a blind eye for old ties was one thing, but if it were anyone else, he wouldn't have bothered associating with them in the first place.

Ain's rebuttal made Ronan look flustered.

"Wife? Who? Ah. Bridget. Bridget, yes. Ha ha, right. You’re still married, after all."

Ronan pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. After awkwardly nodding and smiling, he cleared his throat and spoke again in a sly tone.

"But this is the grand theater where Donna performs exclusively. And while it's an old connection, isn't a man's first love something profoundly tender? For the sake of that youthful feeling, if you could just be generous and overlook it this once..."

Was first love really something to attach such immense significance to?

He truly couldn't understand. At best, it was a childhood feeling, a distant past connection, something from a time when one party didn't even remember it. Even the person involved dismissed it as the past, so why did those around him react as if something significant was unfolding right now? Even Donna Green herself approached him as if being his 'first love' granted her some kind of special privilege.

It was one of the few precious memories he had, so he didn't want to sully it and just left it be. But the more he left it alone, the more ridiculous the situation around him became.