CWMBR 134

Chapter 134

***

The very next day after obtaining Ain’s signature, Bridget took it straight to Sanne.

However, Sanne was away handling their investigation matters, so Gilum accepted her divorce settlement agreement instead.

Fortunately, acting in her capacity, he notarized the divorce as finalized right then and there.

"This is the alimony allocated to the madam. Since we don't adjust the alimony portion separately, if you wish to raise an objection, you two must reach a private agreement. Of course, there are statutory standards specified in the law, but in my view, this amount... at least, it doesn't seem to fall short."

Gilum, who had been reviewing the documents Declan submitted, placed a stack of papers before Bridget and spoke. Bridget glanced at the pile of documents before her, then said flatly to Gilum.

"I don't think there's anything else to discuss. Is there anything I need to take care of?"

"No. Since the fault for this divorce lies with Lord Wise, there's nothing more for you to take care of, Madam."

"Aren't you going to review the contents?"

Declan, present as Ain’s legal representative, casually asked Bridget.

"No, it's fine not to review them. As long as the divorce is handled properly."

Declan nodded quietly.

Ain hadn't come to this meeting. Since it was a settlement, not a lawsuit, it would have been proper for him to appear in person, but Gilum didn't insist. Ain had signed the settlement agreement himself, and as his legal representative, Declan could handle all additional procedures, so there was no need to forcibly summon the party involved. Bridget had also openly welcomed Declan more warmly, so everything proceeded smoothly.

"Is it over?"

"Yes, ma'am. No... wait... should I call you Miss Pennington now?"

Bridget let out a long sigh at Gilum’s question.

She gathered her stack of documents and rose from her seat.

"Yes, please call me that."

Stepping out of the office, the sky was high and clear.

It was unusually fine weather for gloomy, rainy Glynford. Bridget stared blankly up at the cloudless, deep blue sky and sighed once more.

She didn't feel as refreshed or relieved as she might have expected. She just felt the same as always.

It was just... her world didn't seem to have changed much. Perhaps it was because it didn't feel real. Since she hadn't truly lived as Madame Wise in the first place, even returning to being Miss Pennington after the divorce meant, at most, only the title she was called had changed.

"Miss Pennington!"

Wayna, who had arranged for a carriage to wait, waved at Bridget as she finished organizing her papers. Bridget paused briefly in front of the office, gave her a faint smile, and began walking toward her.

Regardless of the circumstances, the steps Bridget Pennington took felt surprisingly light.

"Are you really just going to stand there and watch? Without even saying goodbye?"

Declan asked casually as he passed the documents over the carriage window. Ain, who had been sitting inside the carriage, staring blankly at Bridget's receding back, silently took the papers and passed them aside. Fergus, waiting nearby, took the documents and stowed them away.

"Ain, really…………..."

"Did she say anything else?"

Ain asked in a deep, husky voice. Declan, who had been quietly staring at his rough, sleep-deprived face, replied in a voice laced with a sigh.

"No."

"………………Then that's fine."

Bridget, who had been standing beside Wayna and talking about something, climbed into the carriage. Wayna followed her in, and soon the carriage carrying the two of them departed.

After staring blankly at the empty street, Ain slowly withdrew his gaze. Fergus, who had been watching from the side, cautiously asked.

"About that thing you mentioned before."

"Proceed."

"………………Understood."

Fergus, who had been watching Ain with a troubled expression, reluctantly nodded. Declan, standing outside the carriage, clicked his tongue and shook his head.

A short while later, the carriage that had stood there for hours since early morning departed.

***

Jane announced their young lady had returned, calling Bridget "young lady" without hesitation. That title carried a hidden wish to dismiss Ain's brief marriage as if it had never happened. Though Jane hadn't openly shown it before, it seemed she had harbored considerable resentment toward Ain all along. Bridget, unable to bring herself to thwart Jane's petty revenge, resigned herself to becoming the young lady.

News of the Wise couple's divorce spread instantly as breaking news in the papers. With Ain Wise back on the marriage market, the news was bound to travel fast. Bridget, who had already anticipated it, took it in stride. 

Instead, she decided to steer clear of the newspapers for the time being. It was obvious they'd be filled with all manner of speculation and theories, chattering away about this and that. There was no need to subject herself to fatigue by reading such nonsense.

Waiting for the commotion to die down, Bridget sorted through the settlement she'd received. Even if it was compensation, the sheer amount and scale were so vast that grasping and organizing it was impossible in a single day. Staring at the endless parade of numbers eventually made her stomach churn and filled her with disgust.

But she decided not to refuse it.

She simply chose to accept compensation this way. It would be a waste of time to start another argument with Ain over this. However, the scale of the assets had grown too large for her to manage alone, so she decided to hire a personal asset manager. Fortunately, she found a suitable candidate among several accountants recommended through the Merchant Guild.

Just hiring someone and sorting out her affairs took several days. She was too overwhelmed to pay attention to outside news.

"Miss! We've packed everything!"

And today was the day Bridget moved.

"I'll go ahead and organize the belongings. Don't worry, take your time coming over!"

Jane, who had meticulously checked every plate, gave various instructions to the workers and stepped out the front door. Bridget took one last, lingering look around the mansion, now completely empty after all the belongings had been removed.

Though recent times held many painful memories, this place was precious, filled with cherished memories of living here with her parents.

With a bittersweet feeling, Bridget absentmindedly ran her fingertips over the old window frame before climbing the stairs. She reached the third-floor room she had once used and stood before the window.

The dawn mist she had seen here the day after returning to Glynford came to mind. She also recalled her past self, gazing at the thick fog-shrouded street, trying to steady her overwhelmed heart.

Her circumstances hadn't changed much then or now, yet somehow, a vague feeling arose that everything would get better.

Bridget paused, taking in the street scene she would never see again for the last time. She had spotted a car standing alone a short distance away. In front of it, a tall man was looking this way. Having been watching the workers tidying up in front of the mansion, he lifted his gaze and, meeting Bridget's eyes, visibly stiffened.

Bridget pretended not to notice his expression and calmly closed the window.

After inspecting all the rooms on the second floor and the first floor, Bridget, her hat pulled low, stepped out the front door. Locking it behind her, she slipped the key under the flowerpot beside the entrance.

"Bridget."

Hearing the call from behind, Bridget pressed her lips tightly together. Rising to her feet, she calmly turned around to see Ain, whose complexion had visibly paled since she last saw him.

He was always such a robust man; what on earth had happened to him? He looked terrible. As Bridget stared at him blankly, Ain fluttered his lips before finally managing to speak.

"I... tried not to come. But..."

Speaking slowly in a somewhat incoherent tone, Ain lowered his gaze. His brow furrowed slightly.

“I know you'd hate this, and I know it's shameless of me to do this."

Ain swallowed dryly.

"I……………."

He moistened his dry-looking lips with his tongue but couldn't bring himself to continue, exhaling instead. His expression became even more disheveled.

"I understand everything, and I'm prepared to accept it. And."

His deeply submerged voice uttered her name. It was hard to believe this was the same person who always spoke with such clarity and rationality; now he was spouting words that made no sense whatsoever.

Bridget watched him silently. Ain, who had been shifting his gaze restlessly, suddenly looked up as if he’d thought of a plausible topic.

"Well, me staying in Glynford... I know it must be getting on your nerves, but..."

"Do as you please. I won't care where you live or what you do."

Ain, who had been stumbling over his words, fell silent. Bridget looked at him and said dryly.

"We're strangers."

At those words, Ain’s face turned paler and stiff. He could no longer manage his expression; his face was completely contorted.

"I was arrogant."

He spat out the words, half-choking, and took a step toward Bridget.

"If you give me just one chance, I... I..."

Having seemingly abandoned even the pretense of composure, his voice trembled pitifully.

"Please, Bridget."

Bridget, who had listened quietly, calmly averted her gaze. With an indifferent expression, she strode briskly past Ain.

It was a clean rejection, not even brushing his shoulder.