CWMBR 162

Chapter 162

***

Yeah, the Arsiut family wasn’t exactly destitute, so taking a break from work for a while shouldn’t be a problem.

If he were the kind of man whose finances would be ruined by taking a little time off, he wouldn’t have dared to hang around Bridget in the first place, would he? Bridget wasn’t the type to be swayed by wealth, so even if he acted like a good-for-nothing, she’d probably step in and say she’d support him herself…

In that case, should Ain slip Gilum some anonymous hush money? To make sure Bridget wouldn’t go hungry, he’d need at least a certain amount…

As Ain frantically ran through the numbers in his head, Bridget’s voice, brimming with exasperation, reached his ears.

“That’s none of your business.”

Those words rendered all the worries and concerns Ain had been piling up completely meaningless.

“Lord Wise, you really do have a big mouth. Going so far as to look into the situation of your ex-wife, who’s pregnant with someone else’s child.”

“Well, I…”

“At this point, don’t you think you really shouldn’t be showing your face to me anymore?”

“That’s…”

Faced with Bridget’s words, which left him with no room for rebuttal, Ain clamped his lips shut as if at a loss for words. 

“Well, it’s only natural to go through those procedures. Of course, but right now…”

Bridget, who had been watching him in silence as he bit his lip, narrowed her eyes and asked.

“I’m pregnant with someone else’s child—aren’t you angry?”

It was less of a taunt and more a genuine question. Generally speaking, and judging by Ain’s previous behavior, Bridget’s question was quite valid.

Ain, who had been catching his breath with a faintly twisted expression, slowly parted his lips.

“I’m angry.”

He acknowledged it bluntly. Wasn’t he angry? He had always harbored anger inside. Though Bridget had no idea.

“If I’d come to my senses sooner, I wouldn’t be spouting all this nonsense—I’d have been standing by your side long ago. I’m angry at my own stupidity.”

Ain moistened his lips with his tongue. In truth, even after hearing that Bridget had attended the birthday party with Gilum, he simply couldn’t bring himself to give up. He wanted to at least convey his feelings to her.

Even though he assumed she would toss it aside with a look of contempt, he had prepared a bouquet and stood before her anyway—it was truly because he couldn’t help himself. He had intended to say something like, “If I’m given just one more chance, I’ll do my best,” or “I want to devote myself to you.”

But now, even that was no longer possible. Ain calmly suppressed his feelings.

“Miss Pennington, my anger is of no consequence. More than that, I… am concerned for your fragile health, and I hope you stay well.”

Bridget gazed at him quietly. Then, without another word, she walked past him and entered the Grand Theater.

***

When Ain said he was starting volunteer work at an orphanage, Declan thought he had come up with yet another crazy scheme.

Still, seeing him faithfully attend his volunteer shifts and lead a fairly quiet, composed life, he nodded to himself, thinking it hadn’t had a bad influence after all. He was also greatly relieved when he secretly heard the news that he had begun seeing Magnus for checkups. He even found himself cheering him on inwardly, thinking he was finally learning to live a normal life.

And now, Declan realized just how rash and hasty his previous judgment had been—that Ain had become calm, even if only for a moment.

“I didn’t think much of him, but he really is a piece of trash, isn’t he?”

“Who?”

“I’m talking about Gilum Arsiut.”

The sight of Ain pouring out sharp criticism at an innocent person who wasn’t even there was a stark reminder of his old self.

For a moment, Declan couldn’t believe he’d ever sensed any human warmth in Ain. The man who had always been crazy had simply become a crazy guy who treated Bridget like an idiot.

“I should’ve known the moment he caught the eye of a workaholic like Sanne. Why hasn't he handed in his resignation yet? He’s really let ambition blind him.”

Seeing his friend so firmly convinced of the nature of the relationship between Gilum and Bridget, Declan didn’t know what to say.

Of course, the claim that Bridget was pregnant—honestly, Declan didn’t believe that either. If he had to name a likely candidate for Bridget’s lover, it would have to be Gilum. As far as Declan knew, Gilum was the only young man who actually saw Bridget on a regular basis. They’d even attended Eris’s birthday party together recently as a couple, so it was clear they were on fairly good terms.

But from what Declan had observed over the past three years, Bridget had absolutely no romantic interest in Gilum. She had none in him or anyone else, for that matter. Honestly, with a history like that, wouldn’t she be sick and tired of men by now? It wouldn’t have been at all strange if she’d spent her whole life taking care of the Grand Theater and remained single.

“………But aren’t they not even in an official relationship to begin with?”

At Declan’s cautious remark, Ain’s expression turned serious, and he slammed his fist down on the desk.

“Exactly, that’s the problem. Is he crazy? She’s carrying his child, and he still hasn’t made a single statement?”

“Well, I mean… Gilum isn’t a public figure like you, so he doesn’t really have to make a statement just because she’s pregnant. It was actually stranger that the newspapers were making such a fuss about the Wise family’s succession issue in the first place.”

Even without referring to past events, the Wise family’s succession was a recurring topic frequently discussed in the newspapers. While they avoided naming names outright to avoid offending the Wise family, anyone reading the articles could tell they were clearly about the Wise family.

What did they say recently? That Ain Wise’s failure was so catastrophic that there was a high probability a collateral relative would take his place? It was full of people making a fuss as if even a thorn in their finger would kill them.

As Declan recalled the newspapers’ sensationalist reactions to everything, Ain’s serious muttering reached his ears.

“At the very least, I should visit the Penningtons’ graves and pay my respects properly. Then I’ll ask permission from the people around me.”

And who gave you permission, exactly?

Declan, who had been gaping in disbelief, retorted rationally.

“Who are you going to ask for permission? The people around her don’t even know about Miss Pennington’s pregnancy in the first place.”

It was a fact Declan himself had only discovered after growing suspicious of Ain’s strange behavior and pressing him for answers. If a guy who’d been hanging around with a dejected look on his face, saying he was going to apologize to Bridget, suddenly started making a fuss about how the road she took to work needed to be smoothly paved, anyone would have to ask questions.

Honestly, when he threw a fit, claiming there were potholes on the carriage road and asking if the mayor of Glynford was even doing his job properly, Declan thought he was just looking for a flimsy excuse to try and oust the mayor again. And when Ain took a shovel and pickaxe out in the middle of the night, complaining that the administrative process was too slow, he seriously considered whether he  should have him committed to a mental hospital.

But after finally seeing him repair the road on Bridget’s commute so the carriages could run smoothly—and after grilling him relentlessly—Declan learned that Ain had witnessed Bridget vomiting. Ain was absolutely convinced it was morning sickness. It seemed Bridget hadn’t even denied it.

But if that were true, would there be a reason Bridget hadn’t told anyone around her yet? No, given Bridget’s personality, it didn’t seem like she’d be secretly seeing a lover in the first place. If she were in that kind of relationship with Gilum, she would have told her close acquaintances long ago and gone on dates openly.

Even though it was something she could have easily deduced with just a little rational thought, Ain hadn’t considered it at all. Perhaps he was so withdrawn that he couldn’t even bring himself to think that way.

“Isn’t this ridiculous? She’s definitely hiding it because she’s afraid she’ll get in the way of his career. To think she was with such a piece of trash.”

Declan, who had been quietly listening to the fierce criticism, quietly raised his hand and interjected.

“Well, that’s a bit much for you to say.”

“I set the wedding date as soon as possible. I never even considered hiding it in the first place.”

“….Are you bragging about that now?”

“It’s not that I’m saying I did the right thing back then.......”

Ain, who had been retorting with a furrowed brow, suddenly glanced at the desk clock and jumped to his feet. Declan gave him a suspicious look as he hurriedly grabbed his coat.

“Where are you going?”

“Glynford Grand Theater. The show’s about to end.”

What on earth was he planning to do now?

Ignoring the questioning look in Declan’s eyes, Ain quickly continued.

“Because of the children’s theater performances, the audience these days is mostly young. There are a lot of kids running around, and the staff alone can’t keep order. What if she bumps into one of those kids running around recklessly while she’s pregnant?”

So you’re saying you’re going to go there and act as a security guard or something?

Declan, who had been looking at Ain with a look of utter disbelief, retorted reluctantly.

“If she’s really pregnant, she needs to be careful. Won’t your hanging around be bad for Miss Pennington’s mental health?”

At those words, Ain frowned and looked at Declan.

“We don’t even know when Gilum will come down. Who’s going to attend to her then? She doesn’t even have a personal maid and does everything herself.”

“No, wait. I don’t think she’d even allow you to attend to her…”

But Ain had already left the office.

Declan, left behind, blinked a few times before shaking his head. What’s the point of repeating this to him a hundred more times?

I guess I’ll just go grab a sandwich.