My New Love That Isn’t Fated - Episode 25

In the darkness, furious eyes glowed. Harsh, ragged breaths echoed. Though he looked slender, the weight pressing down on Lilia didn’t budge. His body overwhelmed her, crushing everything she was.

As if trying to defile something precious inside her. As if trying to break her spirit.

Lilia shut her eyes and endured. Behind her closed lids, she saw the peaceful image of the Tenegro Library—quiet and full of light. Charming, ever-gentle Christopher. Kind Josephine.
So many people who came to the library. Children reading picture books.

Once everyone went home, the library became Lilia’s stage. A place no one could disturb. A safe place. The soft sound of pages turning echoed. Owen sat on the sofa by the window.

If only this were a dream. If only, when she opened her eyes, she’d find herself back in the Tenegro Library. Maybe she’d just dozed off during work—and was having a nightmare.

“Lilia, you’re mine. You only need to obey me. I won’t allow you to do anything on your own. Don’t ever mention divorce again.”

Elad said it again and again. As if he was afraid of something.
Tears rolled down Lilia’s cheeks, even though she didn’t want to cry. She wanted to be strong—but she was afraid.

“Please, Lord Elad… stop. I can’t take this anymore…”

“You should be happy to be loved by me. Stop running from your duty, Lilia. Never defy me again.”

By dawn, Lilia stared blankly up at Elad, who was still panting on top of her.

Why was he so angry?
Why couldn’t he let her go, even though he didn’t love her?
What was it that made him so frustrated?

Her sadness, pain, and fear—all of it seemed to fade away.
As if her emotions had overflowed and she’d hit her limit. As if she couldn’t feel anything anymore.

“Lord Elad… why? Wouldn’t it be better if you were happy with the one you love? There’s no reason for me to be here. I don’t need to be your wife.”

The question left her lips.
She didn’t have the energy to fix her disheveled clothes.
She couldn’t move her arms or legs, but she could still speak.
She listened to her own voice like it belonged to someone else.

“Don’t say such foolish things, Lilia. That would make us just like the Tillys family. Don’t you know how much ridicule Earl Tillys gets in society for marrying a commoner? You know full well how people laugh at that. If something like that happened to the House of Griez, our family’s reputation would be ruined. My father… he would be so disappointed…”

“Are you… afraid of your father, Lord Elad?”

“Ridiculous! Of course not. I respect him.”

Elad scowled, planting a hand beside her head.

Lilia, still lying on the floor, looked straight into his eyes. She wanted to understand what he was feeling. Was it only anger? Or was something else hiding in there?

“I heard from Irma. About your mother—and all that she went through. You must’ve been scared too. I know what it’s like. I was afraid of my father too. But we’re adults now. We can choose how to live. Lord Elad, we decide our own lives.”

“Don’t speak so arrogantly.”

“I’m leaving, Lord Elad. I can’t stay by your side anymore.”

“Shut up, Lilia! I told you—I won’t let you leave this house ever again. You belong to me. You are the wife of the House of Griez. Live quietly and with dignity. That is your role.”

If this were a play, Lilia would just be a background character.
She’d exist only to make Elad and Louise’s love shine brighter—just a prop on the stage.

But this wasn’t a play.
This was her life.

“I decide how I live. I won’t… I won’t become like my mother. I won’t let my child carry the same sorrow I did…!”

“It’s simple. Don’t betray me. Don’t run away. Love me and our child. Lilia, behave. I won’t divorce you. No matter where you run, I’ll always bring you back.”

Elad stood, fixed his clothes, and picked Lilia up.
She didn’t have the strength to resist.
He carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed.
Then he left, locking the door from the outside.

Lilia heard the click of the lock.

Soon… Irma and the others would come.
She didn’t want them to see her like this.
Staring up at the ceiling, that was all she could think.

She must’ve drifted into a shallow sleep.
Voices arguing came from beyond the door.
Lilia sat up and hurried to fix her clothes.
She used her fingers to comb through her messy hair.

The clock showed 10 a.m.
She was supposed to meet Owen at 9.
She frowned, realizing she’d broken their promise.

Was Owen angry?
They hadn’t known each other long, but she doubted he’d be mad.
More likely, he was worried.

“What did you do to Lady Lilia, young master!? How could you lay a hand on a woman like that!?”

“Shut up, Irma. Don’t enter my bedroom without permission. That room only opens when I allow it.”

“That’s no different from a prison! You’re a fool, young master. Falling for some actress at the Royal Theater…! You really think you’re the only man she’s sweet-talking with that pretty face and sad little voice? You really think she’s clinging to you alone!?”

“Irma, you’re just a maid. Know your place. Get out. You’re fired.”

“Young master, I’ve taken care of you since you were a baby—!”

“Don’t act like you’re my mother!”

Lilia ran to the door.

“Irma!”

she called out loudly.

“Lady Lilia!”

Irma’s voice came from the other side.

Then came the sound of something shattering, a scream, and Elad yelling:

“Get out!”

And then… silence.