My New Love That Isn’t Fated - Episode 40

Louise pushed away the man’s hand as it brushed her cheek.

He laughed lazily, pretending to be hurt. His unremarkable face belonged to Markus Benzel, the son of a Viscount. A so-called “friend” of Elad—just one of his hangers-on.

“Why are you acting like this now, Louise? We were together long before Elad came along, remember?”

“It’s over between us. I’m going to marry Lord Elad. I’ll be a Marquis’ wife, so don’t touch me.”

“Hah, I doubt Elad has that kind of money.”

“What are you talking about? Of course he does—he’s a marquis!”

Markus was the one who paid for the apartment Louise lived in. That’s why she couldn’t exactly turn him away when he came over.

Louise had grown up in an orphanage. From a young age, she was well aware of her beauty, and she was always doted on by the director, the male staff, and boys her age.

Her voice, her face, her hair—they were all gifts from the heavens. The only thing she felt thankful to her unknown mother for was giving her such a beautiful appearance.

When she was fifteen, she was chosen to sing in the church choir. One day, while she was performing, the manager of the Royal Capital Theater saw her and decided to take her in.

He donated a huge sum to the orphanage in exchange. Ten million Fabrice.

Then, he invested another ten million to teach Louise to read and write, to train her in singing and acting, and to polish her appearance—all to make her a star.

Without realizing it, Louise had fallen into twenty million Fabrice of debt.

She was now twenty-eight years old, though her youthful appearance let her pass for twenty-two, and people believed it.

In her younger days, she’d been full of hope.

She started out playing minor roles in plays, gradually getting more lines. Her hard work paid off—she began landing lead roles, and she had more chances to sing. As her popularity grew, the theater even began holding special nights where only she performed. Audiences came in droves. People adored her.

But then—the man who raised her, the manager of the theater, told her coldly:

“You’re nearing your limit. Maybe I’ll sell you to the Estola Company. Their president’s been looking for a young mistress. You’re not exactly young anymore, but your face and voice are still good. He’ll probably be happy.”

Louise panicked. She could feel it herself—her beauty was starting to fade. No matter how careful she was, age was slowly creeping in.

The Estola Company operated behind the scenes of the Royal Capital Theater. They were lenders and land brokers. Their president was old—practically an old man.

I’m still beautiful. Everyone loves me.

She didn’t want her life to end like this. There had to be a better man out there.

So Louise began to entertain young noblemen—something she’d avoided before.

Her previous patrons had always been older men who truly loved her singing. But the young nobles wanted more than that. They wanted to be lovers.

And Louise thought—That’s fine. If we become lovers, maybe one day he’ll marry me.

That’s how she met Markus.

Unlike the others, Markus paid for her apartment and gave her money. He claimed to be a successful businessman and seemed to have cash to spare. But he had a wife and daughter. And though he treated Louise like a bird in a cage, he had no intention of marrying her or officially taking her in.

Then came Elad.

He was different. He said he wanted to marry her. He said his wife, Lilia, was dull and uninteresting. He told Louise she was far more beautiful, far more captivating—and she didn’t dislike hearing that.

Lately, she hadn’t seen Markus much. She spent her nights with Elad instead. He always booked the best inns for them.

There’s no way Elad didn’t have money.

So when Markus sneered at the idea, Louise looked at him suspiciously as he lounged arrogantly on the sofa.

“That spoiled brat has no talent,” Markus scoffed. “Praise him and he’s full of himself. Mock him and he gets angry. He’s just a mediocre man with a fancy title. Maybe even worse than mediocre. You’ve really got no eye for men, Louise.”

“That’s not true.”

Elad hadn’t come to the theater today—despite saying he would. So Louise had no choice but to go home. That’s when Markus had shown up, likely having followed her from the theater.

“You’re playing him, right? Lying about us, pretending to be a poor, pitiful woman.”

“I am a pitiful woman. I was born unlucky. That’s why I’m in this situation. Lord Elad will save me.”

“You’d take any young noble with a title and money.”

“That’s not true. Just go, Markus. I’m pregnant with Lord Elad’s baby. Once my belly starts showing, I won’t be able to go on stage anymore.”

“Have you told the manager?”

“He’ll understand if I pay him. Soon, Lord Elad will take me away.”

Louise gently touched her still-flat belly. She was over two months along. She’d been nauseous, and her monthly bleeding had stopped. The doctor said it was likely pregnancy.

There’s no way Elad would abandon her now.

He didn’t have any children. Surely Lilia would leave. And if not, Louise planned to drive her away—make her life so miserable that she’d want to go.

It’s fine. Everything is going just as planned.

“Are you sure it’s Elad’s kid?” Markus said. “Might not be mine?”

“It’s not yours.”

“You sure? Could be someone else’s, too. You’ve been batting your eyes at more than just Elad. Can’t wait to see what color the baby’s hair and eyes are.”

Markus laughed as he stood up and walked out of the room.

Louise glared at his back.

Markus might be right. Maybe it wasn’t Elad’s child.

But Louise had already decided—she would raise it as if it were.