To Those Who Regretted After I Died - Chapter 14
Alec was startled to see tears streaming down Sophia’s face.
“Eh!? W-Why are you crying?”
“…It’s too late…”
“Eh? What do you mean…? Is it because I invited you to my room too late?”
Alec thought her tears were in response to his belated invitation.
(…I’ve spent so much time with Emily lately, but I never considered inviting my wife to my room until now…)
“I-I’m sorry for inviting you so late. I’ve been busy with work and often fall asleep as soon as I get to my room. Plus, you’ve been unwell, so we haven’t had the chance to see each other…”
Seeing Alec’s awkward smile only deepened Sophia’s sadness.
(…When did he start lying to me? Does he think I don’t know about him and Emily?)
“…If I were in your room, Emily would be surprised… And even if you invite me, I don’t want to go inside. She’ll be back soon, anyway…”
“Eh…?”
Sophia opened the door to her room and turned to face Alec.
“…Thank you for having dinner with me. I’m glad we could talk… Good night…”
With that, she stepped inside and closed the door, leaving Alec standing in the hallway.
“……”
He remained frozen for a moment, contemplating her words.
(…Is it because I’ve left her alone for so long that she doesn’t want to come in? Is she angry with me? It’s true that I’ve neglected her…)
“…It’s too late…”
Alec couldn’t shake the weight of her words. He decided he would ask her about it at breakfast the next morning.
Feeling rejected, he turned to walk back to his room, burdened by the emotions swirling in his mind.
Meanwhile, Sophia, realizing Alec had left, sank to her knees in front of her closed door, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“…Now it’s too late… I can’t accept him anymore…”
Shaking, she pressed her hands against her body, desperately trying to find comfort.
“……Everything is too late, my lord…”
Her voice broke, resonating in the quiet hallway as she grappled with the depth of her sorrow.
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I heard the sound of running footsteps in the hallway, and I woke up.
“…”
Emily was back. I had warned her numerous times not to run in the hallway, but I stopped after she said something that shook me.
“Why should I be scolded by you when I’m not at home? It’s because of you that Alec doesn’t pay attention to me!”
I was left speechless by her words.
Knock, knock!
“Madam, are you awake?”
“Yes, I’m awake.”
The maid who entered the room looked flustered.
“Um… Madam… earlier…”
“Emily is back, right?!”
“Ah! Yes…”
“…Thank you for letting me know. Could you help me get ready?”
“Yes, Madam.”
(…I’m glad I was able to talk with my husband yesterday. Walking together, discussing going shopping, working together… all of it feels so different now.)
Sophia closed her eyes and sighed before leaving the room and heading to the dining room.
In the dining room, Alec and Emily were already seated and chatting, and as Sophia watched them, she thought,
(So this daily routine is starting again…)
“Ah! You’re here!”
Alec smiled when he saw Sophia, and she was taken aback.
“…Good morning… I’m sorry for being late…”
“Ah, we just got here too.”
(…Did they spend time together while I was asleep…?)
“…Emily, when did you get back? How are Father and Mother?”
“Eh… yes… they’re doing well…”
Emily seemed hesitant when her sister asked about their parents, but she soon started chatting normally.
“Ah! I just remembered something Father wanted me to tell you…”
“What is it?”
“Father said I could stay at Lord Alec’s house for a while.”
“……”
“Is that so?!”
Alec was overjoyed, and Emily smiled brightly.
“Lord Alec, can I stay at the mansion again?”
With her hands clasped together in a pleading gesture, Emily looked at Alec, who smiled back at her.
“Of course! If your father said it’s fine, I have no reason to refuse.”
“I’m so happy! Thank you!!”
Emily wanted to hug Alec, but being seated made it difficult for her to move.
“……”
Sophia watched Emily’s joy, feeling a pang of pain.
(…So you lied about being at home. You lied about Father saying you could stay… The day you returned home, I sent a letter… The reply I received from Father contradicted what I had written… You’re stealing my husband from me… and even taking over his life…)
“Ugh!”
“What’s wrong, Emily?”
Emily covered her mouth, looking pale at the smell of the food in front of her.
“…Oh, it’s nothing… ugh!?”
Seeing Emily’s face turn ashen as she tried to suppress her nausea made Sophia’s heart race.
(…Emily… could it be…?)
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“…I feel kind of nauseous…”
Emily pressed her mouth and spoke to Alec. Sophia watched her, thinking, “So soon… I was prepared for this day to come eventually, knowing they would be together… But…”
Sophia closed her eyes, holding back tears, then opened them to face Emily.
“…Emily… Are you pregnant?”
“What!? …Pregnant…?”
“Emily…!!”
Emily touched her belly, smiled, and turned to Alec.
“I… Dear Alec…”
“…Anyway, I’m a doctor! We need to call the doctor!!”
“Yes.”
Alec and Emily, both smiling, stood up, and when Alec turned to look at Sophia, she faced him with tears in her eyes, on the verge of crying.
“Alec, please call the doctor as soon as possible.”
“Uh, oh…”
Alec supported Emily and left the dining room without saying a word to Sophia. Left alone, Sophia wept and murmured, “This day has finally come…”
The mansion was filled with commotion.
Alec called the butler to summon the doctor and helped Emily sit on the bed in the guest room.
“Alec, if it’s true… our…”
“Yeah… But we’ll have to wait until the doctor arrives…”
Knock knock!
“My lord, you call me…”
The head maid entered the room and stopped short when she saw Emily and Alec sitting together on the bed. The two maids accompanying her exchanged surprised glances.
“Oh… I want you to stay in this room until the doctor arrives.”
“The doctor?… I didn’t know madam is sick…”
“…No, it’s not… the doctor doesn’t come for her…”
“?”
The two maids tilted their heads, and the head maid was puzzled, wondering if they were meant to witness Alec and Emily together.