To Those Who Regretted After I Died - Chapter 56
The apology at the Colbert residence stretched on.
Emily, citing concerns for her unborn child, asked to be excused, but Paul’s mother was unmoved.
“Lady Emily, have you eaten?”
“Yes… I’ve already eaten…”
“My, my… Paul hasn’t been able to eat anything today, yet you seem to have quite the appetite. I suppose it’s only natural, considering your condition.”
“…”
Emily remained silent, enduring Paul’s mother’s pointed remarks.
“I’m sure you’re all tired from this lengthy discussion… To reiterate, the annulment of our son Paul’s engagement to Lady Emily is due to her relationship with Marquis Alec… simply put, Lady Emily’s infidelity. The expenses for the wedding ceremony, the reception, the attire, the decorations, and the trip… There might be other expenses, which we will inform you of later. Is that understood, Count Lemoir?”
Paul’s father reiterated the Lemoir family’s responsibility for the expenses.
“…We apologize for the trouble we’ve caused…”
“We had hoped to welcome the Lemoir family as relatives, but we’re deeply disappointed by this outcome.”
“…”
Paul’s father picked up a pen that had been placed nearby and set it in front of Emily.
“F-father?!”
“Please sign the annulment papers.”
“B-but… could I… could I please see Paul…?”
Emily, her eyes welling with tears, pleaded with Paul’s father.
“Lady Emily, I’ve told you repeatedly that Paul will not be with you. These are his own words… You have Marquis Alec beside you… Perhaps you hurt Paul and Lady Sophia so you could be with the marquis?”
“Ah…”
Seeing Paul’s father’s cold expression, Emily realized he would never forgive her.
“I believe you understand… All you need to do is sign your name.”
“…”
“…Emily, sign your name.”
“B-but… if I sign… Paul and I…”
“…You’re setting Paul free…”
“…Paul…”
Emily’s hand trembled as she took the pen from Paul’s father. She signed her name next to Paul’s and returned the document.
“…”
Alec, watching Emily sign the annulment papers, was reminded of Sophia signing their divorce papers. He wondered if Sophia had pleaded with him like Emily, saying she didn’t want to separate. He remembered the plan he and Emily had concocted to have a child. Disgusted with himself, he couldn’t help but laugh wryly.
“With this… the engagement between you and Paul is officially annulled.”
“…Sob… Paul…”
Emily wept, leaning against her mother as she mourned the end of her engagement.
Paul’s mother sighed, watching Emily cry.
“Please refrain from contacting Paul again, Lady Emily.”
“What?!”
“Paul will eventually start his own family. It would be a nuisance if you continued to linger around him.”
“What… Paul… with someone else…? B-but this child is Paul’s…”
“We don’t need to be informed about the child, even after it’s born.”
“What?”
“…However, if the child resembles Paul, we must be notified…”
Sophia’s father hesitantly agreed to inform them if the child resembled Paul. Paul’s father sighed.
“…We wouldn’t accept a child carrying the bl00d of another, even if it were our son’s… Please raise Lady Emily’s child as Marquis Alec’s… You two will be married, won’t you? Don’t mind us. Raise the child as a member of the Parlis family.”
“…”
“…T-that’s not…”
“…Father…”
“…V-very well… We won’t inform your family… about the child…”
“We’re relieved to hear that. Now Paul can proceed with other marriage proposals without any concerns.”
Paul’s parents exchanged pleased glances. The annulment of Paul and Emily’s engagement was finalized.
Emily could only weep after signing the annulment papers.
“Thank you for coming today.”
“…We hope Paul recovers soon… Thank you for having us…”
Sophia’s father bowed his head to Paul’s parents, praying for Paul’s recovery.
“Sob… Paul…”
“Lady Emily, your tears are troubling Marquis Alec. Paul is no longer in the picture. You’ll be the marchioness soon, won’t you? You can’t continue to behave as you have. This will be difficult for Marquis Alec as well. He needs to be a good father for your child… Please make Lady Emily happy, Marquis.”
“…”
“Oh dear, did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
“…No… Thank you for having us…”
Alec bowed to Paul’s parents. Paul’s father spoke to him.
“…Marquis Alec, how are you feeling?”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t seem very happy. Ah, forgive my rudeness. Thank you for coming today… Please be safe on your way home.”
“…”
Paul’s father smiled at Alec. Paul’s mother smiled as she looked at the signed annulment papers.
Emily’s parents, exhausted, left the Colbert residence with the still-weeping Emily. Alec followed behind them.
“Ah! Master Alec, is everything finished?”
The doctor, who had been waiting outside, rushed over to Alec.
“Doctor, I need a sedative…”
“Understood…”
(He looks exhausted… It’s understandable… but Lady Emily seems to be crying as well. I suppose her engagement is off… She must have realized, albeit too late, that she lost someone precious…)
“Hm?”
The doctor looked towards the mansion and saw a figure standing by a second-story window. Recognizing the familiar face, he spoke to Emily.
“Lady Emily, isn’t that your fiancé…?”
“What?! Is Paul there?”
Emily, hearing from the doctor that Paul was at the window, turned towards the mansion and saw Paul looking down at her from his room. She smiled at him.
“Paul…”
(He wouldn’t break up with me. He’s looking at me… His mother must have locked him in his room… Wait for me, I’ll come up to the window.)
Emily smiled at Paul and started walking towards the mansion. Suddenly…
Swish!
“Huh?”
The curtains in Paul’s room closed. Emily was startled. Paul was gone.