When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 15

Sharon finally woke up.

When I entered the room and saw it, I almost cried out of relief, but I managed to hold it in and pretended to act normal. Thankfully, Sharon didn’t notice. I never thought that the royal training—to hide one’s emotions—would actually come in handy like this.

He doesn’t remember it now, but it’s already been a few weeks since I panicked and called for a doctor after his sudden high fever. Even though he never woke up, his expression looked so painful. There was no sign of infection, so I was allowed to stay by his side—but all I could do was watch. I felt completely useless.

They said it was caused by stress. When I saw how pale the Duke looked, I ended up shouting at him without thinking. Sharon probably has no idea.

“If Sharon dies, I’ll never forgive you, Duke Bandage!”

Of course, the stress didn’t start with the Duke. The Baron’s family had their part in it too. But still, these past three years under the Duke’s house had clearly taken the biggest toll. I wasn’t innocent either—I was the one who encouraged Sharon to go through with it, thinking it was for the best. But it was the first time I had ever felt such an urge to lash out at someone.

“I’m sorry… Sharon, please, just wake up.”

The Duke didn’t argue back. He just kept apologizing and praying to Sharon, again and again, looking utterly heartbroken. I realized then how shallow my own thinking had been—to just “give a little push” and assume things would turn out fine.

I trusted Sharon’s strength, and the Duke’s serious nature despite his dislike of people. I thought that combination could never go wrong. I never imagined that those around them—regardless of the fact it was a royal-ordered marriage—would act so foolishly.

I only wanted to free Sharon from the Baron’s family. But after he became seriously ill from stress and malnutrition, I finally understood how much pressure he had truly been under—more than I ever imagined. And I blamed myself for calling myself his “friend.”

He couldn’t even eat unless the Duke was there. And knowing Sharon, he probably still ate carefully, holding himself back even then. What I really should have done wasn’t to blame the Duke or the criminals—it was to put Sharon’s health above everything else.

Regret doesn’t go away easily. But at the very least, I want to be genuinely happy that Sharon has finally passed the worst and opened his eyes.

I told him that if he got through today without any issues, he could start moving around again. But in truth, Sharon still needs plenty of rest. For now, even walking a little for fresh air will be the most he should do.

We’ve already prepared a wheelchair, just in case. Sharon still doesn’t seem to realize how serious his condition was, so I’ll have to help him understand little by little.

I don’t want him to push himself. If he allows it, I plan to let the Duke and his brother visit him—but I’m worried. I don’t want meeting people to become another source of stress for him.

Sharon tends to worry about others too much… So even if he says he’s fine, I’ll make sure his visiting hours stay short.