As If I've Never Loved (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8
Summer mornings arrive earlier than any other season.
Sure enough, her eyes were swollen. Eloise slowly blinked her heavy eyelids, and above her, slanting beams of bright sunlight streamed in.
Her dry lips muttered,
“So… it wasn’t a dream after all?”
Even after waking, the world remained unchanged.
The grandson of Earl Huntington, son of Viscount Monmouth, a knight of the realm, and the promising elite cadet Ansel Blaine had become engaged to the daughter of the Bailey family—it seemed this dreamlike event was, in the end, no dream at all.
Because Mr. Bailey and his eldest daughter Sarah had gone into town at dawn to buy a new hat and shoes, breakfast was prepared only for Mrs. Bailey and Eloise.
“Do you believe it, dear? That someday Sarah will become the mistress of that splendid Fairmont House?”
The lady, impeccably dressed in an elegant navy gown despite it being morning, began the conversation. Her tone was slightly higher than usual.
Eloise paused mid-stroke while spreading butter on her bread and replied,
“Wouldn’t that estate go first to Mr. and Mrs. Blaine? I mean, Sir Ansel’s parents?”
“My dear, do you really think they’ll leave the capital? It wasn’t an easy decision for Ansel to wrap up his entire life in the capital and come down here.”
Apparently, she had already decided to call him by his given name. Her voice continued, sounding as proud and delighted as if she’d gained a son of her own.
“Just wait and see. Once the Earl passes away, Ansel and Sarah will manage the place. In effect, they’ll become its owners.”
“…But Sister doesn’t even like that house.”
Eloise’s eyes widened in surprise at her own unintended murmur.
“Hm? What did you say, dear?”
“Nothing, really.”
The younger daughter of the Bailey family gave a gentle smile, her half-lidded eyes sparkling like jewels.
“So you had an enjoyable time yesterday, I take it?”
Eloise continued, taking a bite of bread as she spoke.
Normally, such behavior would have earned her a scolding about forgetting her manners as a young lady, but perhaps her mother, now relaxed after her eldest daughter’s engagement, merely stirred her soup leisurely without comment.
“I heard you returned by evening.”
“Ah.”
At that moment, with a brief sigh, Mrs. Bailey set down her utensils.
Judging by the tension in her thinly arched eyebrows, what followed would not be pleasant.
“We left right after the meal—didn’t even have tea. As you know, the master of the house is rather taciturn, and we were all terribly nervous…”
Eloise nodded knowingly.
“After leaving Fairmont House, we went to Mrs. Poulm’s.”
“To announce Sarah’s engagement?”
“Exactly. The news would spread soon anyway, and if we stayed silent, people would just chatter however they pleased.”
“True, it’s best to clarify things properly—especially with a gossip like Mrs. Poulm.”
Years ago, Mrs. Poulm had instantly risen to prominence in Maybury by marrying her daughter to a wealthy local man.
Her mansion now served as one of the few key venues for social gatherings in the area.
Occasionally, balls or afternoon tea parties were held there.
“When we arrived, everyone was already there.”
“Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Taylor? Was Grandmother Lydia there too?”
“Mr. Wilson and his daughter were there as well.”
“Goodness! What day was that?”
Eloise, wearing a playful smile, smoothed her cloud-like chestnut chignon as she pondered.
So that’s why Mother was so displeased?
“Since everyone was present, I thought it was the perfect chance to announce that our Sarah had received a proposal from the grandson of Earl Huntington and would soon be married…”
“They must have showered her with congratulations.”
“Congratulations? Hardly! Mrs. Poulm actually insulted me—right in front of everyone!”
“An insult?”
“She said our family, lacking even a decent dowry, would now be supported by Sarah, and then told me I must have a talent for business!”
“What? Is that really true?”
Eloise gulped down the bread she’d been chewing, set her milk cup down with a thud, and her previously clear face flushed faintly.
“Business? What on earth does that even mean? So what did you say, Mother?”
“Your words were excessive, madam. If you’re envious, you should simply say so.”
Mrs. Bailey perfectly recreated the words she’d directed at Mrs. Poulm, her chin held high.
Indeed, though Mrs. Poulm had grown wealthy thanks to her youngest daughter, her inherently flighty nature couldn’t help but be stung by the refined dignity Mrs. Bailey displayed.
“Then she did this—opened her fan like so.”
Mrs. Bailey tilted her palm toward her mouth and added,
“Oh my, did I say something I shouldn’t have? Why, our Susan was in the exact same situation!”
“Ha! How shamelessly bold…”
“She seemed to take pleasure in seeing me upset. Poor Sarah turned deathly pale and could only tremble her lips.”
“If only I’d been there too—I’d have said something in return…”
Eloise clenched her small hands tightly.
Her status-conscious mother aside, her father surely wouldn’t have uttered a word under the pressure of such a tense standoff among ladies.
Imagining how deeply hurt her sister must have felt enduring that unwarranted insult made Eloise’s chest ache.
“But why would Mrs. Poulm deliberately provoke you like that? If, as she claims, it’s the same situation, then she’s essentially insulting herself!”
“It’s not the same situation at all.”
Mrs. Bailey let out a soft sigh, a faint smile coloring her breath.
“Ansel is a nobleman. How common is a marriage between nobility and commoners? Moreover, Mrs. Poulm’s youngest daughter became the second wife of a man over twenty years her senior, whereas Ansel is a fine young gentleman who shares the same feelings as Sarah—love, Eloise!”
Every point was perfectly logical, yet Eloise couldn’t understand why her heart still ached.
Trying to shake off her thoughts, she gave a small, weary shake of her head and rested her chin in her hand.
“But that woman always prioritizes wealth above all else—more than status or love. Since her daughter married a tremendously rich man and she herself became wealthy, there’s really nothing for her to be jealous of…”
“Oh, I forgot to mention this—”
“Yes?”
“Ansel’s family is far wealthier, Elsie. How can you compare a country squire to a noble fortune from Brighton? Longfield House is only a portion of the inheritance he’ll receive.”
“…He’s wealthy too? I never thought he was poor, of course, but…”
“On the day he visited your father, he explained everything about his family’s holdings. Even I had no idea it was that substantial!”
“So you told all this to Mrs. Poulm?”
“I did—she kept pressing me with burning eyes…”
Eloise nodded quietly, now fully understanding why Mrs. Poulm had flown into such a rage.
[This is the timeline separator]News of the Bailey family’s eldest daughter’s engagement sent peaceful Maybury into a frenzy.
It wasn’t just because it resembled the sort of class-defying romance one reads about in novels—it was also because Sarah’s fiancé, Ansel Blaine, was an exceptionally fine young man.
The young master of Fairmont House, who had appeared suddenly one day, was a beautiful boy.
He only showed himself in summer, seeming less like a boy and more like a forest sprite.
Yet, for some reason, he had already been acquainted with the Bailey sisters from the very moment he first appeared in Longfield.
Was he a distant relative?
People whispered among themselves, but that couldn’t be—it wasn’t possible the Baileys had a noble relative without everyone knowing.
So it must have been mere chance that brought them together—but alas, he wouldn’t offer his company to anyone except those sisters.
It was the stubbornness befitting the late Earl’s only grandson.
No one knew why those sisters were the exception—at least, not back then.
As the years passed, the boy grew ever more handsome. The delicate features of his youth matured into strong, striking ones.
By the time he reached the end of boyhood, there was no young woman in the region who didn’t eagerly await the summer guest.
But when Ansel returned after over two years of study abroad, he no longer mingled with anyone here.
Perhaps he’d found a woman in the capital. Or perhaps his grandfather had sternly ordered him to stop associating with those he deemed unworthy.
Whatever the reason, now that he stood apart from the Bailey sisters and alone, not only Longfield but all the young ladies of Maybury couldn’t help but nurture hopes.
Even if those hopes were futile, they couldn’t be helped.
Ansel Blaine was a perfect gentleman—handsome and dignified beyond words—and it was nearly impossible not to admire him.
Yet he proposed—to the eldest daughter of the Bailey family!
That meant he’d loved Sarah all along.
His habit of never being alone with her as children—always bringing along her younger sister or even young servants—had all been out of consideration for Sarah’s shy nature.
Where else could one find such romance?
People were utterly enchanted by their story.
Of course, there were envious ones like Mrs. Poulm, but most warmly celebrated Ansel and Sarah’s engagement.
After all, no one questioned that the kind, beautiful, and rose-like eldest Bailey daughter had captured the heart of such a fine gentleman.
Naturally, laughter filled the Bailey household more than ever.
Though relief from long-held worries certainly played a part, Eloise was certain her parents couldn’t be this happy unless Sarah truly wanted the marriage.
(It was also plainly obvious that the Baileys were seizing this opportunity to proudly boast about their eldest daughter.)
Regardless, it was undeniably a joyous occasion.
As dazzling summer days unfolded one after another, Eloise gladly shared in her family’s happiness.
Yet there remained one problem—whenever she was alone, painful feelings inevitably returned.
She clearly loved her sister and wished for her happiness—so there was no reason to be sad—yet her heart still ached sharply as if pierced, and tears would come unbidden.
Eloise was confused. Hiding her unsettled heart had become a daily torment.
Sometimes, sharp-eyed Mrs. Hurst would catch her in such moments—just like today.
“You’re actually upset, aren’t you?”
The fine hairs on Eloise’s neck stood on end. Her trembling lips parted in bewilderment.
“Me?”
“Everyone calls it a perfect match, but after all—you’ll be living apart from your sister in just three months.”
“Oh…”
“Thinking of you sleeping alone in that room makes my heart feel empty, Elsie.”
Eloise tightly clasped her trembling hands and replied,
“…You’re right. I’m already tearing up.”
Yet, of course, her frequent secret tears weren’t only because her sister would soon leave home.
Eloise loathed herself for this. The dissonance within her felt like a noose tightening around her own throat.
Still, she held the naive thought that she could somehow endure it—and at the time, she truly believed it.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
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Chapter Comments (1)
Inline Comments (53)
Archibald’s face, when she looked down at him, was faintly flushed for some reas
He likes her! I had my dubts, but not now.
Let’s see how the story develops.
“And I’d prefer it if we didn’t see each other after the wedding.”
What a fucking asshole Ansel is!! 😬🤣 How could Eloise have feelings for him?
Since childhood, Bianca had never hesitated to openly declare what she wanted.
That’s ok… But she’s soooo annoying and desperate 😒🤨
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Where is the 100 and 101 chapters 💔💔💔😭😭😭 why it is not here