“Lift your head, Natasha. It’s not your fault.”

Eugene gently lifted her chin. Natasha’s hidden intent became more apparent.

Aida would be gone from the mansion tomorrow. Whether she’d find work elsewhere without a reference letter was not his concern.

‘Loose-lipped maids are best discarded after use for safety.’

As he mentally erased Aida’s name, Natasha slowly released the shirt she had been holding.

‘With men, it’s best to let them find their way until they seek you.’

Though she wasn’t physically pulling him, Eugene’s face showed a faint look of dismay as Natasha’s hand withdrew.
Satisfied, Natasha pulled away completely from his embrace.

“I’m sorry for holding you up too long, Your Grace. You may leave now.”

Stepping back a few paces, she gracefully curtsied and bid farewell.

“Please visit again whenever you think of it. I’ll always be here waiting for you, Your Grace.”

A gentle ray of sunlight tickled Helena’s nose. The light, pouring through the white lace curtains, carried the languid warmth of a weekend afternoon.

Slowly blinking awake, Helena stretched her legs. The rustle of the clean sheets and the tightening arm around her waist were palpable.

The drowsy pressure at her back was familiar without looking; the heavy yet irresistible scent of the man she loved lingered warmly on her skin.

The slight roughness of his stubble brushed against her nape, making Helena giggle softly.

“What time is it, Eugene?”

“Madam Tara will be chased away by me, so sleep more.”

Eugene’s response, deep and husky, followed by a gentle kneading between her thighs. The sensation, felt through a thin layer of negligee, was new and startling. Helena couldn’t help but twitch. Her red, silk-like hair, caressed by him, glowed brighter in the morning sun.

Though waking up like this was usual for a newlywed couple, the peculiar feeling never ceased. He was a man who made her tense and eager with his mere touch.

“Um…”

Trying to hide her eagerness, Helena shifted unnecessarily. Then, the comforting weight of his body vanished.

Just as she felt the chill of the air replacing his warmth, a voice that could send shivers down her spine filled the void.

“Good morning.”

Eugene spoke, his lips pressed against the exposed skin of her back. The warmth and vibration of his voice transmitted directly to her skin.

“Eugene…!”

Unable to withstand the tingling sensation, Helena squirmed. The air instantly heated up.

She tried to pull away from the encircling arm, but was swiftly caught by the wrist and drawn deeper into the embrace.

“Stay just like this.”

The gentle lapping sounds suppressed her faint struggles. The lips traveling up her spine were unbearably hot, moist, and affectionate.

Their actions, marking her as his own, were filled with undeniable love. Overwhelmed, Helena couldn’t help but laugh.

The soft kissing noise dominated the air for a while before stopping at her lower back. Then, the embracing weight became significantly heavier. Helena gasped softly.

“You’re heavy, Eugene.”

Just then, the pressure increased intolerably.

“Heavy?”

Eugene’s voice turned frightfully ominous. The sweet bass from moments ago had vanished, leaving only a chilling coldness on her skin.

“If you can’t handle me, you should have never dared to step into Evergale.”

The blissful morning began to shatter.

Swallowed whole.

Crushed.

Grinded to pieces.
I was suffocating.

Struggling for a breath, I could only claw at my constricted throat. A drowsy voice finally emerged.

“Save me, save me, please Eugene…!”

It was a nightmare.

“Did you hope I would love you, even in dreams? Disgusting.”

A nightmare that had devoured reality.

“No, no.”

You, who speak such words, are unknown to me.

“No!”

Helena managed to gasp for air, snapping her eyes open.

Her chest heaved with each panting breath. Bringing a hand to her forehead, she felt the cold sweat that had formed there.

After wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, she looked around. A small room in an inn on the way back to Pretorita. Everything was as it had been before sleep.

The half-open cheap wooden wardrobe door, the rough-textured blanket, stained wallpaper, an empty space.

Alone in the room, just as she had entered.

Stay just like this.

‘I’m always the only one staying the same.’

Despite the tightly shut window, the empty space beside her felt chilly. As if someone had been sitting there for a long time, but they hadn’t; it wasn’t the first time. It just felt cold.

Helena curled up without getting up and closed her eyes again.

Hoping the dream, the dream…

‘I’m not lonely.’

Would continue. Embrace me, even if it’s in the guise of a nightmare.

I needed warmth, even if it was a lie.

An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most

One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.

This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:

1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.

It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.

(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)

2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.

The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.

3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.

Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).

Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.

Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.

4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).

5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!