I Ended Up Living Next Door to My Ex-Husband (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
“……Huh?”
Mina’s eyes, which had been idly glancing over my shoulder, widened in surprise.
Following her gaze, I turned my head and instantly met a pair of piercing blue eyes staring directly at me.
“……Cedric?”
Startled by his sudden appearance, Mina hastily bowed her head and quickly stepped far to the side.
She looked at Cedric with awe, yet her expression clearly showed she dared not even attempt to speak to him.
‘Of course, part of it must be because he’s essentially the leader of the half-blood demon clan… but still, Cedric’s presence really is overwhelming.’
I slowly nodded and looked up at Cedric once more.
He stood there in a wine-colored velvet coat, holding a document envelope in one hand.
Behind him, a carriage was slowly passing by.
‘Looks like he’s returning from somewhere. But why stop just for me…? Ah, maybe he felt it’d be rude to pass by without greeting me.’
Yet Cedric remained silent, simply gazing down at me without offering any greeting.
Bathed in the languid afternoon sunlight behind him,
I found myself suddenly thinking as I looked up at him,
‘Now that I think about it, this might be the first time I’ve ever met Cedric in broad daylight.’
His sharp eyes, high nose bridge, and the elegant interplay of light and shadow across his features—
perhaps because of that,
Cedric’s uniquely relaxed and composed demeanor appeared even more captivating than usual.
We simply stared at each other for a long while.
Finally, feeling the silence had stretched too awkwardly, I spoke first.
“You must have had an outing planned since this morning, then.”
Cedric, who had been gazing down at me, arched an eyebrow high in a graceful curve.
He looked as though he’d just surfaced from deep thought back into reality.
“I had a meeting at the imperial palace.”
“I see.”
“……I assumed you’d always investigate my schedule in advance. Was I mistaken?”
His words reminded me of the daily task list that had appeared on my nightstand every morning.
‘So that’s why there were so many documents even though I had no duties as Grand Duchess… Apart from the first page, the rest must’ve all been Cedric’s schedule.’
You’re truly incredible, Rebecca.
Amazed anew by her obsession, I let out a deep sigh.
“I’ll tell the assigned servant not to do that anymore. I completely forgot I’d instructed them to stop providing the schedule—I haven’t been checking it lately.”
“You haven’t been checking it?”
Though I’d only said it as an excuse, Cedric repeated it with an expression of disbelief.
Ah, wait—even if that’s the case, I’m still the Grand Duchess; this really isn’t appropriate.
I quickly waved my hand.
“I don’t mean I don’t check it at all—just skim it. Honestly, between us… I don’t really have much of a schedule to begin with.”
“…….”
“And since I don’t even keep track of my own, there’s certainly no reason for me to memorize yours anymore.”
At that, Cedric slowly nodded, his expression thoughtful.
“……I suppose not. After all, you no longer hold any affection for me.”
For a moment, I doubted my own ears—then quickly concluded I must have misheard the word “affection.”
After all, Cedric had spoken so softly, almost like a whisper…
And more importantly, Cedric, who had always maintained a strictly professional and cold demeanor toward me, would never say something like that.
“That’s right—you could say there’s absolutely none left.”
At my words, Cedric’s blue gaze settled once more on my face.
After a brief pause,
as if trying to clear his mind, he exhaled deeply and looked past my shoulder.
“Are you coming from the Mansion of Darkness?”
“Yes. I’ll be staying there for the next half-year, so I thought it best to visit in advance.”
Of course, Mina had already moved far away to avoid interrupting the Grand Duke and Duchess’s conversation.
Still, just in case, I carefully avoided mentioning the word “divorce.”
And yet, even though he surely understood me perfectly, Cedric looked oddly confused.
‘Could he really not have understood?’
I stepped slightly closer to Cedric, covered my mouth, and whispered softly,
“We’re signing the divorce papers tomorrow, remember?”
But Cedric just stared silently at my lips, which had emphasized the word “divorce.”
“……So you’ve truly made up your mind.”
“Of course. Didn’t I tell you not to worry? I’ll leave for the Mansion of Darkness right away so you’ll never have to see my face again.”
“…….”
“Tomorrow, everything will finally be settled—exactly as you’ve always wanted.”
And exactly as I’ve always wanted.
Since one of my dead flags would be resolved tomorrow, I lifted the corners of my mouth with a carefree smile.
Cedric blinked slowly at me, his expression unreadable.
Then, glancing down at the envelope in his hand, he murmured quietly,
“Exactly as I’ve always wanted….”
Surely he couldn’t still doubt my sincerity.
Wanting to reassure him, I spoke again.
“As promised, meet me at three in the afternoon tomorrow in the Glass Garden. And don’t forget to bring the divorce papers.”
At my calm words, a faint ripple passed through Cedric’s blue eyes.
[This is the timeline separator]The next day.
For some reason, the maids dressing me were even busier than usual.
It was almost as if I were a client being meticulously styled by salon workers preparing someone for their ex-boyfriend’s wedding.
A faint worry crossed my mind—could they have somehow learned about my divorce from Cedric?
‘But Cedric is far too meticulous. He’d never allow the divorce to fall through just because my conditions changed.’
I almost told the maids to tone it down—but then decided against it.
After all, what kind of day was today?
Not only would one of my dead flags disappear, but I was also guaranteed a massive settlement. For me, it was nothing short of a celebration.
‘That’s right—days like this deserve extra glamour.’
Just as I was pondering whether to pop open a bottle of champagne upon my return,
the long and elaborate styling session finally ended with the maids fastening pink diamond earrings that complemented my red hair perfectly.
As I admired my beautiful reflection in the mirror, Mina entered the dressing room.
“Your Highness Rebecca, the reception room is perfectly prepared.”
As always, but today especially, Mina’s face was flushed from her hard work.
“Good. You’ve done well.”
At my usual words of praise, the surrounding maids’ eyes widened in astonishment.
They looked utterly shocked that the infamous “mad dog” Rebecca would speak so kindly to a mere maid.
Mina smiled shyly, then glanced at the maids with a “See? I told you so” expression.
Watching her, I let out a soft chuckle, then leaned close and whispered,
“I think I’ll go for a short walk.”
“A walk… now?”
Mina tilted her head, looking puzzled.
But as soon as she met my steady gaze, she continued,
“Then I’ll prepare everything so you can leave right away.”
“No, I’ll go alone today.”
I intended to head to the Glass Garden under the pretense of taking a stroll.
The divorce had to remain absolutely secret for now—so even Mina couldn’t accompany me.
Glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner of the dressing room, I saw it was already thirty minutes before the appointed time.
‘I suppose it’s better to arrive a bit early.’
As I headed straight for the central staircase, Mina followed behind me with a worried expression.
“Your Highness Rebecca… you’ll really come right back, won’t you?”
Her excessive concern seemed a little odd, but I brushed it off without a second thought.
“Don’t worry. I’ll finish everything perfectly and return immediately.”
Then, giving her shoulder a couple of reassuring pats, I descended the stairs with a light step.
[This is the timeline separator]The Glass Garden, our meeting place, lay behind the Twins Mansion.
Given the cold northern climate, delicate plants and floral gifts were apparently cultivated here.
I walked along the brick path between the Mansion of Light and the Mansion of Darkness—
before long, the bricks gave way to a shaded trail, leading me to the rearmost garden within the estate walls.
Soon, a large statue in the center of the garden came into view.
‘So this is the famous Twins Statue.’
It commemorated the twin brothers who founded not only the Twins family but also the entire half-blood demon clan.
Each twin extended a finger toward the Mansion of Light and the Mansion of Darkness, respectively.
‘To see in person the statue I’ve only ever read about in novels…’
Fascinated, I stopped to gaze up at the statue—
when a rich, low voice spoke from behind me.
“Cursing it again, are you?”
Turning my head, I instantly locked eyes with Cedric, who’d been watching me.
‘I didn’t even hear his footsteps… When did he get here?’
Just as the thought crossed my mind, Cedric’s steps came to a quiet halt beside me.
“Why would I curse the statue?”
I shot him a slight glare, scolding him—but the corner of Cedric’s mouth curved upward.
“True. You didn’t just curse it—you poured liquor on it too.”
“Liquor?”
“Remember that night, about three years ago, when you came drunk into my bedroom? When I refused you, you stormed out in anger.”
“…….”
“……You’re acting like you don’t remember again. Or did you think I wouldn’t find out if you did it secretly at night?”
I bit my lip and slowly closed my eyes.
‘Rebecca, you really did that? Wow… Even if I were a half-blood demon, I’d want to kill you right now…’
Cursing—and pouring liquor on—the ancestral statue of an entire bloodline, no, an entire race…
It wasn’t even something I’d done, yet my face burned with shame.
“The elders were furious, clamoring to catch the culprit, and I had to work hard to cover it up as if I knew nothing.”
Feeling a dull ache in my head, I let out a long sigh.
“There will never be a repeat of that. Especially not barging drunk into your bedroom.”
I gritted my teeth as I said it—and faintly heard a low chuckle.
“That’s for the best. After the divorce, I’ll have no reason to cover up your misdeeds anymore…”
“Shh! We agreed to keep it a secret!”
Panicked, I slapped my palm over Cedric’s mouth.
For a moment, I shot him a warning glare—
then suddenly realized we were standing far too close.
And that the soft, supple warmth brushing against my palm was, in fact, Cedric’s lips.
“Oh…”
The wind rustled through the thick trees, birds sang clearly overhead,
and the fresh scent of the forest filled the air.
On the quiet path leading deep into the woods, we stood close, gazing into each other’s eyes.
Our locked gazes held for a long time, neither of us breaking eye contact.
Just as I began to distinctly feel Cedric’s breath and warmth between my fingers,
‘Ah… I’ve been lost in thought for too long. Cedric must be annoyed.’
Normally, he’d have already jerked my hand away and spoken coldly—perhaps even harshly.
‘But why…?’
Just as a faint curiosity stirred within me,
“Rebecca.”
His lips moved gently against my palm.
His gaze—calm yet undeniably captivating—remained fixed on me.
Then, in a tone uncharacteristically polite and soft, Cedric asked,
“Will you… let me go now?”
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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It had to be something like this, Original Rebecca sounds pittiful
He’s going to be soooo surprised when the new Rebecca comes back
LOL I KNEW IT. LOVE IT. I’M IN LOVE WITH THIS NOVEL!!!