Thus Began Your Regret - Chapter 50

The Aberitt siblings exited the main entrance of the affiliated hospital, located a short distance from the campus.

The campus, which would have been vibrant with fresh flowers and trees, now appeared somewhat desolate with bare branches exposed as the last month of the year approached.

“Since we’re here, would you like to look around a bit? If Julia is around, let’s say hello too.”

Louisa nodded at Daniel’s suggestion.

The two walked across the campus.

Fish were swimming in the small lake created on the grounds, and in the distance, male students could be seen playing cricket on the field, seemingly unfazed by the cold.

Next to it was a lawn that had turned yellow due to the cold, with one peculiar point being that female students had set up a low net on it and were hitting balls.

It was an unfamiliar sight for Louisa. She asked Daniel.

“Elder brother, what are those ladies doing over there, hitting balls?”

Daniel looked around and spotted the female students holding rackets and hitting balls.

“Ah, you mean lawn tennis.”

He wrote the word ‘lawn tennis’ on her palm.

“It’s a sport promoted by General Kettle, who makes large donations to our school. He started it when he retired, and now it’s mainly enjoyed by female students.”

Louisa watched the women frolicking with curiosity. Then Daniel said,

“Seeing your interest, Julia will be even more pleased. She’s been enjoying that lawn tennis lately.”

He looked his sister up and down once before saying,

“However, she might insist on personally training you in basic exercises first, saying you need to build up your stamina. Actually, I declined her offer because I found it bothersome.”

“It’s been a long time. How have you been, Louisa?”

Julia Winston turned the sign on her office door to ‘In Meeting’ and closed the door.

With the same bright blonde hair as her younger brother Evan, she had her hair carelessly tied up in a way that made one think it was a shame to waste such good hair.

She was wearing a comfortable tailored suit, and including that attire, Julia, whom they were meeting after several years, didn’t seem to have changed much.

If one had to pick one thing, it might be that she now exuded a slightly more stubborn aura.

“It’s been a while, Julia.”

Louisa also greeted her warmly.

Julia was still unmarried and doing research at the university. It was a rather unusual career path.

She was majoring in marine engineering related to the family business of shipbuilding, and she had declared that she would stay with the family business to the end and wouldn’t marry unless someone suitable to be adopted as a son-in-law appeared.

As a result, she naturally stopped attending various parties. Because of this, it had been a very long time since Julia had met her.

“I didn’t expect to see you so suddenly like this.”

Julia sat at the head of the guest table set up in front of her desk. Then Daniel, who had grabbed a notepad and pen from Julia’s desk, took a seat next to her and said,

“We’ve been saying we should all get together sometime soon. Louisa and I had some business here today, so we dropped by while we were at it.”

“Well, you’ve come at a good time. Everyone’s timing is perfect.”

She nodded towards her younger brother with the same blonde hair as her, sitting next to Daniel, and asked,

“Right, Evan?”

The Aberitt siblings weren’t the only ones visiting Professor Julia Winston’s office today.

Her younger brother, Evan Winston, had also been visiting for personal reasons.

Evan took a sip of the coffee his sister had served and said,

“Actually, this problem could have been solved if you attended some parties and such.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because you never show your face, you can’t meet the people you need to meet.”

He gestured with his eyes towards Louisa sitting across from him. As Louisa tilted her head at the glance directed at her, Evan gave her a gentle smile.

“Evan. I was just thinking we should meet and greet each other, and here we are meeting by chance.”

Daniel extended his hand to Evan, greeting him warmly.

“Thanks to you, I easily found a place to stay. I’m grateful.”

“It’s nothing, sir. Just for something like that.”

The two clasped right hands and exchanged a light embrace. Returning to his seat, Evan smiled good-naturedly and said,

“Please use that place comfortably. I’ll gratefully accept the rent you’ve already paid, but you don’t need to do so from now on. It’s such a modest place that I feel guilty even accepting rent.”

Daniel shook his head at his words.

“Isn’t exchanging help the same as a transaction? I’ll pay the proper rent.”

“Haha. Then consider the accumulating rent as my lobbying to you, sir.”

“You to me? You might want to check Julia’s expression first before that.”

At his words, Evan turned to look at his sister.

Julia was looking at her younger brother with an expression that said she found it extremely ridiculous, her arms crossed.

“Why. Don’t mind me and continue what you were doing.”

She nodded cynically.

For Julia, her younger brother’s actions were quite laughable. It was because his intentions were so transparent.

Before the Aberitt siblings arrived.

Evan decided to persuade his sister first, not wanting to miss this opportunity.

Learning through his sister Julia that Louisa was looking for a place to stay, he saw this as an opportunity.

Regardless of the relationship between the Allen couple, having Louisa stay in his front yard was a start. There seemed to be no better chance than now to get closer to her and persuade her.

Having reached this conclusion, Evan visited his sister as soon as he had time and explained the general situation.

He said that no matter how he looked at it, none of the other young ladies had Louisa’s charm, and since the Allen couple’s relationship wasn’t good, he would rather persuade her to divorce and then marry her himself.

Julia, who didn’t really care whom her brother met, simply told him to do what he thought was best.

She would help within possible limits if her little brother asked for help, but what she thought of it was a separate matter.

Regardless of his intentions, he had looked the other way, minding their father’s mood when she needed him most, and now he was making a fuss about trying to make things right again. She found it quite shameless.

‘Evan would claim it was all Father’s fault, but.’

Julia thought as she watched her brother’s pathetic show.

That it was ultimately a choice made because his own well-being was more important than the person he loved.

At that moment, Louisa, who had been listening to their conversation, spoke up.

“Elder brother. I’m sorry, but I need an explanation.”

Louisa couldn’t understand all the words being exchanged. However, what was certain was that the atmosphere between them was quite amicable, unlike what she had known.

She didn’t expect Daniel to maintain such a close relationship with Evan, let alone Julia.

As Louisa looked around a bit bewildered, Daniel picked up the notepad and pen he had brought from Julia’s desk earlier and explained very slowly.

“The owner of your house, the building owner, is Evan. When I consulted Julia, she said there were many good buildings owned by the family in this area. Thankfully, it saved us time in looking for a house.”

“Is that the place? Evan’s?”

Louisa looked back and forth between Daniel and Evan, a bit flustered.

Then Evan, who had been watching them, asked,

“But sir, why are you and Louisa…”

For anyone who knew them, the current situation would be undeniably strange.

Thinking that the expected question had come, Daniel smiled a bit awkwardly.

“Actually, the reason Louisa came here today is because of this. Louisa is having a bit of difficulty hearing sounds right now.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

Evan looked back and forth between Daniel and Louisa with wide eyes.

“They say it’s a problem caused by stress, but fortunately, it will improve with treatment and management. Anyway, since treatment is needed, we decided to receive it here. We’ll be coming every week from now on.”

“Ah… I see.”

Evan’s reaction was truly that of someone who didn’t know how to respond.

Daniel found it rather bitter.

Although it was a circumstance that would eventually be conveyed since he came to ask Julia to act as Louisa’s guardian along with him, seeing that reaction with his own eyes was different.

His sister was already not well-regarded in aristocratic society.

‘What kind of stories will follow this child’s future path…’

Daniel lowered his head to hide his expression from Louisa and picked up his teacup.

Evan, seemingly intending to speak to Louisa, picked up the notepad and pen placed in front of Daniel.

He addressed Louisa in the same way Daniel had been doing.

“Are you feeling alright? Not too uncomfortable?”

“It would be a lie to say I’m not uncomfortable, but I’m fine.”

Louisa shook her head with a faint smile.

Not wanting to talk more about her condition, Louisa changed the subject.

“More importantly, we seem to be meeting often these days.”

“Indeed. It’s almost as if fate is leading us.”

He spoke with an excited face, like a boy waiting for a reward.

“Before, it was difficult to meet even when I wanted to, but these days, you’re there wherever I go.”

“That’s true. I didn’t expect to meet you here today either. I thought all businessmen were busy.”

Louisa replied with a smile.

Feeling that her words were somehow positively received, Evan’s expression brightened even more.

He opened his mouth to emphasize how rude and irresponsible her husband was.

“Actually, things are a bit awkward with work right now. Allen Company’s engine is our biggest concern, but Allen Company keeps postponing discussions.”

At those words, Louisa thought of Edward left at the capital mansion.

“I made an appointment and went, but suddenly he said he wasn’t feeling well and kicked me out. Really rude and irresponsible… Ah, I’m sorry. He’s still your husband.”

Evan apologized to her, looking truly sorry, even lowering his eyebrows.

“It’s alright. Since you wouldn’t lie, Edward must have had some circumstances. I should apologize too. I’m sorry.”

“No, why are you apologizing for your husband’s problem, Louisa?”

“Why, Evan? As you said, he’s my husband.”

At her words, Evan’s expression hardened.