You’re not infertile. Mother did terrible things to you for years. That’s why you couldn’t get pregnant.

Edric thought he should tell her that. At least until just a moment ago.

But facing Melly, who was waiting for his answer with wide eyes, Edric wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do.

Not for his mother’s sake, but for Melly’s. He couldn’t bring himself to make her think she had been deceived for 4 years. He feared she might even despise him, being of his mother’s blood, out of shock and disgust.

“It’s been quite some time.”

For the first time, Edric abandoned his firm belief that there should be no falsehood in all matters.

“Your complexion has improved since then, which is proof of your health. So if you set your mind to it…”

“Um, Edric. I think you’re misunderstanding something. I’m not here because of that.”

Melly, unable to listen any longer, cut off Edric’s words.

“I ended my connection with you long ago. So whether I’m infertile or not, I have no reason to go back there.”

“…”

“File the divorce papers when you’re ready. But I’m not returning to the duke’s household.”

She declared firmly to leave no room for doubt. Her message seemed to get through, as Edric didn’t continue to interpret things as he pleased and spout nonsense.

Silence fell between them for a moment.

Customers were lingering outside, peering through the windows, as the sign hadn’t been turned to ‘Open’ yet.

Melly couldn’t wait any longer.

“If you have nothing else to say, then…”

She was about to politely ask him to leave once more, exercising patience, but Edric cut her off.

“Do you still hate me?”

“…”

“For the harsh words I said that day?”

‘Back then, I thought that was love.’

He wanted to say it wasn’t sincere. Did she think he could maintain a marriage for five years with a woman he didn’t love, without even looking at another woman once?

But Melly didn’t give him the chance to speak.

“No. I don’t hate you.”

“…”

“Of course, I hated you when I heard those cruel words at the time, but not anymore. I’ve already forgiven you. I have no more resentment towards you.”

“Then, what am I to you now?”

Edric’s voice was low as he asked.

Melly answered calmly.

“My ex-husband.”

“…”

“Nothing more, nothing less.”

If only she had said she hated him. If only she had screamed at the top of her lungs that she despised him and told him to get lost, he would have felt better than this.

Edric’s heart, which had been stirring with hope after confirming she wasn’t pregnant, sank cold once again.

“Is that all?”

His voice was deep and heavy, as if emerging from the depths of a cave, with an echoing resonance. As if hoping she would say otherwise.

“Yes.”

But Melly answered without the slightest hesitation.

Edric squeezed his eyes shut.

‘Ex-husband, nothing more, nothing less…’

To be remembered as just that. How is that any different from being forgotten?

He couldn’t accept it.

Edric opened his eyes. His narrowed gaze and slightly tilted lips foretold a grim development.

“Then I suppose I’ll have to behave like a scoundrel here. At least that way, I’ll be etched into your mind.”

He thought it would be better to be remembered that way than to dissolve into nothingness.

He stood up, really looking like he was about to act like a scoundrel. The veins on the back of his clenched fist bulged ominously. But.

“Do as you please.”

Melly spoke calmly, unfazed by his threat.

“But it won’t do any good. I won’t hate or resent you. Even if you turn this place into a wasteland.”

At that moment, Edric’s hand lost its destructive power.

He realized from Melly’s small but firm voice that he had already become a man of the past.

And that no matter what he did, that fact wouldn’t change.

She had started her life anew with a clean slate. And now, she chooses who is worthy of being recorded on it.

“…”

His sharp gaze lost its strength and softened.

Nothing made him feel as powerless as being unable to possess what he yearned for, even when it was right in front of him.

He knew that Melly would never choose him again.

“…I see. I understand.”

He spoke in a fading voice. Then, after gazing at her for a moment, he turned to leave.

As he passed by, she could smell his fresh scent. The very scent she used to love, often burying her face in his chest to breathe it in.

But even as his scent faded away, Melly didn’t turn her head.

Ding-a-ling—

The chime bell rang as the door opened. Melly heard the people outside startling at Edric’s aura and stepping aside.

But she still didn’t look back.

She couldn’t. She couldn’t let people see the tears rolling down her cheeks.

Suddenly, the regrets of the past three years flashed through her mind like a panorama.

He was present in every moment.

By the lake where ripples gently sparkled, under trees, in bustling crowds. Melly felt Edric’s presence nearby at every turn.

Just a few days ago at the market, Melly sensed Edric and turned around. But he wasn’t there.

This time, the feeling was quite intense.

There was a time when she tried desperately to escape such feelings.

She would deliberately not look back and focus her attention elsewhere, or purposely scan her surroundings thoroughly to confirm his absence and feel relieved.

But like sinking deeper into a swamp the more one struggles, the imaginary presence of him multiplied, scattering Melly’s mind.

He was a ghost, absent when she looked back, but omnipresent when she didn’t. And that ghost would whisper in her ear with hot breath.

‘Melly, don’t you miss me?’

‘I know you, Melly. You want to come back to me, don’t you?’

She couldn’t help it.

If she couldn’t shake it off, she would accept it as a companion. Melly decided. Then her mind became at ease.

‘Stay if you want to stay. But I won’t go back to you. Never.’

She accepted his ghost as her own alter ego.

That’s why when she witnessed Edric grabbing Leon’s collar and knocking him down, Melly thought it wasn’t real.

She believed without a doubt that she was seeing an illusion, as she always had.

‘…Edric?’

She tried to confirm it wasn’t him. She had always checked like this and felt reassured.

But Edric, who slowly turned his head at her call, was not an illusion.

He was a real person with a clear form, her ex-husband who had deeply hurt her.

From his surprised eyes looking at her, his lively arms, the blood stains on his knuckles, she could be certain.

Considering how hurt she had been by him, she should have turned and fled at that moment, but Melly didn’t.

She thought perhaps God had sent him for this opportunity to meet and settle things clearly.

‘I don’t hate you.’

Melly decided not to miss this precious chance given by God.

She could finally say what she couldn’t dare to say face to face three years ago due to lack of courage.

‘Go. Go file the divorce papers and live happily on your own.’

She wasn’t sure how to define the emotion of that moment.

All she knew was that she felt refreshed, as if something blocking her had been cleared. That was the only thing she could feel clearly.

It felt ticklish, as if the wind was passing through her opened heart. She laughed. As she laughed, the tears that had just stopped began to flow again.

She felt it was all over now.

Finally. Completely.

“Why are you here again?”

Melly, who had turned around at the sound of the chime bell while wiping teacups, froze stiff.

Edric was standing there. Casting a long shadow on the wooden floor.

The tea shop customers’ gazes focused on him, a tall, handsome man rarely seen in these parts.

But he sat down at a two-person table by the window, seemingly oblivious to their stares.

Melly approached him, intending to send him away, and spoke quietly.

“I’m busy right now. If you have something to say, later…”

“Menu.”

Edric demanded nonchalantly, crossing one leg over the other.

When Melly looked at him with a puzzled face, he blinked slowly and spoke as if for everyone to hear.

“I see this place doesn’t even offer a menu when a customer arrives.”

“…”

The customers’ gazes shifted between Edric and Melly in the ominous atmosphere.

Melly bit her lip nervously, looking troubled.

It seemed that further argument would only draw more attention, with no benefit.

“…Wait.”

Melly turned and went to the counter. She grabbed a menu and placed it in front of him almost throwing it, then quickly turned to leave.

“Shouldn’t you take my order before leaving, madam?”

“…”

His demand caught her ankle before she could take a step.

Whew—

A long sigh escaped her without realizing.

Melly took a deep breath to calm herself, then turned around.

Edric was reading the menu intently, as if reading a book. The distance between his eyes and the menu was close, as if he couldn’t see the letters well.

‘Did his eyesight get worse while I haven’t seen him? It wasn’t that bad before.’

Just as she was about to wonder, he handed her the menu and ordered.

“One Darjeeling.”

“…”

“To suit my taste.”