Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 142

Revenge Has Its Interest 142

142. Not Afraid

2023.12.20.

The person she had been eagerly waiting for arrived at the general store. With the door opening and the bell ringing, Leah tensed up.

However, the person who knew about medicine was a middle-aged woman.

“Laura, she’s our boss, so please take good care of her.”

Lafa earnestly asked the middle-aged Romani woman.

She was a former colleague, but now she had quit smuggling.

Leah took out the medicine from her handbag and handed it to Laura.

“Do you know what kind of medicine this is?”

Laura took the medicine bottle and examined it for a while.

“It’s amazing that it’s a pill?”

“Yes, it is.”

Most medicines were in liquid or powder form, so pills were rare. Even Leah was seeing pills for the first time.

There were no separate medicines for children, so it was common to adjust the dosage of powdered medicine taken by adults.

She said that she couldn’t tell what kind of medicine it was just by looking at its form. Then, Laura took out a few pills, put them in her mouth, and chewed them.

“It’s not a currently distributed medicine.”

“Is that so?”

If it’s a medicine that’s not distributed, then it’s a new drug. Where on earth did he get this health supplement?

Laura boasted about her past career as if it were something to be proud of.

She exuded confidence, saying that there was no medicine she hadn’t handled. If even Laura was seeing this medicine for the first time…….

‘Is it a medicine made in the Imperial Palace?’

Vivian and the doctors under her came to Leah’s mind. Soon, Leah shook her head to shake off her thoughts.

Even if this medicine came from there, nothing would change. The important thing was what the medicine was for.

Leah anxiously waited for Laura’s answer. But her complexion grew darker and darker.

“Um, who gave you this medicine?”

“My fiancé gave it to me.”

“Your fiancé did?”

“Yes, is there a problem?”

Laura didn’t answer Leah’s question readily. Rather, she scrutinized Leah up and down with sharp eyes.

“In my opinion, it’s a contraceptive pill.”

“What? What did you just say?”

Laura’s words came as a great shock.

“I thought it was a health supplement…….”

“Maybe it is, but in my opinion, it’s definitely a contraceptive pill. It’s probably been developed further to ensure a reliable contraceptive effect.”

Leah was so surprised that she staggered, and Chae-ner supported her.

“That……can’t be. You’re mistaken.”

Leah denied Laura’s words with an awkward smile.

‘Terun knows how much I want to be pregnant. Are you telling me he tricked me into taking a contraceptive pill, disguised as a health supplement?’

And even Sarah joined in? Leah couldn’t believe it, so she ran out of the general store as if fleeing.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”

Chae-ner, startled, sobbed.

Leah soothed Chae-ner and tried to calm her own heart, which was even more surprised.

‘Let’s stay calm. Laura has handled a lot of medicine, but she’s not an expert.’

Her words are not very reliable.

Leah suddenly looked around, and just in time, she saw the Imperial Hospital in front of her.

“Chae-ner, let’s go to one more place with me.”

“Okay, Sister.”

She needed an expert opinion anyway. Laura’s words were not enough.

Leah headed to the Imperial Hospital with Chae-ner.

She went straight to the pharmacy and handed her medicine bottle to the pharmacists.

“I’ll pay you any amount, please tell me what kind of medicine this is.”

“We don’t accept outside medicine. It’s difficult if you act like this.”

The pharmacists, who initially had bewildered expressions, finally opened the medicine bottle when Leah handed them money.

It was difficult to refuse because the amount of money was very large for simply identifying the medicine.

“Sister, what’s a contraceptive pill?”

Chae-ner, who seemed to have been curious all along, asked Leah.

“It’s a medicine that prevents babies from being born.”

“Oh? That’s a really bad medicine, isn’t it?”

I just hope the intention isn’t bad either.

Leah eagerly waited for the pharmacist’s identification to be completed. She rubbed her hands together and waited anxiously for the test results to come out.

At that time, the pharmacist approached Leah with the medicine bottle. It was impossible to guess from his expression alone.

“It’s a new drug. And it’s a very strong contraceptive pill.”

“A contra……ceptive pill?”

“Yes. But where was this made? Seeing that it’s been refined into a pill, it seems like it was made by a large pharmaceutical company.”

“Thank……you for letting me know.”

Leah snatched the medicine bottle from the pharmacist and left the hospital as it was.

“Sister, let’s go together!”

Chae-ner hurriedly chased after Leah.

‘How could Terun do this to me?’

* * *

Leah took Chae-ner to the workshop and then came to the park.

She couldn’t go back to the Duke’s residence as it was because her overturned heart had not yet returned to normal.

‘He must have been worried. That I might die giving birth.’

I know that Terun’s intention in giving the medicine wasn’t bad.

He knows better than anyone that Grace’s weak body has difficulty enduring childbirth.

But it wasn’t something he should have decided unilaterally without consulting me.

Moreover, I told him several times that I wanted to have a child.

Leah couldn’t completely resent Terun, nor could she understand and accept it.

‘I promised Grace.’

Leah touched the pearl earrings hanging from her ears.

It must be the one that Grace gave her in her dream.

It must be fate. If not, there would have been no reason for the same earrings to catch my eye.

[It’s so pretty. Can I have it?]

[Leah, please keep it safe.]

I couldn’t forget Grace’s satisfied expression.

[I have a favor to ask, Leah.]

[I’ll do anything. If it’s something I can do…….]

[When you get married, have a pretty daughter and a strong son. Please give birth to them.]

It was a dream, but Grace looked desperate. She looked like someone who was concerned about one thing she couldn’t achieve.

[I can’t do it, but Leah, you’re a strong woman, so you can do it. My body is too weak to endure it. But I believe that Leah’s soul is strong, so she will definitely overcome it.]

‘Grace, can I really do it?’

I didn’t want to break her strong faith, so I couldn’t say that I wasn’t confident.

No, to be honest, I myself had a great desire to have Terun’s child.

Children are the culmination of love and a medium that firmly binds two people together.

I don’t care if you criticize me for being too greedy. If it’s completely impossible, I’ll just give up cleanly.

‘I’m a woman who can get pregnant.’

What if his excessive concern leaves a big regret in my life? I might end up resenting Terun for the rest of my life because of it.

‘I have a duty to complete Grace’s life. That’s my reward for Grace, who gave me her body.’

Even if I justify it as love, Terun has no right to control my body as he pleases.

‘You should have asked me once.’

Leah’s hand, clutching the hem of her dress, trembled.

I didn’t have the confidence to know how to look at Terun in the future…….

[You are more precious to me than children.]

It hurt more because I knew Terun’s heart.

He must not want to have the experience of losing someone again because he had lost precious people many times since he was young.

‘What should I do?’

Leah couldn’t make a decision.

Grace’s request, her own desire, and Terun’s concern were intertwined into one, and there was no sign of it being resolved.

‘Leah Hamilton, what would you do?’

She asked herself, completely excluding Grace’s existence.

I wanted to find my own answer as to what decision I would make if it were me.

‘I don’t want to worry about misfortunes that haven’t happened to me yet and protect my body. I will never die easily. I want me, Terun, and our children.’

That was her honest feeling.

Grace was a weak woman, but Leah Hamilton was a strong woman who had accomplished many things.

‘Let’s trust myself. Sometimes a strong mentality supports the body.’

This decision is one that no one but myself can make for me.

It was my own unique right that even my beloved Terun should not arbitrarily invade.

‘I won’t give up. No, I can’t.’

Leah jumped up from her seat. Rather than leaving it as a lifelong regret and lingering attachment, I should try my best to the point of death.

I’ve succeeded in many things so far.

There were many things I couldn’t have done if I hadn’t been brave. Have you forgotten that I even risked my life as a condition for covering up Theresa’s scars?

‘If I give up like this, I’m not Leah Hamilton.’

Now it was her turn to act.

I have to deceive Terun, Sarah, and everyone in the Duke’s residence perfectly. And then I have no choice but to endure and overcome it alone.

* * *

It was late in the evening when Leah returned to the Duke’s residence.

As expected, Terun was standing in the lobby, waiting for the carriage carrying Leah to arrive.

When the carriage door opened, Terun took Leah’s hand.

“I was worried because you were late.”

“I’m sorry. There was more work than I thought.”

“Chae-ner is already here?”

“Is she?”

I hope Chae-ner didn’t say anything to Terun. Leah linked arms with Terun and entered the main building.

‘I want to hate you, but I can’t. I love you so much that I want to give birth to more children.’

Leah imagined it for a moment.

A scene where she, Terun, and their son and pretty daughter, who resembled him, were happily eating and enjoying themselves.

Even though it was just a vague imagination, her heart was full. The moment Leah saw Terun, she couldn’t give up even more.

Leah stopped abruptly and looked at Terun.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because you’re handsome.”

“That’s nothing new.”

“I can do anything for Terun.”

‘What I want for you is for you to be healthy and stay by my side forever.’

Terun couldn’t bring himself to say it. Because she would know even if he didn’t say it.

‘I’ll show you. How strong Leah Hamilton is.’

Leah decided not to worry anymore.

Now that she had clearly confirmed her will, there would be no change in her mind.

She decided not to let go of the string of hope until the end in order to give herself and Terun a perfect family.

‘I’m not afraid.’