When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 29

Everything was the same. Except for me, who had left; nothing had changed. It was as if someone else had simply filled my spot.

‘You need to feel the same way. I want to see you, who doesn’t even regret it, struggling in despair.’

Unlike when she came in, her eyes shone sharply. Looking in the mirror, the pattern on her neck was so clear it couldn’t be hidden anymore. It was a distinct mark, a brand of sorts.

Having sorted everything out, Lailly left the room slowly with a calm expression, a stark contrast to her previous demeanor.

“Theo.”

Theo nodded, delighted, as Lailly called his name again. He impulsively grabbed Lailly’s hand and smiled.

‘Yes, smile like that, knowing nothing.’

Because there won’t be many days to smile in the future.

Lailly’s empty eyes suddenly sparkled as if they had come to life.

“Let’s go back, we… I don’t want to be here. Why am I here?”

“I think that’s a question I should be asking the man next to you. How did you abduct my wife?”

Theo brazenly pointed at Ren and shouted. Even in the face of Ren’s furious gaze, Theo did not back down.

“After you briefly stepped out, someone sent me a threatening letter. I believe he’s the culprit.”

He continued to spew lies without stopping. Everyone except Lailly wore dumbfounded expressions at Theo’s words and stifled their laughter.

‘Maybe it’s for the best.’

Lailly looked around. She made eye contact with Ren in the middle, but indifferently turned her gaze away.

“You don’t know how sad I was when you disappeared. I searched for you for over two months.”

Lie. Lailly’s lips twisted at Theo’s words.

“I don’t remember anything. My head hurts so much.”

Lailly decided to participate in Theo’s charade. It would be easier to deceive him this way.

Theo wrapped his arm around Lailly’s shoulders and said kindly.

“Let’s go home quickly. Everyone will be happy when you return.”

He lied without changing his expression. Lailly clenched her fists, but she tried to hide her hands in the folds of her dress.

I tried to erase everything and escape… Nothing has changed at all.

Shameless and disgusting.

Lailly swallowed the words she couldn’t bring herself to say and smiled. Her lips trembled, but she didn’t show it.

“I see.”

Theo shuddered at Lailly’s low voice. It was something he had expected. However, Lailly seemed to have incomplete memories in Theo’s eyes.

It was an opportunity.

Theo caressed Lailly with a kind voice and touch, just like before.

‘So, you’re deluding yourself into thinking we can go back to the way things were. You don’t seem to be apologizing or regretting the past.’

If that’s what you want, let’s go back to the way we were.

Lailly felt goosebumps all over her body, but she gave a faint smile.

Lailly stared blankly at Theo’s hand holding hers, then smiled brightly and took his hand in return.

“So, did you come to pick me up?”

Lailly spoke to Theo without hesitation, as if she didn’t remember anything. Contrary to her gentle voice, her lips were tightly closed, and her eyes were not fully curved.

Kaver’s gaze wavered at Lailly’s appearance. He wanted to reach out and stop Lailly right away, but he couldn’t.

Because he saw a firm will in her fleeting gaze.

It resembled the look in her eyes he had seen when she was young.

Lailly had recognized him. He couldn’t do anything in the face of her unwavering gaze.

‘She doesn’t want me to step in.’

Kaver didn’t want to go against her wishes. If watching over her was what she wanted, then taking a step back was the best option for now.

“Your Highness Kaver.”

Leta tugged at Kaver’s sleeve and sobbed. He gently patted her hand and whispered.

“It’s okay; it seems Lailly has something in mind.”

Tears fell from Leta’s eyes at his words to trust and wait. She couldn’t believe that she was being separated from her sister, whom she had just met, once again.

“Lailly, let’s go quickly. There seem to be many dangerous people here for you.”

Theo smiled triumphantly and sighed in relief.

‘…She really doesn’t remember. It’s even better this way.’

He was grateful that Lailly’s memories were incomplete. He nodded and stroked Lailly’s hand.

“I’ll report that man to the guard.”

Theo glared at Ren and bit his lip. He was furious at the thought that someone, whoever he was, had been with his wife.

‘Could they have spent the night together?’

Theo’s face twisted even more as he imagined all sorts of sordid scenarios.

Lailly’s expression changed subtly, but Theo didn’t notice.

“Don’t do that! He’s a good person who took care of me.”

Theo closed his lips tightly at Lailly’s words. Getting her home was the priority.

“Let’s go, to our house.”

Lailly grabbed Theo’s hand and said, seeing Theo staring at Ren.

To the house where the woman you love is staying.

Leta looked at her with an unbelievable expression. Kaver’s hand gripping his sword tightened. Leta grabbed Lailly’s arm as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Sister, what are you saying! Going back, there!”

“…Leta? How are you here? Did Father allow it?”

Lailly asked, her eyes wide with surprise. Embarrassment and joy were clearly visible. Tears welled up in her eyes.

‘Leta, Leta…’

Tears welled up in her eyes at the sight of her sister, whom she thought was dead. If she cried here, he would definitely notice. She tried to hide her tearful voice and cleared her throat.

Kaver’s gaze reached Ren as Lailly’s memories seemed to be fluctuating. It was as if Lailly had returned to the beginning of her marriage with Theo.

‘Who is all this because of?’

Ren bit his lip and crumpled his face.

Lailly would now walk a path that he couldn’t stop. Despite Leta’s dissuasion, Lailly shook her head.

“Theo, I’m so dizzy. Let’s go home quickly, we.”

The pattern on Lailly’s neck, which had been flashing, soon calmed down and revealed its complete form. Ren covered his forehead with his hand at Lailly’s manifested ability.

Lailly slipped something into Ren’s hand unnoticed as she passed him.

She turned her head slightly and smiled at Ren. Ren lowered his head and quickly unfolded the paper in his hand and read it quickly.

[I gave the trash to someone else, and it came back. So now I’m going to clean it up myself.]

‘Now we’re on the same page.’

Ren chuckled at Lailly’s note. Ren immediately realized what she was thinking and why she was pretending to have lost her memory.

‘Then shall I make a move too?’

Ren tapped the display case with his finger and rested his chin. He watched Lailly holding Theo’s hand, and then the movement of his finger stopped.

The glass of the display case trembled, and the vibration intensified.

‘I don’t like that look.’

Crash-

Eventually, the glass, which had been trembling and making uneasy noises, shattered. Surprised, Leta turned her gaze away from Lailly and looked at the messy display case.

Kaver sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

‘Ha… It’s going to be a mess.’

Kaver was confused by Lailly, who had left the store with Theo. He thought he had finally found her, but he had to let her go in front of his eyes again.

“…What should we do? It seems like my sister’s memories have gone wrong.”

“I think we should watch for now. Leta, no one will believe that you’re alive, so don’t worry about that part.”

Kaver didn’t say anything else to Leta. No matter what he said, she wouldn’t understand. But what was certain was that there was a high probability that Lailly had not lost her memory.

“I’m okay, so please watch over my sister.”

Ren, who had been listening to Leta and Kaver’s conversation silently, took out a piece of paper and began to write something down. He strode out of the store, stuck the paper on the door, tilted his head slightly, and said.

“Are you going to keep staying there? Well, if you don’t mind closing, I’ll close it like this.”

“…What are you thinking about while living?”

Kaver and Leta came out of the store. They were curious about what Ren had written on the door. They turned their heads and saw two letters written on the door.

[Quick Sale]

“…Ha!”

“Ah, this is a good location, so business is good. Are you interested?”

Ren snapped his fingers and fell into thought for a moment. He nodded as if he had come to a conclusion and held out his fingers towards Kaver.

“Five million gold.”

He was a robber. Leta’s mouth dropped open at five million gold. Ren remained indifferent despite the large number.

What was absurd was that Kaver was the same.

‘Is he really crazy?’

Ren couldn’t talk about the sword in front of Leta. Kaver tried to smooth out his distorted expression and said softly.

“What suddenly…”

“I’m giving you a discount because I have connections with the imperial family. This price includes all the raw stones and jewelry inside, so isn’t it a steal?”

Ren raised one corner of his mouth and raised his chin. He was quite arrogant for someone trying to sell it. Kaver couldn’t even laugh at Ren’s audacity.

He was originally the kind of person who would do that. Ren was relaxed because he knew that Kaver was not in a position to argue now.

“Think about it carefully. What would I use it for if I sold that?”

“…Shouldn’t it be cheaper if it’s a quick sale?”

“Well, it’s not like I don’t have anywhere else to sell it.”

Kaver closed his eyes at the throbbing headache.

He had to buy it with his personal assets, so he couldn’t make a hasty decision. However, Ren didn’t seem to want to wait and was about to head to the information guild to sell the store.

That crazy bastard.

“…I! Will buy it.”

Kaver urgently called out to Ren. Ren’s lips curved gracefully, and he clapped his hands.

“Thank you. Customer.”

At Ren’s gesture, the contract appeared in the air in an instant. The document with Ren’s signature floated in front of Kaver’s eyes.

It was clear that he would give the money from selling the store to Lailly. Eventually, Kaver signed the document. Leta looked back and forth between Ren and Kaver at what had happened in an instant.

* * *

Theo, who had boarded the carriage with Lailly, couldn’t stop smiling. Lailly raised the corners of her mouth and smiled at his excited appearance.

‘I wonder how long the smile will stay on your face.’

As they approached the Duke’s residence, Theo suddenly came to his senses and wore a troubled expression.

“Um… That, actually.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“During the time you disappeared…”

At the perfect timing, the carriage stopped. Theo hesitated and didn’t get out of the carriage. He had to tell Lailly, who had lost her memory, about Anna’s existence and a new fact.

“What is it? You look very anxious. Let’s go home quickly first.”

“Ah, no!”

Lailly opened the door and went out before Theo could even grab her. She had no intention of receiving his escort. She tilted her head as if telling him to come down quickly, and Theo reluctantly got out of the carriage.

What else could have happened in that short time that I was gone.

I thought there was nothing more to be surprised about.

“Theo! You came…?”

Anna ran towards the stopped carriage but then froze in place. Lailly smiled brightly at her, just like when she first came to the Duke’s residence.

‘No way…’

Anna’s pupils shook. With hesitant steps, her hand unconsciously rose and wrapped around her stomach as if to protect it.