My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 128

‘It’s about time she came back.’

Ethan checked the clock as he thought.

Camille had left around six o’clock, so nearly three hours had passed.

Back then, while heading downstairs, he had spotted her leaving through the front entrance.

“Going out?”

When he called out from behind, Camille flinched slightly. She slowly turned around and gave him a bright smile.

“Ah, yes. I’m having dinner with Ines.”

Ethan reflexively held back from saying, ‘Again?’ He had just heard that they’d had lunch together the day before. Ines, Elodie—why did Camille get along so well with commoner women?

Ethan looked at Jacques, who was standing next to her. When their eyes met, Jacques bowed his head.

“I won’t be late.”

“Alright.”

Camille headed out, escorted by Victor. Ethan watched her back for a moment, then impulsively called out.

“Camille.”

“Yes?”

Camille turned back to look at him. Ethan hesitated for a moment, forgetting what he meant to say. Even he didn’t know why he had called out to her.

“What is it? Did you want to say something?”

“No, not really. Just… be safe.”

At his words, Camille tilted her head slightly and then smiled.

“Alright. I’ll be back soon.”

Ethan furrowed his brows slightly as he recalled the moment.

Even thinking back on it now, he couldn’t explain the strange feeling he’d had.

There was nothing odd about Camille’s expression or behavior—she had been completely normal. Yet there had been something unexplainable, something off that he couldn’t logically place.

As if letting Camille go like that would mean he’d never see her again.

‘…Ridiculous. Don’t be stupid.’

Ethan shook his head and stood up from his desk. He walked slowly to the window and pulled the curtain aside slightly. The night was unusually dark, with no moon in sight.

Surely it was because his nerves had been on edge lately with the matter of Girard.

Camille had said that Marlon Girard wasn’t the type to just sit back and take a loss, that he’d definitely plot something again.

Ethan had agreed.

‘Perhaps I should’ve assigned a few more guards.’

Given how he’d secretly had her followed in the past, it was hard to suggest something like that outright.

Still, Jacques’s house was only about fifteen minutes away by carriage. And Jacques was with her, so there shouldn’t be any issues.

‘She’ll be back soon.’

Once Camille returned, this uneasy feeling would surely vanish like it had never been there.

Thinking that, Ethan let go of the curtain and returned to his desk.

That’s when it happened—a deafening thunderclap roared outside.

Startled, Ethan rushed back to the window. Rain was now pouring from the sky that had been calm just moments ago.

It was the first thunderstorm since that day.

Camille’s silhouette on horseback flashed through his mind—her pale, trembling face as she stood frozen.

Without realizing it, Ethan bolted out of the room. He asked the first maid he saw.

“Where’s Victor?”

Victor quickly ran up. “Yes, sir. You called?”

“Send someone to Jacques’s house. The thunder and lightning are intense—I’m worried about Camille.”

If they hadn’t departed yet, that would be best. But if she was already in the carriage, that was the real problem.

Camille preferred to go out alone. Unlike other noblewomen, she didn’t bring a maid with her.

That meant, if her condition worsened, there would be no one to help her.

“If they haven’t left yet, tell them to wait until the rain stops. There’s no need to rush.”

“Understood.”

Victor gave a short bow and turned to leave, but Ethan called him back.

“Wait.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Never mind. I’ll go myself.”

At that, Victor blinked behind his monocle in surprise. “You’ll go personally, sir? But the rain is pouring, and what if you miss her along the way—”

“Then I miss her. No matter. Ready a physician in advance. If Camille returns while I’m out, she’s to be examined immediately.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

A short while later, the carriage carrying Ethan departed the ducal residence.

The rain showed no signs of letting up. The thunder, heard from inside the carriage, was even louder and more resonant than expected. Each time the sky roared, the image of Camille from that day flashed through Ethan’s mind, and he frowned involuntarily.

“Can’t we go any faster?”

Eventually, he even urged the coachman.

“I’m sorry, sir. The rain is simply too heavy…”

Ethan pressed his lips together and stared anxiously out the window.

After what felt like an eternity, the carriage finally arrived at the Alide estate. Ethan leapt out. The coachman hurried after him, holding an umbrella, but Ethan didn’t even look back.

“I am the Duke of Dumont. Open the gate.”

The door opened, and a maid greeted Ethan, eyes wide.

“D-Duke of Dumont.”

She bowed deeply, nearly at a ninety-degree angle. Ethan didn’t spare her a glance as he stepped into the mansion.

He looked around and asked, “Where is Camille? Has she already left?”

“Pardon? Who… Do you mean the Duchess?” responded the maid with confusion.

“Yes. She was supposed to have had dinner here just now.”

“Dinner…? N-no, sir. The Duchess hasn’t been here today.”

Ethan stopped in place and turned to look at the maid.

“…She hasn’t been here? What do you mean? Was this not the agreed meeting place?”

The maid seemed frightened by Ethan’s sharp gaze and shrank back. “A-agreed meeting…? I’m not sure what you’re referring to…”

“I mean the lady of this house. Ines Alide. Weren’t she and Camille supposed to have dinner together today?”

“Pardon? I-I’m sorry. I haven’t heard anything about that.”

“……”

Something felt off. Ethan asked again, his voice lowered, “Where are Jacques and Ines?”

“Master left early this morning and hasn’t returned yet. Madam… she hasn’t been home since yesterday.”

“Since yesterday? Where did she go?”

“I’m not sure. Master only said she’d be away for a few days on business…”

“……”

A bad feeling settled in his chest. Could Camille and Jacques have lied to him?

Of course, it wasn’t something he could be sure of just yet. It was still possible that this hadn’t been the actual dinner location.

In truth, Camille had only said, “I’m having dinner with Ines”—she hadn’t specifically said where. Since she was meeting Jacques’s wife, and Jacques was with her, Ethan had simply assumed it would be the Alide estate.

But it was hard to shake the discomfort. That the maid didn’t know her master’s schedule was odd enough—but so was Ines, who supposedly had no ties apart from Jacques, suddenly staying out.

Regardless, there was nothing more to be gained by staying.

“If Jacques or Ines returns, tell them to contact me immediately.”

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

The maid bowed deeply once more. Ethan left the Alide estate and climbed back into the carriage, ordering the coachman to return to the ducal residence.

“Welcome back, master. Goodness, your shoulders are soaked.”

Victor reached out, intending to take Ethan’s coat, but Ethan ignored him and asked, “Camille. Has she returned?”

“Pardon? No, not yet… She wasn’t at the Alide estate?” Victor’s eyes widened.

“Send someone to the Intelligence Division. Have anyone available come see me. I’ll be waiting in my study.”

“Ah, yes. Right away.”

Not long after, one of Jacques’s men arrived at Ethan’s study. But he, too, knew nothing.

In the end, all they could do was wait and inform Ethan as soon as Jacques returned.

The rain still showed no signs of stopping. Every crash of thunder made Ethan’s expression darken further.

Where could Camille possibly be right now? Was she safe? The worry refused to leave his mind.

As he paced the room nervously, a knock came at the door. It was Victor.

“Is she back?” Ethan asked urgently.

“Yes. Well, not the Duchess… Jacques has returned. And Lady Ines is with him.”

Soon, Jacques entered the study.

His face was deathly pale. Though he looked like he’d been caught in the rain, it was clear that wasn’t the reason.

“What happened? Where is Camille?” Ethan asked.

Jacques opened his mouth, voice hoarse.

“…I’m sorry.”