My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 147

When I arrived at the watch shop, I returned to the VIP room through the back door.

‘That took about an hour, give or take.’

Since I had already told the guards and Daniel the coachman that I’d be a while, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Just like when I first left, the knights stationed at the door didn’t seem to recognize me at all.

They probably never imagined I’d disguise myself as a shop employee.

I changed back into my clothes with the waiting maid and didn’t forget to give her a gold coin as thanks.

“Um, Duchess… which watch would you like?”

The manager entered and asked. I glanced at the selection of watches laid out on the table.

Olivier, surprisingly, had a taste for ornate and flashy things.

‘Considering Camille was the same, maybe it runs in the family.’

Without hesitation, I picked the most extravagant gold watch. Its frame was studded with gems so densely it looked almost excessive to me—but Olivier would undoubtedly love it.

“Wrap this one up.”

“Understood. If you’d like, we can engrave initials on the inner cover. Would you like that?”

“Yes. Please engrave O. C.”

“Very well. Please wait a moment while I prepare it.”

The manager wrapped the gold watch in silk and got up from his seat. While the maid was putting the remaining watches away, one in particular caught my eye.

Unlike the ornate one I had just chosen, this was a clean silver pocket watch with almost no decoration or embellishment. Yet it had a luxurious and elegant feel.

“Hold on.”

The maid paused mid-movement.

“I’ll take this one too. Wrap it separately from the other.”

“Ah, yes, Duchess. Right away.”

I had bought it on a sudden impulse, thinking of Ethan.

It matched his taste—simple and understated—and I had a feeling it would suit him well.

‘This is fine, right? Buying a gift for my husband while I’m out shopping for my brother… there’s nothing strange about that. Yes.’

I mumbled to myself internally, half in justification.

For a moment, I wondered if the purchase had been unnecessary, but that thought quickly vanished. Instead, a strange sense of anticipation swelled in my chest.

‘Will Ethan like it?’

Imagining how he might react when I gave it to him made me restless. I wanted to hurry home.

Of course, that wasn’t possible. I’d have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest.

I received the wrapped gifts, left the watch shop, and boarded the carriage. Then we departed for Count Chevillotte’s estate, where Olivier was.

***

“Toma Reggiani?”

At the voice behind him, Toma rose from the sofa.

Turning around, he saw a man dressed impeccably in black. The man removed his gloves and extended a hand.

“A pleasure. I’m Arthur Roban.”

Toma silently took the offered hand.

‘So this is the Black Gentleman.’

He was indeed as handsome as the rumors said. A perfectly groomed mustache, flawless tailoring, and a refined smile. Had Toma not known his identity, he would have easily mistaken him for a beloved member of high society.

“I’ve received the Duchess of Dumont’s letter. It’s going to be a long journey, so let’s head out immediately.”

“…Where is the destination?”

“I can’t tell you until we get there. It’s the Duchess’s request. I hope you’ll understand.”

“……”

He had briefly wondered if this was all a trap. That Eric being alive, or Gabriel’s involvement, might all be lies.

After all, the Duchess had never arranged for him and Gabriel to meet. If it was just about taking him to Eric, wouldn’t it have made more sense to leave it to Gabriel rather than hiring the Black Gentleman?

From the Duchess’s perspective, Toma no longer had any use. Perhaps she was having him disposed of through Arthur Roban—silently and cleanly. Perhaps he was simply waiting in this room for death.

But thinking more clearly, that didn’t seem likely. If she wanted to eliminate him, there was no need for all this. It could’ve been done the day of the escape—or anytime after—with an assassin.

Besides, Ethan Dumont was known for his strong aversion to assassination. Arthur Roban, too, was known for his principles. He prided himself on not being one of those mercenaries who would do anything for money.

‘Maybe that’s why she chose Arthur Roban.’

Bringing Toma here personally might have been the Duchess’s way of proving she had no ulterior motive.

“Shall we go, then?”

At Arthur’s words, Toma gave a small nod and followed him out.

***

It was the third day since the carriage left the capital. That afternoon showed no sign of arrival.

Toma glanced at Arthur, who sat across from him, and asked, “Don’t you think it’s about time you told me where we’re headed? Not knowing the destination or when we’ll arrive is becoming increasingly frustrating.”

“I understand how you feel, but what can I do? It’s the client’s order.” Arthur shrugged as he spoke.

“At the very least, could you tell me how much farther we have to go? I doubt the Duchess forbade even that.”

At Toma’s suggestion, Arthur thought for a moment and nodded. “Hmm, true enough. Then I’ll tell you. We’ll likely arrive at our destination by tomorrow evening.”

With that answer, Toma’s thoughts began to churn. Judging from their direction and the speed they’d traveled so far, he could roughly estimate the region.

‘It must be a village in northern Nice.’

Once they reached the inn for the night, he’d be able to narrow it down further.

Of course, he still wouldn’t know exactly where Eric lived, but that could be uncovered with time.

Though the Duchess’s persuasion had somewhat shaken him, Toma still wasn’t convinced meeting Eric was the right thing to do.

Rather than facing his son directly, it seemed better to learn where he lived and take time to sort out his thoughts.

‘I’ll wait until we get to the inn tonight, then look for a chance to slip away.’

Having made up his mind, Toma began mentally preparing a plan to escape Arthur’s watch.

A few hours later, around sunset, the carriage reached a village.

As with the previous two nights, they secured separate rooms at an inn.

Arthur said, “See you in the morning, then.”

Toma nodded and went up to his room. The fact that they’d taken separate rooms suggested Arthur wasn’t expecting him to run. If he were determined, it wouldn’t be difficult to get away.

Even so, because of the man he was dealing with, Toma decided to wait until nightfall.

Not long after, there was a knock at the door.

“Toma, are you in there?”

It was Arthur’s voice. Without much thought, Toma opened the door—and froze.

Standing beside Arthur was another person.

It was Eric.

Compared to the memory he held, Eric had grown taller and more mature. And yet, he was still recognizable at a glance.

While Toma stood frozen in shock, Arthur gave Eric a gentle smile and said, “Do you recognize him?”

The last time they met, Eric had been six years old. He wasn’t so young that he’d forget his father’s face entirely.

Still, three years was a long time. It was possible his memories had faded. And Toma himself had changed a lot.

Eric looked up at Toma and blinked.

“…Dad?”

Toma’s hand trembled.

“Dad… is it really you? It is, right?”

Eric ran forward and hugged Toma around the waist. The height, the pull on his coat—everything had changed. And yet, it was familiar.

“Dad…!”

Tears welled up in Eric’s eyes.

Toma collapsed to his knees and embraced his son tightly.

“Eric…!”

“Dad, Dad…!”

Father and son clung to each other and wept.

Arthur watched them quietly before gently closing the door.

He leaned against the railing down the hall and lit his pipe, recalling the contents of the letter he had received from Camille.

[Toma still isn’t sure about seeing his son. If he finds out where Eric is, he might try to run away—so don’t tell him. Even after you arrive in the village, don’t let your guard down. It might even be a good idea to mislead him about the destination.

But once the two meet, everything will be fine. Please just take care of things until then.]

Everything had gone exactly as she predicted. Arthur let out a soft puff of smoke, a faint smile playing on his lips.