My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 149

‘Whew, that felt good.’

After my bath, I felt—perhaps a little exaggeratedly—like I’d been reborn.

Maybe it was because I still had memories of being a modern person in a past life, but I couldn’t stand going more than two days without a bath.

‘Of course, that’s only possible because I’m a noble…’

At first, it had felt awkward and uncomfortable having maids bathe me, but once I got used to it, there was nothing more convenient. Especially on a day like today, when I was tired after traveling far.

I sat in front of the vanity, letting the maids handle my hair. They were gently drying my damp hair with great care.

“Marie, could you send someone to tell Ethan I’m ready?”

Thinking the timing seemed right, I made the request—but Marie gave an unexpected reply.

“Master has been waiting outside for a while now.”

I turned to Marie in surprise. “What? Really? Since when?”

“Just before you finished your bath… I think it’s been about fifteen minutes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me right away?”

“The master asked me not to. He said he would wait until you were completely ready…”

I told the maids to finish up quickly. Not long after, I stepped out of the toiletry room.

Ethan was waiting for me on the sofa in the sitting room.

“Camille.”

Ethan stood up as soon as he saw me.

“Why did you come so early? You told me to call you when I was ready.”

At my words, Ethan looked a bit sheepish. “Yes, I did… but I didn’t really have anything else to do, so I thought I’d just come wait a little early.”

I furrowed my brow slightly.

There was no way he had nothing to do. He was always busy, and with the upcoming trial, he was probably buried in preparing the charges against Girard.

As I looked at him silently, Ethan changed the subject.

“Dinner’s already prepared. Just say the word and it’ll be brought up right away. Should I have them bring it now?”

“Ah, yes. Sure.”

Ethan called for a maid to bring the meal. Soon, dinner was set on the table beside the sofa. Though smaller than a dining room table, it was more than spacious enough for a proper meal.

We ate in silence for a while. For some reason, Ethan seemed strangely tense, and it must’ve rubbed off on me—I felt it too.

We kept glancing at each other, and every time our eyes met, we quickly looked away like it was agreed upon. After a while, I couldn’t even tell whether the food was going into my mouth or my nose.

‘…This won’t do. I should just give him the gift now.’

Originally, I’d planned to give it to him after the meal, but I had to do something to break this awkward atmosphere.

I picked up the gift box I’d placed beside me and set it on the table.

“What’s this?” Ethan asked.

I slid the box toward him without a word.

“Why? What is it?”

“Open it.”

Looking puzzled, Ethan put down his utensils and began unwrapping the package. When he saw the contents, his eyes narrowed slightly.

“This is…”

“I bought a watch as a gift for my brother since I was visiting home for the first time in a while. Then I thought of you and picked one out, too.”

Ethan stared at the watch in silence.

‘…Does he not like it?’

The pocket watch he usually carried was a similar style. That’s why I had thought this would match his taste perfectly.

‘Or maybe it’s too similar to the one he already uses? That could be it.’

I hesitated a little and said, “If the design isn’t to your liking, we can exchange it… or you could pick out a new one yourself.”

At that, Ethan raised his head. “What? No. It’s not that I don’t like it.”

Murmuring, he took the pocket watch from the box, opened the cover, and gently brushed the surface.

“…I really like it. Thank you.”

“Really? If not, you don’t have to pretend. I’m fine with getting a new one that you actually like.”

“No. I really do like this one. I mean it.”

Ethan spoke hastily. I looked at him with a bit of suspicion.

“Then why do you look so reluctant?”

“It’s not that. I just… wasn’t sure if it was okay for me to receive a gift from you.”

I tilted my head at his words. “Huh? What do you mean… Why wouldn’t it be okay to receive a gift?”

“Gifts are supposed to be something a man gives to a woman. I’ve never really given you a proper gift, but here you are, giving me one…”

“What? That’s nonsense.”

I let out a short laugh.

“Who says only men can give gifts? Women can absolutely give gifts first.”

“…Is that so?”

“Of course. Besides, does a gift only count if it’s wrapped up and handed over? Everything I wear, the jewels I have on, even the food we’re eating—all of it was bought with your money. If we go by that logic, I’ve been receiving gifts from you constantly.”

“……”

Ethan furrowed his brows and looked at me.

“Why? Did I say something strange? I thought it was a perfectly reasonable and logical explanation.”

When I said that with a slight frown, Ethan’s expression went blank for a moment. Then, a short while later, he chuckled.

“You’re right. It’s perfectly reasonable and logical. Just like you always are.”

“You praising me like that somehow feels a little weird. Anyway… so you really don’t dislike the watch, right?”

“Of course not.”

“…That’s a relief.”

I let out a small sigh. Honestly, it was a relief. I hadn’t realized how worried I was about whether Ethan would like the gift.

‘How ridiculous. It’s just a watch.’

When I happened to glance up, Ethan was quietly staring at me. Something in the depth of his eyes made my cheeks feel warm.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s been over five years since we got married. Why am I only just now getting to know you?” Ethan murmured.

“What’s that supposed to mean, all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know. Like you said, it is a bit sudden… but I just feel so foolish.”

His expression was unshakably serious. I responded with a playful grin.

“Come on. That just means my acting skills were top-notch. It’s not that you were foolish.”

Of course, the real reason was that the Camille from then and I were two different people, but that wasn’t something I could ever admit.

Ethan gazed at me in silence for a moment, then lowered his eyes.

“…I’m sorry, Camille.”

“Huh? For what?” I asked, surprised.

“For everything I did over the past five years. For ignoring you, neglecting you… for failing in my duties as a husband. For making you lonely and unhappy. All of it.”

“……”

I couldn’t find the words to respond, caught off guard.

Ethan had apologized to me for this before, but this time felt completely different.

It was true that he had been cold toward his wife. But they hadn’t been brought together by love in the first place, so calling his indifference a crime felt… complicated. Especially given the customs of this world.

Besides, Camille hadn’t exactly been the most considerate wife either, having been spoiled under her brother’s doting care. She had even acted out when Ethan didn’t show her attention, and ultimately cheated—something utterly inexcusable.

‘Most of all, I wasn’t the one who lived those five years with Ethan… so being apologized to for that feels strange.’

In the early days of possession, I had pretended to be hurt by Ethan’s behavior as part of my strategy to push for divorce.

Sure, we had genuinely bickered a fair bit during that period—but from his perspective, it was only natural to be suspicious and wary of me.

“Come on, why bring that up now? You already apologized before.”

“I did, but you never said you forgave me.”

“What’s with all this talk of forgiveness? Are you saying this just because I gave you a gift? If you’re going to make a big deal over a simple watch, I’ll be too embarrassed to give you anything in the future.” I laughed and waved my hand.

“That’s not it. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I just felt like… if I didn’t apologize for what I did, and if you didn’t forgive me, then we could never truly start over.”

“Start over… you mean?”

“Yes. Not just pretending anymore, but truly as husband and wife.”

Ethan paused for a moment, then continued speaking.