My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 33

The food was unbelievably delicious, as if confirming that it was indeed my favorite. The skin was crispy, and the meat was tender, causing my eyes to widen in delight with the first bite. It was the best meal I’ve had since transmigrating to this world.

Olivier watched me eat with a pleased expression. “So, how have you been lately?” he asked.

His question made my eyes widen slightly. This was the question I had been eagerly waiting for ever since I arrived. In fact, I intended to ask Olivier for help with divorcing Ethan today. Knowing how much he adored his sister, I believed he wouldn’t be able to refuse if I pleaded with tears in my eyes.

Unlike the original story, I didn’t have to worry about losing my family’s fortune this time. Ethan wasn’t the kind of man to go back on his word, so even if I received alimony, he wouldn’t demand it back.

“Take your time and eat slowly,” Olivier said with a smile as I chewed diligently, planning to swallow before speaking.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am that you are the Duchess of Dumont,” he continued.

“……”

I unintentionally swallowed the food I was chewing. “Everything we are enjoying now, this food, this mansion, none of it would exist without you. You were once my treasure alone, but now you’ve become one of the most noble women in this country. Even though I have nothing else to be proud of, I take pride in being your brother.”

“No, brother. What are you talking about? You’re a wonderful person too,” I responded quickly.

“You’re too kind, Cam. I appreciate your sentiment, but the whole world knows I’m lacking. I was born with a frail constitution, unable to properly fulfill my duties as head of the family, and I haven’t even provided an heir,” Olivier said with a self-deprecating smile.

“I’ve always worried about how I would face our parents in heaven. But thanks to you, I am relieved. One of your children will inherit the title of Count of Chevillotte.”

“W-what? No, that’s…”

“I’m sure our deceased parents feel the same way. They must be looking down on us with a content smile right now,” Olivier murmured, eyes closed as if in prayer.

“……”

“I am truly grateful,” he whispered.

I heard sniffling around me. Turning, I saw the maids wiping their tears with their aprons. I bowed my head quietly.

‘There’s no way I can bring up the subject of divorce now…’

I knew from the original story that Olivier cherished Camille dearly, but I hadn’t realized it was to this extent.

‘No wonder he collapsed when he heard his sister was kicked out for having an affair…’

Of course, it wasn’t as bad as that, but announcing my desire for a divorce now would definitely shock him.

‘I guess I’ll have to observe the situation for a while.’

No matter what, I didn’t want to see Olivier collapse right in front of me. But that didn’t mean I was giving up on the divorce because of him. One thing was certain: I needed to secure my own future first.

Living with a man who didn’t love me and enduring a meaningless marriage was unbearable. The title of Duchess of Dumont was also too burdensome. The endless cycle of attending banquets and tea parties, dealing with people I didn’t want to see while forcing a fake smile, was exhausting just to think about.

Taking care of Olivier here and living a quiet life seemed a hundred times better.

‘If I suddenly announce I want a divorce, it will be too shocking. I should gradually introduce the idea.’

“Brother, you asked me earlier how I’ve been, right?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right,” Olivier responded.

“Actually… it’s a bit difficult to say, but I can’t say I’ve been doing very well,” I admitted.

Olivier’s expression darkened with concern. “Why? What’s wrong? Is it because of your illness?”

“No, it’s not that… It’s because of him.”

“What do you mean, because of him? Is the Duke unwell too?”

“No? No, that’s not it. You know how things are between us,” I said.

“What do you mean? There’s no couple as harmonious as you two.”

“Excuse me?”

It was my turn to widen my eyes in surprise.

“Didn’t you always say that the Duke cherished you greatly and that you were happy every day? Wasn’t that true?”

‘…Did Camille really tell Olivier that?’

On reflection, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. Knowing Camille’s prideful nature, she wouldn’t have wanted to admit that she was being mistreated at home. She also wouldn’t have wanted to worry her brother. And with Olivier’s health requiring him to convalesce, he wouldn’t have heard much about the social scene.

Even if guests came by, they likely wouldn’t dare to tell Olivier the truth. If Olivier spent his time boasting about his sister to everyone he met, who could bring themselves to say, “Actually, that’s not true”?

“Camille?”

“Ah, yes, Brother. What I mean is, it used to be like that. But lately, our relationship hasn’t been as good as it was before. We’ve grown distant,” I explained.

“…Really?”

“Yes. It’s been five years since we got married, but we haven’t had any good news yet. Ethan seems to be quite concerned about that,” I added.

“……”

Olivier’s face was now full of worry.

“I had no idea.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you worry, but I thought I couldn’t keep lying forever,” I said.

“Of course. It’s good you told me. Don’t worry about me; just do what you need to feel at ease,” Olivier said, forcing a smile.

“Thank you, Brother.”

Olivier fell silent for a while, his face filled with concern. I felt a bit, no, quite guilty, but it couldn’t be helped. This was far better than having him collapse from shock upon hearing I wanted a divorce.

‘This means I’ll need to think of another plan.’

I covered my mouth with my wine glass and sighed quietly.

***

After bidding farewell to Olivier and stepping out of the mansion, I saw Jacques waiting by the carriage. I wondered when he had arrived.

“Duchess… about earlier,” Jacques started.

“Let’s talk in the carriage,” I interrupted.

Jacques fell silent and climbed into the carriage. I took his hand and followed him inside. As soon as the carriage started moving, Jacques bowed his head toward me.

“I apologize for earlier, Duchess. I overstepped…”

“Aren’t you hungry? You must have missed lunch while keeping an eye on me,” I said, cutting him off.

Jacques looked uncomfortable at my words. “I wasn’t keeping an eye on you. I was merely carrying out my duty as instructed.”

“It was a bit of both, wasn’t it? Even if I hadn’t asked, you would have followed me here anyway,” I replied.

“……”

I handed him a wrapped bundle.

“What is this?” he asked.

“I asked them to make a sandwich with the leftover roast suckling pig from lunch. It’s not much, but…”

Jacques squinted at the bundle. “Surely not because of me…”

“I knew you wouldn’t neglect your duty, whether it was an escort or surveillance,” I said.

“……”

Jacques looked at me with a peculiar expression before accepting the bundle. “I appreciate it. I’ll take it home and share it with my wife.”

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in surprise. “What did you just say?”

Jacques looked puzzled. “Did you mean for me to eat it here? I couldn’t possibly…”

“No, that’s not it… Did you say wife?”

“Yes. I got married last year,” Jacques replied, not surprised that I was unaware of his marriage.

‘So, she’s still alive at this point,’ I thought to myself.

Jacques’ wife, Ines, was a victim in the original story, falling prey to a serial killer who terrorized the capital twice.