My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 51

As she turned around, a young man with black hair and hazel eyes was smiling. His naturally smiling eyes and the beauty mark beneath his left eye exuded a subtly alluring atmosphere.

‘He’s quite a noticeable handsome man, but since I don’t remember him… could he be a foreigner?’

Indeed, the man had an exotic look. His Alvenian was remarkably fluent, though. Nadia glanced at him from the corner of her eye before speaking.

“If my memory isn’t failing me, I believe this is our first meeting. If I’m wrong, I apologize.”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself first. My name is Fabian Winter. I come from Feltheim.”

Feltheim is a city in Borcia, a neighboring country of Alveni.

“I’m Nadia.”

“I know. The beauty of the Marchioness of Leroy is renowned even beyond the borders.”

Nadia let out a small laugh.

No one knew better than herself that she wasn’t all that. Still, it wasn’t unpleasant to hear such flattery from a man, especially since her self-esteem had been lowered because of Ethan.

“So, Lord Winter, what were you doing while waiting here?”

“To be honest, I was waiting for a chance to approach you.”

“You’re quite bold. Is that common for Borcians?”“Well, I’ve heard Albania has a much more open atmosphere in these matters. Isn’t that true?”

“I’m not sure about that, but I’m not particularly fond of such trends. You could call me old-fashioned if you wish.”

“Well, I’ve heard Alveni has a much more open atmosphere in these matters. Isn’t that true?”

“I’m not sure about that, but I’m not particularly fond of such trends. You could call me old-fashioned if you wish.”

“No, on the contrary, I’m relieved to hear you say that. I’m not one for casual encounters either.”

“Oh really? That’s not the impression you give.”

Fabian smiled bitterly at her comment. “I suppose I’ve made a poor first impression. All the time I spent thinking this through seems to have gone to waste.”

Nadia smiled back as she reached for her wine glass, but it was empty. She had done it knowingly, hoping to prompt a reaction from him.

“There’s no more wine. If you don’t mind, would you like to join me for another glass inside?”

In the past, she would have most certainly refused. Nadia was well aware of how quickly rumors spread in social circles, even in a setting as casual as this.

Of course, Ethan wasn’t the type to be interested in gossip from high society. Even so, she didn’t want any rumors about her to reach his ears.

But perhaps it was out of defiance for what had happened last time, or maybe it was the alcohol speaking—she wasn’t sure. Honestly, she didn’t care.

For the moment, this man was catering to her mood perfectly. This was a banquet hall. If she changed her mind, she could easily stand up and leave.

Nadia took Fabian’s outstretched hand and rose from her seat.

***

Time spent with Fabian was surprisingly enjoyable.

Usually, men at such events fell into one of two categories: those who bragged about themselves and those whose empty flattery made their intent to lure women into bed glaringly obvious.

But Fabian was different from most men. He complimented her, yes, but he wasn’t in a hurry to reveal any ulterior motives.

Most importantly, he listened to her. He listened attentively and responded appropriately—a trait most men surprisingly lacked.

Maybe that was why, or maybe it was the alcohol, but Nadia’s conversation eventually turned to Ethan.

In truth, it wasn’t something she should be talking about in front of a man who had shown interest in her. But once she started pouring out her grievances, she couldn’t stop.

She vented about her frustration with Ethan for not understanding her feelings and her inability to let go of her affection for him.

Nadia sighed heavily. “Isn’t it too much? He doesn’t understand my heart, yet he insists on protecting the wife who betrayed him…”

“I find it hard to believe. How could a man remain so cold while receiving the love of such an enchanting woman?” Fabian refilled her empty glass as he spoke.

“Well, he’s a man who lacks nothing. What I don’t understand is why someone of Ethan’s caliber would choose Camille Chevillotte as his wife. Really, she’s not worth it.”

“Didn’t you say earlier that she had an affair with another man? What was his name…?”

“Liam Bernard. About four months ago, he suddenly disappeared from the capital. I’m not sure if Ethan drove him away or if Bernard fled out of fear of being discovered… I’ve been looking into it from every angle, but his whereabouts remain unknown.”

“Could it be that he was dealt with quietly, without anyone knowing? I mean, if it were Duke Dumont, something like that wouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

Fabian’s voice lowered as he spoke, and Nadia glanced at him with half-closed eyes before shaking her head.

“No way. Ethan would never go that far. If he had, it would mean that Baron Bernard and that woman actually did something improper… In that case, Ethan wouldn’t still be keeping her as his wife.”

“That’s true. So what really happened?”

“How would I know? I’ve already told you, I have no clue.”

“Hmm.”

Nadia took a sip of her wine. “In any case, someone out there must know where Baron Bernard is. The truth will come to light someday. When it does, Ethan will surely change his mind.”

“You’re absolutely right, Marchioness.”

“Right? I knew I had a good feeling about you from the start, Viscount Winter.”

After saying that, Nadia subtly placed her hand on Fabian’s. “I think I’ve had too much to drink. I’d like to lie down somewhere comfortable…”

“Oh, I see. I understand. Please wait a moment.”

Fabian flashed a smile before standing up. Nadia narrowed her eyes slightly, but soon chuckled and took another sip of wine. Fabian left the room and called over a passing servant.

“The Marchioness of Leroy seems to be quite drunk. Please escort her home.”

“Yes, sir.”

Fabian then left the banquet hall. He walked for a while, and when the area became quieter, he reached up to his head. Removing his wig revealed a light blond color, slightly faded to a pale gray.

His face, which had previously seemed full of warmth, now appeared utterly devoid of emotion, almost mechanical. He rubbed his cheek with his hand, erasing the distinctive beauty mark beneath his eye. He was no longer Fabian Winter, but someone entirely different.

The unknown man glanced coldly at the moon before disappearing into the darkness.

***

One month had passed since Marcel Bache’s arrest.

My plan to leave the Dumont mansion and safely separate from Ethan had hit an unexpected obstacle. The ambitious card I had played had been blocked by Ethan with surprising ease.

“Let’s bring your brother to the duchy. That way, you won’t have to leave, and we won’t have to divorce.”

I never could have imagined Ethan would say such a thing. He even offered to personally persuade Olivier if necessary, but I hadn’t yet mentioned it to Olivier myself.

My goal had always been to use him as an excuse to divorce Ethan, not to actually bring him into the duchy.

“Do you remember that time we made a bet on The History of the Erendel War? You promised to grant me any wish if I won.”

I had gone so far as to bring up an old matter, but Ethan didn’t even blink.

“Divorce is out of the question. But anything else is fine.”

“How about a long, indefinite separation that’s practically like a divorce?”

“……”

Ethan narrowed his eyes as he looked at me. His gaze was as if he were staring at a truly pathetic person, and I couldn’t help but feel a spark of irritation rise within me.

“Or, I wouldn’t mind if we ended in widowhood, either.”

“…Are you threatening to kill me right now?”

“Don’t you think death is a better option than staying married to me?”

Without a word, Ethan shook his head.

“Don’t you have any pride? How pathetic must it be to cling to a woman who doesn’t want to live with you.”

I deliberately tried provoking him, but he didn’t budge.

“No matter what you say, my decision is final. Unless there’s a reason that fundamentally undermines the foundation of our marriage, I won’t agree to a divorce. Understand that.”

Ethan said this without any expression on his face.