ICHYR Ch 5

Irene was slightly surprised and opened her eyes.

 

Kaiden’s eyes were calm and composed, which was not like a joke. The question he just threw was not simple curiosity.

 

“I want us to be painted as lovers.”

 

The words he added in a low voice drove the wedge in.

 

Kaiden and I becoming lovers.

 

It was an assumption that felt like a dream. Irene quietly took a breath and looked at Kaiden.

 

The past few months she had spent with him came to mind. The letters they exchanged, asking about each other’s well-being, and his affectionate eyes.

 

The subtle emotions that passed between them. The time she spent with him was not all a dream.

 

Today was the same. When he overlapped his hand with hers at the exhibition, she couldn’t bring herself to push him away.

 

She didn’t want to wake up from the appropriate tension and the fluttering excitement.

 

That’s how special Kaiden’s existence was. Nevertheless, the reason she hesitated was…because she hadn’t told him the truth yet.

 

He didn’t know about the pain and wounds she had suffered in the past due to her hearing.

 

“I’m…”

 

Irene parted her lips and then closed them again. Her head was in a mess. She didn’t want to lie, But she was afraid to tell him honestly.

 

She had only just become happy.

 

The three months before she met Kaiden were like three years.

 

Every day was like hell, and she even had the extreme thought that it would be better to die.

 

She was only just able to smile comfortably.

 

She was only just able to look forward to the future.

 

Can you give up all of this?

 

The question towards herself lingered emptily.

 

“I’m not as good a woman as you think, Mr. Hegwins.”

 

Fear swallowed the truth in the end.

 

Kaiden’s eyes narrowed.

 

“Did you play with me?”

 

“Of course not!”

 

Irene raised her head sharply. Although she had been denying it until now, her heart towards Kaiden was sincere.

 

Just looking at him made her heart flutter and pound. When he smiled at her, her heart tickled. She wanted to hold his hand and stay by his side even a little longer.

 

At some point, she had come to like a man named Kaiden Hegwins. That was why she couldn’t refuse this confession firmly.

 

“I like you, Mr. Hegwins. I really like you, but…”

 

The golden eyes looking down at Irene curved softly. Kaiden pulled her arm and hugged her as she was.

 

His heartbeat, which was transmitted beyond their touching bodies, was as comfortable as gentle waves.

 

“Miss Whitfield just needs to give me her heart as she is now.”

 

Irene’s eyes wavered. She wanted to lean on his big, wide chest without any thoughts.

 

A true relationship begins when you share the truth. The words that Mrs. Debitt had said just now kept lingering in her head.

 

As if reading her hesitation, Kaiden whispered softly.

 

“Follow your heart. It’s natural that we don’t know each other well yet. It’s not too late to get to know each other slowly.”

 

With Kaiden’s soft eyes and voice, her heart flowed in a direction that she couldn’t help.

 

“…Really?”

 

“Yes, I think we will naturally know what each other cares about and what they want as time passes.”

 

Irene, who was hesitating, put her arms around Kaiden’s back.

 

It was as he said. There was no need to tell everything before starting. When she was a little more prepared. When she wasn’t afraid to tell the truth, she wanted to take courage.

 

She didn’t know what the future with him would be like, but at least she wanted to believe that this choice was right now.

 

The sun set and a dark twilight fell. Irene buried her face in his arms.

 

She felt like she was in a beautiful painting. She didn’t want to get out. Forever.

 

 

⚜︎ ⚜︎ ⚜︎

 

 

[To my beloved Kaiden.

 

How are you doing?  I was going to go to Nervia to see you, but I was surprised to hear that it takes 12 hours by train. I heard it’s still winter there? 

 

I heard that the food and culture are very different. I’m sure you’ll adapt well and be fine, but I can’t help but worry in many ways.

 

Spring has come to the Siphrine Hotel again. And my brother, who went to study abroad, has returned. How nice would it be if the person who came back was you.

 

I’m sending you my favorite flower from the garden, dried with longing. I’ll give you a more wonderful gift this fall for your birthday. You can look forward to it.

 

Ps. My father said he hasn’t heard from you. When did you two contact each other? I’m getting a little jealous.

 

From Irene Whitfield, who is waiting only for you.]

 

***

 

[To Irene.

 

Spring has also come to Nervia. It also means that the time for me to return to your side is near.

 

I received the marriage proposal well. I was worried because I hadn’t heard from you for a while, but I didn’t know you were preparing such a surprise event. 

 

I should have proposed first, but I’m not qualified as a man. When I get back, I’ll propose to you later.

 

I also heard that you don’t want a wedding. It’s a pity that I won’t be able to see the beautiful bride. But it’s definitely a good thing that we can live together from this summer without any special wedding preparations.

 

You don’t have to reply. I’ll be by your side by the time this letter arrives.

 

From Kaiden Hegwins.]

 

 

⋆˚✩☽⋆⁺₊✧༚❃༚✧⁺₊⋆☽✩˚⋆

 

 

A cool breeze brushed against her cheek.

 

Late at night, Irene walked with a canvas in her hand. Each time she stepped on the ground, she heard the sound of dry leaves crumbling. Autumn was already deepening.

 

It had been two years since she started dating Kaiden. Considering the period she had known him, three years had passed.

 

Three months had passed since she became the wife and family of a man without a wedding.

 

It was the beginning of an unusual married life, but she was happy. Every morning, she woke up next to Kaiden and ate together.

 

Sometimes they drank tea and exchanged bland jokes, and she fell asleep in his arms.

 

It was a series of peaceful days.

 

However, for some reason, she had been spending time alone a lot recently.

 

She woke up alone in bed and ate alone. She could only tell that he had been there by the warmth remaining in the bed. It had been four days since she had seen Kaiden.

 

Irene was finally standing in front of Kaiden’s office. The clock was pointing to 11:40 PM.

 

She didn’t want to disturb his time, but she had to see him before it got any later.

 

Irene, who had calmed her mind, knocked. Not long after, Kaiden’s voice was heard beyond the door.

 

It wasn’t very clear, but it sounded like an invitation to come in.

 

She opened the office door and stepped inside. Kaiden was sitting at his desk, reviewing documents.

 

“Kaiden, can you spare a moment?”

 

“I have work I was doing.”

 

“It’ll only be a moment.”

 

“I’d like to return the same words you just said.”

 

A cold and heartless answer came back.

 

Irene bit her lower lip. He was so unfamiliar. She even doubted if he was the Kaiden Hegwins she knew.

 

“…Am I bothering you and making you angry?”

 

His response was the sound of papers being flipped. It meant he wouldn’t answer no matter what she said.

 

Irene stared blankly at Kaiden. White steam was rising from the cup on his desk.

 

She thought she knew why she smelled coffee as soon as she entered the office.

 

“Coffee… when did you start drinking it again?”

 

Again, he remained silent.

 

11:55 PM.

 

The clock in the office was approaching midnight.

 

Until then, he hadn’t looked at her even once. Irene glanced anxiously at the clock.

 

11:59 PM.

 

Before she knew it, there was less than a minute until midnight. She slowly opened her lips.

 

“I don’t want to bother you, but I thought I should say it before it gets too late. It was your birthday today, wasn’t it?”

 

“Happy birthday, Kaiden.”

 

Ding.

 

The grandfather clock chimed quietly, signaling midnight. Kaiden slowly raised his head. His golden eyes were deep and dark.

 

Irene deliberately avoided his eyes. He would smile soon anyway. Above all, she was confident she could make him smile.

 

“I prepared a gift for you.”

 

Irene quietly approached and set down the canvas. The canvas contained beautiful memories.

 

A sunset sea and a snowy beach. And a pair of lovers, a painting drawn only for Kaiden Hegwins, that man.

 

Kaiden’s gaze turned to the painting on the canvas.

 

“Remember? I said I wanted lovers in the sea painting I drew. It’s you and me.”

 

“……”

 

“I was thinking of using it as the main piece for my exhibition someday, but I thought it would be more valuable to give it to you. What do you think?”

 

Irene carefully examined Kaiden’s expression. His face was still expressionless. It was around the time she could hardly bear the uneasy silence.

 

His lips twisted upward. Contempt filled his golden eyes.

 

“You disturbed my time just to give me something like this?”

 

“…Kaiden?”

 

Strength drained from her body, and her heartbeat began to become unstable.

 

Just something like this. The words he uttered so casually echoed in her mind.

 

She felt the blood run cold.

 

“I don’t want to see it, so take it away immediately, before I dispose of it.”

 

His voice was excessively heartless and dry. With that one sentence, he turned his gaze away.

 

Irene stiffened, blinked blankly.

She felt like she had been dragged out of a dream that would never end.