ICHYR Ch 1

“Why are you suddenly giving me money?”

 

The hollow question lingered in the air. Those gathered in the bedroom only looked at Irene with eyes full of pity and compassion.

 

“What is this divorce agreement even about? It’s not like I’m going to lose my hearing forever.”

 

Irene forced a smile. Her composed expression contrasted with the trembling hand that clutched the envelope.

 

Her wavering blue eyes, lost in confusion, soon fixed on one place.

 

Golden hair that shone brightly and green eyes that held a gentle warmth. Enzo Fredman, once her childhood friend and fiance in a marriage of convenience.

 

“Enzo. Do you really think I won’t be able to hear ever again?”

 

Irene tightened her grip around the envelope. Her knuckles turned white, but she kept the smile on her face.

 

“Say something. No. At least write something down for me. Why won’t anyone tell me anything? I’m going to get better soon. Right?”

 

Enzo ultimately avoided Irene’s gaze. In his place, someone else stepped forward. It was Count Fredman, Enzo’s father.

 

“My dear, we were planning to proceed with the divorce once you had stabilized, but things didn’t go as hoped.”

 

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Here. Paper and pen. Please, tell me what’s going on. I’m begging you.”

 

The piece of paper, worn and frayed as if it had been held too long, bore the signs of time. Count Fredman took it, scribbled a brief message, and handed it back to her.

 

[ They say there’s no chance of regaining your hearing. This is the best choice for both you and Enzo, so please try to understand. ]

 

At last, the truth reached her eyes, and they filled with shock.

 

“…No.”

 

Irene’s voice broke into pieces.

 

“No. That can’t be. No. No!”

 

She shook her head again and again, refusing to accept reality.

 

Enzo, watching her, squeezed his eyes shut and turned away.

 

“Father, let’s go.”

 

Left alone in the bedroom, Irene finally burst into tears.

 

Her cries, raw and primal like a beast’s wail, echoed through the long, empty corridor.

 

“They always got along so well. They’ve finally sealed their love.”

 

“I always knew those two would end up married. Congratulations, Lady Whitfield. Or rather, I should say, Madam Fredman now.”

 

It was the wedding everyone had expected. A flawless union, so natural it seemed inevitable.

 

Irene had never once regretted accepting Enzo’s proposal. Being by his side had always brought her laughter and joy.

 

If she could hold on to the happiness she shared with Enzo through this marriage, that was enough.

 

“Irene, I’ll make you happy for the rest of your life. I love you.”

 

On the day of the wedding, Enzo pledged his love with eyes steady and unwavering. Looking into them, Irene changed her mind.

 

Maybe I could love you not as a childhood friend, but as a man. As my beloved, Enzo.

 

A future with him began to take shape in her mind. For the first time, she envisioned a life ahead and the feeling was strangely unfamiliar.

 

Sadly, it had been nothing more than a vain illusion.

 

It happened just as she had finished dressing for her wedding night.

 

A sudden wave of dizziness and a piercing ring in her ears struck her with relentless force. By the time she managed to regain her senses, something was wrong.

 

The faint sounds of everyday life had vanished. Enzo, who must have arrived at some point, was holding her shoulders and speaking, but not a single word reached her ears.

 

She hoped it was a dream. Wished it were some kind of prank. But reality proved crueler and colder than any dream.

 

In the end, she lost her hearing. And in just two days, she was sent back to the Whitfield estate, not as a new bride, but as a patient. Worse still, with the shameful title of a divorcee.

 

She didn’t even want to recall what followed. Those days were a waking nightmare, so harrowing that losing her mind might have seemed the kinder fate.

 

With the help of her nurse, Madam Davitt, she refused to give up and threw herself into treatment. By some miracle, hearing in her left ear was restored, But that was all. There had been no further progress.

 

“Lady Irene. There you are.”

 

A familiar voice called out from a distance. Irene instinctively turned to her left, then froze. There was no one in that direction.

 

Even after three months, she still couldn’t determine where sounds were coming from.

 

The realization struck her once more, clawing at her chest. It was undeniable proof that her right ear had not recovered.

 

Noticing the shift in her expression, Madam Davitt cautiously spoke.

 

“Your right ear will begin to hear again soon. The attending physician said we should keep monitoring the progress.”

 

“I appreciate your concern, but it’s already been over three months.”

 

“But you regained hearing in your left ear. That means the other side surely can still…”

 

“Madam.”

 

Irene cut her off, her voice firm.

 

“I don’t want to hold on to empty hope anymore.”

 

The marriage she had chosen for happiness had become her sorrow.

 

And what of Enzo, with whom she had shared ten years?

 

Their relationship had become worse than it had ever been. The childhood friend who had once been there in her hardest times had not reached out even once.

 

All of it had happened in a single day.

 

Even so, she hadn’t given up. She held on to hope.

 

One day, my hearing will return completely, Enzo will contact me and We’ll be happy again.

 

But none of it ever came true.

 

That hope, which had circled meaninglessly, eventually began to eat away at her heart. All it ever brought was disappointment.

 

Now, the only things Irene could rely on were her father, her nurse, and her work.

 

She gathered the documents on the table and stood up.

 

It was a quarterly financial report of the hotel’s revenue, compiled over several days to drive away her sense of helplessness.

 

“Madam, do you know if Father went out today?”

 

“As it happens, His Grace asked for you, Lady Irene.”

 

“Truly?”

 

A rare brightness lit up Irene’s face. For the first time in two months, her father had summoned her.

 

Though she had felt hurt, she understood. Since she had stepped away from assisting with the Whitfield family’s hotel business, the workload must have suddenly piled up on him.

 

“Yes, truly. He asked that you come to the Cyprine Hotel. I believe he’s been concerned that you’ve been staying in the estate all day.”

 

“Then I’d better head to my room and get ready.”

 

Irene quickened her steps, her golden braid swaying gently with each stride.

 

Madam Davitt smiled faintly at the rare sight of vitality in her.

 

The Cyprine Hotel, now draped in its spring garden, was more beautiful than in any other season. As Irene walked through the grounds, a strange emotion stirred within her.

 

Spring had returned.

 

The garden she had designed while thinking of her beloved southern lands was now welcoming the season in full bloom.

 

Around this time each year, Irene used to spend her days in the hotel’s garden. Though unavoidable circumstances had kept her away this year, the place still held fond memories.

 

“I hear the Cyprine Hotel’s spring is being praised as especially beautiful,” said the Duke of Whitfield.

 

A pleased smile on his lips. His blue eyes, so much like hers, softened warmly.

 

Irene gazed at him with unfamiliar eyes.

 

It had been so long since she’d seen him smile. It felt almost strange.

 

“People say it feels like a retreat to the southern coast. We’ve been booked solid for the past six months. Irene, this is all thanks to you.”

 

Even the soft praise that followed felt unfamiliar.

 

Irene suddenly recalled the last time she had seen her father.

 

It had been two months ago, just after she had miraculously regained hearing in her left ear.

 

Until then, he had not visited her even once. That day, he appeared for the first time.

 

She could still remember the expression he wore tight lips, cold eyes, and a look tinged with impatience. So different from how he usually was.

 

He had said little. Just told her to recover quickly.

 

Even though she had miraculously regained some hearing, she hadn’t been able to rejoice. She was too afraid he might abandon her.

 

But now, perhaps it had all been needless worry.

 

Irene relaxed and offered a gentle smile.

 

“It’s all thanks to you, Father. I could never have created this garden on my own.”

 

“You. I’ve told you there’s no need for modesty when you’re being praised.”

 

“I remember. You said humility could become a tool others might use against you.”

 

“That’s right. You never forget a lesson. Looks like you inherited my sharp mind.”

 

The Duke burst into hearty laughter.

 

It was the same warm, generous sound she had always known.

 

Peaceful.

 

Comforting.

 

So much so that the misfortune that had come crashing into her life felt like nothing more than a distant dream.

 

Just like every year, she had returned to the spring garden and was enjoying a pleasant conversation with her father. Life felt unchanged.

 

Perhaps -just perhaps, this could still be a life worth living.

 

“How have you been feeling lately? I hear your right ear still hasn’t recovered. Any signs of improvement? You can’t live like this forever.”

 

His casual inquiry brought Irene crashing back to reality. It was as if someone had poured cold water over her.

 

There was no going back to the life she once had.

 

Too much had changed.

 

The truth was evident in every magazine and newspaper headline.

 

Mistress, Divorcee, Shameless woman, The name Irene Whitfield had been branded with countless stigmas.

 

Irene lowered her head, then slowly lifted it again.

 

She had taken just enough time to collect herself.

 

“I’ve been continuing treatment. There hasn’t been much progress, though.”

 

“I see. It’s good that you’re staying committed, but…”

 

The Duke hesitated.

 

“I just worry that if things don’t improve, you’ll be left deeply disappointed. Perhaps a change in your routine might help, before it’s too late.”

 

“I’ve been spending my days doing paperwork lately.”

 

“That won’t be enough. Irene, you used to take the lead in everything you did. But now, it feels like you’re avoiding everything.”

 

His words struck deep. Irene bit her lip, unable to reply. Her father was right.

 

She had buried herself in work to escape the pain, to avoid her unhappiness. But to truly move beyond it, she needed something to change. And yet, she had no idea how to move forward or what that change should be. Her mind was a blank state.

 

“Irene. If you’re willing, I want to help.”

 

The Duke took her hand. His warmth spread through the back of her hand.

 

“There’s someone who’s been hoping to see you. Would you be willing to speak with them?”