My Ex-Boyfriend Gave Birth to My Child? What Does That Mean? - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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My Ex-Boyfriend’s Child Was Born by Me — What Does This Even Mean? Episode 23
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The first thing Lea said when she noticed me entering the Warehouse was this.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not my blood.”
Her hands trembled as she spoke.
Her face was still beautiful. Yet she was draped in what looked like burlap, a pathetic sight. Her prized golden hair, lustrous once, now hung in tangled disarray, splayed in every direction.
Bruises marked her arms, and her hands bore clumsy cuts—the kind made by someone unpracticed with a blade.
Lea Bestin is the daughter of a wealthy merchant. In my past life, everything she wore, everything she ate and used, was far more refined than what I possessed as the mistress of Ocker House.
Yet here she was, suddenly in this state?
I glanced sideways at Siril, who stood beside me, and opened my mouth.
“How did she get in?”
“It appears she was hiding in a merchant’s wagon that delivers necessities. The workers discovered her attempting to enter through the rear gate and locked her in the Warehouse.”
“Well done. But I’m uneasy leaving a pregnant woman in such conditions. Have them bring a cushioned chair, blankets, and pillows.”
“Yes, madam. I shall see to it at once.”
Siril, having answered, gestured for another servant to go and then stepped forward, positioning herself between Lea and me—a stance of vigilance against any sudden move on Lea’s part.
Upon seeing her posture, Lea let out a bitter laugh.
“You’ve scarcely taken possession of this estate, yet you’ve already won over the servants’ loyalty so completely.”
“Should I offer false modesty here? Madam Ocker. What business does Autreha House have?”
At my form of address, Lea’s expression twisted.
“Don’t—don’t call me that!”
“Well, if you were going to keep secrets, you should have chosen someone more tight-lipped.”
Lea and Pascal’s marriage came together in a flash.
The Marquise Poivre, struck by me at a party hosted by the Countess of Chastenay, had spread word throughout the city that Pascal had a pregnant mistress.
Pascal’s plan to gain advantage through a marriage alliance had already failed at that moment. His only remaining choice was Lea Bestin, and for the pregnant Lea Bestin, there was likely no option but Pascal Ocker.
“Madam Ocker. You’ve obtained the name of the brother you loved so dearly—so why do you harbor such anger?”
“Shameless woman!”
Lea cried out.
“And you were hiding an illegitimate child of your own!”
“Then it worked out well, didn’t it? You found your child’s father, and I found mine. What’s the problem?”
“My brother treated you well! Everything went wrong because of you! If you had simply married quietly……”
“Ah, I know how you’ve been using the Lynegrave flowers too.”
I fell silent for a moment.
A moment of silent respect for the foolish version of me from before.
Before I turned back time.
The day Lea Bestin brought Emil.
I felt betrayed, yet part of me understood.
‘I cannot let this vast fortune pass into the hands of relatives without an heir.’
I could not bear children.
I had thought that perhaps it would be my duty to accept a child and raise him as my successor.
Until that dawn, when I couldn’t sleep and went down to the Kitchen, I overheard a conversation between my mother-in-law and the head servant.
‘That girl Lea, why did she have to use Lynegrave of all things? What if my noble daughter-in-law finds out?’
‘Yet now that we have leverage over Miss Lea like this, once that illegitimate child enters our household, you’ll be able to control her, madam.’
‘You’re right. Better this way. Lea is certainly resourceful and clever. If that fool Irina had borne the heir to Ocker House, what would have become of us?’
‘Looking at Irina now, I understand—even noble bloodlines are not so exceptional.’
‘Indeed! The woman carries herself like a superior despite being merely a daughter-in-law. If she had borne a child, it would have ruined the entire household.’
Lynegrave was a beautiful flower. A useful one, too. It was an effective febrifuge, and any house with a garden kept a few blooms.
But the juice extracted from its roots was chiefly used as an abortion drug in back-alley dealings. Its side effects weakened a mother’s lungs and dulled her sight.
When did my vision begin to fail? When did I start keeping a Walking Cane on hand?
‘Please, madam, have mercy! I only did as the head servant commanded……’
For the first time, I spent my own money without my husband’s knowledge. Learning the truth of my abortion was disturbingly easy.
The Grand Dame Ocker, who had always disapproved of me, adored Lea Bestin. A beautiful, intelligent grandson would have delighted her thoroughly.
She granted Lea whatever she asked for. So much so that she replaced all my trusted servants with Lea’s people.
The house I lived in, my safety, the life I believed was mine—it was all merely the inside of Lea Bestin’s teacup.
Thus I lost two children and my health along with them.
“I know you’ve been using Lynegrave flowers on Pascal’s other mistresses. If I had married him, it would have been child’s play for you to do the same to me.”
“That’s a baseless accusation.”
“It is baseless. If you were going to go to such lengths, you should have simply pushed me aside and married Pascal yourself.”
I had no intention of arguing with Lea’s denials. And I certainly had no intention of neglecting her in a way that might give rise to accusations that I’d harmed her child. I turned to Siril and spoke.
“Have a carriage prepared. We must see Madam Ocker safely home. The chair is no longer necessary, but send the cushions and blankets with her in the carriage.”
Lea let out a piercing cry, her face drained of color.
“No, I can’t!”
That cry was the most truthful sound Lea had uttered all day.
What followed was a trembling, halting sob.
“I can’t go back to Ocker House.”
Tears spilled down the woman’s large, beautiful eyes in steady drops.
“If I return to Ocker House, I won’t survive. The Grand Dame means to keep the child and dispose of me!”
While Lea wept, Siril watched me quietly, ready at a glance from me to usher her out.
I raised my hand to hold her back a moment and opened my mouth.
“What are you talking about? Everyone knows the Grand Dame dotes on you so much she’d keep you in her eye if she could.”
“But she says she can only gain a noble daughter-in-law if I’m gone—”
“And how is that my concern?”
I looked directly at Lea’s beautiful face. The memory was vivid: she smiling, calling me “sister,” helping me to my feet as I held my walking cane.
How dare she come to me.
How dare she.
“Marquise Ocker. Use that clever mind of yours and find a way to survive.”
Lea stared up at me, rigid for a moment. I could almost see the abacus beads clicking behind her pretty face.
I gestured to Siril. She bowed respectfully to me and, calling for the maids, had them “assist” Lea out. Only as she was being dragged away did Lea cry out urgently:
“I have proof of Pascal’s plot to ruin Autreha House! Your marriage was all planned from the beginning!”
At Lea’s tear-stained cry, I finally nodded my head.
“Prepare a guest room for our visitor.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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