She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 121

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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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Chapter 121. Behind the Splendid Performance (2)
“Ah.”
Katarina paused momentarily at his unexpected words.
She had even given him separate funds to turn his attention toward alcohol and entertainment, yet he was saying this?
But soon enough, she simply shrugged her shoulders.
She smiled with her eyes half-closed and leaned her body against his.
“Just wait a little longer. I want to give you a surprise.”
“A surprise?”
“Yes.”
This time, Katarina was the one who kissed his cheek first.
At the subtle gleam in her gaze, the corners of Evan’s mouth lifted slightly.
“If that’s what you want, then fine. But don’t make me wait too long, hmm?”
“Of course not.”
Katarina’s eyes curved even more.
“It won’t take long. Now, shall we have that drink?”
“Let’s do it.”
Evan downed the wine in one gulp.
Then he grimaced and let out a satisfied sound.
In that moment, Katarina quickly poured her glass into a nearby potted plant.
The crimson wine seeped silently into the soil.
Evan, oblivious to everything, wore a satisfied expression.
Until he was led to his seat by Katarina’s hand.
He chuckled contentedly, already pleasantly intoxicated.
‘Yes, this is what a proper life should be like.’
Moments later.
The theater lights dimmed, and darkness enveloped the surroundings.
Then, accompanied by the grand orchestral performance, the curtain rose.
As the actors in elaborate costumes took the stage, gasps of admiration rippled through the audience.
But Evan’s attention lay elsewhere entirely.
‘Hmm…’
He rubbed his chin, slowly scanning the actresses on stage.
‘That blonde one isn’t bad. Long legs too.’
As the performers sang and moved their bodies, Evan’s gaze followed eagerly.
‘I wonder what those girls are like off stage.’
His mind quickly filled with other imaginings.
The corners of Evan’s mouth rose slyly.
His hand naturally drifted to the side.
“Hey, Katarina.”
And at that very moment.
Evan grasped Katarina’s thigh.
“Evan?”
“Do you know why box seats like this were ever created?”
His eyes gleamed with a knowing light.
Katarina, for her part, tilted her head with the expression of someone utterly clueless.
“Hmm, I haven’t the faintest idea?”
“Ha, playing innocent, are we?”
Evan chuckled and puckered his lips playfully.
But Katarina pressed her palm against his mouth.
“Mmph?”
“I’m sorry, Evan. I need to freshen up my dress for a moment.”
Katarina twisted her waist somewhat unnecessarily as she spoke.
Adjusting one’s dress was the ladies’ euphemism for visiting the powder room.
Evan clicked his tongue and withdrew.
What he wished to see was something stimulating, not anything unseemly.
“Be quick about it. I despise waiting.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back shortly.”
And so Katarina departed.
Evan poured himself another glass of wine from the bottle beside him.
Then he turned his gaze back to the Stage below.
The male lead actor stepped forward, delivering his lines with resonant vigor.
‘The man is irrelevant.’
Evan’s attention drifted toward the actresses gathered at the back.
The moment one of them sang out in a high soprano.
“Ah, this is why men flock to the theater.”
Evan exhaled in admiration and took another sip of wine.
In his mind’s eye, he painted a scene of intimate moments with that actress.
The mere fantasy brought a smirk to his lips.
“Perhaps I’ll visit Backstage once the performance concludes.”
He’d heard that nobles who contributed generously were sometimes granted such privileges.
He resolved to feign being moved by the performance and broach the subject with Katarina.
Evan settled deeper into his chair.
As his mind wandered through such fantasies.
“Mmm….”
His eyelids grew heavier, courtesy of the plush seat.
The music seemed to drift from farther and farther away.
The actors’ voices blurred into indistinctness.
“Why am I so drowsy…?”
Evan blinked several times.
But once sleep’s current had found him, it would not easily release its hold.
His mouth fell open as a yawn escaped him.
‘Then just for a moment…’
Katarina would return soon and wake me.
Until then, I’d just rest my eyes for a brief moment.
Evan set down his wine glass and closed his eyes.
And he slipped into a deep sleep.
* * *
How much time had passed?
“…Sir.”
“….”
“Sir!”
Someone gently shook Evan’s shoulder.
Evan’s eyes scrunched up.
“…Huh?”
I struggled to lift my heavy eyelids.
The Theater Staff looking down at me came into focus.
I gazed around in a daze for a moment.
The Theater was silent.
The seats that had been filled with spectators moments before were now empty.
A curtain had descended upon the Stage where the magnificent performance had unfolded.
“What…?”
I rose to my feet, rubbing my forehead with a bewildered expression.
I couldn’t fathom how I’d fallen into such a deep sleep.
The staff member spoke respectfully in the meantime.
“Sir, the performance ended quite some time ago.”
“It’s over?”
“Yes, we need to begin our cleanup now.”
Had I slept through the entire performance?
I frowned.
Then suddenly, Katarina came to mind.
I turned my head and looked around.
But the Box Seats were empty.
“Katarina?”
No answer came when I called her name.
I jumped to my feet.
“Katarina! Where did you go!”
“Sir? What’s the matter?”
“Did you see Katarina? The woman who was with me. Where did she go?”
“Ah, your companion, you mean.”
The staff member spoke carefully.
“She left the Theater just as the performance was beginning. She said something urgent had come up and asked me to relay the message to you.”
“What? You didn’t tell me anything about this?”
“Well, she was resting so peacefully that….”
The Theater Staff’s expression grew uncomfortable.
Evan’s eyebrows twitched.
‘What’s going on?’
If it was early in the performance, she had simply left when she said she was going to the restroom earlier.
What could be so urgent that she left without even telling him?
An odd unease settled over him.
‘Ah, surely not.’
But he soon shrugged his shoulders.
There was nothing to worry about.
Katarina would explain everything once they returned to the Hotel.
Evan rose from his seat without giving it much thought.
“Oh, right.”
As he stepped out of the VIP Seats with the Theater Staff’s farewell, he suddenly stopped.
And he turned back to the Theater Staff.
“Did all the performers leave for the day?”
“Pardon?”
The Theater Staff’s eyes widened for a moment before he laughed awkwardly.
“Of course. They’ve all gone home already.”
“Blast.”
Sleep had ruined everything.
Evan had no choice but to leave the Theater with a bitter taste in his mouth.
But he did not know.
That the blade of vengeance was already descending toward him.
* * *
While the performance was in full swing at the Brisen Grand Theater.
Warm sunlight was settling over the flower beds in the Hays Ducal Estate Garden.
“Wow! A butterfly! A butterfly!”
Jeremy, nestled in Cecilia’s arms, pointed at the butterfly.
Clear, cheerful laughter rippled through the garden.
Cecilia smiled and nodded.
“That’s right, a butterfly. Shall we get closer and take a look?”
The moment she set the child down on the ground.
Jeremy toddled between the flower beds on his short legs.
Cecilia’s face never lost its smile as she watched his adorable movements.
“Ooh!”
As the butterfly fluttered away, Jeremy clapped his hands and laughed.
Cecilia watching him wore a contented expression.
‘Thank goodness. His health has improved so much.’
Jeremy had fallen gravely ill once, a consequence of Rosena’s misjudgment.
But now, everything had changed.
His cheeks had regained their rosy hue, and his laughter came far more frequently.
It was all thanks to Cecilia’s devoted care.
She gazed upon the roses before approaching the delighted Jeremy, lowering herself to sit beside him.
“Look here! Flowers!”
“Yes, Jeremy. They’re beautiful flowers, aren’t they?”
“Mm-hmm!”
Jeremy’s head whipped around suddenly.
His finger then pointed to Cecilia’s neck.
“This is a flower too! It’s pink!”
“…What?”
Cecilia blinked her eyes in surprise.
Then, a memory from the past surfaced unbidden.
It seemed traces of her passionate husband’s affection still lingered upon her skin.
“Ah….”
Her face flushed crimson as she hastily rubbed her neck with her hand.
Innocent Jeremy, oblivious to everything, simply laughed with pure delight at her flustered expression.
It was just as Cecilia was clearing her throat in embarrassment.
“My Lady.”
Wendy approached cautiously.
“You have a visitor… and it’s….”
Wendy trailed off, her eyes subtly gesturing toward the garden entrance.
Cecilia turned her gaze in that direction.
“You….”
Katarina stood holding a heavy bag.

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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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