The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 19

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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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The Husband Who Should Have Died Returns Episode 019
During my working years, I encountered people like Chloe—a particular type I’d come to recognize all too well.
She was a year my senior, and people called her “complete.” Fighting her was pointless; it only drained the opponent’s mental fortitude. The wisest approach was to never engage with her sincerely. After all, there’s a saying: you don’t avoid filth out of fear, but out of disgust. Unsurprisingly, several colleagues had changed jobs because of her.
But now, I couldn’t afford to change jobs myself.
Yet I couldn’t simply avoid this trial thrust upon me. And enduring it…
“I absolutely cannot bear it.”
I’d already learned painfully well how people like her could drive you to madness.
I resolved to take a different approach—a direct confrontation. If I couldn’t leave, I’d make Chloe leave instead.
Chloe assists Cherez during the war. Her overall fate must never be altered.
After wracking my memory, I recalled that Lady El had married the second son of the Oyster Family and managed a trading company branch in the Evelik Kingdom.
I knew what to do about Chloe.
Of course, even if Chloe acted like a villain later, I couldn’t completely overturn her role.
What if we lost the war because of that?
I shuddered. That could never happen.
“Kyaa! Nya!”
“Ah.”
I’d been so lost in thought that I hadn’t noticed Hayden. Fresh from his bath and looking even more adorable, he was earnestly practicing his steps.
He was holding onto the sofa as he walked, and his strength was impressive. The definition in his calves was remarkable—in Korea, those legs would’ve been national treasures worthy of a soccer league. Anyway, after walking back and forth over a short distance, he just stared at me.
Why was he doing that?
What did he want me to do?
“Nya! Nyaa!”
“Hmm? Do you need help? Is it hard?”
Hayden tapped the sofa he was holding.
I tilted my head, then clapped my hands.
“Hayden, you’re amazing! So cool! Well done!”
Was that it?
Hayden’s face lit up with satisfaction as he giggled and started walking in the opposite direction, step by step. When he reached the end, he turned to look at me.
“You’re the best! Really impressive!”
I clapped enthusiastically.
“Nya, nya!”
I remembered that story—how someone praised a puppy so much for successfully going to the bathroom outside that they danced, and afterward, the dog waited for the owner to dance every time it needed to go.
My praise had apparently trained Hayden. I’d turned him into an attention-seeker.
By the time he finished his walking practice, rolling around excitedly with a delighted expression, I was completely exhausted.
Please, let me stop clapping…
My palms were about to catch fire.
My palm feels like it’s on fire.

* * *
After that, I paid no mind to whatever Chloe did when she came to the mansion.
Chloe began to misunderstand, thinking my indifference meant I regarded her as special—that I had acknowledged her as someone superior(?). In truth, I was simply ignoring her because one doesn’t bother engaging with a mad woman.
In any case, once I resolved to drive Chloe out, even her nonsensical prattle became bearable.
Countess Malate loved her daughter.
And she was a noblewoman with such a generous heart that she extended that affection to Cherez as well. It was Countess Malate who had embraced Cherez when he lost his parents and suffered. It was she who had comforted him in his grief.
This was precisely why Cherez had merely watched and tolerated all of Chloe’s transgressions until now. A debt of gratitude and obligation weighed upon him.
I began to understand why Hayden had been unable to treat Chloe harshly at first in the original story.
Because of Countess Malate.
And for Cherez’s sake.
Yet Countess Malate was someone who valued the Bereidan Family even more than that. She had sent her daughter away to her Maternal Family Home precisely because the girl kept obsessing over Cherez.
‘She said she would bring her back once she came to her senses. That promise was never kept. But the Countess understands. Chloe is not someone who can be controlled.’
I turned over Cherez’s words in my mind.
In the end, I could understand the heart of Countess Malate, who could not stop her daughter. Just because you gave birth to someone doesn’t mean you know everything about them.
Now Chloe was humming to herself, sprawled across the sofa reading gossip columns. She seemed entirely oblivious that this was my bedroom.
I took a seat across from Chloe while Hayden slept.
“Chloe.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course. I’m happy to listen to anything.”
As if you were my superior. But I could endure this a little longer. As long as my plan succeeded.
“I’m planning to hold a gathering in a few days. Nothing too grand—just a small affair.”
“A gathering?”
Chloe’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“I do have some expertise in such matters. Don’t worry, Roana. I’ll handle the preparations beautifully. Finally, I have a proper duty to perform as your attendant. You focus entirely on Hayden. While I’m preparing for the gathering, you mustn’t neglect him. Understood?”
I simply nodded along appropriately.
“Yes, of course. Don’t worry, Chloe.”
Start packing your things soon, Chloe.

* * *
While Chloe threw herself into the excitement of preparing for the banquet, I made arrangements to go out with Hayden.
I was concerned about Hayden, and I thought I’d stop by the City District to do some shopping while I was at it. It seemed I needed to buy him some clothes that suited him better.
Hayden had been growing at an astonishing rate lately, and his old clothes had been too small for quite some time now.
This era had baby carriages, so taking a child out wouldn’t be terribly difficult. Besides, I planned to bring a knight along as well.
But before that, my first destination was the House of Maleight. I wanted to take care of some business while Hayden was napping. The House of Maleight wasn’t far from here.
Countess Malate came out to greet Hayden and me.
“I hope you’ve been well, Lady Fiona.”
I nodded readily. As I’d felt before, she was certainly a beauty of a different impression than Chloe. If Chloe possessed the delicate, fragile beauty of a sickly maiden, this woman embodied the gentle yet resolute presence of a caring mother. In any case, her appearance was strikingly similar to Chloe’s.
Countess Malate looked at Hayden and said,
“I’ll have a maid come to look after the child.”
“No, thank you. I appreciate the consideration.”
I felt uneasy with the child out of my sight. Troubling incidents happened far too frequently. The shock of the flour porridge incident still hadn’t worn off. Besides, Hayden was sleeping soundly at the moment.
I pulled the baby carriage closer to me. I drew the blanket up to cover Hayden’s nape and then spoke.
“Once he falls asleep, he doesn’t wake easily. Are you aware that Chloe tries hard to work diligently, regardless of the outcome?”
I was deliberately steering the conversation. One’s own child would naturally be more important than someone else’s sleeping baby.
“Ah….”
Lady Fiona’s expression became quite distant. She looked like someone who knew her own daughter better than anyone else. Lady Fiona pressed her hand to her forehead.
She would naturally know, having brought her there herself.
“I’m truly sorry, Duchess. I never intended to send Chloe as a lady’s maid. I was persuaded by Sir Borgus. He said that perhaps if she were placed in such an important position, Chloe might come to her senses.”
So that’s how he convinced her. Borgus, you clever man. Why are you so good at this.
“Has that child caused trouble again…? I told her not to be disrespectful to the Duchess. But she just kept saying she was a special existence, so it would be fine.”
Her expression showed she was quite exasperated with Chloe.
“It’s quite alright, madam. There haven’t been any serious incidents so far. But as you said, I’ve come to understand that Chloe is not an ordinary young lady.”
“….”
“However, her affection for the child seems to come from a genuine place. She hasn’t hidden her concern for Hayden from me either.”
I speak only the truth.
“Chloe?”
“Yes, madam. That’s why I’d like to make a suggestion. Perhaps Chloe might change once she marries and bears and raises a child of her own.”
According to the original story, she doesn’t come to her senses even then. But still, this might be the last glimmer of hope the Countess could cling to.
And it would be better for the Countess’s peace of mind to have her far away, rather than right before her eyes causing constant heartache.

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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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