Previously
Eleanora provides a note written by Lady Delamour that matches the stalker's handwriting, allowing Killian to force the Marquis into sending his daughter to a secluded convent. A month later, Owen's pregnant wife Emily arrives, and Killian uncharacteristically volunteers to visit Eleanora to request medical care for her.
The moment Killian caught sight of Eleanora’s bright smile, he felt as if a gentle breeze had swept through his chest.
Yet the instant her smile faded, the breeze vanished as though it had never been.
Eleanora answered hesitantly.
Killian said it as if releasing a sigh.
Had things taken a turn for the worse with Marquis Delamour?
Tension knotted in Eleanora’s chest, and without realizing it, she gripped Julian’s coat so hard the fabric bunched beneath her fingers.
Killian’s gaze dropped back down to the garment.
Why had the conversation suddenly shifted to that? And how did he even know it belonged to Julian?
Though bewildered, Eleanora answered politely,
Killian tilted his head to the side, crossing his arms.
( ‘Why does he look so annoyed?’ )
Was he displeased that the doctor he disliked so much was on close terms with his younger cousin?
Regardless, Eleanora decided to answer truthfully.
Eleanora blinked rapidly, pressing a hand to her chest.
Killian’s brow furrowed deeply.
Eleanora lunged forward with a sharp shout. Killian’s chin jerked back on instinct from the sudden shock.
Was it because she had yelled out of nowhere? Or because she had closed the distance so unexpectedly? His heart began to pound in an erratic rhythm.
Blood rushed to the tips of his ears, and a faint tremor ran through his chest—he was evidently far more startled than he cared to admit.
Having been caught off guard, he lowered his head and glared down at her.
Eleanora felt completely suffocated.
Of course! It was true Julian had qualities that could hardly be called dependable. He also tended to believe the entire world revolved around him.
Even so, wasn’t it admirable how he strove tirelessly to restore his family, shouldering the burden alone so his parents wouldn’t have to worry?
‘Still, I can’t just air his private family affairs to him.’
When Eleanora could only let out a frustrated sigh, a provocative smirk curled the corner of Killian’s mouth.
A surge of emotion swept over Eleanora, and she shook her head vehemently.
Assuming Julian had merely carried a piece of luggage for her at best, Killian scoffed and turned his head aside.
Ah, so it seemed Julian hadn’t even carried her bags since then.
The sneer on Killian’s lips grew more pronounced.
The smirk vanished from Killian’s face entirely. He merely shifted his eyes to look at her green gaze, which was no longer fixed on the present, but lost in memories of the past.
( ‘S-Stay away from Eleanora!’ )
Eleanora could never forget the sight of Julian stepping up, yelling with a trembling voice right into the face of that boy who had been tugging at her hair.
True, he hadn’t managed to teach the bully a lesson like a prince in a fairy tale; instead, he had ended up taking a beating himself.
“…”
A warm smile curved Eleanora’s lips. Inside Killian, something twisted uncomfortably.
Wait—this woman, who had made such a fuss because she had feelings for him, why was she speaking of another man with a face so radiant with joy?
Ah, was she attempting to divert his attention so he wouldn’t discover how she felt?
( ‘Did she think I would be thrown off by something so transparent?’ )
Unfortunately for her, he was not so easily deceived after everything she had done before.
( ‘In any case, what kind of bastard dared to bully her?’ )
She was tiny even now, so how much smaller must she have been as a child?
Who would pick on such a helpless little girl in the first place?
‘I’d like to see that scoundrel’s face. Could he still be living in Oakbridge?’
As Killian pressed his lips together in irritation, unsettled by a sour mood he couldn’t explain, Eleanora spoke up with an embarrassed expression.
Eleanora paused at the phrase “to some extent,” but she merely gave a nod.
( ‘Does that mean it ended well or not?’ )
Eleanora swallowed her unease and smiled.
She was taken aback. How could she not be, when the man who had seized every opportunity to snap, “I don’t need your help!” was now asking for her assistance himself?
Eleanora shook her head slightly.
It was true she treated all kinds of patients without discrimination, but by training, she was a surgeon.
Wouldn’t a woman in her final month of pregnancy require the dedicated care of an obstetrician?
As she nodded her agreement, his tone grew grave.
Killian looked into her innocent eyes, then averted his gaze.
( ‘This feels uncomfortable.’ )
Truthfully, part of him was still wondering: ‘Wouldn’t it be better to just feign ignorance until the end?’
Yet if she misunderstood his permission to enter the manor, clung to needless hope, and crossed boundaries she had not yet dared to breach, matters would become troublesome.
‘On top of that, I’ve inadvertently received so much help from her.’
It was far better to state his position clearly rather than give her false hope, so she could abandon these impossible feelings.
Gathering his resolve, he spoke.
Eleanora narrowed her eyes.
Killian ran a rough hand through his hair.
Or had she understood all too well, yet found herself unable to let go of that faint glimmer of hope? If that was the case, there was no helping it.
He said it while clenching his fist tight.
He was no stranger to speaking harshly to women, yet never before had his chest ached like this.
Just as Eleanora’s voice trembled, her entire body shook.
Yes, it had to be a severe shock to her. Even so, he could not stop.
“I cannot accept you. So content yourself with your duties as a doctor and—”
Eleanora shouted all at once.
Killian’s eyes widened, locking onto her.
Eleanora’s pale face had flushed an unmistakable shade of pink.
What was this? Why was she reacting like this?
Was she embarrassed that her feelings had been laid bare?
Eleanora thumped her chest hard, letting out a furious gasp. Killian flinched involuntarily.
Killian knitted his brows and demanded sharply. She shouted right back,