Interlude 4 Ex-wife, I Felt Like I Heard Nonsense Directed at Me
Ex-wife, I Felt Like I Heard Nonsense Directed at Me
“No way… it’s really this huge…”
I couldn’t help but let out an awed gasp at the sight before me.
Today, I came to visit Taa-kun’s house.
But it wasn’t just a casual visit.
In fact… I had been summoned here by his father.
Fufu. After two years of dating, I’ve finally made it to this point.
I’m sure my wish is about to come true.
Yes, I’m convinced of it.
Walking gracefully along the wide path leading to the house, I admired the surrounding scenery.
—A Western-style mansion.
The house was so enormous it felt like something out of a fictional story. My jaw couldn’t help but drop.
It was so impressive that I was left speechless.
The elderly butler-like man leading me from the gate to the house had a sharply defined physique, even through his clothes.
His piercing gaze was a little intimidating, though…
But I couldn’t be bothered by that now.
If I marry into this family, I’ll be guaranteed a life of luxury.
Just imagining it made my heart leap.
The elegant life awaiting me… Hehe, I’m about to join the elite.
It feels like a dream.
Truly like a dream.
I just hope there aren’t any annoying customs typical of the rich.
Even if there are, I’ll overcome them somehow.
When I was shown into the living room, I felt a slight unease.
…Where’s Taa-kun?
He wasn’t showing up, and his absence was starting to make me anxious.
Seated on the sofa, I found myself facing the man who had led me here and another elderly man exuding a strict and dignified aura.
They both looked somewhat weary, but why?
My doubts and earlier anxiety, however, vanished when I saw the “something” placed before me.
“Please accept this.”
“…Um, this is?”
Before me was a bulging, large brown envelope.
It wasn’t hard to imagine what was inside.
Ah, I see… so that’s what this is.
An engagement gift~.
Haah. I worried for nothing!
Seriously, they could’ve been clearer about this~.
Let’s see…
Judging by the thickness, there must be at least 2 million yen in here.
No, maybe even more?
Which means…
With this money, I can indulge in plenty of fun!
Overseas trips?
A luxury car?
Oh, but Taa-kun already has a car.
Hmm… Then what should I spend it on?
I just can’t decide!
Hehe, just thinking about it has me all excited!!!
But—
Engagement gifts don’t usually come in brown envelopes, do they…?
“I’d like you to break up with my son.”
At those sudden words, I froze for a moment.
—Ha, that's terrible.
I cursed silently to myself.
The envelope before me wasn’t an engagement gift but “hush money.”
Even a fool could understand the situation at a glance.
But this was within my expectations.
Given their prestigious family background, I knew this might happen.
…The real game begins now.
I have to show my determination and turn this around.
I can’t let this golden opportunity slip through my fingers!
Bowing my head apologetically, I looked weakly at the man in front of me.
“…Have I done something wrong?”
First, I needed to hear their complaints and demands.
Let them list everything—they’d talk, and I’d find a solution.
That was the plan, but… huh?
Why do they both look so apologetic?
I can’t afford for them to be silent now… I’d better press the matter.
“Could you tell me what the issue is? I know I’m lacking in many ways, but I’ll do my best to improve and prove myself worthy.”
“I'm sorry… No, it's not about that. No matter how wonderful you are, we have no intention of approving the marriage.”
“But… I love him so much…”
“I’m sorry. Love has nothing to do with it, and it would be problematic if you became too attached…”
Tch, what the hell?
Their responses are so hard to read…
But nothing will move forward unless I say something.
Still, what’s this strange feeling? Their opposition feels… off.
And this uneasy feeling in my chest…
As I pondered this, the elderly man spoke hesitantly.
“I know it’s wrong to meddle in someone else’s relationship. But I can’t just stand by. Things have reached a point where we can no longer ignore them…”
“Um… What do you mean by that?”
“I can’t let my son believe in concepts like love…”
“What do you mean by ‘can't’?”
“Exactly as I said. And not just that. Takuya is—”
With a loud “bang,” the door swung open.
Standing there was Taa-kun, his usual princely smile lighting up his face.
“Taa…kun?”
“Aya, you were here! I'm so glad, I almost got tricked myself!”
“A trick?”
“Yeah! Dad told me something awful, that you didn’t really love me. And he even gave me the wrong date for this meeting…”
“Is that so…”
“Hey, Aya. What Dad said was a lie, right?”
“Of course. I’d never say I don’t love you.”
“Hehe, I knew it! I thought so too.”
The two men looked flustered by Taa-kun’s sudden appearance.
Muttering, “Why is he here?”, they let out heavy sighs and held their heads in their hands.
Maybe they resorted to this kind of approach, thinking that Taa-kun’s straightforward nature might end up overpowering them.
The confusion I’d felt earlier vanished, and a weight seemed to lift from my chest.
“Come on, let’s go. Staying here is bad for the baby, don’t you think?”
“Yeah!”
“W-wait a moment! For your own good—”
Taa-kun pulled me by the hand, leading me away from the room with a hint of force.
His innocent and friendly smile only added to my satisfaction.
I’m sure he’s protecting me from his unreasonable parents.
Following this man is the right choice.
So, without looking back, I left the room.
But just as the door was about to close—
“You’re being deceived… my son is only 19—”
I thought I heard those faint words, like nonsense drifting through the air.