PAID

About two hours had passed since I spent that deep, lingering time with Ethan, from late evening into the early hours.

As I confirmed that he was sound asleep beside me, lying nude, I slowly rose, picking up my clothes from the floor as quietly as possible.

‘After all that effort he put in, he probably won’t wake up until tomorrow afternoon.’

Since I was in charge of waking Ethan, there was no risk of another maid coming to disturb him. And, considering that Isabel and Katarina were aware of our clandestine meetings, they wouldn’t go out of their way to interfere with our time together.

‘...Should I still go through with it?’

To be honest, if I were to reconsider, now would be my last chance.

By morning, I could return to my routine maid duties, tear up the letter I carried tucked into my dress, and remain in Blackwood Mansion. I’d likely be happy enough until Ethan’s graduation from the academy next year…

‘...No, that won’t work.’@@novelbin@@

I couldn't shake the sickening feeling that would come from seeing Ethan whisper sweet nothings to another woman as his official partner.

It wasn’t that I had ever cared about men having harems or any such thing, but somehow, I didn’t want to see Ethan doing it. Perhaps it was because of that “unicorn-like” nature I seemed to have carried over from my past life. Regardless, I couldn’t spend a lifetime in bitterness for the sake of a mere year of happiness.

Even if Ethan truly loved only me and saw his official wife as little more than a figurehead…for the sake of an heir, he would have to produce at least one child.

I could never accept the feeling of having “what’s mine” taken by “someone else.” But with my status, there was no way to stop it, so I would, at the very least, avoid witnessing it.

Thinking this, I placed the prepared letter on Ethan’s desk, donned my maid uniform, and made my way back to my room.

‘First, I’ll change clothes and gather my things.’

Step, step.