divorce chapter 4

“They’re magnificent.” Admiring the intricate craftsmanship, Reynold called for his attendant to take the cufflinks. “Truly impressive, Madame. Charge it to the Magnolia Trading Company.”

As he rose to leave, the trading company’s mercenaries blocked his path. Reynold frowned, turning back to the Madame. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I apologize, Young Master,” she said, her face etched with genuine distress. “The Magnolia Trading Company has instructed us to refuse any further credit purchases on their account.”

“W-what?” Reynold stammered, utterly bewildered. This had never happened before.

“So, please leave the items and return. I assure you, this is for your own good. We wouldn’t want to mar that handsome face of yours.” Despite the Madame’s polite tone, a palpable threat emanated from the mercenaries behind her. Reynold quietly placed the box back on the counter.

“I’ll, I’ll be back!” He fled the shop.

***

“Estelle, what have you done?!” Reynold burst into the trading company’s office. He had clearly attempted to use the company’s name for credit elsewhere and been refused.

I smiled sweetly at my so-called brother. “What’s the matter, Brother?”

“I was humiliated at the boutique! They said you’ve blocked any further credit purchases on the company’s account.”

I continued to smile. “I have only one reason for earning money: to pay off our debts and break off the engagement with the Duke. But Father still insists it’s not enough… so I have no choice.”

Reynold’s face paled. “B-but even so, you can’t just cut off my access like this! I have a reputation to maintain… It puts me in a difficult position.” He was actually trying to appeal to my sympathy. After all the benefits I’d showered upon them, this was how they treated me? I dabbed at my eyes with a handkerchief, feigning tears.

“Brother, I truly detest this marriage. I just want to be able to see my family’s faces for a long, long time. Please understand.”

Reynold’s face hardened. I had intentionally instructed the staff not to stop him today, and my guests were still present in the room. While he might ignore my words, he was acutely aware of their gazes. Finally noticing them, he composed himself. “I’ll speak to Father. Just wait.”

Manipulating my vain brother, and through him, my easily swayed family, was effortless.

“It’s been three years since the engagement, and he hasn’t even shown his face. It’s an insult to our family. Reynold is right to point it out,” my father declared, bolstering my brother’s ego by criticizing Lennard.

“Indeed. In this day and age, who gets married to a man they’ve never met?” My mother chimed in, supporting my stance.

Soon after, the annulment papers were in my hands.

***

“Freedom! I’m finally free!”

“My Lady, are you that happy about the broken engagement?” Nina looked at me with an incredulous expression.

She couldn’t possibly understand. I felt like I had just pulled my head out of a crocodile’s gaping jaws.

“Of course! I’m so happy I could eat and drink every day!”

“Well, you have worked incredibly hard these past few years.”

Having secured both my future and my family’s, the allure of leisure was strong. What should I do? My memories of my past life were hazy, but it had been an endless cycle of work: late nights, extra shifts, weekends at the office. I was sure I had died from overwork. For the sake of my past self, who had never truly experienced leisure, I gave Nina a new task.

“Find out what people do for fun these days. I’m going to have a blast.”

Nina smiled confidently and bowed. “That’s my specialty. Just tell me how long you want your vacation to be, and I’ll plan everything.”

Vacation! Such a sweet word. Unlike my past life, where even taking half a day off for illness required a nervous request, I now had both the time and the money.

“Six months. And I’d prefer to spend it outside the capital.”

“Understood. I’ll make it perfect.” Nina’s enthusiasm was palpable as she left the room.

Six months would be more than enough time for Sierra to receive the divine oracle. If I was away during that time, everything else would fall into place. I thought so then, unaware of who I might encounter during my absence.