Because I was Terminally Ill, I Married the Male Lead's Brother, and Now He's Obsessed with Me

Episode 24

 

“Ayla, once your illness is completely cured, have you thought about what to do next?”

 

“Yes, I’ve thought about what to do after that.”

 

I answered Father’s question without hesitation.

 

The answer to this question was also already decided.

 

“What are you thinking?”

 

“This marriage is a transaction. The moment we achieve each other’s purposes, the marital relationship will end.”

 

I was about to add another sentence but closed my mouth.

 

It seemed better for me to be the only one who knew about the things I would do for Lloydin, more than what my parents were thinking or what was contracted with the Duke.

 

“Yeah, I was thinking the same way. It’s fortunate that our opinions align. Nowadays, divorce is not a flaw among the nobility. So, it would be better to be with someone you can truly share your heart with after your health is fully restored.”

 

“I always thought of living with Mother and Father for my whole life.”

 

“What? Don’t say things that you don’t mean.”

 

While uttering words in a gruff manner, Father’s mouth seemed to twitch.

 

He undoubtedly felt pleased with my statement about living together.

 

“Is it really true? I can’t help it then. If Father doesn’t like it, I can just be with Mother…”

 

“Oh, don’t say that. I didn’t say I don’t like it. Have you forgotten that your mother and I are one?”

 

Father interjected hastily, cutting off my words.

 

Seeing Father’s hurried interruption, both Mother and I burst into laughter.

 

“Yeah, get better and do everything you haven’t been able to do so far. Your old man here will do everything you want.”

 

“Yes, I will. I’ll definitely do that.”

 

As Father gently stroked my head, I smiled broadly at him and Mother.

 

* * *

 

After finishing the conversation with my parents, I immediately headed to where my brothers were gathered.

 

Before entering Jade’s room, I took a deep breath and exhaled.

 

It seemed like the three of them were in high spirits, and facing them with mere words wouldn’t be enough.

 

Like a knight firming his resolve before going into battle, I opened the door with a determined heart.

 

“I’m here.”

 

As I entered, the three pairs of eyes turned to me.

 

They were seated around a table placed in the center, sitting on the sofa.

 

“Ayla, come and sit here.”

 

At Jade’s invitation, I walked slowly toward where my brothers were, recalling the words I needed to say.

 

“Have you finished talking with our parents?” Jade asked me with his characteristic affectionate gaze.

 

“Yeah, we decided to start preparing for the wedding from tomorrow.”

 

“Already?”

 

Luke raised his eyebrows in surprise and furrowed his forehead.

 

“Ayla, do you really have to get married? We discussed it, and it seems like there’s no need to get married.”

 

My brothers were also talking about the same thing Father mentioned earlier. Seeing everyone saying the same thing, it might seem like this marriage was entirely meaningless.

 

But not for me.

 

For me, who wanted to live using Lloydin, it held great significance as a way to repay him.

 

“Yeah, Ayla. He said even a simple touch could cure you. You don’t have to get married. Did the Duke threaten you with his business or something related to his son?”

 

“It’s not like that, Noah. The Duke is not that kind of person.”

 

When Noah misunderstood Lloydin, I vigorously shook my head.

 

“I just want to get better quickly. If I get married, I can stay with the Duke longer.”

 

“But Ayla, even if it takes a bit longer…”

 

“I don’t want that. I want to live with a healthy body as soon as possible. That’s why I’m doing this. So, don’t speak ill of the Duke.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

As I raised my voice slightly, Noah apologized to me unlike yesterday.

 

“Ayla, calm down. We’re just disappointed that our still young sister will be the first to get married and leave.”

 

Jade’s words made me suddenly remember what Father had said earlier.

 

But now, it wasn’t the time for that talk; it was time for something more important.

 

I focused my eyes intensely on the three of them.

 

“Why, why is that, Ayla?”

 

Luke, sensing something chilly in my gaze, flinched slightly.

 

“It’s about the marriage. I have something to tell you about it.”

 

“Why, what is it?”

 

“Earlier, Luke was trying to say something to Father. What was it?”

 

“Huh? It was nothing.”

 

Luke pretended not to know anything, and the other brothers kept their mouths shut.

 

“When Luke was trying to say something to Father, Jade was trying to stop him. What was it that you wanted to say?”

 

“Ah, it was nothing.”

 

“What, what?”

 

“How did you know? It couldn’t be brother, and Luke, did you say something?”

 

“It wasn’t me!”

 

“Then who on earth…”

 

Seeing the visibly bewildered three of them at my words, I shook my head inwardly.

 

Even after hearing Father’s words, I still couldn’t believe it was true.

 

“Really? Did all three of you really make such a promise?”

 

“Ayla, calm down and listen to us.”

 

Jade tried to calm me down, but the excitement didn’t easily subside.

 

“Why did you do that? My pain is my own, and you should live your lives.”

 

“How did we…”

 

“What?”

 

“You’ve been suffering since you were young, confined to our house. How could we just live normally seeing you like that?”

 

Luke expressed his feelings, looking pained.

 

“Yeah, Ayla. Marriage wasn’t important compared to having our precious sister. So, I wanted to become a priest and cure your illness.”

 

Now, it didn’t matter anymore, but that was the intention.

 

Noah muttered in a despondent tone.

 

“Ayla.”

 

Jade called me with a calm voice, and I looked at him with pursed lips.

 

“Don’t get me wrong. We didn’t mean we would never get married. When your illness was cured, and you could live a normal life, we planned to move forward with you. We considered it our responsibility as your brothers.”

 

“So, why is it your responsibility…”

 

I was about to speak, but I sighed deeply instead.

 

No, it wasn’t necessary to dwell on why things happened as they did. Asking for reasons about the time that had already passed and the events that had unfolded was not meaningful.

 

“We understood your feelings well, and we’re thankful.”

 

“What?”

 

“Ayla?”

 

Suddenly changing my attitude, I expressed my gratitude towards my brothers. Their puzzled eyes met mine.

 

“I know you’ve all been thinking about me. I know you’ve taken care of me better than anyone. So, thank you. Truly thankful and sorry. But, brothers…”

 

I was indeed grateful for what they had done for me. However, that gratitude turned into apologies, and along with it, frustration and sadness. My brothers were truly precious people who cared for me a lot.

 

“Luke, did you see me today? You saw me falling asleep and waking up quickly, right?”

 

“Uh? Yeah, I saw.”

 

“I thought it couldn’t be cured, but I finally found a way to treat my illness. And it’s clearly showing results.”

 

Before my brothers could say anything, I quickly revealed the crucial information.

 

“So, you don’t have to do that anymore. Please, don’t sacrifice yourselves for me. I beg you.”

 

I conveyed my feelings of gratitude and regret, heavily laden with frustration and sadness, to my brothers.

 

Without any response to my words, the three of them stared at me with surprised expressions. This created an almost unprecedented heavy silence among us.

 

I didn’t know what each of them was thinking, but they all remained silent without opening their mouths.

 

I looked at them discreetly before opening my mouth again.

 

“Like Jade said, I will marry Duke Blighton and live an ordinary and happy life like everyone else. So, promise me, brothers. Okay?”

 

“Ayla.”

 

“We…”

 

“…”

 

“Let’s live like that from now on. Just like other siblings. Okay?”

 

After hearing my words, Jade, who had maintained a long silence, nodded first.