I Became The Mother Of the Male Lead Who Lives With An Adulterous Man

At Cian’s feet, the gold and silver treasures Jane had hidden were revealed.

“Shabby living conditions?”

The mocking tone in Cian’s voice made Jane shudder.

She’d come up with a brilliant plan: pretend she didn’t have any money, because if she didn’t have it, it couldn’t be taken from her! She’d hidden all of the jewelry, trinkets, and expensive dishes under the floor, mistakenly assuming she’d completely destroyed all evidence.

But, pretending she didn’t have any money didn’t mean she never received the money, nor did it mean she wouldn’t have to repay said money.

Jane was proud of herself for stashing her things under the floorboards and covering them with the rug.

She thought that even if the guild’s debt collectors threatened her, everything would be fine as long as she didn’t tell them where she hid the items. At that point, they’d stop doubting her and leave, right?

She was being naive.

The moment Jane opened the door easier than expected, Cian had a hunch.

‘It looks like she’s trying to play dirty.’

He paid close attention as he entered the house. Cian, who’s eyes were covered, sharpened all his other sense. He didn’t miss a single sound of footsteps or the feel of the flowing air.

As he walked inside and stepped on the rug, he realized there was something underneath.

‘The slope of the floor is different. The corners of the wooden planks aren’t aligned properly. Judging by the dull thud, it looks like the empty space beneath has been filled with objects.’

He walked carefully, estimating where the items were hidden, and pierced the floor with his sword.

Jane screamed, and the real debt collectors who’d been searching around inside the house came running at the sound.

“How… How do you know it’s there when you can’t even see?”

“Things aren’t always what they seem.”

“Unbelievable…!”

“Appraise everything.”

“Yes!”

All of the candles were lit in the dark house, flooding the room with light.

The collectors removed the items piled up under the floor and took out tools from their cloaks, appraising the jewelry and other objects.

Cian spoke indifferently to Jane as she stood frozen, trembling.

“Why didn’t you run away?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong! Why should I have to run away?!”

It was ridiculous. The reason she stayed home and didn’t ran away was because she thought she’d done nothing wrong.

How could she think it wasn’t a crime to have an affair, with a married man, stealing the property of others through illicit means all while living happily?

“Do you know what monogamy is? Imperial law does not authorize relationships outside of marriage.”.”

“I know. I know, but I’m not the only one whose done it. Most nobles are like that! Why are you only doing this to me?”

“You know it shouldn’t be done, so where did your mindset of ‘I can do it because everyone else is doing it’ come from?”

“Well…”

“Besides, ‘most nobles are like that’? How many nobles have you met? What do you even know to make such a hasty generalization?”

Jane bit her lip hard, then shouted.

“I did it because I loved him, I couldn’t stop myself, even though I knew I shouldn’t! And seeing as you don’t understand me, you’ve never been in love, have you?”

“You’re right, I’ve never been in love.”

“See, you don’t know anything!”

“So.”

Cian tilted his head slowly as he spoke in a low tone.

“What happened to that love that was great enough to commit a sin for?”

“Ugh. That… That.”

“The kind of love that hides and doesn’t show even a hair as soon as you’re caught having an affair. If this is the kind of love you’re referring to, I don’t want any part of it.”

“Ugh…”

Jane lowered her head.

Everything he said was true.

She was relieved to hear that ‘all the other nobles do it too’, but when she really thought about it, it was Theodore who told her that. Jane had never even spoken to another noble other than Theodore.

An affair was a bad thing. She knew it was wrong, but she loved him so much she couldn’t help it. But that great love falsely accused her father and hid from her.

Jane was devastated to realize that every whispered word from the man she trusted so much was a lie.

‘You bastard. Damn you! I hope your manhood explodes and falls off!’

Cian quietly looked down at Jane as she shook.

Still, this woman was better than Theodore. At least she didn’t cower or faint when facing Cian wielding his sword.

“Alias, as we expected, there’s not enough here.”

One of the debt collectors appraising the items reported.

It was expected. There was no way she’d have kept all the money she received.

It wasn’t only a day or two ago that Theodore brought the money to Jane. The money would’ve also gone into the food she ate, her dresses, broken dishes, and even the pockets of her employees.

It had already been confirmed a long time ago that there was no money left in the guild or bank.

All she had left were a few items she’d hidden under the floor as treasures, and her home.

“I’m afraid I have no choice, Jane, but to ask you to leave this house.”

“W-what?”

“What don’t you understand? The treasures you’ve been hiding won’t pay back all the money you’ve been taking from Theodore.”

“What does that have to do with me leaving the house?”

Is this woman really that stupid?

Cian showed great patience and kindly explained.

“This house was bought by your father with money he stole from the Elrosa family. Of course you have to return it. It’s not a very expensive house to begin with… But, thanks to you, people are lining up to buy it.”

“What, no! This is my house, and I’m not moving out!”

“That doesn’t matter though.”

He muttered in an unimpressed voice.

“This is the house where the woman who ruined His Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet lives, so it will be a very nice sightseeing spot. It’ll be like a human fish tank.”

“That can’t be……! That can’t be true, how do people know about this place!”

How did she think Cian and the debt collectors got here?

The more they talked, the more worn out he became. What did Theodore even like about this woman? What was so amazing that their love was considered great?

He ordered the collectors to pack up the goods. Jane tried to stop them, but Cian’s sword halted her movements.

“Don’t be so loud. It’s not because I value your life that I’m sparing you.”

“Ugh, huh. That’s too much…”

“Don’t think it’s too much. I’m not trying to kick you out onto the streets.”

“Where am I supposed to go then?”

Cian took out the letter Rachel had written from his pocket and held it out.

“Take this.”

Jane took the letter with trembling hands and opened it.

 

[Theodore Elrosa’s current residence

Town House Street in front of the Imperial Palace, 221B]

 

Tears welled up in Jane’s eyes, whether from gratitude or hatred. She looked up at Cian, who shrugged.

“It’s late, you’ll have to vacate the house sometime tomorrow. You can take whatever you want that the collectors didn’t take.”

“Ugh!”

Jane finally cried out like a child.

 

* * *

 

After parting with Rachel, Theodore had been thinking the same thing for days.

‘Ah, why is it that love brings me such trials…?!’

On the plus side, Rachel accused Carl of hiding assets and tax evasion, but on the down side, their marriage was annulled.

Theodore, full of love and romance, could hardly believe that his marriage to Rachel had been annulled, much less that he’d been stripped of his title.

Moreover, Rachel coldly announced their divorce. She wasn’t the type of person to do that, so there must’ve been some misunderstanding.

Was it because of the rebellion? She may have decided to leave Theodore because she was afraid after hearing he was plotting a rebellion.

If that’s the case, resolving this mess would be a piece of cake. The rebellion wasn’t real. All he’d have to do was convince Rachel that he was only having an affair and not plotting a rebellion.

‘Even though Rachel knew about the affair, she still put all the blame on Carl for my crime. She must think that an affair is no big deal. Alas, I can’t believe I didn’t notice her deep love all this time!’

Now the only person Theodore had left to rely on was Rachel.

He’d lost a lot. Berengella was a drunk who continuously beat her son. The title was gone, and the Noble Council was trying to seize all of the Elrosa family’s assets.

Rachel was smart enough to frame Carl, who was innocent, for tax evasion, and she might be able to clear his name and save the title.

No, it’s okay even if she couldn’t clear his name and save his title. Rachel was the daughter of the original Count Fram, and she would be the next in line to receive the title, and he was their son-in-law.

The fact that he was the one who exterminated the Fram family name with his own hands never even entered his mind.

‘Ah, Rachel. The Goddess of Fate is trying to keep us apart, but I won’t give up!’

The further Theodore was pushed down, the more fired up he became..

‘A holy woman who’ll save me from danger. Will you forgive me, who has finally realized your importance? Love is great, and you love me! Wait for me, I’ll be right there!’

Of course, Rachel wouldn’t meet Theodore.

“Rachel, Rachel! I’m here!”

He went to the Elrosa residence, rang the doorbell, and knocked on the door, but no one came out.

‘Did she go out? It can’t be helped then.’

He left a note in front of the mansion.

 

[Dear Rachel, I want to talk to you. I need your help!

I live at 221B, Town House Street in front of the Imperial Palace. Please come to me when you see this note.

Your love,

Theodore Elrosa]

 

Theodore, who’d been hiding for a long time, finally revealed his whereabouts.

The note was brought to Rachel by one of the men who watched the perimeter of the Elrosa mansion. She memorized the address and sent it to Jane through Cian.

Theodore waited for her. He’d given her the address, so he figured she’d come to see him soon.

But after several days of waiting, she never showed up. Not only did she not come, but there was no news. There were even rumors floating around that she’d moved.

Eventually, Theodore asked the guild to search for her.

As he waited for news of Rachel and her whereabouts, the doorbell to the townhouse rang.

Theodore cheered, and Berengella’s face contorted.

“Who’s at the door?”

“It must be Rachel. I gave her the address.”

There was no hesitation in his movements as he opened the front door of the townhouse.

“Rachel! Hurry… Huh?”

“… Theo.”

It wasn’t Rachel who stood in the doorway, but Jane. She looked like a rabbit caught in the rain and was carrying several large bags.

Theodore froze at Jane’s unexpected appearance.

“… Jane? How did you…”

“What? Who’s there?”

Berengella jumped to her feet at the sound of Jane’s name.

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Enjoy my translations? Check out some of my other novels!

• Reasons to Protect the Witch’s Son
• I Found a Husband When I Picked up the Male Lead
• The Contract with the Lord was a Trap
• I Became The Mother Of the Male Lead Who Lives With An Adulterous Man
• By the Time You Came Around, It Was Already Too Late
• After the Ending, I Received the Second Male Lead as a Gift
• Unveil the Truth