The Villain's Terminally Ill Wife

Chapter 38

My father, who was supposed to be family, and even my stepsibling all hoped that I would die soon. Only then could they safely take everything for themselves. My death was the natural course of events. After all, I was merely an extra meant to show how ruthless the villain in the original story was. In this world, my existence would be completed through death.

Perhaps because I had spent five years in vain and accepted that the remaining year of my life was a limited time, at some point, I began to take it for granted that I would die. What’s the point of wishing for much when I was going to die anyway? With that thought, I had quietly endured my father’s tyranny until now.

In the midst of all this, only Richard wished for me not to die. He was the only person I had met who pitied my illness and wanted to find a way to cure it. Did I need any other reason when I had resolved to give him everything I had?

“I’ve been suffering from the Dannella disease for the last five years. The only thing that can cure this disease is the Rosier flower, and since my father took everything from me, I naturally believed he would help me get the flower, the remedy for the Dannella disease.”

As I spoke, my father, seated on the defendant’s side, glared at me as if he wanted to kill me. In the past, I would have stepped back whenever he made that expression. No matter how unjust his words were, I had to force myself to appease him so as not to provoke him.

“But during those five years when my illness worsened, what did my father do to help me? He said I needed the money from the Tristan Duke estate to treat my Dannella disease, right? But why, despite having that money, couldn’t he even get a Rosier pot?”

I questioned my father as if I were holding him accountable. He trembled with rage but could not respond to my words. Yes, if he had a conscience, he wouldn’t be able to answer this question even if he had a mouth.

“Have you ever tried even once to get the Rosier?”

“W-well…”

He ultimately couldn’t give a proper answer. I had already waited for him many times, and the result of my waiting was this situation.

“If you had ever tried even once to get the flower for me, I believe I wouldn’t have ended up in the current situation.”

My mouth felt bitter and scratchy. Every word felt like a thorn piercing my heart.

Yes, just once. If he had shown me even a single time that he cared for me, I wouldn’t have gone this far. I had clung to the Tristan Duke estate like a ghost, yearning for that one moment.

But what was the outcome? He threw away the countless chances I had given him in my heart and sold me to Richard for 30,000 gold.

My father must have heard the rumors about Richard back then. The story of a man who tried to cheat him ended up getting his head chopped off. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it’s certain that he showed such a fierce side that such rumors circulated.

When I was with him, I could hardly imagine such a figure, but considering he was the villain in the original story who would do anything to win the female lead, Eilen, it was certainly a plausible rumor.

Anyway, my father probably hoped, upon hearing those rumors, that I would marry Richard and meet such a miserable end. If I died in such a meaningless way, no one would be able to take away the title and property of the Tristan Duke that he possessed.

However, he overlooked one thing. If Richard realized I was a woman with no prospects and a limited lifespan, he would have abandoned me, right? Then my father, who sent me to him, should have known that he would harbor resentment towards him.

“Your Honor, as you’ve seen so far, my father knew I had the Dannella disease, yet he never once tried to obtain the Rosier flower, which is used as a remedy. No, he didn’t even try to look for it. Why? It’s quite obvious. If I’m alive, I would file a lawsuit for the return of the title and property, just like now.”

“Diarna!”

As I was speaking to the judge, Duke Tristan urgently called my name. Normally, I would have turned to look at him, but I could no longer do so. I had waited far too long, and during that time, he had never reached out to me. So, I resolved to give my belongings to Richard, the one who extended his hand to me. At least I wanted him to possess everything instead of my father. Even after my death, or rather, even if I miraculously took the remedy made from the flower and was cured of the disease, I wanted to give everything to Richard.

“In that situation, Richard offered 30,000 gold and proposed marriage to me… Has there ever been a sweeter offer for Duke Tristan? It was a chance to deal with both my claims to the title and property and my father’s gambling debts at the same time.”

He probably wished for me to marry Richard, be miserably abandoned, and die in despair, but everything did not go according to his wishes.

“I have already given Duke Tristan several opportunities. The reason I did not reclaim my rights after becoming an adult was not that I had given up my rights, but because I wanted to give my stepfather, Duke Tristan, a chance to turn everything around. However, I can no longer grant any more chances.”

I bowed my head and sighed. My breath felt unusually heavy. It was time to accept the truth. Duke Tristan was no longer my father. Perhaps he was never able to be my father from the beginning.

It wasn’t just because he was merely my stepfather; even if he wasn’t my biological father, there had been several opportunities for us to remain a family. It was him who trampled and crushed those chances.

So now, I must reclaim everything I should have had.

“Your Honor, although it’s late, I wish to reclaim all my rights. I want to regain the title and property of Duke Tristan, everything.”

“Hmm, I see.”

The judge nodded as he listened to my words. He then looked over me, Richard, and Duke Tristan for a while before organizing the papers he held.

“Since it’s getting late, let’s wrap up for today.”

When I turned my head to check the time, it was already past 2 o’clock. I hadn’t realized how much time had passed; it felt like only a short while.

“The next court date is tomorrow at 11 a.m. We will meet again then. Court is adjourned.”

As the judge’s words concluded, the doors of the courtroom opened, signaling that it was okay to leave.

Even though I had only spoken at the end, I felt completely drained of energy, and I almost stumbled where I stood.

“Diarna!”

If Richard hadn’t come over to catch me, I would have collapsed on the floor. It seemed that not only had my energy drained, but my legs were also giving way.

I smiled weakly at him, who was looking at me with concern, to express my gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I sat down with his support. The conversations I had with Duke Tristan today still lingered in my mind. His insincere demeanor and lies. I had expected him to behave this way in court, but seeing it in person felt different. Just thinking about it made me feel miserable. I had come to realize that what he truly wanted was simply the title and property; my existence was merely an obstacle in his way.

“Diarna, how could you—!”

As I sat down to rest, Duke Tristan strode towards me, his face filled with anger.

“Enough.”

If Richard hadn’t stepped in to block him, he would have surely struck me. After over twenty years of knowing him, I was certain he would have resorted to violence against me. That had been his way of controlling me all this time. Just because he was stronger and more powerful than me didn’t mean he had the right to use violence.

Before, I had foolishly endured it, but now I would not.

“Why, Father? Are you going to hit me again? There are so many witnesses here.”

I intentionally spoke loudly while looking around. He had already drawn attention by calling my name as he approached, and the eyes of the people were focused on us.

With that mention of violence, they couldn’t help but keep their eyes on us.

“It would be detrimental for you to resort to violence when you’re already at a disadvantage.”

I smiled as I said this, and his face turned red and pale with rage. He seemed to be itching to unleash his frustration, but with all the eyes on him and Richard blocking his path, he looked like he was going to explode.

“Earlier in court, the judge mentioned that if I wanted, you would be willing to return everything—money, title, mansion. There’s no need to drag this out; just give it back to me. It will save you from becoming even more disgraceful.”

I glanced at him tightly clenched fists trembling with rage, then stood up.

I placed my hand on Richard’s shoulder.

“Let’s go, Richard.”