Chapter 33
After that day, Brunhilde began to avoid Carlos in subtle ways.
Most often, she would fall asleep early—timing it to when he usually came.
Even if a sinful life now grew inside her, she wanted everything to return to its proper place once the child was born. If her son still desired her, then she would have to cut off that twisted longing.
About a week after she began keeping her distance, Emily came to visit.
“He says he hasn’t been able to see you awake lately, and he misses you.”
Pregnancy had made her daughter-in-law even more radiant and lovely. The sight stirred a faint ache in Brunhilde’s chest, yet she told herself it was for the best. Forcing down the ugly impulse to compare her own misery with Emily’s happiness, she smiled gently.
“Perhaps it’s age catching up with me—I’ve been sleeping more these days. How have you been feeling?”
“Very well, thanks to your care, Lady Brunhilde. I can’t wait for my belly to grow and to feel the baby move.”
After exchanging small talk, Emily accepted the Eastern tea and gifts Brunhilde offered and returned to her room.
That evening—
As Brunhilde prepared to retire early as usual, the door opened quietly. She turned, thinking the deaf maid had come to tend to her—but it wasn’t.
It was Carlos.
His earlier-than-usual visit startled her, but she masked it quickly, smiling as though pleased to see him after days apart.
“You’re earlier than usual today, Carl.”
“……”
Normally, he would have smiled back and answered her warmly.
But this time, he said nothing and only stared at her. Sensing something off in the air, she hurried to fill the silence.
“I was just thinking how heavy I’ve been feeling lately—I keep falling asleep so early that I miss seeing you. It’s been a while since we’ve sat together and—”
“Mother.”
His low voice cut her off.
In the dim room, lit by flickering candlelight, he approached with an unusually subdued expression. As he drew close—close enough to stand just a step away—she caught the rare scent of alcohol on him.
When she asked why he had been drinking, he gave a faint, shadowed smile. Then, without another word, he climbed onto the bed.
A chill of unease crept over her. Before she could react, his hand reached out and gripped her chin.
His voice sank low.
“You gave Emily some Eastern tea today, didn’t you?”
She frowned slightly in confusion but nodded.
Carlos leaned in closer—so close their faces were barely a hand’s breadth apart—and looked down at her as if pressing her under his gaze.
“The doctor came this afternoon.”
“…Why?”
“My wife suddenly complained of abdominal pain.”
Brunhilde’s eyes widened.
“She was fine even at lunch—what happened?”
A faint laugh escaped him.
“The strain on her womb nearly puts the baby at risk.”
“…Good heavens… you must have been so worried. I’ll go see her tomorrow and—”
“And the doctor said the tea you gave her has properties that can cause uterine contractions in pregnant women.”
“…!”
The words struck like a blow.
Startled, Brunhilde turned sharply toward him. The trace of a smile had vanished from his face. Expressionless now, Carlos spoke with quiet reproach,
“If Emily’s child bothered you that much, you could have simply said so.”
“C-Carlos, what are you saying? I would never—”
“Did you not trust me when I said your child mattered more?”
“No—my child, that’s not it, Mother—!”
She tried to protest, but he let go of her chin as though he had no interest in hearing more. Turning his body away, he said coldly,
“It would be better if you didn’t see Emily anymore.”
“…Carl?”
“Since that day, I’ve followed your wishes. I even refrained from sharing a bed with my wife. I gave up my rights as a husband, trying to cherish you and the child you carry… and yet, this is the method you chose while avoiding me?”
“…!”
Her mind went blank the moment she heard those words.
‘So he noticed… even that I was avoiding him.’
Of course he had. Someone as sharp as Carlos would never miss something repeated over a full week.
Panic surged through her. Brunhilde hurriedly reached out, clutching at his clothes as he moved to leave the bed.
“Carl, it’s a misunderstanding. Please, listen to me.”
“Are you saying you weren’t avoiding me?”
“…I—I was avoiding you. That’s true. But I would never harm Emily—”
“Mother.”
His voice cut through hers, firmer than she had ever heard. Her heart dropped. Turning back to her, he spoke,
“I think we need to reconsider adopting your child into the family.”
“…!”
It was like a bolt from the blue.
She tried to speak, but his next words silenced her completely.
“If you shrink from me and keep your distance… then it’s harder than I thought to truly care for the child you’re carrying.”
“……”
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