My Husband Never Dies - Chapter 65

After a moment, Laura spoke again, this time much more cautiously.

“My lady, would you consider hiring a wet nurse now?”

She stole a tentative glance at Evelyn before continuing.

“I truly appreciate how considerate you’ve been of my circumstances, but don’t you think the little miss ought to have a wet nurse?”

Laura was barren. She had married young, but after failing to conceive, she had been cast aside and eventually became a maid.

Even though she herself could never serve as a wet nurse, Laura remained steadfastly at the baby’s side.

“No.”

Evelyn had no intention of bringing anyone else into this madhouse of an estate. Laura alone was more than enough to spout insanity on the house’s behalf.

It didn’t matter. After all, that thing wasn’t a human baby. Whatever it ate, or even if it ate nothing at all, it probably wouldn’t die.

Evelyn answered coldly. “Goat’s milk will be enough.”

“My lady…”

“If it refuses to drink, let it starve.”

“H-How can you say something like that!”

Laura cried out in horror. Evelyn watched the maid fuss over the baby with detached eyes before turning away and returning to the sofa. She sank into her seat.

Looking hurt, Laura puffed out her cheeks.

“My lady, you’re far too cold sometimes. Especially toward such a beautiful little miss…”

Whether the maid felt offended or not, Evelyn said nothing. Resting an elbow on the table, she propped her chin against her hand.

There was something deeply unsettling about the sight of Laura gazing at the child with such open affection. Maybe it was because her thoughts had become such a tangled mess.

For a fleeting moment, she almost wished she could become an idiot like Laura — someone who could dote on a baby that had appeared out of nowhere as though it were truly her own daughter. Life would certainly be easier that way.

“Ah! My lady, it’s time for dinner. Would you like to have it brought to your bedroom again tonight?”

“Yes.”

“The little miss is asleep too, so I’ll slip down to the dining room while I have the chance. Please get some rest, my lady.”

Careful not to wake the baby, Laura softened even her footsteps as she quietly left the bedroom.

Watching the maid fuss over closing the door without making a sound, Evelyn let out a disbelieving laugh. Her eyes drifted toward the cradle. After a long moment, she slowly rose to her feet.

She made no effort to conceal her presence as she approached. Even so, the baby remained fast asleep inside the cradle, utterly defenseless.

Evelyn’s gaze traced every inch of the tiny figure. Fine golden hair that stirred with nothing more than each gentle breath. Eyes peacefully shut. Rosy cheeks. A small chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

Without realizing it, she muttered under her breath.

“That fxcking bastard…”

The curse was meant for the man who wasn’t here. Or perhaps he was. Perhaps he was somewhere in this very room, watching her. Waiting to see what she would do with a gift she didn’t want.

Evelyn reached out toward the child’s face. Taking the life of something so helpless wasn’t difficult. Unlike an adult, a fragile infant could be killed with nothing more than a slight twist of the neck. This thing would be no different.

Plump, impossibly soft cheeks brushed against her fingertips. Her hand settled around a neck so small she could encircle it with one hand.

Something this grotesque should never exist in this world. One monster was more than enough. The Duke alone should have been enough.

Just as Evelyn tightened her grip, intent on disposing of the unwanted gift—

The baby’s closed eyes slowly fluttered open. Round green eyes shone with innocent clarity.

Tap.

A tiny hand, wrapped inside a mitten, waved clumsily and brushed against Evelyn’s arm. The instant those eyes, identical to her own, met hers, the baby broke into a bright, bubbling laugh.

Evelyn froze.