Chapter 245
“Please use this to cover Eren’s eyes.”
“Sounds like you feel pretty wronged.”
He snorted, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his lips.
“I just thought that since I can’t move, at least not seeing would help me feel more at ease.”
Macy was still scared being alone with Eren. Especially whenever she met those sharp blue eyes, her body would tremble as if impaled by a harpoon.
Covering his eyes might not stop Eren from controlling her, but psychologically, not seeing him was the only comfort she could get.
Despite his smirk, Eren obediently let the cloth cover his eyes.
Watching him quietly like that, Macy felt something strange. Just a simple blindfold, yet it finally felt real — that she had taken the lead in this Name treatment.
“Is this okay?”
“Yes…”
“Give me your hand.”
Eren sat on the edge of the bed and reached out his hand, but it was slightly off from Macy’s direction.
‘Have I been like this before?’
Macy almost burst out laughing.
“Why?”
“Nothing.”
She barely held back her laughter, but Eren seemed to notice the strange mood, and the tension eased slightly.
Carefully, Macy placed her hand on his palm, and Eren lightly gripped it, leaning back against the headboard like her.
For a moment, only quiet breathing filled the room. Though the tension lessened a bit, Eren was still an uncomfortable presence, and slowly sweat started to seep from Macy’s palm.
“What’s the baby’s name?”
“…Why do you ask?”
“You seem awkward sitting here, so I’m just making conversation.”
“I’m awkward because I don’t want to talk to you.”
“How cold.”
“…”
“We’re stuck seeing each other for life, whether we like it or not. Are you going to keep acting distant forever?”
“You said you wouldn’t be curious about anything about me. If you think you can’t keep that now, just stop.”
Macy cut off the conversation, making it clear she could end this at any time.
Hearing herself speak like that, she felt uneasy. It was how Eren used to talk to her. But it wasn’t impossible. Better to be firm than dragged along endlessly.
“Just act like friends. That’s not too much to ask.”
“Friends with you? What nonsense.”
“Why not? We’re only doing Name treatment now. Having a noble friend doesn’t hurt. It might even help with what you do in the future.”
“I can handle my own affairs—”
“I heard Yannick Horton’s been up to something strange. Know anything about it?”
“…Yes. I saw it in the news.”
Eren seemed aware of the article about Yannick restarting his art activities.
“If you’re going to paint again, you need to deal with Yannick first. I can help get you a lawyer if you want.”
“What do you mean?”
“You need to reclaim your name. Your paintings, sold under Yannick Horton’s name, the style—if it goes to court, you can get it back.”
“But then my crimes would be exposed too. I was involved in fraud…”
Macy was an accomplice. She’d knowingly allowed Yannick to profit by having her paint in his place.
Yannick warned that if the truth came out, both he and Macy would be dragged to the Inspection Agency.
That’s why Macy never openly admitted the paintings were hers.
“Lawsuits usually hide your own crimes and expose your opponent’s. You had a reason for doing it. Even if you don’t win, a public trial can restore your reputation. Though, you probably will win.”
Eren spoke as if it would all be an easy fix.
‘If we go to court as Eren says, can I really reclaim my name?’
The word “trial” sounded complicated and daunting.
But if it’s the legal way to reclaim her name, it might be the best option.
If she could cover up the fact that Yannick used a proxy painter and live openly, it would ease a lifelong grievance.
Most importantly, Macy was too young yet to give up without trying.
“I’ll think about it… But I don’t want Eren’s help. I’ll prepare on my own.”
“We’ve been preparing for this a while. You just need to let me know.”
“…Since when?”
“Before you disappeared. Before you even got to Bayatten mansion.”
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