The End of a Fake Marriage

“N-no, it’s not that serious!”

Caught off guard by Louis’s unexpected intervention, Nina flinched and backed away, and her maid, Melinda, immediately slapped Louis’s hand away with a loud smack.

“How dare you! Don’t you touch the young lady, Louis!”

“No need to hit me, though.”

“Well, you’ve done something to deserve it!”

“I was just trying to help her, she was stumbling!”

“Who asked you to help?”

“Then, who should?”

“Just move!”

“I already did.”

“Move further!”

While Melinda was busy keeping an eye on Louis, Nina took advantage of the distraction and quietly gripped Alexander’s coat hem like a lifeline.

“…Alexander.” she whispered, her voice trembling delicately. However, her grip on his sleeve was anything but delicate, knuckles white and tendons standing out.

Alexander looked down at the sight impassively and, with a mechanical smile, responded,
“If you’re unwell, you should be resting. Kaliba isn’t good for your lungs.”

At first glance, his words sounded gentle, filled with concern. But he locked eyes with her and pushed away the fingers that held me, one by one.

A clear rejection, shielded by a polite smile.

A moment of embarrassment flashed across Nina’s face as she was firmly pushed away.

She bit her lower lip, then quickly erased her expression and smiled again. If she had been so discouraged, she wouldn’t have come here every season.

“I only ran a bit too fast earlier! I’m fine. Are you heading to the company now?”

“No, there’s a banquet at the Ministry of Finance, so I need to go there.”

“…A banquet?”

Nina’s face gradually brightened at those words.

“You’ll need a partner, right? I could get ready and go with you right away. Can I join you?”

“No, Nina. I’ll be going with my wife.”

His words immediately caused Nina’s face to crumple. He knew, too, that she openly disliked Renee. But what could he do about it? He didn’t care about Nina’s feelings.

“…I want to go to the Ministry’s banquet, too. Rene can go anytime, but I only get these chances while I’m here. Go with me instead of Rene.”

Nina pleaded, looking utterly downcast, yet Alexander only smiled politely and looked at her in confusion.

Nina’s green eyes welled up. Then, in an instant, they were filled with teardrops that looked like they would fall out if she touch it.

“…You’re so cruel, Alexander. With my health, I can’t even go out as I please. Don’t you feel any pity for me?”

Nina stared at him with a face twisted in tearful distress, a look meant to tug at his guilt. Instead, Alexander only felt his heart turn colder.

Every time Nina wore that expression, he was reminded once again of the truth of their relationship:

Perpetrator and victim.

“Sorry.”

“Yes, Nina, that’s all we are, just a perpetrator and victim.”

Even now, Alexander endured the disgusting Anashas, suppressing the urge to destroy them.

Because I am the perpetrator.

Thus, he would neither seek revenge nor end their lives. No matter how his anger bubbled up, he wouldn’t bite, nor would he destroy. All he would do was bear it, tolerate the pitiful, unfortunate victim before him. This would be his penance, his repentance for his sins.

…If that woman’s words are true, that it’s all of my fault.

“It’s late, I have to go. Don’t cry. There will be another chance to go somewhere better.”

“Ah, Alexander!”

“If you’re feeling down, why not go shopping, Nina? I’ll let the department store know.”

The man who had wrapped the rope around his own neck got into the car with a masked smile on his face. The car pulled away smoothly, leaving its uncomfortable victim behind.

He rolled down the window, and though the cool wind rushed in, it strangely left him feeling suffocating.

To ease his breathing, he quietly lit a cigarette, letting the acrid smoke fill him up. Only then did it feel as if he could finally breathe.

After a long puff of smoke with his eyes closed, he turned to look out the window and saw the sun scattering orange rays across the darkening ground.

Leaning his head against the headrest, he stared out the window for a long time.
It was such a beautiful color that he wanted to grab hold of it with all his might.

***

Liv Hill, 7th Avenue was a lively area lined with small offices and charming little shops. More commercial than residential, the avenue buzzed with activity day and night. Its also close to Redditch Street, known for its cluster of bookstores, attracted writers, newspaper offices, and printing presses, filling the area with their sounds. Students also frequented the neighborhood, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

Renee was very lucky to get an office on the second floor of the Phillips building in the center of it all.

She’d nearly missed her chance due to a change in building ownership, but everything fell into place at just the right moment. The office was a modest 30-square-meter space—not large, but with excellent natural lighting. Also, the small balcony was ideal for sharing space with passing cats.

With the central police station just one block away, it was an ideal location for an office run by two women.

“Boss, here’s the letter from Whitehall, along with the illustrations and materials for the department store catalog. I also left Mr. Grogg’s new design drafts on your desk. Please review them,” said Dorothy Dumple, Renee’s office’s indispensable employee and the office’s brain. Dressed smartly in a beige suit with a matching cloche hat, she placed a hefty pile of paperwork in front of Renee.

The mountain of paperwork was immediately overwhelming.

“All of this…?”

“Yes! Ah, and there are a few contracts mixed in that need your review too. You can handle it, right?”

As her surname hinted, Dorothy was Louis’s cousin. Renee had hired her upon Louis’s recommendation when she was setting up the office.

She used to work in a department store, but Louis had recommended her to Renee, saying that she hadn’t learned enough to be a saleswoman.

True to his word, Dorothy was meticulous in everything she did, especially when it came to numbers. That was a good thing. As for Rene, numbers were nothing short of devilish creations designed purely to torment her, so having someone like Dorothy was as good as a sturdy shield.

“I’ll head over to Peloche and Roberto right from here. I need to check the display case locations and double-check the exhibition schedule.”

“Thank you, Dorothy. And stop calling me ‘boss.’ I’m just the representative.”

“Mr. Winchester’s the boss at the factory in Whitehall, sure. But Renee, you’re also the boss. You created the ‘Pearl de Hazel’ brand, so that makes you the boss. Anyway, I’ve settled on that. Plus, it makes sales easier.”

Dorothy stroked her short hair and checked the watch on her wrist.

“Oh no! I’m going to be late! I’ll be seeing you tomorrow, right?”

“Probably. Thanks, and see you tomorrow, Dorothy!”

“Yes! I’ll be off, then!”

The sound of her rushing down the metal stairs was followed by a clatter and a faint scream.

Oh dear, she tripped again.

Dorothy was a very meticulous person, but she fell easily, whether because her ankles were weak or because she didn’t pay attention to her surroundings.

That’s why the office always had a first-aid kit for Dorothy, along with her favorite Percy’s tea series, Beginners’ chocolates, and Tenders’ fruit candies.

…Well, it’s all part of employee benefits, right?

Rene got up and went to the balcony. When she looked down, she could see Dorothy limping as she rushed to the tram stop. (A tram stop is a designated location where a tram, streetcar, or light rail vehicle stops for passengers to board or exit.)

“Dorothy! Are you okay?”

Dorothy looked up at Renee’s call, gave a thumbs-up with both hands, and then waved with a bright smile, assuring her that she was fine.

Such a cute, resilient, and capable employee. Renee couldn’t help but think that every bit of employee benefits she provided for Dorothy was worth it.