This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 101

At last, the approaching footsteps stopped right behind her. In the silence, she could hear his breathing.

A quiet breath.

The scent of a rain-soaked forest.

She could feel his presence behind her with all her senses.

Elaina slowly turned around. The pain in her clenched palms helped her maintain her composure.

“It’s been a while.”

This time, there were no tears. But there was no smile either. She wanted to appear more composed, but this was the best she could manage.

“…Can we talk for a moment?”

Lyle’s voice was hoarse. His face was in even worse condition. His cheeks were hollow, dark shadows clung beneath his eyes, and his complexion was pale. His once well-fitted shirt now hung loosely on his frame.

Lyle, known for his extraordinary stamina, had never shown signs of exhaustion even during grueling schedules in the North. The state of his body now made it obvious how hard he had pushed himself.

However.

That was no longer any concern of hers.

And the same applied to him.

“I have nothing to say to you.”

Fortunately, Elaina’s voice came out smoothly, unlike her turbulent emotions.

“We said everything we needed to that day. Isn’t that what you thought, too?”

“Elaina.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to see you again. I should have informed Diane beforehand, but things were hectic. That was my mistake.”

Elaina lifted the hem of her dress and offered Lyle a formal bow. The servants around them gasped, their breath catching in their throats. They were shaken by Elaina’s demeanor, as if she were addressing a stranger.

“Since we’ve met again, I have a request. Please finalize the divorce proceedings quickly. It’s been quite some time since the documents were signed, yet nothing has been processed. I don’t want to pressure you, but I have my own circumstances. I can’t keep turning down invitations to social events forever.”

Lyle stared at her in silence before finally speaking, “I’ve been busy. I’ll take care of it soon.”

Unfortunately, his response was not what Elaina had hoped for. Her heart clenched painfully at his detached words. She had thought there was nothing left to hurt her anymore, yet a single sentence from Lyle sent her emotions into turmoil again.

“If that’s the case, just give them to me. I’ll handle it myself.”

“…That won’t be necessary. More importantly—”

He had been about to ask her for a moment of her time when the shocked butler interrupted their conversation.

“W-wait a moment. What are you both saying? D-divorce? That can’t be true… Can it? This isn’t…”

The elderly butler’s lips trembled. Overcome with shock, his legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor. A few maids rushed to support him.

It was only then that Elaina realized the butler had been standing nearby the entire time. She pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to cause any more distress to the aging butler.

“Diane, let’s go.”

Elaina spoke softly without raising her gaze. She didn’t want to see Lyle any longer.

“Just a moment. I have something to say.”

As she turned to leave, Lyle’s hand reached for her shoulder. Elaina immediately swatted his hand away.

“I’m warning you—don’t touch me.”

Her voice was firm, her words cutting like a blade.

“You no longer have the right.”

***

The Winchester carriage departed. Diane, who had been glaring at Lyle, Nathan, who was caught in the middle looking flustered, and finally, Elaina—disappeared from his sight.

After instructing the butler to rest, Lyle retreated to his study.

“Are they really getting divorced…?”

“How can this be? I’ve never seen Madam so furious before…”

“I’m more shocked by Master’s reaction. He seemed completely unfazed by what she said.”

One of the maids, disheartened by Lyle’s cold demeanor, shook her head.

“Exactly. Come to think of it, since Madam left, he’s only been sleeping in his study.”

The two had once shared a bedroom, their relationship warm and affectionate.

“Ever since Madam left, he hasn’t stepped foot in that room. Now we know why.”

At those words, another servant gasped in realization.

“He’s unbelievable. No matter what, after all that time together, how can he move on so easily?”

Some even teared up, their disappointment evident. Though no one voiced it aloud, every servant in the Grant mansion silently agreed.

However, upon returning to the study, Lyle was far from being in a normal state, contrary to what the servants believed. Though it did not show outwardly.

“You no longer have the right.”

He knew. What he had done to her was an unforgivable act. Even if it had been to protect Elaina from becoming the Marquis’s target, he had cut ties with her without any explanation.

Yet confirming with his own eyes that she truly despised him was a pain beyond what he had prepared himself for.

Lyle sat in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling. It felt as if he had returned to the battlefield, trapped in the fog, searching for a way out while surrounded by enemies. That same suffocating feeling of being unable to move forward or retreat washed over him.

Should he have been honest with Elaina?

No. Lyle knew her too well. If he had told her everything, she would not have resented him, but she would have been placed in even greater danger.

If only she had been like other noblewomen who expected to be protected by men. Then things might have been easier.

But Elaina was the bravest woman Lyle had ever known. Rather than staying behind to be protected, she never hesitated to take risks for the people she cherished.

It was Elaina who had proposed marriage to him to protect Diane. Considering his infamous reputation at the time, it was not something any noble lady would dare to suggest, even as a joke.

And now, he could not predict what risks she might take for him.

If he failed to protect her when the time came…

Lyle closed his eyes. When faced with a choice between the lesser and greater evil, the decision was obvious.

So, it was fine. Being resented and hated by Elaina was far better than losing her forever.

The way she had brushed off his hand as if shaking away a disgusting insect—

In the end, Lyle could not call out to her.

“I will explain properly. Please don’t worry too much.”

As Nathan left the mansion, he reassured Lyle. Hoping that Nathan would convince Elaina, Lyle let out a deep sigh. Beyond his retreating figure, the evening sky was painted in a crimson hue, like spilled blood.

***

Arriving at the Winchester mansion, Nathan relayed his conversation with Lyle to Elaina and Diane.

“So, Nathan, are you saying that His Grace is currently obstructing my father’s business?”

“From what I understand, yes.”

“But… why?”

Diane looked at Nathan in disbelief. The relationship between the two families had never been warm, but there had been no reason for such overt hostility.

Even Nathan did not know the exact details. He was merely conveying what he had inferred from his conversation with Lyle.

“His Grace wants Elaina to relinquish the drug’s usage rights. And I agree with him.”

If Elaina filed a patent and monopolized the drug now, it would push Marquis Redwood into a corner.

The Marquis of Redwood was currently in a precarious situation. Having neglected estate management, most of his wealth came from business ventures. But with the collapse of the companies he had invested in, the financial blow was undeniable.

“Even the fact that he invited Diane and me to his estate proves how desperate he is. This means he has been pushed into a truly dangerous situation. Elaina, it would be best to follow His Grace’s advice and let it go.”

Once the matter was settled, they could revisit the issue of ownership rights later. If they acted recklessly now, there was no telling what Marquis Redwood might do to Elaina.

However, even after listening to Nathan’s rational argument, Elaina firmly shook her head.

“No.”

“What?”

“This was a deal between you and me, Nathan. Whatever Lyle said, this is my decision to make. You know we’re getting divorced, right? Lyle Grant has no right to interfere in my affairs anymore.”

“Elaina, I believe His Grace has his reasons—perhaps to protect you.”

Nathan had intended to say that much, but he was cut off.

Elaina slammed her hand on the table. “That’s exactly what I hate the most!”

Her voice rose slightly.

“He’s worried I might be in danger because of Marquis Redwood? Why? For what reason?”

“That’s…”

“See? Even you don’t know. That’s what angers me the most. He doesn’t explain anything, yet he expects me to blindly follow his decisions. That kind of arrogance.”

She stood up abruptly.

“Thank you for explaining, Nathan. You’ve helped me organize my thoughts. But this is my decision to make. I will not give up the patent.”

The coldness in her voice made it clear—there would be no further discussion on the matter.

Nathan looked at Diane in dismay, but even she hesitated to speak. She had thought she knew Elaina well, but she had never seen her this genuinely furious before.