Chapter 104 : A Vow on the Edge of Ashes
Chapter 104 : A Vow on the Edge of Ashes
“When the fire within the heart dares to defy logic, love becomes a rebellion in silence.”
I blinked, dazed by what I had just heard. For a moment, my thoughts refused to grasp the meaning.
“I think I heard something wrong.”
But no. The words echoed again, just as quietly—just as devastatingly.
“He said he thought it would be better to get a divorce.”
A soft, composed voice followed, piercing sharper than any blade.
“As quickly as possible.”
It made no sense. This declaration stood in stark contrast to everything we had shared mere minutes ago. I jolted upright, hair falling in disarray, blocking my view—though the absurdity of his words made me care little for such trivial things.
“Suddenly… divorce? Didn’t you just say you loved me? Or at least… that you felt the same?”
Johannes rose, face unreadable, and calmly brushed the loose strands of hair from my eyes. How could someone speak so coldly after holding me like that? My voice trembled as confusion surged.
“But you think we should divorce?”
“That’s right,” he replied, unshaken.
“Why?”
He lowered his gaze, as if the words were too heavy to carry.
Silence swelled between us, but to me, his indifference was deafening. I wrestled with disbelief, selecting my words with care.
“You said ‘as quickly as possible.’ Why? Is there something so urgent that it eclipses what we just shared?”
“Didn’t you see what was written in the notebook?”
“I did,” I said, watching his face carefully. “But as long as the notebook isn’t discovered, then—”
“I plan to divert those funds,” he interrupted.
“…What?”
His revelation stunned me. “It was never about hiding. It was about rectifying what was once misused.”
He explained that the royal family’s restrictions had stalled him, but the plan—to return the funds and take on the burden of Duke Schultz’s legacy—had long been set in motion.
“And that’s why you approached Old Mrs. Russell?”
He nodded.
I understood now. She wielded tremendous influence. But her help came at a price, and it was clear she had taken advantage of one of Johannes’ weaknesses.
Still… I could not accept his decision.
“You don’t plan to change your mind.”
He looked at me with cold finality and shook his head.
“No. Never.”
He paused, then added with measured clarity:
“Our divorce will be officially announced at Prince Edward’s next ball.”
The sting of his words landed hard. I clenched my fists.
“Then I cannot accept it.”
His gaze flickered with surprise.
“What nonsense—”
“No. What’s nonsense is pretending like none of this matters. When you married me, didn’t you expect something like this might happen?”
“At the time… I didn’t believe you’d be in danger. But…”
“But now?”
He faltered.
“If you have nothing to lose, you act recklessly,” he admitted. “Back then, I thought it would work. I didn’t think you’d get hurt. But now… I have too much to lose. So I’ve grown cautious.”
I reached for his cheek, firm yet tender. His body stiffened.
“If that’s the mindset you had when you married me, then take responsibility for it.”
“Edith Schultz.”
“I won’t divorce you over something like this. If you insist, you’ll find alimony waiting for you in that notebook.”
His eyes widened with despair. For the first time, I saw him completely—vulnerable, conflicted, human.
“I know what lies ahead,” I whispered, brushing my lips to his. “But I also know we can face it together.”
Sleep came deep despite the emotional storm.
But I awoke suddenly to the sound of voices beyond the door. Johannes was gone.
The voices carried easily through the old house.
“Was it really Edith?”
“That’s right. She looked like Isaac. Like Candace too.”
“Porche will be pleased to hear it.”
“I already told him. But he wasn’t as glad as I expected. Maybe it brought back too many memories.”
A silence fell—and then a gasp.
“What is this…? Porche!”
Porche Max?
I jolted to my feet, threw on my coat, and rushed outside.
Porche Max was lying on the ground, bruised and battered. And standing above him, like a marble statue carved from cold fury, was Johannes.
Gone was the tenderness from hours ago. His face was now as sharp and unreadable as ever—save for the fire burning behind his blue eyes.
“Johannes…?”
As I stared in confusion and dread, he turned to me—and his expression softened instantly, as if trying to shield me from the storm about to come.
