We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 119

Knowing it was a dream, tears of sorrow welled up in my eyes. Watching Nicola smile brightly in front of me, all I could do was cry. She gazed at me with a look of pity.

‘Don’t cry.’

I wanted to ask her. Despite how much she suffered, how could she smile like that? If it was so unbearable, why didn’t she just run away? I wanted to shout these questions at her.

As if reading my thoughts, Nicola gave a bittersweet smile.

‘Imprints are strange. Even when you know it’s hopeless, you still find yourself holding on to hope. I couldn’t leave because I thought maybe one day he would truly see me.’

Then why didn’t you hold on until the end? Why give up now? Again, as if sensing my thoughts, Nicola didn’t answer but instead showed a look of relief.

She looked into the distance, then back at me.

‘Child, I always enjoy our conversations, but it’s time for me to go.’

‘…Where are you going? Stay with me.’

’Haha, it’s not me who has to go, it’s you.’

She gently pushed my shoulder. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, I hurriedly reached out, but strangely, I couldn’t grasp her. It felt like I was falling off a cliff, my arms flailing.

‘I’m sorry. Truly, I’m sorry, Mel.’

Her voice echoed around me like a haunting melody. The sensation of falling was dizzying, making me squeeze my eyes shut. When I slowly reopened them, a low, boiling voice reached my ears.

“Why, did you take so long to wake up?”

“…Ian?”

“Ha… Melissa.”

He held my hand like he was praying, his head bowed. His hair brushed against the back of my hand.

“What about Mother…?”

I knew the answer but had to ask. Or rather, I didn’t want to believe it. I hated how the fate of an omega with one sided imprint seemed so predictable. I wished she had escaped that fate.

At my question, his eyes darkened. The golden eyes that always shone so brightly now looked cold and heavy.

“….Focus on recovering first. Do you even know how many days it’s been since you woke up?”

“How many days…?”

Hearing Ian’s words, my throat suddenly felt parched and dry. I grimaced as I spoke, and he quickly helped me sit up.

Grabbing the water glass, I drank it down in one gulp. Even then, my thirst wasn’t fully quenched.

“Would you like another glass?”

“Yes…”

After downing a second glass, my mind started to clear a bit.

“Where’s Dia?”

The first thing that came to mind once I regained some clarity was my son.

“He’s with the chief handmaid right now.”

“…With the chief handmaid?”

As if anticipating my concern, Ian explained immediately.

“I intended to hire a wet nurse for Dia, but my requirements were quite strict, so suitable candidates have been hard to find. Until then, the chief handmaid will take care of him. She was my nanny, after all.”

I had heard before that the chief handmaid had looked after him when his mother couldn’t. Given his reassurance, I knew I couldn’t afford to show my anxiety.

“Alright, I trust you.”

“Good. Your health is the priority, not Dia.”

“…I’m fine. I was just really startled, that’s all.”

He looked like he was struggling to find the right words, his lips moving but no sound coming out at first.

“Lady Nicola’s funeral has already taken place.”

“…Already?”

“You’ve been unconscious for four days. The doctor couldn’t find the cause, and you wouldn’t wake up. Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

“Four days… I slept that long?”

“Yes. Hoo…”

Ian continued with a face filled with deep fatigue.

“I’m sorry. You got caught up in my family’s mess.”

“…No, there’s nothing to apologize for.”

His words felt strange, a sudden sense of distance struck me with a wave of fear.

My family—did that mean I wasn’t included?

My imprinted heart pounded fiercely, the image of Nicola bleeding out and collapsing flashing in my mind. The thought that my end might not be any different left me feeling lost.

“Uht.”

Suddenly, a sharp pain radiated through my chest. Dia hadn’t weaned yet, and my swollen breasts ached as if they were about to burst. I couldn’t understand how I hadn’t noticed the pain until now. It was so intense that my body wavered.

Startled, Ian wrapped his arms around me, accidentally pressing on my chest.

“Ack!”

The pain was unbearable, making me cling to his arm, trembling.

“What’s wrong? I should call the doctor…”

I quickly covered his mouth with my hand, not wanting the doctor to know about the embarrassing cause of my pain.

* * *

When Melissa, who seemed fine just moments after waking up, suddenly groaned in pain, Ian’s face tensed. He immediately tried to call the doctor, but her fingers weakly stopped him.

Despite the lack of strength in her hand, her determination was clear.

Seeing his puzzled expression, Melissa desperately shook her head, her eyes and ears flushed red.

“…Don’t call the doctor.”

Her hand still covered his mouth, so Ian asked with his eyes. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, spreading to her neck, making Ian feel an odd mix of concern and lust for her.

“It’s just… a bit of a body ache.”

Her words were slightly muffled. Finally, Ian gently removed her hand from his mouth and spoke.

“A body ache?”

If it was a body ache, shouldn’t they call the doctor to get some medicine? Why was she stopping him?

“….It’s not that kind of body ache. So, there’s no need to call the doctor.”

“What kind of body ache is it?”

As he pressed her, Melissa’s face grew even redder. Hesitating, she finally explained, albeit with great embarrassment.

“I think… it’s from not being able to nurse Dia. I think it’s milk engorgement. It’s not something that needs a doctor.”

“…That can happen?”