We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 130

“Mel!”

Melissa might have collapsed during a walk due to her health condition. It was the most likely.

“Mel!”

Not just himself, the maids joined in. The Duchy was bright like daylight as they scoured the area.

He searched the annex and there was no sign of her. Anxiety mounted. Wild thoughts of someone kidnapping her and all sorts of things flashed through his mind, driving him near crazy.

Realizing that he couldn’t stay like this, Ian expanded the search area. His formal suit became a burden soaked in sweat. He threw his jacket aside and continued his frantic search.

Suddenly, he remembered the old annex Melissa used. With a sliver of hope, he rushed there and found Melissa sitting despondently in front of the dark small building.

“Mel!”

“…”

She did not lift her bowed head at his voice. Ian felt his chest tightened painfully.

Having initially wanted to distance himself from her, Ian now felt his throat sear as it seemed she was rejecting him.

“…Mel?”

Ian approached cautiously and knelt beside her, gently grasping her shoulder. Only then did he realize she was crying.

“Mel, what’s wrong?”

While he had seen her cry before, something about it this time made his heart feel like it was sinking.

“…Duke.”

Melissa called in a tear-choked voice as she finally looked up. Her face was thoroughly wet and distorted. Ian was lost for words at the sight.

Her reddened eyes, lips swollen from chewing, tip of the nose that was bright red from tears…it was so pitiful that he sighed.

She continued with tears streaming down her face.

“Why, why- didn’t you tell me?”

“…”

“Just a word, you could have just told me…”

Melissa was struggling to understand. Or rather, she didn’t want to understand.

“Today was the succession ceremony… even if we couldn’t go together, you could have told me!”

Melissa’s voice grew frantic, her emotions spilling over uncontrollably, her misery crossing the line.

“Huuh, I, gave birth to, Diers. Uhh, He’s, the Duke, and my, son! And here I am, like a fool, waiting ignorantly in my room… Uhh…”

She burst into childish tears. She felt sad for Ian keeping his distance and resentful towards the nanny who took Diers away, but above all, she despised her own predicament.

Bound to stay until the contract expired, she felt like a mere outsider.

Ian didn’t know what to say in response. He wanted to comfort her immediately, but he couldn’t accept what she was saying.

From the beginning, their arrangement had been a contract marriage. They were spouses in name only, not in truth. So he didn’t have to meet her demands

It was as if she was throwing a tantrum over something that wasn’t even part of their agreement.

In fact, Ian wanted to hold Melissa in his arms, to soothe her upset heart and listen to her quivering voice.

Despite the pounding he felt in his heart, the warmth in his face, his mind grew colder.

No, it was an emergency. His mind was screaming red alerts, warning him that he needed to distance himself from her, his Omega. Crossing that line would lead to consequences he couldn’t afford.

Ian gritted his teeth so hard that a faint grinding noise echoed quietly. It was a small sound that was lost beneath her sobs.

He spoke emotionlessly.

“Is there really a reason I should report everything to you? You should be well aware when you signed the contract.”

“….huh.”

Ian reached out as Melissa just sobbed more intensely. He gently wiped her tears with his thumb and spoke with icy and rational words.

“Melissa, you came to me to avoid marrying the Marquis, didn’t you? Then let’s ignore something as minor as this. Don’t cause worry for everyone in the middle of the night like this.”

Melissa couldn’t find any words to counter his thoroughly reasonable argument.

“Get up. It’s very late. If you have more to say, I’ll listen tomorrow.”

He took her by the shoulders and helped her to her feet. As Melissa staggered up, she desperately clutched Ian’s arm.

She was frightened by his clear determination to set boundaries. Believing that if she did nothing now, the future would not change, she finally revealed a half-truth she had long concealed.

“I love you…”

Her words stopped Ian in his steps. Melissa gripped his arm with both hands and confessed again.

“I love you, Ian…”

The sweet yet dangerous confession permeated his ears once more, as if he had misunderstood her the first time.

She had finally said her love out loud. The feelings that had grown too large were now only partially expressed through her small lips, leaving her feeling sad.

Thus, she confessed again to Ian, who was just standing there frozen.

She wanted to do it many more times.

“I’ve loved you for a very long time. Maybe since the day we first met.”

“…”

“I didn’t even realize my own feelings. I tried not to be greedy. I thought you were too different from me, someone far beyond my reach.”

As Melissa continued her heartfelt confession, her emotions heightened, whereas Ian seemed to calm down, as if trying to erase his initial shock.

This made her even more anxious. Thus, she clung to his arm like a lifeline, beginning to pour out everything she had cherished inside.

Looking back, it seemed that what started as a confession had turned into an insistence.