We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 211

Although Ian felt pleased to have her here, he also became worried as he sensed her gaze lingering on him. The scars didn’t bother him much, but he couldn’t help but wonder if they might make her uncomfortable.

“Why have you come back after so long? Dia has been asking for you a lot.”

“….”

“Of course, I’m not forcing you. But when you have the time, please visit Dia.”

Of course, it would be ideal if she came to see him as well, but he set aside his greed and continued speaking.

“Dia’s pronunciation has really improved recently. He used to say Mom in a babyish way, but now he can say it clearly. But I miss the way he used to say it. It was so cute when he said it like that.”

Even though she didn’t answer, Ian kept talking, eager to fill the silence. After all, it had been so long since they had spoken, and he wanted to make the most of their time together.

As he talked about little things, she quietly observed him, studying the side of him that she had turned away from.

“…Oh, the mansion is a bit chaotic these days, but I think it’s more stable than before.”

Ian couldn’t hide his frustration. He had run out of things to say, and now he was just wondering when she would leave and when he would see her again.

He secretly wiped the sweat off his hands on his pants as he waited for her response.

“Will your leg never fully recover?”

“Ah, Mel…”

“I just want you to be honest with me. Tell me what your condition is.”

“It’s not that serious.”

“Can’t even a healer fix it?”

“….”

He couldn’t answer. If she found out that he had refused treatment out of stubbornness, she might look at him with disdain again.

“Or, if you’ve already seen a healer…”

Melissa thought of Olivia. Olivia’s potions were reputed to be effective, and she wondered if perhaps a healer had been unable to help because of something beyond ordinary means.

“I know someone who makes potions. They’re very skilled. If you haven’t found another solution, I can introduce you.”

Ian could no longer lie to her. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke softly.

“I haven’t called a healer.”

“If you know no one, I can introduce you.”

“….It’s not that, I didn’t call on purpose.”

“Why not?”

Melissa felt angry for a moment. What stubbornness was he clinging to? She couldn’t let it slide anymore.

“If you care about Dia, you shouldn’t be doing this.”

“…I’m sorry, Mel.”

“You don’t owe me an apology, you owe it to our child.”

“….”

“The reason I came today was because I have something to talk to you about. There was something more urgent.”

It was not just about Adella. Melissa had become fully aware of the situation after seeing Diers’s actions today.

When she arrived at this decision, her uncertainty faded, and it became firm. She looked directly into his golden eyes, which gleamed with a strange desire.

“Before we solve the problems of the past, we need to secure the children’s safety. For that, your recovery must come first. That’s where we need to start.”

“…The children?”

At Melissa’s words, Ian’s heart seemed to race. The image of the child he had seen once before flashed in his mind. He had no doubt that it was his child, but because Melissa had adamantly denied it, he had held back his feelings.

“Yes, now that we’re on the same starting line, I won’t hide it any longer.”

“Mel…”

“So, you tell me everything too. Only then can we start over.”

At her words, Ian swallowed hard. He was so nervous that he could barely bring himself to speak.

After a long silence as he had stared at Melissa, Ian finally spoke

“I don’t know where to begin, but the first thing I need to tell you is…”

His voice lacked confidence, and he hesitated as he rose. His body, looking uncomfortable and strained, bent deeply at the waist.

“I’m really sorry for causing you an irreversible wound.”

“…I’ll accept it.”

At her response, Ian slowly lifted his head. His expression was full of shock. He stared at her, his face contorting, and tears began to fall in thick drops.

Without any shame, he knelt in front of her, step by step, and grasped at the hem of her dress. His hands trembled as he held onto it, as if he was holding her hand, bowing his head with desperate sincerity.

“Thank, thank you. For forgiving me… really…”

Starting with his trembling hands, she could see him more clearly now. Melissa noticed scars she hadn’t seen before. There were the red burns on his neck and chest, the severely bent back, and finally, his oddly twisted legs.

If anyone else, let alone a noble, had to endure such shame, they would likely crumble, but Ian continued as though nothing was wrong. Perhaps it was because he had seen this, and that’s why Diers had copied it.

Their mistakes were theirs to bear alone, but despite not intending it, they had inevitably impacted their children, and she had to accept that.

If one were to judge them simply as good or bad parents, they would certainly fall on the bad side.

Melissa didn’t want to talk to him just because she didn’t want to be a bad parent. It began with the guilt over their children, but more than that, she wanted to be honest with herself.

Yes, at one point, she loved him. Though their marriage was a contract marriage, they had had a child out of love. Trying to erase the past inevitably meant losing something in the present, and she couldn’t abandon those she loved just to silence the turmoil within her.