MBO - Chapter 18

The bleeding stopped on the fourth day. After expelling all the discharge, she felt it was truly over.

At Heiner's request, the doctor reviewed Annette's medications. The doctor's expression as he examined the medications was not particularly favorable.

"Um... Cinnazel is a drug prohibited for early pregnancy. Usually, when prescribing, pregnancy is definitely mentioned. Has your doctor ever mentioned the possibility of pregnancy? The symptoms you mentioned are common in pregnant women... and your periods also stopped."

“I don’t really mean that...”

"Hmm, I see. First, I'll prescribe you this and another tranquilizer. The effects will be gentle and long-lasting."

Annette nodded once. The doctor, having written something on a piece of paper, handed her a prescription.

"And taking too much medication can actually cause medication overuse headaches. This applies to headache medications as well. Don't exceed the dosage and duration indicated here."

"Yes."

She knew she'd been taking medications prohibited for pregnant women, but surprisingly, she felt nothing. More precisely, her thinking was a bit off, as if something was wrong.

Even as the doctor, who had explained the medications she would be taking, left the room, Annette still couldn't pull herself together.

“...Doctor.”

Heiner's cracked voice broke the silence.

“Let’s change doctors.”

Annette slowly turned her head and looked at Heiner.

Their eyes, with their different temperatures, met. Heiner stared at her motionless, as if he wasn't even breathing.

After a while, Annette slowly shook her head.

“There’s no need for that.”

“You’ve been to several checkups, and he hasn’t noticed that you’re pregnant...”

"It's okay."

“What do you mean, okay?”

Heiner asked in a somewhat sharp tone. Beneath his neat face, a faint tinge of anger flickered. It was an unfamiliar expression.

Annette thought he was overreacting a little. She genuinely didn't care what happened. She didn't need a doctor anymore anyway.

“It just doesn’t really matter...”

“So what are you saying, it doesn’t matter, anyway?”

Annette swallowed the sigh that threatened to escape.

She really didn't want to fight Heiner anymore. It wasn't because she was worried about her relationship with him; it was just that she was tired of wasting her mental energy on meaningless arguments.

“Why do you care?”

Annette turned her head, rubbing her temples, which were starting to ache.

“...If you’re going to change it, then change it. You’re going to do it your way anyway.”

Her voice was filled with exhaustion. Heiner's lips remained firm, his words silent. His gaze, difficult to read, rested on Annette's face.

The pocket watch's second hand ticked steadily. A silence, like inertia, hung between them. After a long pause, he spoke.

“Dr. Arnold is examining not only you, but also me and the servants of the residence, and I do not wish to employ anyone incompetent or dishonest... Without regard for you.”

The voice was softer than before. Annette nodded absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on the edge of the bed.

The tense atmosphere gradually calmed down.

“...Annette.”

Heiner hesitated for a moment and then called her softly.

"I'm truly sorry that you've had to go through this. Truly. Those responsible for this will be held accountable, both legally and morally."

'Regret...'

The words sounded incredibly strange. Heiner was speaking as if he were offering consolation to someone else who had nothing to do with him.

Annette let out a laugh without realizing it. She almost wished she hadn't said anything.

At least she could have had the stupid consolation that he was taking this as his own business.

How much should she expect, and how much should she be disappointed? She's been so utterly disappointed in him for the past three years that she thought she had nothing left to hope for.

Regret.

It's a pity.

Annette couldn't even begin to grasp how to accept this cheap sympathy. She wanted to despise him, then get angry, then finally, everything felt empty.

He was the kind of man who, even if she died, would say, "What a pity," with an unchanging expression on his face. Or, perhaps, he would feel relieved.

Instead of questioning him, Annette chose to change the subject.

“...When will I be discharged?”

“Whenever you want.”

“I want to do it as quickly as possible.”

"You still need more stability. The psychological counseling isn't over yet..."

"I told you there was no need for a consultation. And call the doctor to the official residence."

Annette spoke stiffly. Her voice was even colder than when she had discussed divorce.

For the past three years, Annette hadn't given Heiner even a single command. She'd only been anxious not to offend him in the slightest.

Despite her past as one of the wealthiest people in the capital, Annette was not able to manage even one servant with ease.

So, calling them to the official residence was something only she would have said in the past.

“...”

“Why not?”

“...I’ll take action.”

Heiner responded belatedly. His eyes were fixed on Annette's fingers. Annette followed his gaze, lowering her head. A chilling voice descended from above.

“Where did the ring go?”

Annette didn't understand what he was saying for a moment.

"... Yes?"

"Ring."

Heiner nodded at her ring finger. Annette belatedly said, "Ah." Her left ring finger was empty.

'Should I make an excuse that I left it out because it was uncomfortable?'

But since she had already requested a divorce, there was no need to make excuses. After a moment of hesitation, Annette calmly responded.

“I just took it off.”

"Just?"

“It’s meaningless now.”

Annette expected Heiner to question her. Lately, he'd been quite sensitive to her every move.

But unexpectedly, Heiner said nothing more. He stared blankly at her empty ring finger, then quickly turned his head away.

“...Please rest.”

***

The doctor said it was fine to discharge her immediately. The gunshot wound wasn't serious, and she was almost completely recovered.

The discharge proceedings proceeded quickly. The miscarriage remained undisclosed, but the circumstances of the incident and the hospital where she was staying were detailed in the newspapers.

"There was no way I could stop him from reporting the incident," Heiner said as an excuse. But Annette had never thought he would bother with her in the first place.

'Is being attacked by the public different from actually being threatened?'

Annette thought numbly and put on a black-brimmed hat. With her dress and shoes all black, she looked like a woman going to a funeral.

Annette pulled back the curtains slightly. The shadows of raindrops clung to the windowpane, and the light, dotted with the shadows of the raindrops, fell on the back of her hand.

Outside, a steady rain was falling. Round umbrellas were milling around at the hospital entrance. They were reporters who had come to see her.

A cold gaze swept over them. A knock came from behind the hospital room door. Annette, still looking out the window, answered.

"Yes."

The door creaked open. A low, unfamiliar voice rang out from behind.

“All the luggage has been moved to the car. Let’s go.”

Annette finally released the curtain he was holding. The curtain hem obscured the window, allowing pale rays of light to pass through.

She turned, picked up the bag on the bed, and left the hospital room. Four attendants immediately followed her, both in front and behind.

“Even if reporters come swarming around, don’t say anything.”

Heiner, who was walking alongside her, suddenly whispered softly. Annette raised her head and looked up at him.

"Because they're desperate to get a single piece of the action. Don't even give them a simple answer."

Because of the difference in eye level, Annette could only see his jawline and the firm lines of his mouth. Under the bluish hallway lighting, he looked like a large ghost.

“Do you understand?”

“...I understand.”

Annette bowed her head again and muttered her answer.

A chilling silence hung over the entire ride down the VIP elevator. Annette lowered the black veil attached to her hat. Her fingertips trembled slightly.

The elevator reached the first floor, and its beeping sounded. As she passed through the corridor and entered the lobby, everyone in the building's office turned their attention to her.

The lobby, now eerily quiet, felt strangely alien. Annette focused on the act of walking steadily, her eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes. The sound of her heels echoed desolately.

The attendant ahead reached out to the entrance door. Annette's shoulders stiffened with tension and fear.

The moment the door opened, the sound of rain and a chaotic commotion washed over them. Camera flashes crackled through the raindrops.

“It’s out!”

“Turn on the lights!”

“Please look this way just once!”

“Is it Madam’s wish that the medical records be kept confidential?”

“They say this attack was caused by resentment. Do you have any idea why?”

“Are there no intentions of interviewing at all?”

The questions, thrown like a scream, pierced her ears. The press swarmed, and the attendants blocked them. Thin, bony joints sprouted on the back of Annette's hand, clutching her bag strap like a lifeline.

Heiner stood guard, almost embracing Annette. His familiar scent wafted heavily against her nose. But Annette felt no sense of security.

At one time, she had hoped that this large embrace would protect me. But now that she thinks about it, it was impossible for him to "protect" her in the first place.

What if you just covered both of my eyes so I couldn't see anything?

Broken lightbulb shards crunched underfoot. Each camera flash made a popping sound.

“...Are you acquainted with each other?”

“...During the statement...”

"...ma'am!"

In the midst of the commotion, a sharp voice suddenly pierced her ears.

“Madame Valdemar!”

Previous                Next