The news that Thomas was still alive had reached Barrett, including the fact that Vi had returned Thomas'' pension and the ie from the shops. However, he didn''t know that it was Vi''s family who had helped Vi repay everything.


    Since the assassination attempt and Vi''s questioning of his feelings for her, there had been very little conversation between them. After hearing about Thomas'' survival, Barrett hesitated for a long time before finally stepping into Grace Mansion. Vi was sitting on the couch, lost in thought. When she saw him enter with the light behind him, she froze for a moment. She almost called out the name of the person who had been on her mind constantly. When she realized it was Barrett, her face darkened.


    "I thought you''d forgotten where the entrance to Grace Mansion was. It''s rare to see you here," she said coldly.


    Barrett dismissed the maids before sitting down. "I heard about Thomas."


    Vi''s voice remained icy. "And what of it?"


    Barrett continued, "I know you''re disappointed in me and unhappy with my family. Now that Thomas is back, if he doesn''t mind that you were married before and you want to get back together, I can help make that happen."


    In a fit of anger, Vi hurled a teacup at him. "Barrett, you jerk! What do you take me for? Do you think I''m the kind of woman who switches loyalties at a whim?"


    Barrett didn''t move, letting the cup hit him. His expression turned uncertain, as if lost.


    "That''s not what I meant. I just feel my family has treated you unfairly. If there''s still a bond between you and Thomas, I''m willing to step aside."


    Viughed bitterly, her anger ring. "Step aside for me? It seems you''ve never seen me as your wife! If you had any sincerity at all, you wouldn''t be able to say such a thing."


    Her fury wasn''t directed entirely at Barrett. If this conversation had taken ce before Zoey had made her return the pension and the shops, she might have been pleased to hear Barrett say he would let her go.


    Lately, she had been recalling her time with Thomas. Comparing it to her current life with Barrett, there was no contest.


    Moreover, Valor Estate was nothing more than a facade. The Warren family was destitute, barely surviving while supporting two entire branches of the family. All of their savings, shops, and estates had been sold off. If not for the fact that King Augustus had bestowed the estate to the Warren family, they likely would have sold that too.


    Barrett''s prospects were bleak. And with Aurora still living in the estate, there was always the looming threat of more assassins, keeping everyone on edge.


    But Thomas was different. He was originally a militarymander. Now that he had returned victorious, it was likely that he would be promoted and granted further honors.


    Yet, Zoey hadpletely crushed any hope Vi had. Now, she was stuck in the Warren family for the rest of her life.


    Covering her face, she began to cry. Who could understand the depth of her misery? Marrying Barrett had never been her choice. It was Natalie who had arranged the match, hinting that it was the king''s wish.


    How could Vi have refused?


    Seeing her cry so bitterly, Barrett let out a nearly imperceptible sigh of relief. Slowly, he walked over to her side and gently pulled her into an embrace.


    His eyes reflected a growing


    helplessness as he murmured,


    "Don''t cry. It''s my fault. I shouldn''t have asked you like that. It''s just When heard that Thomas was still alive, was afraid that you still had feelings for him. I... I guess was jealous."


    As he spoke, he awkwardly turned his head away, clearly ufortable with his own admission. "Jealous?" Vi was momentarily stunned.


    She pushed Barrett away, staring at the unnatural flush on his handsome face. Her heart tightened. "You''re lying! You don''t even like me. How could you be jealous?"


    Barrett looked down at her hand, then slowly took it in his. His gaze dropped as he let out a soft sigh.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "I don''t know why, either. But when I heard that Thomas was alive, I felt scared that you''d leave me. I didn''t want to hear you say the words to end our marriage, so I acted casually and came in to ask you." "Really?"


    Vi''s tearful eyes gradually


    brightened. Despite her disdain for


    the Warren family, she had once felt something for Barrett. If he could return her affection sincerely, she was willing to continue her life with him.


    Barrett avoided her gaze, and pulled her back into his arms. He softly asked, "Am I selfish? I hope you don''t think of me that way."


    Vi''s tears fell as she replied, "I''d rather you be a little selfish than treat me like a stranger."