Chapter 10
Yuria's question hung in the air, her voice light and teasing as always when it was just us. Zach let out a small, almost involuntary murmur. "No. There's no way."
Common sense said it was impossible for a person to come back from the dead. Zach had always figured it was the kind of superstitious nonsense only the ignorant or the devout believed. Even the Church whispered about such things in hushed tones, but he dismissed it outright. And besides... Yuria was a mage. She had to know better than anyone that resurrection wasn't something the universe allowed.
He replayed her words in his mind. "You. You think that woman came back from the grave?"
Yes. Yuria hadn't claimed she had seen a ghost or a miracle. She had simply asked if Zach believed it. He understood now. She was testing him, watching his reaction, trying to see whether he was caught in some delusional fantasy. That made perfect sense. She had seen the woman herself... the pale skin, the golden eyes, the unmistakable resemblance. It wasn't a stretch to assume she thought Zach mistook Evelyn for Yuria. Almost too logical to be coincidence.
Zach threw his head back and laughed, the sound raw and genuine. "What a ridiculous thing to say. People resurrecting? Come on."
Then why the obsession? Why cling to someone who was dead? Was he that broken, that delusional, that he couldn't tell the living from the dead?
He shook his head. "I take full responsibility. I cheated on you. So I'll give you everything in return."
"Explain it to me! How many times do I have to ask?! Explain!"
Evelyn's voice cracked like thunder, raw and furious. The sound tore through him; his ears rang. He dropped his gaze, unable to meet her eyes. Why refuse divorce? He already knew the answer. He just didn't want to say it aloud.
He had betrayed her as a husband. He had been unfaithful. If the scandal spread, people would point fingers at her too. He had promised to surrender everything she wanted. He had even offered his research institute. And yet she still wanted the divorce. Why?
His own words echoed back to him. If she had been angry over the institute, over more conditions, he could have understood. But her rage was aimed at the divorce itself. There was only one reason he could think of... and it terrified him.
Zach nodded. "Evelyn, do you love me?"
If anyone else had heard that question, it would have been laughable. Why ask a wife if she loved her husband? But Zach had to know. He had to be certain.
"Evelyn, did you marry me because you loved me? Or did you change your mind after the wedding? Do you still love me?"
The absolute finality in his voice made Evelyn's jaw clench, the bones shifting under her skin. Her brows furrowed deeply. The wine was hitting her now. Heat bloomed across her cheeks, her body warming despite the winter night outside.
Click. She clenched her teeth twice, swallowing the saliva that had gathered in her mouth. Drinking ruined a mage's clarity. The proof was right in front of her now.
Crash!
Evelyn hurled the bottle at the wall. Glass shattered everywhere, the remaining liquor spilling across the floor in a glittering mess. The shards caught the chandelier light and threw it back in fractured purple reflections, almost beautiful in their destruction.
Zach held his breath. This was the first time he had ever seen her lose control. The memory made her power surge into his mind. A sixth-circle mage. Master among masters. She had studied every branch of magic, not just combat. She was a true warrior in her own right.
The room fell into an unnatural silence, their breathing the only sound left.
Evelyn spoke softly, dangerously. "Do you think I love you?"
Bang!
She slammed her heel down with all her strength. The floor cracked beneath her.
"Never! Not even a little! You are nothing but dust to me!"
Then why...
Jeremiah! Jeremiah! Jeremiah!
Zach's surname. His family name.
What I need isn't anything else. That name. I want to be nobility!
Veins bulged on Evelyn's neck as she screamed, her voice raw. But Zach struggled to understand. Being noble meant something special. A wall separated nobility, gentry, and commoners. And yet... if Evelyn was already a sixth-circle mage, and she had the institute to boot, why couldn't she simply find another way?
Was the Jeremiah name truly that exceptional? It carried weight in magic circles. The Jeremiah family had run their research institute for generations. But it wasn't an ancient magic lineage like the ones that ruled entire houses. Evelyn was already a genius at sixth-circle level. What could that name buy her that she didn't already have?
Then why? Why was she willing to risk everything just to keep the divorce?
Evelyn seemed to be about to say more, but something made her stop. She leaned her head against the wall, eyes half-closed, breath finally slowing. The fight had drained her. She wasn't even a heavy drinker. She had emptied an entire bottle in one fit of rage. It was no wonder she had passed out.
Zach quickly cleaned the mess, then gently lifted her and placed her on her bed. He left her there and stepped back into the hallway. The cold winter wind clawed at his skin, but he felt no chill. He walked toward the inn where Yuria waited.
Late as it was, Yuria was still waiting exactly as he expected. She had clearly heard his footsteps and stood ready at the door. She had stayed awake the entire time.
Zach blinked in surprise. "You weren't asleep?"
"I couldn't sleep all day. And with you? Not a chance. My husband was out meeting another woman!"
Yuria's tone was playful, but there was no real worry in it. She was still teasing, still pretending. She believed this was the last night of his marriage. She was right... for now.
Zach stepped inside. The door let in a gust of icy air that made the room feel colder. Yuria shivered, but her eyes still sparkled with curiosity. "Did you finish the talk? How did it go?"
He had gone home to close the deal on the divorce. Yuria had waited up for the result. She was both excited and scared to hear the truth.
"It didn't go well."
Yuria tilted her head. She had expected him to list conditions, to name the exact date, anything. But divorce was still on the table?
He sighed. "She said the name Jeremiah was what she needed most. More than the institute."
Yuria's eyes widened. "What? A sixth-circle mage? She had the institute too!"
He nodded. "I know. But she refused anyway."
Yuria felt something off in his story. It was strange. He had offered the institute. Divorce was being refused. Either he was lying... or Evelyn wanted something else from him.
Zach stepped fully into the room. The cold air followed him, raising goosebumps on his arms. Yuria hugged herself lightly. "Did she say why? What she wanted? What exactly did she say?"
Zach shook his head. "Don't worry. It will be fine."
Yuria wanted to scream. She had so many questions. She wanted every detail of the conversation replayed in his voice. But she knew it was pointless. He wasn't going to give it to her.
Still... what if? What if Evelyn had feelings for Zach? What if the marriage was only transactional and she was about to change her mind?
She forced a smile and poked his chest with her finger. "So the married man is out here playing around while I'm left at home."
Zach smiled faintly, the corner of his mouth lifting. "I really am a terrible person."
Yuria laughed. "You used to say you liked good, honest people. But now... you like bad people. Worse is better."
Zach chuckled softly. "I suppose I am."