Chapter 119: Veronica’s Identity
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 119: Veronica’s Identity
Mom sat there blankly, staring out the window. She was the only person in the vast living room.
Overjoyed to see her, I rushed toward her, but my excitement was quickly replaced by a sense of unease. Even from behind, it was painfully obvious that she was emaciated, looking like nothing but skin and bones.
Mom had always been on the thinner side, perhaps because she worried so much, but I had no memory of her ever being this gaunt.
My suspicion soon turned into a realization. I took a slow, careful look around the house.
Are we moving? There’s nothing left in the house.
As far as I could remember, we had never moved. At least, not since I was born. I had attended elementary, middle, and high school all in this same neighborhood.
That was why this place felt so familiar, even now when it was empty and desolate. It was a home we had lived in for a very long time.
Wait... is this after I died?
A chilling sensation crawled over my skin. Thinking of it that way, the situation began to make sense. My throat went dry as I noticed that even the family photo, which had always hung on the wall as a matter of course, was gone.
Mom...
Overcome with anxiety, I tried to get closer to her. But it was as if I had hit an invisible wall; I couldn't move forward past a certain point. Frustrated, I knit my brows and stared at my mother’s back.
“I should have done this sooner.”
“...!”
A small voice drifted through the empty living room. It was a voice that sounded utterly exhausted and hollow. I widened my eyes in shock; I had never heard Mom sound like this before.
“If I had... you wouldn't have pushed yourself so hard... and ended up like that all alone.”
Hearing the guilt-ridden tremor in her voice made my heart ache. Mom was grieving my death. She was drowning in a sea of bitter regret.
“Everything I did, thinking it was for your sake... in the end, it was all wrong.”
Mom whispered in a low voice, letting out a hollow laugh. Her words were empty, devoid of any strength. Watching her like this—a side of her I had never seen—filled me with dread.
One wall of the spacious living room was connected to a balcony, separated by a large window. Since nearly the entire wall was glass, opening the door led straight out to the open balcony.
Mom continued to mutter to herself, staring out toward it. Her body remained perfectly still, not moving an inch. When she used to talk to me, she was always so animated, her arms and legs constantly in motion as she chattered away.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Ji-ah.”
Mom...
“Mom is so, so sorry...”
Mom’s shoulders shook as she bowed her head. The sound of sobbing began to leak out. I couldn't see clearly from behind, but she was clutching something tightly to her chest. It was likely the one thing of mine she had kept—my last memento.
My death was just a simple accident. It wasn't her fault. And in all my life, I had never once resented her.
But it seemed Mom was being devoured by the guilt of not divorcing my father sooner and taking me away from that house. Even though I had understood and accepted her choices.
It couldn't have been easy for a divorced woman to raise a child alone back then. Even if there were other reasons, I respected her decision for that alone.
That was why I had been so obsessed with succeeding. I thought that if I did well, Mom could finally escape that house.
In the end, it had all been for nothing. I gazed at my weeping mother with bitter eyes. Her frail, bony back was seared into my vision.
“My daughter... it’s lonely and hard there by yourself, isn't it?”
Mom whispered in a small voice, looking down at whatever she was holding. Her voice was still thick with tears.
“Don’t worry. Mom will be there with you soon.”
“...!”
With those words, Mom slowly stood up. I watched in horror as she rose, her frame as thin as a dry twig.
No!
Mom walked forward slowly. The window leading to the balcony was wide open. She didn't stop; her footsteps were steady and unwavering.
Mom, please! No!
I screamed desperately, reaching out my hand. But I could never reach her. I could only watch helplessly as she disappeared from view.
Aaaah!
I couldn't bear to watch until the end and lowered my head. As I collapsed in despair, my eyes fell upon an old camera lying on the floor. It was a birthday present I had bought for her after saving up my allowance.
On the camera’s small screen, a photo of Mom and me smiling brightly was displayed. That happy image was so jarringly out of place with the current reality that it felt even more horrific.
Why? Why, of all things!
I slammed my fist against the floor and wailed.
What am I that you would give up on life just because I died? Why...
“Ugh... huff...”
I had never once thought about how Mom would live after my death. I had subconsciously suppressed it, not wanting to imagine her living a miserable life, nor wanting to imagine her being happy without me.
The reality was far more gruesome. It was a truth I had never even dared to imagine. I wept in despair, losing all track of time.
[Now you see, don't you? That I wasn't lying.]
“....”
The Archdemon appeared, speaking in a confident tone. I lifted my head and glared at him fiercely.
[But I didn't bring that soul here on purpose. It was simply drawn to your soul because of its intense longing.]
What?
[These things happen occasionally. When two souls are exceptionally bonded, one can follow the other and end up becoming entangled.]
Entangled?
I felt a surge of confusion at the Archdemon’s words.
I had entered Claudia’s body after she had already died. That was why the Archdemon said he had "brought" me here; he never mentioned souls being mixed.
On the other hand, Veronica had never died. She had been the daughter of the Duke of Winston since birth, and she was still alive when I possessed this body. But if my mother’s soul from the other world had followed me here...
[The child as she is now is a perfect fusion of two souls. Though she has no memories of her past life, her soul is indeed that of your mother. Both in that world and in this one.]
What are the chances of Mom regaining her memories?
[The probability is low, but it’s not impossible.]
The Archdemon tilted his head slightly at my question. Then, he gave a sly grin and asked:
[Why? Do you want me to make her remember?]
“....”
I hesitated for a moment. But soon, I shook my head.
No, there’s no need for that.
[Why not? Wouldn't it be better if your mother remembered you from your past life?]
There’s no need to make her relive those painful memories.
Objectively speaking, my mother’s past life had been an unhappy one. No, it definitely was. Even if I, her daughter, had been precious to her, it was undeniable that she had lived a miserable life.
In the end, she had even lost me, suffered through depression, and taken her own life. Bringing back those memories would only cause her more pain.
Having organized my thoughts, I stood up. I felt like I was at my mental breaking point, but I couldn't just stay still.
Why did you make me possess a body in this world? And what is this contract you made with the First Duke of Winston?
I asked in a sharp tone. The Archdemon let out a deep, amused smile.
Come to think of it, the Archdemon’s form, which had been blurry before, was quite distinct now. It was likely because we were inside an illusion of his making, rather than reality.
The Archdemon, Lucifel, was a tall man with long, flowing black hair. His ruby-red eyes, much like Winston’s, were striking. His skin was so pale it looked as though it had never touched sunlight, making him look like a vampire straight out of a novel.
[You really are the soul I chose. I quite like how you act so intelligently without being swept away by mere sentiment.]
Shut up and just answer my questions!
The Archdemon’s stunning appearance did absolutely nothing for me. I knew I was partly venting my anger, but I couldn't feel anything but resentment toward the being who had plucked me from death only to use me in a fictional world. If I hadn't been brought here, I would have forgotten everything and moved on to a completely different existence.
As I shouted, huffing with rage, the Archdemon simply nodded with his usual relaxed smile. He replied in a smooth, silky voice.
[Very well. We still have a little time, so I shall tell you everything you wish to know.]
“...!”
As soon as he spoke, the Archdemon snapped his fingers, and the space I was standing in transformed in an instant. I blinked, looking around in bewilderment.
This place is...
Soon, my eyes went wide as I spotted someone.