The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 23

“You should focus on your work, Doctor. I’ll assist you at the clinic and take care of what I can.”

 

“Even so, I won’t give you what you want.”

 

“Then I’ll just have to stay here.”

 

Shailoh postponed her singing lessons and visited his small clinic every day, taking on trivial tasks like cleaning. After ten days, the doctor finally surrendered to her persistence. She obtained a handwritten confession and a genuine statement about the matter from three years ago.

 

It was finally the moment for the truth to shine. Roderick, who had been silent, took the statement with a serious expression and began to read it. As he turned each page, the heavy atmosphere seemed to press down on the room. After a long while, he let out a deep sigh.

 

“… It’s true.”

 

“Sir Roderick.” With her hands clasped together as if in prayer, Shailoh continued to speak calmly. “I’ve heard of your upright and honest nature.”

 

“…”

 

“But at that time, the situation was too dangerous, and I was overwhelmed by what was happening to me. I couldn’t even think of visiting to plead my innocence. As a fugitive, it would have been difficult even to meet with Sir Roderick.”

 

The solution she found was to become a singer. Even if she managed to obtain an invitation through Caleb’s connections and wealth, only those with verified status could attend the gatherings of people who had held high positions. Moreover, to make her claims convincing, she needed to have some degree of influence and authority. If she were just a nobody claiming innocence and protesting her unfair treatment, no one would listen.

 

“If you have doubts about me, you can send someone to investigate my background. If you question my innocence, you can interrogate me as many times as you wish.”

 

“Have you considered appealing to the current chief of security?”

 

“The current chief of security was appointed by Duke Diponz. He would probably imprison me and proceed with a trial before even hearing me out. If that happens, I will be executed right away.”

 

After the death of the guild leader of the Grid merchant guild, Diponz’s family, who had been gradually seizing shares of the company under the guise of marriage, now boasted a familial alliance with Baron Elton, leaving their crumbling past behind. Roderick was probably the only and the last chief of security in the south who hadn’t been influenced by Duke Diponz.

 

“I’ve seen many heinous criminals. And now, I can somewhat tell the eyes of those who speak lies from those who speak the truth.”

 

“Sir Roderick…”

 

“Based on my long career as chief of security, I can be sure. You’re telling the truth. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come to my estate so boldly to confess. Moreover, you worked tirelessly for three years to become a singer and create this opportunity.”

 

The man, who at first seemed ready to shoot her on the spot, now believed in her truth and supported her. Shailoh felt a sting at the bridge of her nose and lowered her head. Even though it was just a small gesture, Roderick could see the hardships and emotional struggles she had endured, and he sighed sympathetically.

 

“However, there’s nothing I can do at the moment. I can provide a sheet of petition, but…”

 

“I’m not asking you to save me. I can save myself. I just need help with two things.”

 

“Help?”

 

“First, I need you to secretly investigate the merchant guild run by the Elton family. As a former chief of security, I’m sure you can do it without anyone noticing. Additionally…” Shailoh paused to catch her breath and then finished with a gentle smile. “Sir Roderick, you’re known throughout the kingdom, not just the South, for being honest and upright. So, just help me when I need it.”

 

“…I promise.”

 

Shailoh, her eyes brimming with tears, rose and knelt as if she might kiss the back of his hand. Alarmed, Roderick barely managed to stop her.

 

“It’s late, and you seem tired. You should go in now.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Shailoh bowed deeply once more to express her gratitude and left the room. She remained silent until she and Caleb exited Roderick’s estate.

 

The tense atmosphere, like a taut string, snapped the moment she got into the carriage. Shailoh burst into tears and threw her arms around his neck. “Caleb!”

 

“It went well, as expected, right?”

 

“Yes! He listened to me! He said he believes in me.”

 

Though the road ahead was still long, it felt like she had taken a step forward. What once seemed like an endless path now had a faint direction through the thinning fog.

 

“That’s a relief, Sasha.” Caleb gently lifted Shailoh into his arms, soothing her as she sobbed against him. Inside the jostling carriage, he tenderly kissed her forehead, her prominent nose, her flushed cheeks, lips, and even her chin, as if to comfort her complex emotions.

 

“Now, I need to continue gathering allies and prepare to stand in court… I’ll gradually approach the Diponz family to find a witness who can testify about that day. But first, I need to uncover Claire’s weakness.”

 

“Yes. I’ll help with anything I can. I’m glad to help.”

 

Caleb wiped Shailoh’s tears with his index finger, then cupped her cheeks and kissed her. As if seeking permission, his tongue gently licked her lips, and Shailoh willingly parted them. Unlike the cautiousness from moments ago, his tongue boldly entered, entwining with hers. The sensation of it exploring her teeth and teasing the roof of her mouth sent waves of excitement through her.

 

“I want more.”

 

As their lips parted, leaving a trail of silver thread, Shailoh grabbed his collar and pulled him closer. She recalled the overwhelming sensation that made everything else fade away. Back then, amidst the excitement, she had felt unfamiliar and scared, pushing him away. But not now. She wanted to feel something deeper. She wanted to experience that sense of unity and oneness, as if they were the only two people in the world. She wanted to be held tightly and loved.

 

“I want it too.”

 

“Ah!”

 

Caleb gently bit Shailoh’s neck without causing pain, his teeth grazing her skin. As she shivered from the sharp sensation, he soothingly licked the spot he had bitten. His hand moved down, brushing aside the hem of her dress and reaching her garter belt. Shailoh, eyes closed and head tilted back, surrendered to the rising waves of pleasure. It was then that it happened.

 

“Cough.”

 

“Caleb?”

 

Caleb, who had been caressing her thigh, turned his head and began to cough. Shailoh, initially unconcerned, quickly noticed the hand covering his mouth.

 

“Blood…?”

 

The heat that had been building inside her, making her feel feverish, vanished in an instant. As the coughing intensified, Shailoh’s face turned pale, and she frantically knocked on the window connected to the coachman’s seat.

 

“To the doctor! Take us to the doctor right now!”

 

The startled coachman turned the carriage around and headed to the doctor Shailoh had visited before.

 

“Caleb! Caleb, please stay with me, okay?”

 

His body, which had been wracked with coughing up blood, suddenly went limp as he lost consciousness.

 

“Mom!”

 

“Shailoh…”

 

The memory of a past encounter with death surged over Shailoh like a massive wave. Desperately holding onto the collapsing Caleb, she clung to his hand as if it were a lifeline.

 

* * *

“It’s poison. If you’d been even a little later, it could have been disastrous.”

 

The doctor, awakened from a deep sleep by the unexpected emergency, quickly grasped the severity of the situation and acted with calm efficiency. He administered medicine to induce vomiting, expelling the remaining poison, and then gave Caleb a sedative and an antidote in quick succession. With the nurse already off duty, Shailoh assisted the doctor with the emergency treatment and then collapsed, exhausted, into a chair by the bedside.

 

“He’s out of danger now… right?”

 

“Yes. But where were you coming from?”

 

“Well…” Shailoh, who had been about to respond, suddenly covered her face with both hands as a realization struck her. “Cale… I mean, Cal is the target, isn’t he?”

 

“Is there anyone who might hold a grudge?”

 

Her situation improving wasn’t something to celebrate because it meant someone knew his true identity. Caleb had risked his own safety to dedicate himself to her.

 

Shailoh’s shoulders shook as she fought back the tears threatening to spill. All she could do was hold his hand and not let go. That night felt like an eternity. She sat at the head of the bed, her heart weary, and stayed awake through the night.

 

The heavy silence in the bedroom was broken at dawn. The sound of the wind whistling was followed by the sudden opening of the door. A man entered without knocking, striding forward and kneeling by Caleb’s bedside.