The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 42

Although they hadn’t seen each other often due to his recent busyness, it had never been this long since their last meeting. Tears welled up in her eyes from the joy and relief.

 

A warm hand gently patted Shailoh’s head. “I heard the news. Congratulations.”

 

“No, it’s just the beginning.” Feeling shy, Shailoh released the hug.

 

Caleb, who habitually tapped her nose, wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Shall we go inside?”

 

“I’ll make some tea.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

With a pleased smile, Doris tactfully excused herself. As they entered the living room together, the room was filled with sunlight. The two of them sat side by side on the couch. Shailoh leaned her head on her lover’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

 

“Summer will be here soon.”

 

“…Yeah, it will.”

 

The brief silence felt awkward. Before Shailoh could look up, sensing the discomfort, Caleb naturally changed the subject.

 

“By the way, I was worried. You never really discussed with me what you were going to do about Claire’s situation.”

 

“That’s true. I had been preparing all along, but the situation changed so rapidly that I didn’t have a chance to talk openly about it.”

 

Shailoh nodded willingly. Ever since they had connected, they shared almost everything and discussed it together. She fully understood why he felt hurt and worried.

 

“I’m glad it worked out, but it was half a gamble. That kind of approach isn’t right. It could have been disastrous for both you and Baroness Boris.”

 

“I’m sorry. I had no other choice. It won’t happen again.”

 

“Just a simple apology won’t— Sasha?” Caleb, who had been pretending to be stern, paused at the soft sensation on his cheek. Shailoh, who had kissed his cheek, climbed onto his lap and kissed his forehead in quick succession.

 

“I’m sorry, Caleb.”

 

“…Sasha.” Caleb narrowed his eyes, looking at her like a cat trying to smooth things over with a playful gesture after causing trouble. “You think this will make me forget it?”

 

Next were his lips. Shailoh gave him a quick peck and cupped his sharp jawline. “Liar. You’re not mad anymore.”

 

“…”

 

Their foreheads touched. Shailoh traced her hand over his sculpted face from up close. His eyelashes were longer and fuller than a woman’s, his nose high and perfectly chiseled, and his lips as rosy as if crushed rose petals had been applied.

 

“It’s still not enough.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

Suddenly, his hand slipped under her dress and gripped her hip tightly, almost to the point of bursting. The sensation was more tantalizing than painful, and she let out a shallow breath as he captured her lips again. He entwined his tongue with hers, holding her captive.

 

“Hmph… Mmm…”

 

Without a moment to breathe, Shailoh pushed against his solid shoulders. But like a predator with its prey caught in a trap, he didn’t let go of the meal that had come to him willingly.

 

Shailoh was finally released after her lips had been captured for quite some time.

 

“Haa…”

 

A thin string of saliva stretched and broke between their lips. Despite the intensity of the kiss that left her lips sore, Caleb licked his lips with a look of dissatisfaction and pulled Shailoh closer to him. At the same time, their intimate parts touched. Realizing what was pressing against her, Shailoh blushed like a ripe tomato.

 

“Ca-Caleb.”

 

“You were the one who provoked me first, Sasha.”

 

“But…” Shailoh, who was about to protest, suddenly relaxed the hands that had been pushing him away.

 

“Even if you dream of revenge, live fully in the present. The present won’t come again, Shailoh.”

 

Olivier’s sincere advice echoed in her mind. She couldn’t afford to be embarrassed about being with him forever, not knowing when or how her revenge would end.

 

“Sasha?” Caleb called her worriedly, surprised that Shailoh, instead of pulling away, nestled into him willingly. When he lifted her chin, her face was still bright red.

 

“It’s… daylight now.”

 

“Does that mean…”

 

“I want to be with you, Caleb.”

 

A radiant smile bloomed in her wide green eyes like flowers. Caleb, who had been unresponsive for a moment, placed his hand on her cheek. His touch was as gentle as if he were handling a treasure. Though this kind of skinship was nothing new, it somehow brought tears to her eyes.

 

“Did I ever tell you, Sasha?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Actually, I’m more of a dog person than a cat person.”

 

At Caleb’s sudden and random comment, Shailoh tilted her head in confusion. Caleb, with a faint smile, gently caressed her earlobe.

 

“But lately, I think I prefer cats. It takes time to tame them, but once you do, they only have eyes for their owner.”

 

What was he talking about? Shailoh blinked, unable to grasp his meaning. Just then, something fell out of her pocket with a soft thud.

 

“This is…”

 

“Caleb!”

 

Startled, she jumped up to pick it up, but Caleb was quicker. As he picked up the card, his expression subtly changed. “An invitation to an engagement party. And it’s tonight.”

 

“Caleb… Well, it’s not mine.” She reached out to snatch the card back, but it was too late. Flustered, Shailoh hid it behind her back. “Olivier received it, and I accidentally took it. I’m going to return it.”

 

“No, Sasha.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Caleb shook his head and smiled warmly, as if it was no big deal. “Go ahead and attend.”

 

“What do you mean? Are you mad?”

 

“Do I seem like such a petty man?” Caleb asked in return, pulling her onto his lap. Unlike the position they were in just moments ago, they now sat side by side, facing forward like stacked spoons.

 

“It doesn’t make sense otherwise. You know who the main characters are and who will be there.”

 

“You can’t hide forever. It’s impossible to keep your identity a secret indefinitely.”

 

“Still, isn’t this a bit sudden?”

 

Caleb was right, but it was all happening too quickly. It felt like being thrown into battle without any time to prepare.

 

“They’ve probably already caught on to some extent. Even if you managed to silence Claire Elton.”

 

“…”

 

Shailoh’s eyes wavered. She hadn’t completely dismissed the possibility, but she had hoped to ignore it.

 

Caleb drove the point home. “Deep down, you know it too. We’re talking about one of the three duke families. They couldn’t hold their position without some sense of what’s going on.”

 

“And they’re just going to let it happen?”

 

“They can’t be too sure either. From their perspective, you’re still an unpredictable wild card.”

 

It made sense. Shailoh listened intently to his words. Suddenly, a saying crossed her mind. “The best defense is a good offense…” Murmuring to herself, Shailoh nodded in understanding. “You mean strike first before they make a move.”

 

“Exactly. That’s my clever Sasha.” Caleb kissed the top of her head as he explained. “While they’re testing the waters, you need to take the initiative. At least in front of others, they won’t be able to threaten you, and you need to show that you’ve gathered allies on your side.”

 

The time spent as a singer and in social circles wasn’t just a cover for her identity. As intended, she had built her reputation through countless rehearsals and performances, steadily forging connections. Except for the group that had turned against her after gossiping about Olivier, she had maintained good relationships with others.

 

“The Diponz family… They rule like gods in their own territory, but they don’t come to the capital social scene except during the social season, so their influence isn’t that widespread yet.”

 

“So the sooner you act, the better. You need to warn them not to mess with you recklessly. Your appearance is the only evidence that you’re Shailoh. And the only ones who remember that are the people from the Diponz family. They’ve searched everywhere but still haven’t found you, so they probably think you’re dead.”

 

It was a dangerous position. She might have to risk her life. But if she didn’t step up now, things would only get more perilous.

 

Shailoh couldn’t keep her composure amidst the storm of events crashing down on her. Her heart pounded with tension and fear.

 

“Sasha.” As if reading her mind, a warm breath touched her delicate shoulder. Caleb, with his head resting on Shailoh’s shoulder, pulled her waist tightly towards him. “You’re not alone.”

 

“…You’re telling me to take a bodyguard as my partner, right? I understand.”

 

“No. I mean it literally.”

 

Shailoh turned her head, barely daring to hope.

 

“I’m going too. I was invited.”