“Well, you can say that Flora has nothing to do with you. Should I at least make room for you…”
Judging by Flora’s personality, she could have just pushed in.
“How about pretending not to know anything about it?”
That would be better.
There were times when doing nothing was the best answer. When I thought about it, when people tried to cut in between me and Gerald it ended with a bad result.
People were making comments about how I looked like a carrot and Gerald looked like a unicorn and we suited each other well. They told us that we looked like a couple that had good chemistry with each other.
Wait!
I’d never talked about my marriage problems to other people, even to those that I was close to.
I guess it was because I hadn’t yet chosen to do it.
They believed that my relationship with Gerald was great, and I wanted to tell them, “No, it’s not that… Actually…”
But in the end, I gave up and I ended up not wanting to talk about it.
They envied us, but I was more envious and jealous.
But maybe it was for the best. I didn’t want others to look at me pitifully. So, when I decided to go outside of my usual self in this life, I became more friendly and outgoing, acted like there were no problems going on in my life, and I want it to continue that way.
“That’s right. I think it’s better not to get involved with it.”
“Lulu?”
“Let’s have breakfast. I’m hungry.”
Even if our relationship was connected like a parallel line, the Gerald that was in front of me, and the Gerald in my past life, who married me, had nothing to do with it anymore.
If I think about it like that, I can continue to see him as a friend. It would be much better that way.
Soon after breakfast was ready, the maid came to pick us up. A breakfast with Gerald. How long has it been since then?
* * *
Gerald unbuttoned the top of his shirt, relieving the frustration he felt as he left the mansion. Still, he had managed to spend time with Louella this morning.
Something that used to be so natural back then. Now, nothing was natural at all. Gerald was definitely missing something else. A big factor and the reason why Louella’s heart continued to move farther and farther from his grasp, despite all of his attempts so far to try to get it back.
“Where do you want to go now?”
It wasn’t enough to just come out of the academy and hover around her. Something had to happen. Something had to be created to create an opening between him and Louella.
Gerald’s lips pursed in impatience.
Gerald only had eyes for Louella as he lived his life. Three lives at that, but there was no Louella at the end of the road, and he was not going to accept that.
Through the conversation they had at breakfast, he learned that Louella was attending the next reading session. Well then, all he had to do was follow her there.
The book they would read at that social book club gathering would be a little difficult for Louella. It was because it was not in her area of interest.
Maybe there’s an invitation to a reading group that came to his mother. Therefore, it was not difficult to join the meeting.
The Duke of Logan was also a prominent member of society.
* * *
Gerald was in a hurry to find Lois.
“Gerald, what’s the emergency? I’ve never seen you make that face before.”
“Mother, have you ever been invited to a reading of the Tree of Life** in a gathering?”
“Hmm? Tree of Life?*** It’s surprising to see that you’re interested. I’m sure I know more about that book club and reading that book than anyone else”
“…….”
“I’m an early member of the committee and I’m chairman of that club. It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”
Fortunately, the world seems to be trying to help Gerald in this chapter.
Gerald’s tension was relieved.
“What’s the matter?”
“Lulu is attending the meeting.”
“Lulu is interested in reading? If Lulu is interested, then I know that my son, Gerald, would be interested as well.” Lois smiled softly.
It was Lois who knew Gerald’s mind better than anyone else. Doesn’t he know how she felt about her child who was born with a mind that was so not easy to read?
Gerald has been only looking at Louella for a long time. For some reason, Louella was no longer looking at Gerald like that, though.
Lois sighed with regret. It won’t work if you forced a person to do something.
Gerald’s parents wanted to support him in everything that he wanted, but Louella’s heart was not something Lois could manipulate.
“Gerald, come here.”
Lois clasped Gerald’s hand.
“Did you talk to Lulu seriously?”
Gerald shook his head softly.
“It’s still too early, Mother.”
I had to first find out why Louella was trying to cut ties with me as a future husband, a lover, and just wanted to stay as friends. This was his last chance.
Without knowing Louella’s side, the breakup would easily be repeated once again.
That’s why Gerald was watching Louisa more carefully, holding his breath.