No One Ever Loved Me - Chapter 35

“Josephine is a strict woman. She doesn’t let even the smallest slip of the tongue go unnoticed.”

Isla scoffed.

“Are you bragging because your dinner party didn’t fall apart?”

There had been plenty of chances for Isla to notice that I had changed.

Anyone remotely perceptive would have sensed something was off the first time we met at the Rosette estate.

Even someone with no sense at all should’ve realized, after seeing me at the dinner party, that they’d need to change their approach.

Perhaps I had overestimated Isla.

I thought she was a miniature version of Lady Rosette. But she was just a kitten, acting up under the illusion that her mother would always protect her.

“This is exactly why Edgar can’t relax around you,” I said quietly.

“Don’t drag the Count into this. Everyone knows he’s not the kind of man to sit around and talk about his feelings with you.”

Lady Rosette remained silent, quietly watching the exchange. It was only a matter of time before she took Isla’s side and put me in my place.

“Edgar just wants you to behave properly. If you don’t make a good impression on Josephine, what kind of future do you think awaits you?”

“Even without Countess Allegro, I’ll be fine. I can handle myself,” Isla declared confidently.

Lady Rosette’s eyebrow twitched.

Perhaps that was the minimum reaction of a mother realizing she had raised her daughter a bit too naïvely.

“Even if you don’t, I have Mother. She’ll find me the best husband. Right, Mother?”

Lady Rosette smiled and nodded, meeting her daughter’s expectations perfectly.

“Of course, dear. But things would be much easier if Cecilia gave you a little help.”

“I want to,” I replied, wearing a politely troubled expression as I looked at Isla.

“But I’m still in the early stages of getting close to Josephine. If you make a mistake, it could affect me too.”

Lady Rosette didn’t flinch.

Compared to Edgar, whose emotions always showed on his face, her calm composure was almost impressive.

“I understand, Cecilia.”

Her sweet, soft voice gently sliced open every scar Cecilia had once tried to bury.

“Countess Allegro must be very important to you. Right now, she’s your only real shield—the only thing keeping you in your position as Countess of Linton. And yet, even that impressive shield hasn’t managed to make Edgar give up Miss Elodie. Poor Cecilia… I wonder how afraid you must be, wondering when those divorce papers will finally arrive.”

Isla stifled a laugh behind her hand.

“This is exactly when you should be supporting your family. No matter what, Countess Allegro is still your blood. And Isla is your sister.”

The best actors don’t just say the right lines—they know how to say them.

“Isla, apologize to your sister.”

“Mother!”

Isla sprang up, visibly shocked.

“You came here to ask your sister for a favor, and this is how you behave? Did I raise you like this?”

“What did I even do?!”

But Lady Rosette’s sharp gaze quickly silenced her rebellion.

“…I’m sorry.”

It was hollow—apology in form, not in feeling.

“Our Isla may grumble on the outside, but you know how sensitive she is deep down. She’s just upset that you’re being cold to her, that’s all.”

Lady Rosette kindly explained the emotion Isla had left out of her apology.

I couldn’t see a trace of sadness in Isla, who was now sitting with her arms folded, slouched deep into the sofa.

“If we all become close with Countess Allegro, even Edgar won’t be able to look down on you anymore. I hear the two of you dine together every evening now. This is your chance, Cecilia. Show Edgar that the women of House Rosette aren’t to be taken lightly.”

At least one thing was clear—women from the House of Estas were not to be underestimated.

It was a lovely, artfully disguised manipulation.

By welcoming me into the warm circle of “family,” Lady Rosette was subtly saying, we won’t turn our backs on you in your time of need.

She seemed to believe Cecilia’s transformation was the result of an old wound that had festered and finally burst open.

Even if a wound bursts, the scar remains. And as long as it does, full healing is impossible.

She meant to keep pressing on it—picking at it—until phantom pain returned.

“Cecilia. We’re family. Your father may be gone, but I’m still your mother. And Isla is your only sister.”

If I were the kind of person with a cheerful temperament, I would’ve burst out laughing right then and there.

That’s how ridiculous it was.

These kinds of lies are usually taken as jokes.

“I’ll ask Josephine. But Isla will need to show that she’s making an effort.”

I was dry as desert stone, continuing the conversation without so much as a twitch of a smile.

“At the dinner party, Isla wasn’t exactly… graceful.”

“If your mental state were normal, you could’ve let it slide.”

Isla snapped back.

Lady Rosette smacked her daughter’s knee. The gesture was for show—purely performative.

I could see it. But Isla, not catching on, looked at her mother with wide, offended eyes.

“I’m fine with it. It’s Josephine who wasn’t pleased.”

“Cecilia, do you think Countess Allegro remembers Isla?”

Lady Rosette suddenly threw out a loaded question.

“Even if she was uncomfortable at the time, I’m sure she’s forgotten by now. Countess Allegro attends half a dozen events like your dinner party every month. I doubt she remembers minor annoyances for long.”

I had no good reply.

But I wasn’t about to fall silent and concede defeat either—so instead of answering, I deflected.

“You already asked Edgar. Why come to me too?”

Edgar was clearly under Lady Rosette’s thumb.

I had a vague suspicion it had something to do with Cecilia’s inheritance.

But if she already had leverage over Edgar, why bother coming to me?

“Oh, listen to me. I came here with something else in mind, but Isla got so excited I got swept up in her chatter,” Lady Rosette said, lifting her teacup—but she didn’t drink. It was deliberate. A pause to heighten tension and leave me waiting.

“You know Edgar’s out of the house for two weeks soon.”

She reached out her free hand toward me.

“I just came to check on you. Thought you might be feeling down. Some things… don’t get easier, no matter how many times you go through them.”

So, in the end, she was here to watch Cecilia bleed.

“Strange coincidence—the theater goes on a two-week break at the same time,” Isla chimed in, stabbing fruit with her fork like nothing had happened.

“If you’re just going to be alone with nothing to do, I’ll drop by often. I’d hate for you to be lonely.”

I stared at the fruit disappearing into Isla’s mouth.

It didn’t feel like she was eating fruit—it felt like she was feasting on Cecilia’s pain.

“If you had told me earlier, I could’ve cleared my schedule.”

“What schedule?” she snorted, laced with condescension. As if you have one.

“I need a new dress for Josephine’s boat party. I only have old jewelry, so I plan to buy some. Marchioness Federica also mentioned she’d like to see me again soon—I need a gift for her. With Edgar gone, it’s actually perfect timing to get everything done.”

Lady Rosette gave a faint, disapproving cough.

“Cecilia, are those really necessary expenses? Count Linton is a frugal man. If word spreads that you’re being extravagant, people will talk.”

“Exactly. Where’s the money even coming from? Even if Edgar gave you control over the household, it’s still his money, not yours.”

Lady Rosette pressed a finger to her temple.

“Stay out of it, Isla. The adults are speaking.”

“But that’s what you said, Mother. You said you were worried Cecilia might go overboard and bankrupt the Linton house.”

By now, I couldn’t tell whether Isla was on my side or her mother’s.

Apparently, Lady Rosette couldn’t either—she took several sips of tea in quick succession.

“Funny. Edgar complains that I don’t spend enough.”

I toyed with the sapphire ring on my finger as I spoke.

It was the one Penelope had procured for me before our visit to Marchioness Federica.

“What? Count Linton? Are you sure you didn’t mishear him?”

“He said I should spend more—for the family’s reputation. I don’t think I misunderstood.”

Jealousy flickered across Isla’s face.

The Rosette household wasn’t financially secure.

Whatever part of Cecilia’s inheritance had been hidden away seemed untouchable for now.

And yet Edgar had spent it freely. Hadn’t he paid off his father’s debts immediately after the wedding?

As her legal husband, Edgar had access to it. Lady Rosette, as only a stepmother, did not.

Perhaps the inheritance was still legally under Cecilia’s name, even now.

“Cecilia, are you listening to me?”

Lady Rosette’s annoyed voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“I’ll let Josephine know that Isla is coming. But I won’t be able to look after her. I’ll be staying near Josephine—I’m not confident enough to do both.”

Lady Rosette didn’t look pleased but said nothing more.

“Let’s just hope Isla doesn’t end up having to take care of you.”

“You’re the one who said we should act separately, so don’t come blaming me later,” Isla snapped.

Ever herself, even to the end.

Lady Rosette, her patience apparently worn thin despite her motherly affection, closed her eyes for a moment, then reopened them slowly.

“Have a new dress made for Isla.”

A small, deliberate jab as they gathered their things to leave.

“Don’t worry about the cost. The Linton estate will cover it.”

As soon as I said it, Isla exploded.

“This is a new dress!”

It was off-the-rack, clearly.

Perhaps Lady Rosette wanted to elicit sympathy by emphasizing their financial strain—but it felt good to repay that trick in kind.

“Josephine is quite particular. If you show up in ready-made clothing, she’ll introduce you to a man who matches that level.”

“You—!”

Isla pointed at me, furious.

“Are you insane? What’s wrong with you?! You talk back to Mother and now you’re insulting me? You might be Cecilia Rosette, but don’t forget—!”

I stood up slowly.

“I’m Cecilia, Countess of Linton. You are a baron’s daughter—whose future is entirely uncertain unless I decide to care.”

Lady Rosette’s eyes widened.

This time, even she couldn’t hide her reaction.

“So don’t ever speak to me like that again.”

I walked past them and out of the drawing room.

Outside, I found Sarah standing with her hand pressed to her chest.

“M-Madam…”

“Go see them off. You do like them, after all.”

I ignored Sarah’s gaping mouth and made my way to the study.

Josephine had told me she wanted to see action.

If I showed her results, she would not turn down my request.

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