To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 116

Thump. Her heart dropped. He had asked a similar question before.
Why was he saying this again? Did he recognize her? Or did he just want a father that badly?
If it was simply because he wanted a father, Noah felt like crying. Because Mr. White had died when he was young, he knew all too well the sorrow of growing up without a father.

“Why do you think that?”
“Isaac said so. He said Teddy’s dad is a magician.”

Teddy was a child gifted enough to recognize a magician at a glance. That must have been why his resonance with the source was strong enough to save Scarlett, who was on the brink of death.
To Noah, Teddy felt like a miracle. This lovely child had saved her. And just by existing, he brought overwhelming joy.

“Teddy, would you like it if I were your dad?”

Teddy was busy stacking blocks, building a wall to protect his dolls.
“……”
Teddy didn’t respond, too focused on his toys, and Noah felt like he was burning inside. He desperately wished the child would recognize him and hope he could be his father.

But he couldn’t force his feelings onto a young child. So Noah changed the subject.
“Teddy. Do you like magic?”

Only then did Teddy, who had been lost in play, lift his head. Just making eye contact with the child brought Noah deep relief.

“Yeah! Teddy likes magic! But Mom says I can’t use it. Carly is bad…”

Teddy pouted, and it was so adorable that the corners of Noah’s lips gently lifted into a smile. He didn’t even realize he was smiling.

“Mom said that for your sake, Teddy.”

Noah didn’t believe Scarlett would suppress her child without a reason. She had loved her nephew Isaac so dearly; she would only love her son even more.

Noah made a glowing butterfly appear in front of Teddy. Its shimmering blue wings flapped as it floated through the air.
A butterfly with yellow wings flew in front of Teddy’s wide eyes and landed on the tip of his nose.

Even though it was an illusion and shouldn’t tickle, Teddy still scratched his nose.
“Wow, you can do that too! Teddy likes butterflies.”

A vaguely shaped butterfly appeared and flew around, scattering glitter like gold dust. It was Teddy’s own illusion. That was how the butterfly looked to him.

Long antennae and wings that spread fairy dust… It was just a butterfly, but Noah felt a sudden wave of emotion swell in his chest.

Teddy looked at him with eyes full of anticipation, waiting for praise. Noah held back tears and gently patted the child’s head.
“Teddy, you’re really amazing. You can use magic too.”
“Yeah! Teddy can make butterflies!”

Finally satisfied, the child smiled. The moment their bright blue eyes met, Noah was struck again by the realization that this boy was truly his son.

It was no wonder. The child’s smiling face looked just like his. Like Noah before his face had changed from puberty.

Objectively, Teddy resembled Scarlett more. But even more than her, he looked like the ancestors Noah had seen back in Natalia.
Even so, whenever he saw a glimpse of himself in Teddy’s innocent face, Noah’s heart swelled. Emotion caught in his throat.

Noah tried not to cry as he lifted his hand from Teddy’s soft hair. The feeling of lingering affection clung to his fingertips.

“Mister, do another magic trick! Teddy wants to see more!”

Noah hesitated for a moment, then flicked his fingers. All around Teddy’s room, plants began to grow, transforming the space into a small garden.
A flower native only to Natalia tickled Teddy’s ankle. With wide eyes, Teddy grabbed a long branch stretching above his head.

“Ahahaha!”

Teddy’s clear laughter echoed in Noah’s ears. The boy, full of excitement, started swinging from a vine like one you’d see in a jungle, even letting out little screams.

He was so thrilled that his neck and ears turned bright red. Noah watched him with a proud smile.

“What about Scarlett?”

At that moment, a man’s voice came from outside the room. Noah’s expression instantly hardened. He knew that voice all too well.

“She took a sleeping pill and should be waking up soon.”
“She’s been through a lot. She’s much healthier now, but still not quite like a normal person, so I worry.”

Wilhelm was walking down the hall with Marie, talking about Scarlett and Teddy. Noah frowned at his appearance. Wilhelm felt like an obstacle between himself, Scarlett, and Teddy.

“By the way, what about Teddy? Oh, I get it. Judging by the laughter, he must be playing happily in his room. I should check on him first. He must have been really scared when Scarlett was sick…”

Footsteps approached.

Noah suddenly had the urge to take Teddy and run. He was terrified that he would lose Teddy too, just like he had lost Scarlett. The fear turned into blazing anger.

With trembling hands, Noah checked on Teddy, who was tumbling in the corner. Carrying the boy out quietly wouldn’t be hard for him.
He could take Teddy to Natalia, and later bring Scarlett there too. Yes, that’s all he needed to do…

“Bill?”

Teddy, lying on the floor after a tumble, suddenly heard Wilhelm’s voice and sprang up.
Before Noah could stop him, Teddy opened the door and dashed out.

“Bill!”
“Teddy—!”

The voice that had been full of concern for Scarlett just moments ago completely changed at the sight of Teddy.
Wilhelm scooped the boy up by the armpits and spun him around playfully.

“Kyaahahaha!”

Teddy shrieked with laughter.
“Teddy! How have you been?”
“Not telling!”
“You won’t tell me? Even if I do this?”

Wilhelm spun Teddy around in a circle. The boy laughed and shouted with the excited voice unique to little boys.
“Still not telling! Kyahahaha!”

Noah watched them through the slightly opened door.
Wilhelm and Teddy looked like a real father and son. There was no awkwardness between them. It was clear how much they cared for each other.

More than anything, Wilhelm’s affection for Teddy was unmistakable—so much that Noah’s jealousy felt pointless.
From his warm gaze to his gentle attitude and playful tricks—Wilhelm knew everything about Teddy. Unlike Noah.

Noah clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He couldn’t control his anger. His body burned with it.
How could his son become someone else’s child? And not just anyone—Wilhelm Hoffmann’s?

His vision went white, and his mind blanked. Something dark began to fill his thoughts.
He wanted to barge in and tear Teddy out of Wilhelm’s arms. That urge scratched at his nerves like claws.

“Teddy, you didn’t disturb Mom while she was resting, did you?”
“Mom is sick. So I went ‘hooo’ to cheer her up, then came out.”

Scarlett. She wouldn’t survive without Teddy. For her sake, Noah couldn’t take the boy away.
Of course, he resented her. He loved her, pitied her, and always felt guilty—yet still, he hated her, was angry with her, and even wanted to ruin her.
But taking Teddy from her… That was a line he couldn’t cross.

Knock knock.

A soft knock came from the door. Carrying Teddy, Wilhelm entered Scarlett’s room.
Scarlett, just waking up, widened her eyes when she saw him holding Teddy.

“I heard you weren’t feeling well, so I came.”
“Mom!”

Teddy quickly ran to her and threw himself into her arms.
“Are you okay now, Mom?”
“Of course. I’m fine now, because Teddy cheered me up.”

Scarlett hugged the child tightly.

“What did you play with Uncle Bill? I heard so much laughter while I was sleeping.”

Since Teddy’s room was right next to hers, she could clearly hear his loud laughter. In fact, it had woken her up.

“Teddy played with the magic man.”
“…Magic… man?”

Wilhelm’s eyes narrowed, but Teddy kept chattering, unaware.

“The magic man made shiny butterflies for Teddy! And flowers and trees grew in my room too! Mom, come see!”

Teddy jumped off the bed and tried to pull Scarlett along. She and Wilhelm exchanged glances.

Magic man.

Her heart sank. It was obvious—Noah had come.
Did he find out about Teddy? Or did he come just to warn them, playing with the child before leaving?

“Come on, Mooooom!”

Teddy tugged her hand. Her mouth went dry, but she held his hand tightly.
Just in case Noah attacked—so she could protect Teddy. If he tried to take him—so she wouldn’t lose him.

Scarlett and Wilhelm moved to the next room, tense. Wilhelm went first and opened Teddy’s door. And then—

“…Huh…?”

Teddy’s surprised voice covered the sound of Scarlett’s pounding heart.
The room had returned to normal.

Wilhelm gently held Scarlett’s now-pale hand.
As if quietly telling her that everything would be okay.

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