To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 52
There were 65 days left until her birthday, and 45 days left until her murder.
Scarlett flipped over the calendar.
If her memory was right, today—starting from today—her body would begin to worsen rapidly.
There was no particular reason. Her health had always been unstable. Like the unpredictable weather between seasons.
“Noah. Please deliver this to the school for me.”
“What is it?”
“A withdrawal letter.”
Scarlett calmly cut her meat. Noah’s shocked gaze landed on her.
“Did something happen? Is it because we fought the other day?”
“If it was because of our fight, you should be the one quitting, not me. My body is too weak to continue.”
“Where does it hurt? Are you really that sick? Did you take your medicine?”
“Stop talking and just do what I said.”
Scarlett stared at Noah. There was a time she had wanted to kill him. She had hated him intensely. But now, she wasn’t sure anymore.
She still disliked Noah, but she no longer wanted him dead. Even if he didn’t kill her, she was already a person walking toward death.
“Would my death hurt you?”
“Please don’t say that.”
“Does it pain you to hear me say this?”
“It feels like my heart is being ripped apart.”
“Do you like me? Do you love me?”
“…I love you…”
Scarlett smiled softly.
“Thank you for loving a sister who isn’t even related to you by blood.”
“What do you mean… not related by blood?”
At her knowing tone, Noah’s face grew serious. He asked again.
“Is that true?”
“I met John two days ago and confirmed it. We’re not siblings. Didn’t your mom tell you?”
Scarlett felt a thrill seeing the joy that flashed across Noah’s face.
She was happy that he was glad they weren’t really siblings. At the same time, she despised herself for feeling that way and cursed herself.
She tried hard to ignore her own emotions.
“Legally, we’re tied together, but how are we real siblings? It’s laughable. Wifland would never acknowledge an illegitimate child. More precisely, a ‘child born of an affair.’ But even the legal issues can be fixed.”
“Do you… hate me? Is it disgusting that we were tied as siblings?”
“It’s disgusting.”
Noah wondered. Did Scarlett feel the same as him?
She herself didn’t know exactly what was so disgusting. While she felt relieved that they weren’t blood-related, there was also an unpleasant feeling. She felt lost in the midst of many emotions and thoughts.
One thing was clear: she strongly wanted to shatter Noah’s hopes. And she had to do so. Because he was a target for revenge.
“I lost my father to you even though we’re not siblings.”
What exactly are you, Noah Ashford?
She spoke words that were like a death sentence.
“I know how you look at me.”
“Ah…”
Noah felt his heart drop.
“I know it’s a shameless feeling.”
“I know. How could I dare to… It’s just my one-sided feelings.”
“Does it make you miserable?”
“It’s terrible.”
Scarlett smiled in satisfaction. At the end of her lips, which curled up faintly, a mischievous feeling was clearly visible.
“When I die, you’ll have to deal with my siblings alone. That worries me. You have to live enough to cover the price of my life. If my siblings kill you, it would be unfair. So run away. Run far while I can still help.”
Noah acted like he didn’t hear her and continued his breakfast. Scarlett got up, grabbed his cheek, and lifted his head.
Their eyes met. Noah’s clear, determined gaze locked her in place. Though his eyes were soft, there was an unbreakable strength inside them.
“I won’t leave without you.”
“Then, shall we run away together in the night?”
“I can’t do that. You need a doctor.”
“Even if I don’t love you, you’ll stay by my side?”
“Of course. If you’re worried, survive. Protect me yourself.”
“Such nonsense. You know it’s impossible.”
“Me loving you was impossible too. But you made it happen.”
Now that his feelings were revealed, Noah stood proudly. He no longer hid his heart or was ashamed of his love.
The guilt he felt toward his original sin still tormented him, but love itself was no longer a crime. The fact they weren’t siblings only expanded his once-suppressed emotions. His affection, loyalty, longing, and tenderness toward Scarlett burst out freely.
“I don’t want anywhere but your side.”
“Foolish talk. Are you saying you’d die following me?”
“I won’t die without you. I’ll live on, just like now. But it’ll only be survival, nothing more.”
“…Crazy guy.”
“I have something to do. I’ll be leaving first.”
Before heading to Iodes, Noah visited where Victor was staying. Even though Julia had torn and swallowed the note with the address, Noah still remembered it clearly.
He knocked on the hotel room door. Victor opened it immediately, as if he had been waiting.
As soon as Noah saw him, he asked,
“Are you my father?”
“Come in first.”
When Victor stepped aside, Noah entered without hesitation.
“Coffee? Tea?”
“I’ll leave soon, so I’m fine… I’ll get to the point. Did you come to take revenge on me and my mother?”
Julia had killed Natalia’s last emperor, who was Victor Lebedev’s friend.
“No. The greatest revenge is forgiveness.”
“Then why did you come looking for us?”
“Alex White’s illegitimate son, Noah Ashford, is useless. But Maya Ivanov is very useful.”
“Because I’m a magician?”
“No. It’s because of the bloodline you inherited from your father. You—”
“Wait, wait. Before that, there’s something important I need to confirm.”
Noah took a deep breath and asked again.
“If I learn the truth, do I have to leave for Natalia?”
“Of course.”
“Is there a way to save Scarlett in Natalia?”
“I secretly looked into her illness to repay the debt owed to Alex White for hiding you and your mother… but unless it’s by a miracle, it’s impossible.”
Noah clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his skin.
“You’ll have to give up. Her health belongs to God now.”
“I see.”
“Come to Natalia with me. Find your roots and enjoy everything you deserve. Wealth and honor are waiting.”
Noah was curious about his roots too. Ever since meeting Victor, he had spent countless sleepless nights.
Moreover, he was an ambitious person. He wanted to succeed, gain wealth and fame, and rise into high society. That desire overflowed endlessly like water from a spring.
“Not yet… I can’t.”
“Is it because of Scarlett White?”
Victor chuckled.
“Just seeing the way you look at her, I can tell what’s in your heart.”
“Don’t you hate me? My mother killed your friend. I can’t understand you.”
“It wasn’t a personal tragedy. It was the flow of the times.”
Victor spoke like a true noble. After Noah left, Victor immediately visited John White’s office. Even Maggie, the secretary, had left, and only John was there, preparing to leave.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. White.”
“Victor Lebedev… It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Did you expect me to come?”
“I figured you would as soon as you heard about my seclusion. But I didn’t expect you to come so unofficially. Please, have a seat.”
John handed him lavender tea.
“You seem very stressed.”
“Isn’t everyone struggling?”
“I’ll get straight to the point. I’m taking Noah.”
“I don’t understand why you want to take a child of the White family. Is it because his mother is a criminal in Natalia? But no country in the world allows guilt by association.”
“A child of White? The White family never supported or protected him.”
“In Wifland, all illegitimate children are treated that way. In fact, the inheritance left to Julia Ashford was unusually generous.”
“Maybe because he’s not truly a White.”
“This is the first I’ve heard of that. I won’t tolerate any more rudeness.”
“Claiming Natalia’s blood as White’s blood—what’s ruder than that? You manipulated memories to pretend Julia’s affair produced a White child. Truly, your mother was terrifyingly clever.”
“Watch your mouth. Wifland may treat illegitimate children poorly, but we do not abandon them. If you have nothing more reasonable to say, please leave.”
Victor studied John with interest. John showed no emotion. Not dried-up emotion, but the exhaustion of a deeply weary man.
Just like Victor thought, John was extremely tired. Tormented by the guilt of being an accomplice in his siblings’ pain, fighting the temptation to give up everything, and grieving for his dying younger sister.
“I will take Noah, no matter what.”
“What will you do with him? Power struggles? Puppet shows?”
“Don’t insult Natalia’s reconstruction!”
“Have you thought about his life?”
John’s voice grew louder. At just thirty-five, he was a sharp young politician who knew how to strike where it hurt.
“Who is Julia Ashford? The one who killed Natalia’s emperor. You want her son to live in Natalia? Just say you want revenge for your friend. That would be more convincing.”
“Noah carries Natalia’s blood! No matter who Julia Ashford killed, Noah should return to Natalia, where he belongs. And you, White, think of your little sister too. A life unknowingly stained by sacrifice and abandonment.”
“He’s an adult. I am not his parent.”
“You’re a cold brother. I heard Scarlett thinks of you as her real father.”
“……”
“Because of Julia and Noah, your family fell apart. Even so, you still want to protect them?”
“My parents chose to protect them, knowing everything. That proves it was worth it. And it’s too late to turn back now. Mr. Lebedev. No matter what, Noah is a White. That’s a fact that cannot and should not be denied. If you touch him, we will use every legal and political power to protect him.”
Victor stared at John, who showed no sign of compromise. Without even touching the tea John offered, Victor stood up.
“It won’t be ‘we.’ It’ll be ‘you’ alone. Your siblings will never accept Noah. Goodbye. I wish you peace.”
John closed his eyes tightly.
Victor was right.
This was John White’s lonely battle alone.
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