To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 95

Scarlett hurried her steps, trying to catch her breath.

‘What is going on? Noah… why is he at the architecture office?’

Just ten minutes ago, she had casually visited the architecture office where Wilhelm worked.

Since she sometimes stopped by Wilhelm’s office, she was familiar with the people there.

Even though they didn’t know that the hardworking foreign architect Mr. Hoffman was dating someone from the White family, they had a friendly attitude toward Scarlett.

Thanks to that, even with some suspicious men guarding the front of the building, she was able to visit smoothly with the help of Wilhelm’s colleagues.

‘Is something happening?’

Wilhelm had not told Scarlett that his office was working on a project together with Natalia’s side. He thought it would only make her worry more if she knew.

Knock, knock.

She knocked and opened the door to greet the director.

“Mr. Douglas, hello. It’s been a while.”

Mr. Douglas, with a red face and a thick mustache, returned her greeting lightly but looked troubled.

“Bill is talking with an important guest right now.”

“Then I can just wait. Ah, since it’s a VIP, the people downstairs must be bodyguards.”

“Come to think of it, how did you get past the bodyguards?”

“Well, I guess they didn’t think a frail woman could be dangerous. I just came to ask Bill if he wanted to have lunch, but it looks like that’s not possible. Please tell him I stopped by.”

“Thanks for understanding. The guest inside is a really big shot.”

The director seemed eager to brag. He lowered his voice and whispered,

“If you knew who’s inside, you’d faint. It’s the young emperor of Natalia!”

When he saw Scarlett’s face turn pale, he smiled, thinking she was just surprised by how important the guest was.

Scarlett covered her mouth with a trembling hand. Even as she stepped backward, her eyes stayed locked on Wilhelm’s office door.

“They happen to know each other, so they’re talking for a while.”

“Oh… okay. I, um… just remembered something important… I should go. Yes.”

She quickly left the office.

The name ‘Noah’ was stuck like a heavy stone in her chest, hurting with every step. Her mind went completely blank.

She desperately wanted to hear his voice, but at the same time, she was terrified he might take Teddy away. Fear and longing tangled together, and she didn’t know what to do or how to act.

“Get a grip.”

She lightly slapped her cheeks.

She had to think of Teddy. Her beloved son. The child who had just entered preschool and was excited to make friends. Thinking of him helped clear her messy thoughts and calm her pounding heart.

Scarlett walked down the stairs and slipped out of the building between the guards with a calm face.

“Isaac. Isaac. That’s the one. If we watch him, we’ll find something.”

It was just a brief whisper, but as she passed by, Scarlett caught it.

Her heart pounded wildly.

Noah was investigating the White family. What on earth was he trying to do?

Six years ago, she had gone to the countryside, ready to die, so she didn’t know what had happened between her brothers and Noah.

And her brothers had kept the attack of that day a secret from her, not wanting to worry their dying sister.

“Sc-Scott… I have to go to Scott.”

Scarlett didn’t dare look back, afraid Noah might notice her. She stared straight ahead and walked quickly, almost running, until she reached a crossroads and stopped.

Whenever something happened, she would usually go to Scott. He owned Cravitz, so he knew everything and could handle anything. But now…

“What more can Scott even do?”

Cravitz had already strictly controlled Scarlett’s information, and Scott was also keeping silent about Teddy’s real father.

Since Noah had come to Wifland, Scott was surely on high alert too, just like her.

Besides, Scott had already done everything he could for her. Scarlett bit her lip and looked miserable.

If she went to Scott now, she would only end up crying.

So instead, she headed straight to Andrew’s house.

The loud knocking broke Andrew’s peace as he finished praying and was reading.

“Andy, it’s me!”

Hearing her urgent voice, Andrew hurried to open the door.

His little sister, her face pale, rushed into his arms and hugged him tightly as soon as the door opened.

“What’s wrong?”

“Andy, Andy.”

Among the fierce and guarded White siblings, Andrew was someone they could truly open up to.

He was born with a warm heart. Although years of seminary had made him see everything a bit religiously, there was no one better at keeping secrets and staying silent.

“Are you sick? Did something happen to Teddy?”

“No, no. Water. Please get me some water.”

“Sure.”

As he fetched water, he thought maybe the day he feared had finally come.

He knew Scarlett and Noah had once been close and that things had fallen apart for complicated reasons.

Since Noah was visiting Wifland, he had been sure his sister would break down at least once. Still, he decided it was better not to show he knew anything and asked casually,

“What’s going on?”

Scarlett drank the water he gave her in big gulps. Andrew sat down across from her and waited for her to calm down.

“Did Wilhelm cheat on you or something?”

“Where did you learn such a low joke?”

“Oh, sorry. I’ve been drinking with Aaron too much lately.”

Scarlett let out a weak laugh at his poor joke, trying to steady her breathing.

“It’s nothing.”

Andrew frowned.

“Really, it’s nothing.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Just let it go.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“…”

“I thought you came to me because you couldn’t tell Susan or Scott.”

“…”

When Scarlett didn’t answer, Andrew clapped his hands lightly and stood up.

“Alright. If you don’t want to talk, we’ll bury it. Let’s go out for a change of mood. We’ll eat something tasty, look at pretty things, and pick up Teddy after. Today’s his first day, right?”

Scarlett hesitated, then carefully asked,

“…Andy. Why don’t you ever ask about Teddy’s father?”

“Was I supposed to?”

“It’s a natural question to ask.”

“I thought you wouldn’t like it if I did.”

Andrew sat down again, watching his troubled sister.

Scarlett bit her nails nervously, gathering her courage.

“If something happens… can I legally protect Teddy?”

“Usually custody goes to the father. But you’re not just anyone. Even without a job, you’re one of the richest people in Wifland. There’s nothing to worry about. You’re just nervous because it’s his first day.”

“If something happens, will you take care of Teddy?”

“Scarlett.”

He meant that such a thing would never happen, but Scarlett couldn’t hide her fear.

“Aaron hangs out with mobsters, so he’s no good. Susan is already struggling with Isaac. And Scott… I owe him too much. You have to be Teddy’s guardian.”

“Why are you imagining such things? No one can touch the Whites.”

“Teddy’s father… he’s not friendly with our family. Actually, we’re enemies.”

“Can I ask who it is?”

“…”

“If you don’t want to say, that’s okay—”

“Noah. Noah Ashford.”

“…What?”

“Noah Ashford, the Emperor of Natalia. The son of the Ashford you know…”

Andrew would keep her secret.

No, he had to know it. It couldn’t be left to Scott alone.

They needed someone to help Scott if things went wrong. And Andrew was the best choice.

He got along with all the brothers. Even when the others were furious, they would listen if it was Andrew speaking.

“Noah holds a grudge against our family. He’s digging into our background. I’m scared he might provoke Scott or Aaron. If that happens… a real war might break out.”

Andrew pushed back his curly hair, trying to hide his shock.

War.

That word pierced his heart.

If Teddy’s father being Noah became known, Aaron and Susan might even turn against her.

That’s why Scarlett was telling him: if something happened, Andrew had to stop them and persuade them.

Scarlett had survived death, given birth to Teddy, and miraculously recovered. He thought he couldn’t be more surprised than he was back then.

But today, something even bigger had happened.

Andrew couldn’t hide his shaken face.

“Noah Ashford? Did you… love him?”

“Love? Does that matter now? He doesn’t even know I’m alive. He doesn’t know Teddy exists. We broke up for each other’s sake. I wanted to hurt him too. But… he must think I’m dead and wants revenge.”

“What revenge?”

Andrew carefully watched her expression, wondering if she knew about the fight between Noah and her brothers.

“Susan bankrupted his family, and Scott sold Noah onto a whaling ship as a slave. I don’t think Noah would ever forget that. But… I thought he would let it go for my sake.”

“Oh my God…”

Andrew had a bad feeling: that the tragedy of their past life was about to repeat.

A deep, far-off fear flooded toward him. His heart beat fast, just like it did during wartime.

The war started because of the hatred between the White family and the Emperor of Natalia. So many young lives had been lost because of it.

And in the end, the White family had completely fallen. Deaths by suicide, murder, and execution.

Andrew took a trembling breath and made up his mind.

He grabbed Scarlett’s shoulders, met her eyes, and spoke with his usual firm voice.

“Listen carefully. Only we will know about this. You just live normally. Don’t worry.”

“But he’s already digging into our family. It’s only a matter of time before he finds out about me and Teddy.”

“Even if he’s the Emperor of Natalia, Teddy is a Wifland citizen, properly registered. He can’t just take him away. If we have to, we’ll fight legally. Our family knows many people in politics and business.”

Andrew spoke calmly, comforting Scarlett.

“You did well coming to me. Compared to you, who spent most of your life in hospitals, I’m better suited to handle things. Scarlett, don’t worry. Take care of yourself for Teddy’s sake.”

As he comforted her, many thoughts crossed Andrew’s mind.

The clearest question was: What changed to create this different reality from their past life?

Something big had changed. His memories of the past life were now useless.

‘I’ll have to approach him directly.’

He almost wanted to beg his God, who turned back time, to tell him the answer.

Support