You’ll Regret Stealing Him from Me — My Sister Who Took My Fiancé and Celebrated Was a Fool - Chapter 42

The duke’s study was filled with an even heavier atmosphere than usual.

The vast array of documents spread across the desk, undoubtedly Seraphina’s. I vaguely recognized them. Back when we were engaged, she had explained them to me while preparing for a party.

Meticulously written plans in neat handwriting. Those very documents had been hidden by Isabella. Now laid bare before her, she wore a panicked expression. Her lips trembled, her face drained of color.

The reason was, as I had feared.

Deep down, I had sensed it. But seeing it with my own eyes was still a shock. My chest felt heavy, as if my breath had been stolen.

I had wanted to believe in Isabella. But now, the last shred of hope had vanished.

I had felt guilty for doubting her. But my suspicions had been right. No, not just suspicions. The truth.

I had believed in you.

I had wanted to believe in you.

I had chosen Isabella over Seraphina. I had sided with her, even breaking off my engagement in public. I had blamed Seraphina, hurt her.

And yet, my judgment had been completely wrong. No “wrong” wasn’t strong enough. A despair-like emotion welled up inside me at my own foolishness.

I remembered the day my doubts had grown unbearable.

When I saw the party Isabella was managing, something had felt off. It reminded me of Seraphina’s methods.

So, I went to my father’s study.

“There’s something I want you to investigate about Isabella.”

When I said it, my father didn’t respond. He only nodded silently.

“I’ll report back when I know the truth.”

His voice was low and heavy.

After that, it seemed he had quietly conducted his own investigation as the family head.

And now, the results lay before us.

My father revealed the evidence without showing any emotion. He simply laid out the facts, his gaze cold and unyielding as he confronted Isabella.

And toward me, his unforgiving aura pressed down relentlessly. That same gaze occasionally turned my way.

I looked at Isabella.

She was trembling. Her face pale, she stared at the documents. Her lips quivered, her eyes darted. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

Seeing her like that, something inside me snapped.

“Everything you said was a lie.”

My voice shook. Anger I couldn’t suppress spilled from my throat. Betrayal, humiliation at being deceived, and above all, fury at my own stupidity swirled in my chest.

“To think something like this would come to light. ”

I turned toward Isabella, stepping closer—one step, then another.

“I believed in you. I wanted to believe in you.”

I really had. That wasn’t a lie. I had accepted your tears, your words, everything about you. I had even blamed Seraphina to stand by your side.

Isabella lifted her face.

“N-no! This isn’t, it’s not what you think!”

She shook her head desperately.

“It’s a misunderstanding! These are my sister’s, but—”

“You copied the content. You stole her ideas.”

I cut her off. I didn’t want to hear her excuses anymore. I couldn’t believe a single word she said.

“I only referenced them! I didn’t copy or steal anything!”

Her voice cracked. She was in full panic. Sweat dripped down her cheeks.

“My sister, she lent them to me!”

“Stop lying.”

I stared straight into her eyes. I still couldn’t believe her.

“N-no, she just showed them to me. She said I could use them as reference. ”

Her words grew more disjointed. She was clearly lying, desperately stitching together excuses on the spot.

Then, my father added coldly:

“Marquis Altvier reported missing documents from his archives.”

His voice remained low and heavy.

“They disappeared after you returned to your family’s estate.”

“So, you took them then?”

At my words, Isabella took a step back.

“If they were lent to you, you could have carried them openly. You hid them because you stole them.”

Right? If I’m wrong, explain it. Why did you hide them? Isabella fell silent, her lips trembling.

“I tried to protect you.”

A hot emotion surged from deep in my chest.

“I even blamed Seraphina to stand by you.”

That day flashed vividly in my mind. In the middle of the party, before all the guests, I had accused Seraphina. Her calm expression. Her reasonable words: “Right now, we should focus on our guests.” I had ignored her and forced the annulment.

“And yet, you deceived me?”

I was disappointed. Truly disappointed. To trust someone so deeply and be betrayed. Was it always this painful?

“Is this who you really are?”

Where was the Isabella I knew?

The sweet, honest girl who relied on me had she never existed? Had it all been a lie? Her tears, her words, all of it an act?

“I…”

Isabella opened her mouth, then closed it again. Was she searching for an excuse? Or had she given up?

“Roderick.”

Then, my father slowly called my name.

“You’ve been blaming Isabella this whole time. But your own sins haven’t vanished.”

His stern gaze turned toward me.

“Wh… what?”

“You share responsibility for this outcome.”

I stared at him in disbelief. What was he saying? My sin? I was the one who was deceived. Isabella lied to me.

“Roderick. You are also one of the causes of this situation.”

What are you talking about? My responsibility? One of the causes? That can’t be. I’m the victim here. Deceived by Isabella, losing my engagement to Seraphina, even damaging the Vandering family’s honor.