Choice [Levi X Reader] (Au!)

Chapter 18 - Deception

"I hope he can tell me something new about her." (y/n) thought in her mind as she looked at her phone again.

After the incident happened in Ivan's mansion, a strange feeling agitated (y/n)'s mind whenever she was alone. The lie they fabricated regarding Clarie's absence did not raise any hint of suspicion in Ivan's mind. However, his sudden trip to Belgium for a few weeks gave (y/n) some time to investigate that matter peacefully.

What Ivan said in that dazed condition, (y/n) kept the information only to herself. As much as she tempted to tell her close ones about that, she could not surmise it or ask around about Natalie. From the start, she was aware of how everyone did not like to talk about her & to Levi, she was a closed chapter that he renounced to remember.

Her search for Natalie's whereabouts brought (y/n) to Erwin's home. Erwin & Hanji are the only ones except for Levi, who had a close relationship with Natalie. Asking Hanji about Levi's past love was inefficacious because what she told (y/n) was nothing new. Right now, Erwin was the only one who could give her any lead.

"Sorry to make you wait, (y/n)." Erwin entered the living room, followed by a servant who carried a tray of lemon ginger & walnut tea cakes along with Darjeeling tea.

After the servant left, Erwin took a sip from his steaming cup of tea and questioned his guest, "Now tell me what brings you here at this time, (y/n)?"

Taking her plate of lemon ginger tea cake, (y/n) took a bit from it, "It's not anything serious, so do not worry."

For a moment, she paused, remembering Ivan's words from that night. "Erwin, from the day I married Levi, there was always another one's strong presence stayed between us that kept us apart for many days. The intensity of their charm on him now lessen, but it still there somewhere & I can't ignore it no matter how much I want."

Sighing deeply, Erwin put down his cup on the coffee table, "I understand what you are trying to say, (y/n). Did you & Levi have any dispute regarding his past? If you do, then I must say the childish squabble should not happen in the first place."

"No, it is not what you're thinking, Erwin." At her protest, the blond only gave her a questioning look. Fidgeting, she lowered her gaze, "I know it very well how dearest Natalie was to Levi & still is, and I'm aware that it's impossible to take her place. Sometimes I became curious how someone can become so enamoured by a particular person. Can you tell me something about her, especially about her persona or if you ever meet with her after their separation?"

Being silent for a few moments, he answered, "(y/n), if you think we are purposefully hiding some details about her from you, it's wrong. There is nothing new to tell you about that person anymore. Moreover, I do not wish to talk about her who hurt my friend so much. When Eren was two months old, she left them for another more wealthy man & never seen again."

Closing his eyes, Erwin paused as if remembering those days when his friend was so devasted. After their sudden estrangement, in a rage, Levi was ready to send Eren away. But Kenny stopped him & they had a terrible dispute about Eren. Exasperated, Levi left his son to Kenny & brought an apartment for him to stay separately.
He drowned himself into more work, and his hard work paid off as the Ackerman Corporation became one of the leading companies in the country within two years.

When he married (y/n) a few years ago, Levi forced to come back to the luxurious duplex apartment. He brought it for Natalie but could not get the chance to surprise her with it.

Leaning on the sofa, Erwin calmly spoke, "In these few years, Levi changed a lot after you came into his life. I can assure you that he loves Eren & you dearly. Natalie's chapter is over and done with Levi, so try to focus on your present, not on his past."