I Became My Son's First Love

Chapter 15

Eve had no reason to reject the divorce if the Count fulfilled the contract.

She had lived a wealthy and glamorous existence as his wife for three years.

She would become considerably wealthier after the divorce, according to the pact terms.

"I have no objections to it..."

Eve's mind continued to race when her initial shock subsided.

This was not merely a case of indifference for her; it was advantageous.

"Then let's get started," he decided.

The Count turned his head away, his expression unchanged. It was a quiet dismissal, but Eve wasn't ready to go yet.

"Are we not going to settle the details now?"

Many details need to be worked out, such as when the divorce would be announced, how the paperwork would be handled, how they would display their separation from society, Eve's plans, when she should leave the estate, and so on.

"Send the butler to discuss the details," the Count offered, implying that he had already begun planning.

"Alright. I would appreciate it if the alimony was paid as soon as the paperwork was completed," Eve stated.

"Agreed."

Eve left the Count's room, satisfied with his response.

***

Eve returned to her room, her heart hammering, after receiving the unexpected letter of contract termination.

She hurriedly dismissed her servants under the guise of going to bed County, feeling overwhelmed by their presence.

She lay awake in the night, not lighting a single candle.

One hundred million dollars in gold is an astounding sum.

Eve's annual fixed income had been 24,000 gold.

She occasionally received an extra 5,000 gold for attending Count's parties.

Even after living luxuriously and generously supporting her family for three years, she had amassed a sizable fortune.

And she was set to get another 100 million gold pieces.

"Did the Count really have this much money?"

Eve wondered as she reflected on the lavish lifestyle she had led for the past three years.

She hadn't realized how wealthy the Count was until now.

She discovered the Count's family was among the wealthiest in the empire from attending periodic dinners with the Count and reading articles in renowned newspapers.

Eve had also learned of the Count's fortune while maintaining his household with the steward's help.

The Count's family-controlled various valuable estates and mines throughout the empire, and their investments, while sporadic, were always highly profitable.

"So, he's really going to give me 100 million gold?"

Her palms trembled with the enormity of the sum.

She almost felt like thanking the Count's 'real love' for such a windfall.

She could live a more comfortable life due to this, even more so than she is today! Eve engaged in delightful fantasies, confident in her thoughts.

"Perhaps leaving the capital is a good idea? Rumors will spread, and the Count will no longer be there to defend me after the divorce. It might be a good idea to leave the capital."

Living on her sister Cynthia's estate and spoiling her niece with presents sounded like a dream.

The thought of a wealthy aunt with no specific employment appealed to her.

And she wouldn't have to worry about being alone after the divorce.

Knock, knock, knock.

An unexpected knock at the door interrupted her musing about life after divorce.

Eve blinked, startled. Who would pay her a visit at this late hour?

She remembered the Count stating he'd send the steward, but she'd been there three years and knew the steward wouldn't show up at such a late hour, even on the Count's orders.

"Who's there?" she inquired but received no response.

The door silently opened as Eve scowled, about to inquire again.

The unannounced and uninvited entry was a violation of protocol.

She was about to scold whoever it was when she noticed the last person she expected to see at this hour.

Azazel Hound Seratin, the Count's eldest son and officially her stepson, was standing in her room, although being just a year her senior.

Azazel had been recognized as the empire's foremost beauty as a young man, capturing the hearts of numerous girls.

Azazel was particularly stunning for his blue eyes, which were almost translucent and bright, with his short, beautiful golden hair, a straight forehead underneath it, eyes that seemed keen and slightly furious, a straight, nicely-shaped nose, and a chiseled jaw.

Azazel generally returned to the Count's mansion from the Duke's estate around this time, Eve remembered.

However, his personal pursuit of her was unprecedented.

Azaze; entered Eve's chamber as if it were his own, forcing Eve to finally conjure the 'kind and gentle stepmother' approach she had somewhat evolved to during the previous three years.

"What brings you here?"

Despite his age, Azazel was technically her son on paper, but Eve addressed him informally to emphasize that she was his stepmother.

This could only happen with Seratin's permission.

Azazel, who had looked at Eve with chilly eyes for the past three years, spread his big lips and responded sweetly to Eve's question.

"How about me?"

Eve, not fully understanding what he was saying, chuckled awkwardly and asked again.

"I apologize, Azazel. I must have misheard something. What exactly did you say?"

"I heard you are divorcing my father."

"What?"

"How would you feel about marrying me?"

His tone was far from lighthearted.

Furthermore, he and Eve were not close enough to make such jokes.

They were only related on paper, and their interaction in the previous three years had been awkward meals.

Eve narrowed her eyes and fixed her gaze on Azazel.

His eyes were filled with amusement, even though he was not smiling.

If it wasn't a joke, the only remaining choice was a provocation.

Eve gazed tiredly at Azazel and murmured, swallowing the sigh that sought to escape.

"I know I haven't been the stepmother you wanted, Azazel. But you don't have to make fun of me like way."

****