Chapter 135: You are my everything.

When had we arrived at the Blanc family’s mansion?

I hadn’t noticed, as the carriage windows had fogged up completely from the heat radiating from Viviana and me.

“…Are you really saying this situation is of your own making, Tina?”

Mother asked again. It was already the third time she had posed that question.

Shame flushed my face red as I hung my head low and nodded.

“Yes. I… I asked Lady Viviana… That’s how it happened.”

Even as I spoke the words myself, I couldn’t believe it. What had I done? It didn’t make any sense.

As I stepped outside and felt the cold wind, my senses slowly returned. The feverish heat that had consumed me subsided, leaving only—

A crushing sense of shame.

I must have lost my mind. What on earth had I done?

The actions I had taken inside the carriage were burned vividly into my memory.

Grinding my hips against Viviana’s lap, slowly stripping off her clothes as she looked on in bewilderment.

Kissing her neck, her cleavage, and even her pristine, pure white underarms…

—Whoosh!

The vivid memories flashing through my mind made my face burn even hotter.

‘You’ve really lost it, Tina…!’

How could I still call myself a noble?

Even I couldn’t believe the disgraceful things I had done.

No matter how charming, gallant, beautiful, sensual, or reliable Viviana was…

It was something that never should have happened.

There are lines that a person must never cross. If not, what difference would there be between me and a beast in heat?

“…Tina, are you really saying it was you?”

“Y-yes…”

And the shame of my actions weighed down solely on me.

I couldn’t bear to meet my mother’s gaze. I dreaded to imagine what she must think of me.

Surely, she must be disgusted.

I was someone who had practically begged to be strangled for my sins. A failure of a human being.

“Hmm… I see…”

Mother wore a troubled expression and averted her gaze for a moment.

The thought of being shunned by the person I loved most in the world made my eyes well up with tears.

“…Mother, everything is my fault. I lost control of myself.”

Viviana stepped forward and bowed deeply. Even in this situation, she was standing up for me.

She shouldn’t be doing this…

Yet again, I felt a strange tremor stir in my lower abdomen.

“…We’ll discuss this matter later, Lady Viviana.”

Mother stared at her for a long moment before letting out a short sigh and offering a faint smile. Then, she pulled me into her arms and gently patted my back.

The warmth of her tender touch slowly melted away the shame that had been weighing down my heart.

“I missed you, my dear. Thank you for coming back to me.”

“Mother…”

Relief washed over me. She didn’t despise me.

She didn’t reject me as a disgraceful wretch.

A deep sense of comfort spread through me, loosening the tension in my body. I leaned into her embrace, my arms limp at my sides.

“Thank you for bringing my daughter back, Lady Viviana.”

“…Yes, I wish you a peaceful day.”

Viviana bowed politely to my mother before glancing at me one last time. Then, she climbed back onto the carriage.

I hesitated for a moment, then cautiously raised my hand to wave at her.

Only then did Viviana smile brightly once more before departing.

“Let’s go inside.”

Mother extended her hand.

I watched the carriage disappear into the distance with lingering reluctance before finally taking her hand in mine.

“Yes…”

“Do you not need to use the restroom?”

Her playful remark made my face flush with embarrassment.

“I-I’m okay… for now…!”

I could never say it.

That I had let it slip out inadvertently while being strangled by Viviana in the carriage.

The clinking of tableware repeatedly filled the space as the dining table was lavishly adorned with an array of extravagant dishes.

“How much longer do you plan on working there?”

My mother asked in the middle of our meal.

“The restaurant…? Is that what you mean?”

“I’m proud of you for earning an honest living, Tina, but have you thought about returning to the family?”

Knowing that I was still considered part of the family warmed my heart, but at the same time, a wave of hesitation washed over me.

Grandmother Miranda’s restaurant.

I had initially started working there because of Viviana’s suggestion, but now, it felt like a natural part of my daily life.

Before, I never understood.

I couldn’t grasp how working there could serve as atonement for the sins I had committed.

But as time passed, I slowly came to realize it.

Viviana had wanted to teach me.

She had wanted the incompetent me, who had always depended on others to get by, to understand the value of an ordinary life.

The importance of money, the joy of being able to work. And how a peaceful life was one of the greatest gifts one could receive.

She had wanted me to learn these things.

But I couldn’t stay there forever. I was a sinner who had committed an unforgivable crime.

With the wages I had earned so far, I had been sending flowers and letters to the noblewomen I had wronged, trying to convey my remorse.

But that alone was far from enough.

Standing before them and bowing my head in person—that was the first threshold I had to cross in order to seek forgiveness for my sins.

“I’ll think about it…”

Even if not now, the day would eventually come when I would have to leave the restaurant.

The thought of no longer being able to serve warm meals to the customers left a dull ache in my heart.

But even that was a blessing too great for someone like me.

I had no right to hold onto it.

Suppressing the emotions that burned inside me, I forced a faint smile.

“Mother, actually… I have something for you.”

“Oh? For me?”

Holding the gift box I had prepared in advance, I scooted closer to my mother, who looked at me in curiosity.

Carefully, I placed the gift box before her.

My mother widened her eyes in surprise before slowly untying the ribbon.

Inside the box, an assortment of tea leaves and tea bags lay neatly arranged.

“Mother, you’re always so busy. You don’t get much exercise either… I was worried about your health, so I prepared this for you.”

“Tina…”

“This one has a calming effect, so it’s good to drink before bed. And this one helps relieve fatigue, so it’s best to have in the morning for better health.”

I pointed to each type of tea, explaining them meticulously.

A few cups of tea wouldn’t bring about a dramatic change.

But I had packed this gift with the earnest hope that my mother’s health would improve, even if just a little.

“…Thank you, Tina.”

Slowly, my mother pulled me into an embrace.

Beneath her long lashes, I could see a faint redness in her eyes.

“You have to drink them all, okay? I’ll prepare more and bring them next time.”

“Hehe, alright. I will.”

She smiled gently, stroking my hair with a soft touch.

I felt like I could never live without this warmth again.

“Having a daughter who cares for me like this… I can’t express how happy I am.”

“I-I’m really happy too… because I have you, Mother.”

There wasn’t a single ounce of falsehood in my words.

Artasha was the one who generously bestowed upon me the motherly love I had so desperately longed for.

Whenever I was with Artasha, I couldn’t help but see her as my real mother.

Perhaps that was my deepest desire.

[Ahaha! Do you really think a hideous monster like you could survive without me?]

Artasha’s warm maternal love was so intoxicating that it made me want to forget my mother from my past life.

But I must not forget.

The mother who took her own life because of me in my past life.

To meet her again, I must eventually return to hell with my childhood friend.

So, I must not fall too deep.

Only as much affection as I never received in my past life.

Just that much—no more. Anything beyond that would be an excessive greed I do not deserve.

And so, I repeatedly vowed to myself that I would not rely too much on Artasha.

“Fufu, I must take care of my health for my daughter’s sake.”

Yet, every time I met my mother’s warm gaze, my firm resolve crumbled helplessly.

I wanted to depend on her. I truly wanted to be her daughter.

I didn’t want to leave her behind and return to hell.

My selfish heart hoped that my mother would hold onto me.

“…You must stay healthy.”

I clenched my fists tightly, suppressing the sobs that threatened to escape.

Fortunately, my mother didn’t seem to notice my inner turmoil.

She gently wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, smiled softly, and rose from her seat.

“Let’s go to the restroom, dear.”

How did she know I needed to go? Blushing in embarrassment, I hesitantly took her hand.

“How… did you know…?”

“You’ve been fidgeting so much—how could I not?”

“When did I ever look restless…?!”

“Puhuh.”

Without another word, my mother supported me. I held her hand tightly and quietly followed her.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the restroom. I looked up at my mother and cautiously asked,

“Mother… do you not dislike this…?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m an adult now… and yet, I’m still being taken care of like a child…”

“Tina.”

With a firm gaze, my mother gently placed her finger on my lips.

“Tina, you are a daughter so precious that even if I held you in my eyes, it wouldn’t hurt. No matter what you do, I will always love you.”

“…Huh?”

“More than anyone else in this world. I love you.”

Love.

That word echoed endlessly in my mind.

Artasha loved me—more than anyone else in this world.

Mother… loved me.

Thump—

Thump—

Thump—

Ah, again…

My lower abdomen tingled. My body grew warm.

“Mother…….”

“Hm?”

As I gazed at my mother’s gentle smile with slightly teary eyes, I asked her,

“Just how much do you love me…?”

Without a moment of hesitation, she answered,

“More than words can ever describe. You are my everything.”

Her words overflowed with deep affection.

And before my eyes, hearts began to float once more.