episode_0077

I doubted my ears.

How many months pregnant are you? Shouldn’t I ask if you’re pregnant or not before asking about the number of months?

But without even a chance to claim innocence, Dakota started counting on her own.

“I heard it all. You supported night shift duty while giving up your weekend shift. And you did it together.”

“I really just stood by for the duty.”

“People who have done night shifts all say the same thing and get married a few months later. Because they have a baby.”

This is insane.

Is this really an academy?

I mean, sure, Dakota might think I look similar, but I really didn’t do something as scandalous as going as two and coming back as three.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m not pregnant.”

“How do you prove that?”

“Do I have to prove it?”

“So you just want me to believe you without any proof?”

It was a bit funny, but I lifted my uniform blouse slightly to reveal my flat belly and pleaded my innocence.

“Look. There’s no bump at all. If I were pregnant…”

“Even if you got pregnant in one night shift, it’s still too early, it’s not even three months yet. It’s too early to show a bump.”

Oh, what do you want me to do?

Well, if she’s going to doubt it anyway, let’s try a direct hit.

“If you can’t believe me, go ahead and hit me.”

“What?!”

“Just do it.”

Dakota, visibly confused, took a step back in front of me, ready to strike.

It wouldn’t have been a big deal.

It might hurt a bit, but I wouldn’t die, and I’m not actually pregnant anyway.

Besides, getting punched by a beauty like Dakota is almost like a reward in itself.

…Of course, the last part was a joke.

Fortunately, Dakota wasn’t bold enough to say, “Shall we test it?” and swing her fist.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Dakota put her hand in her pocket.

“Lying even with the baby in your belly. You’re really a wicked person.”

But she didn’t believe me either.

If she doesn’t stop doubting even after all this, what should I do now?

With a puzzled expression, Lager looked at both of us, while Dakota shook her head as if she was tired of holding a knife after a long time.

I made a mistake for a moment.

It was a misjudgment to try to defuse the situation with a proper defense.

I should have just shut her down with harsh words to the bottom.

If you show weakness, they’ll keep pushing.

The words of the old ancestors are right.

The best defense is offense.

“You just don’t want to believe, do you?”

“I guess I have that feeling a bit.”

“Actually, me too. I just can’t believe that you two didn’t do anything during that caregiving period.”

“Even if Godin said so, you don’t believe it?”

“No. I don’t.”

I took out a cigarette as if to show off and lit it. With a puff, the thick smoke filled the smoking area in front of the hospital.

The smoking area during lunchtime was much quieter than expected, and even though there was quite a noisy argument going on, there was no one passing by.

Inside the hospital, they might be looking down, but if I care about that, there won’t be a comfortable space to argue within this academy.

But seriously, if you had a child, would you smoke like this? It was so frustrating.

But when it comes to warfare, there is no kind elder who kindly points out the enemy’s stupidity.

If you show a weakness.

They will dig in and break it.

“So, you’re a virgin then?”

“Of course.”

“How am I supposed to believe that?”

“Chloe.”

Dakota, who finally understood what was being said, growled in disbelief.

Even Lager seemed to think this was going too far, trying to stop me.

“Hey. Stop it. Why act so childish…”

“Childish? You haven’t even apologized for calling me a prostitute in front of all those people, and now you’re calling me childish?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Shut your mouth.”

She accused me of being a prostitute in the middle of a restaurant without even calling me over.

Even though she smokes and even suggested hitting her stomach to prove she’s not pregnant, she still insists she never slept with Lager.

Without any evidence to back up her claims.

This is not only a heinous crime but also a ‘stupid crime’ that should be punished more severely.

“Hey, Dakota.”

If you insist on not believing me, then I’ll just go along with it.

“Do you know we’ll be getting our year-end vacation schedule soon? There are rumors going around that someone is eyeing it eagerly, but I’m sure you already know.”

“Why are you suddenly talking about vacation?”

“You, me, and Lager. The three of us should go together.”

“What?”

Dakota furrowed her brow, looking puzzled by this unexpected suggestion.

Of course she would be.

I myself think this plan is insane.

“We’ll book a motel and you can watch me do it.”

“Watch me prove you’re still a virgin.”

Finally, Lager, who had been listening in silence, roughly grabbed my arm.

“Hey, enough! Are you crazy?”

Turning my body towards Lager, the cigarette I had been holding in my mouth fell to the ground.

I stamped out the cigarette with my foot, opened my eyes wide, and confronted Lager.

“She never apologized to the end. She called me a prostitute in front of everyone, and even though she has no evidence, she insists she never slept with you.”

“Why won’t you believe me when I say I didn’t do it!”

“I believe you even less! Even if we did it a thousand times, would it make a difference?”

“Hey!!”

“Do you not realize that it looks more suspicious when you keep taking her side? Stop yelling at me and tell her to apologize!!”

With a sharp gaze fixed on Lager, I scolded Dakota. It still amazed and surprised me that such a high-pitched voice could come from my throat.

There was no thought of just covering it up and moving on at this point.

I would make her pay for the humiliation she caused me.

No matter how much she begged, I would never forgive her.

With that determination in my heart.

“Okay.”

Dakota readily accepted the proposal.

What’s with this nonchalant attitude?

Shouldn’t I be the one to ask why she’s doing this and beg for forgiveness?

She’s acting like she’s been waiting for this…

No way.

“Don’t change your mind later.”

That was unexpected.

“I believe you now. That you’re not pregnant.”

“Hey, you…”

“So if I follow Chloe’s permission and establish a relationship with Godin and have a child…”

“Am I moving ahead a bit?”

This crazy woman.

Is this really the end of the line?

No. Maybe she’s just showing her true colors now that she’s backed into a corner.

Who was she when she felt threatened?

Just because Lager, who held her in his arms, looked at me, she tried to kill me.

Now that she’s clearly lost Lager and feels completely defeated in the fight.

I may have underestimated her true nature.

Like being stabbed in the tail, she didn’t hesitate to jump in without any hesitation.

Dakota narrowed her eyes and flashed a sly smile.

“I’ll gladly be stabbed right in front of you, just as you wished. Very vividly.”

“…Even though I’m saying this, you’re not in your right mind.”

“Do you understand now? It’s disappointing.”

Dakota smiled broadly as she untied her hair that had been neatly arranged. The well-organized hair danced gracefully in the wind.

Caught in her snake-like gaze, I unconsciously swallowed and bit my lip.

I hit an unexpected weak spot.

Many instructors acted as witnesses to Lager and my marriage, but it was like a fragile sandcastle built on lies.

If Dakota really took Lager’s side.

It might be difficult to steal the wedding dress, but damaging the image by having another woman while having a fiancée would be easy.

If it wasn’t a wedding where she could be the main character, she would destroy it.

“Miss Chloe. Do you really want to go that far?”

“…”

“If not, please beg me to take back those words.”

“What?”

“Well, there’s no need for that. If you want to resist, go ahead. I’ll ‘allow’ it.”

I can’t.

“I never said such a thing.”

Even telling Lager not to listen to such crazy talk.

I can’t. No, I won’t.

This is a matter of pride.

“Fine. Let’s see it through to the end.”

“Great. It’s fortunate that you’re not just a pushover. It’ll be worth it to break you down.”

“Does it look like I’ll crumble?”

“It looks precarious.”

“You’re quite confident.”

I tried my best to remain calm in the face of Dakota’s constant provocations.

Dakota raised the stakes even higher to try to break my composure.

As the atmosphere gradually became more hostile.

“Sorry to interrupt in the midst of this fierce exchange.”

Lager interjected between us.

Dakota and I both shot him a disapproving look, and Lager scratched the back of his head awkwardly, expressing his dissatisfaction.

“It seems like my opinion is not being considered at all?”

At that, a moment of unease passed between Dakota and me.

It seemed like it was time to hear from the mediator.

…Should have stepped in sooner.

I don’t like it.