I Will Abandon My Family! - v5 Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19

v5, Chapter 17
Relief
After that, the two were taken into custody and faced trial, inevitably receiving a guilty verdict.
My testimony of being physically attacked and subjected to verbal abuse at the villa became solid evidence, but that alone wasn't the only issue.

Past sins were also exposed.
I thought they might be past the statute of limitations, but it seems we just made it in time.

The fact that she killed my Grandfather in the past came to light. Despite already becoming a commoner, the additional crime of assaulting my Father increased the charges. She was found guilty not only of that, but also of even attempting to kill me.

"Marie, are you hurting…?"

"I'm fine."

Returning to the mansion, I received treatment for my wounds.
At that villa, I was assaulted and tormented by the two.

My body was covered in bruises, and there was blood, but the pain in my heart was greater than the injuries.

"Marie, don't blame yourself anymore. You haven't done anything wrong; in fact, you did a good thing."

What good thing did I do?
I brought my own mother and brother to ruin.

"You made up your mind to protect Father-in-law and us. Who can blame you for that?"

"No, I did something similar to that woman. And my body carries tainted blood..."

"Parents are irrelevant in this... if that's the case, are you going to denigrate your father?"

Denigrate my Father...

"Even if parents commit wrongdoings, there are children who stand firm. Parents don't matter... in the aristocratic society, there are many such individuals. Blood doesn't matter."

Henry's words always carry persuasiveness.
He cuts through my indecision and self-doubt.

He is the one who has always guided me and shown me the right path.

"You're not at fault... so it's okay."

Embraced by Henry, I finally felt forgiven for what I had done.

Afterward, I was exhausted from being on edge, and I developed a fever.

"Marie, I'm sorry."

"Mother..."

"I was too lenient. I should have settled things quicker."

Mother, who came to visit me worried about my fever, wore an apologetic expression.

"I was planning to carry out what you were trying to do."

"Sigh~ why did it end up like this."

Henry, with a headache, smiled.

"Those two won't be able to lead a decent life anymore, so rest assured."

"What did you do?"

"Hehe, that's a secret."

Feeling that I shouldn't know more, I fell asleep without asking any further questions.

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v5, Chapter 18
Secrets
Taking care of the fever-stricken Marie, I called for Kim.

"Did you summon me?"

"Kim, this time, I must thank you."

If Marie had handled this incident alone, what would have happened?
She probably anticipated the worst, but it's a relief it didn't go that far.

Truly.

"It's thanks to you leaving clues."

Originally, we were able to reach the villa at the right time because Kim left us clues.
Even though there are multiple villas, it was thanks to Kim that we quickly identified the specific one.

"Kim, what happened at the mansion?"

"Master Henry..."

"I need to know."

There must have been something that pushed Marie this far.

"I know Marie's personality well. Even if someone has a criminal record and is the worst of the worst, she interacts with them with a compassionate heart."

There must be a reason to make such a decision.
The main reason is that she endured being oppressed all this time.

"Master Henry, it's a disturbing story. I, too, felt dreadful."

“Then..."

If it was such a terrifying story, I can't allow Marie to bear it alone.
She shouldn't still be bound by those two.

"Lady Marie feels more pain when you and Young master and those close to her hurt than when she herself is hurt."

"Could it be..."

Did those two try to harm somebody else?

"That's enough... I'm fine."

"Marie, sorry for waking you up."

"The medicine is working, so the fever has gone down."

She had already been awake for a while but pretended to be asleep.

"Kim, I apologize. I made you confront my selfishness."

Supporting Marie as she tried to get up against her will, I began speaking.

"I'll talk... Kim has been helping me with my plan all along."

"No, it's not like that."

Kim bit her lip, looking frustrated.

"For such villains, no one would complain if they were killed. For such outrageous behavior..."

"Marie, can you tell me?"

I need to know everything.
I told Marie again.

"Tell me everything."

"Yes! Please tell us!"

"Whoa!"

Where were they hiding?
From where did they enter!

"Don't be so stiff.”

"Mother..."

"Please talk to us, Marie. If you really don't want to talk about it, we won't force you, though."

While saying that, she probably intends to get the information out of me later.
Depending on the situation, she might be thinking of adding to the charges against those two, but that's a matter for later.

Marie slowly began to speak.
What happened at the villa, the content was unbearable.

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v5, Chapter 19
Before the Decisive Battle
Alone, I prepared everything at the villa to settle things.
Using Kim as my ally, I decided to guide those two to this villa.

Originally, I wanted to handle everything alone.
But, I couldn't handle everything by myself.

I had planned to have a discussion here.

"Madam, are you really sure about this?"

"Yes."

Waiting at the villa was one of Kim's subordinates.
She had been supporting me from behind since the day I chose today as the day of execution.

"Though it may be rude to say, insulting Madam and disrespecting Mr. Diaz to this extent..."

I had a communication device installed in the carriage as well.
The conversation those two were having was unacceptable.

"I understand."

"It's hard to believe that we could have a sensible conversation with those idiots."

"I don't mind if the conversation doesn't get through. I never wanted a sensible discussion from the start."

What I want is not negotiation.
It's the complete expulsion of those two.

To cut off all ties with them in the social circle.
To stay away from the Capital, and I have a certain purpose.

"If possible, I want to cut ties without ever getting involved with them again. But if not..."

I hope it doesn't come to the worst-case scenario.

"I'll do the worst... but"

"Yes."

"If it comes to the worst, stop me. Stop me from going beyond what I shouldn't as a person."

"Madam... You're not doing something wrong as a person. And it's a judgment of a mother."

"Thank you..."

For the sake of my beloved son, I tried to steel my heart.

At that moment.

"Marie! Come out!"

"We've come all the way here, so come out quickly!"

Voices were heard from the front door.
I had already heard voices making a commotion outside.

"What's going on? Who are those people?"

"What do they think this place is?"

"Noble district's villa area? Did they come from the countryside?"

"Why did the gatekeeper let them through?"

Even lower-ranking nobles come in and out of this villa district.
Nobles with a reputation in society own villas here, and merchants are allowed in with permission.

Creating a scene here means exposing their own shame to those around.

"Hey! Come out already!"

"Marie, who do you think you are! We've come all this way for you!"

Trying to leave, I had somewhat anticipated the insults from the two.

"Keep the window open... so that the voices inside can be heard."

"Understood."

"Use the communication device to tell Kim to wait in the garden. Contact the lawyer too; make sure he hears the audio."

All preparations were in place.
Facing the mirror, I vowed to become the villain of a lifetime.

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