I became the mother of the main character living with the adulterer. - Chapter 2

“The mansion is stunning! It’s been my dream to live in a place like this.”

Jane excitedly looked around the mansion, while Theodore watched her with a gentle gaze. If Rachel weren’t there, the atmosphere was such that they might have embraced and kissed on the spot.

‘Unbelievable. How can he behave like this right in front of his wife?’

It was so obvious. How could the original Rachel not have noticed?

Even knowing about the affair, and even though she didn’t have feelings for Theodore, irritation surged within her. She felt disgusted and uncomfortable.

But Rachel didn’t let her emotions show. Revealing that she knew about the affair would ruin all her future plans.

So Rachel greeted Jane with the same lines as in the original story.

“Since you’re here, why not stay for dinner?”

“Oh my, really? That sounds great!”

Theodore nodded in satisfaction.

“Bringing a guest without notice must have been a surprise, but thank you. Rachel, you’re such a kind person. I’ll go upstairs and change my clothes. You ladies can have a chat in the meantime.”

A chat? More like a nightmare.

As Theodore climbed the grand staircase leading to the second floor, he threw a glance at Jane.

‘Don’t feel lonely while I’m gone.’

‘I’ll endure the sadness and wait for you.’

Their silent exchange seemed almost audible to Rachel.

When Theodore disappeared, Jane finally turned to meet Rachel’s gaze.

Rachel smiled brightly.

“Well then, Jane, shall we wait in the parlor?”

In the original story, Rachel had taken Jane to the largest and most beautiful parlor in the mansion—a room reserved only for the most important guests.

Rachel, who had wanted to be loved by Theodore, had gone out of her way to treat his guest with the utmost hospitality, even if that guest was a young woman who made her seethe with jealousy.

But not this time.

This time, Rachel led Jane to a small sitting room near the main hall. Theodore would likely throw a fit later, demanding to know why his guest had been taken to such a modest room. But she couldn’t care less.

Jane, who lived in a relatively fine house for a commoner, wasn’t familiar with noble estates. As a result, she simply looked around and asked, “Is this the parlor?” That was as much of a complaint as she made. A shame, really.

As soon as they sat down, Jane leaned in slightly and whispered.

“Um, Countess, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say. May I?”

Rachel resisted the urge to tell her, I know what you’re going to say, so don’t bother.

“Of course. What is it?”

“It’s something I’ve wanted to mention since I first saw you in the hall…”

“Yes?”

“Countess, have you considered trying some skincare? There’s a new lotion at a general store that’s rumored to make your skin smooth and radiant. If you’d like, I could bring it as a gift on my next visit!”

The foolish Rachel in the original story had been delighted by this comment.

She had thought Jane was such a kind young lady, even offering to bring a gift during their first meeting, and had boasted about it to Theodore.

Completely oblivious to the fact that Jane had subtly insulted her.

Jane was nine years younger than Theodore and five years younger than Rachel.

When Rachel Was Jane’s Age

When Rachel had been preparing to marry Theodore, she had been exactly Jane’s current age—a time when everything about her had been beautiful and dazzling. Yet, she hadn’t even had a proper romance before marrying someone like Theodore.

Rachel, though unaware of it herself, was a beauty. Her light pink hair, sky-blue eyes, soft features, and slender figure radiated charm. Unlike the youthful Jane, Rachel exuded a mature allure.

Sadly, Rachel, unloved by her husband, thought she lacked appeal. That’s why she followed Jane’s suggestions: taking care of her skin, wearing provocative lingerie, and forcing herself to act cute.

She did it all in a desperate attempt to win the attention of her husband, who had never once truly looked at her. That was the only reason she dressed herself up.

It was laughable.

Rachel’s expression hardened.

“You’re suggesting gifting me lotion? How could you say something so tactless?”

Jane’s voice faltered, clearly taken aback by the unexpected reaction.

“Oh… oh my, t-tactless? I didn’t mean it like that… I just…”

“If you have time to worry about my skin, perhaps you should focus on your own. I’m not someone who needs skincare tips from a girl like you.”

“Oh… I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you’d hate the idea this much… I just thought you might like it since the Count likes the scent…”

“Theodore likes the scent?”

Lotion had become a trend for post-bath body care.

And Theodore liked the scent of such a product?

That meant the two of them must have been close enough to smell each other after bathing. It was as if Jane was openly confessing, Theodore and I have slept together.

No matter how flustered she might have been, such a slip of the tongue was outrageous.

Realizing her mistake, Jane’s face turned beet red.

“Oh… I-I’m truly sorry! I didn’t mean to imply that I’ve slept with the Count or anything like that…”

Smack!

Rachel’s palm met Jane’s cheek in a fiery slap.

“Slept together? First, you bring up lotion my husband supposedly likes, and now you’re talking about sleeping with him? Why? Did you two actually sleep together?”

“How… how could you slap me! I’m Count Theodore’s guest!”

“So? Does being a guest mean I have to tolerate insults? You seem to have forgotten your place since Theodore treats you well, but you’re a commoner, and I’m the Countess. The very fact that we’re speaking right now is absurd. I showed you courtesy, and you dared to overstep your bounds?”

Rachel hadn’t planned to slap her. She had intended to stay calm, pretending to be the old Rachel until her divorce plans were finalized.

But seeing a woman blatantly flaunt their affair in front of her made her blood boil.

Jane trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.

Pathetic.

When Theodore appeared, Jane immediately ran to him, as though she would fling herself into his arms, though she hesitated, likely mindful of Rachel’s presence.

“Count…!”

“Jane? Jane, what’s wrong?”

Theodore was visibly shocked to see the reddened cheek of his lover.

“Rachel! What’s going on here? Why is Jane’s cheek…?”

“She did something worthy of a slap, didn’t you, Jane?”

Rachel’s clear voice cut through the air. Jane, on the verge of tears again, didn’t dare to protest. She knew that if Theodore heard about her slip of the tongue, he would reprimand her as well.

The dinner was soon ready, and the four of them—Jane, Theodore, Rachel, and Graham—gathered in the dining hall.

Jane and Theodore at Dinner

Jane kept glancing at Rachel nervously, then turned to Theodore, sitting beside her, and started acting sweet. With her boyfriend reassuring her, Jane’s earlier unease had faded, and she seemed bolder now.

“It’s so impressive to see so many servants helping with dinner! Count, you live such a grand life. It makes me feel a bit distant from you.”

“What’s there to feel distant about? Just visit often and get used to it.”

Unbelievable.

Visit often? Who says?

Rachel was about to flatly refuse when, unexpectedly, Graham spoke up first.

“I don’t like you, ma’am. Don’t come back.”

“Graham?”

Unaware that Graham was utterly devoted to his mother, Jane foolishly tried to engage him.

“Hello, Graham. The Count has told me so much about you. You’re so handsome! I bet you’ll grow up to be very dashing, just like your father.”

Though still a child, Graham was the heir to the Ellosa County. Speaking so casually to someone of his status was disrespectful, no matter how close she was to Theodore.

What was even more surprising was Theodore. He didn’t correct Jane for speaking informally to his son, who would one day inherit his title.

Graham pouted, clearly annoyed.

“Are you stupid, ma’am? I don’t look like my dad. I look like my mom.”

“Oh, no, you’re wrong! You look so much like your dad—your hair, your eyes…”

While technically true, Graham’s mood had soured entirely. Tears welled in the boy’s eyes.

“I don’t want to look like my dad. I want to look like my mom.”

Graham glanced toward Rachel, silently asking for her support.

Rachel quickly nodded.

“Of course, you look like your mom. You’re her son, after all. From what I see, you don’t resemble your dad at all—you take after your mom entirely.”

“Really? I do look like Mom, don’t I?”

Graham beamed with joy.

Theodore, at a loss, cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Graham, do you really like your mom that much?”

“Yes! Mom is the most beautiful and the best person in the whole world.”

“What about your dad? Your dad is pretty great too.”

“Dad’s not great.”

His tone made it clear he couldn’t believe Theodore would even ask such a question.

Theodore scratched his head, embarrassed.

“Is it because I’m a man and calling me ‘pretty’ feels weird? Then what about Jane? Isn’t Jane pretty?”

Graham looked across the table at Jane, staring at her for a moment before sighing and slumping his shoulders.

“Mom, this is bad.”

“What’s bad, sweetie?”

“Dad’s getting old, and his eyesight must be failing.”

Rachel had to stifle her laughter at Graham’s serious tone.

“Do you think Dad’s eyesight is going bad?”

“Masha said that when people get old, their eyesight starts to fail. Dad thinks he’s handsome, and he says this ugly lady is pretty. But he doesn’t tell the most beautiful person in the world—Mom—that she’s pretty. Isn’t that because he can’t see properly?”

How could someone say such charming things?

And he subtly managed to scold both Theodore and Jane in the process. Truly, Graham was a little prince even at his age.

Theodore and Jane, unable to argue or get angry at a child’s words, looked utterly defeated. Their expressions were priceless.

Rachel could barely contain her glee. She wanted to scoop Graham up in her arms and shower him with kisses right then and there.

But she had to maintain her composed demeanor. Acting dignified in moments like these was exhausting.

I can’t wait to finalize the divorce and live alone with Graham!

After Dinner

The moment dinner ended, Jane fled the estate as if chased. She looked on the verge of tears, even though Rachel hadn’t done much to her.

How does she plan to endure what’s coming if she can’t even handle this? Rachel thought.

Theodore, now scowling, growled, “Don’t go to bed yet, Rachel. I have something to say to you.”

“Understood.”

He probably wanted to scold her for humiliating Jane earlier during dinner.

Let him try.

Theodore escorted Jane back home, only returning late at night. He strode toward Rachel with heavy, threatening steps.

“Rachel, are you out of your mind?”

Out of my mind? That would be you.

Rachel smirked inwardly.