Kallion, conscious of Yuliana's presence, spoke to her coldly on purpose.
"You allowed her to return, so please take good care of her."
Did he mean she should look after his secretary?
When Yuliana looked at him silently, he stared back with an unreadable expression.
At that moment, Layla stepped in and bowed politely to Yuliana.
"Thank you so much, Madam. I heard it was you who allowed me to return."
Layla smiled with genuine gratitude. But Yuliana looked at her indifferently and said sharply:
"There's nothing to thank me for. I only brought you back to where you belong."
"…Pardon?" Layla asked in confusion.
Yuliana smiled gracefully.
"Because you look best at Kallion's side."
Layla froze, not knowing how to react to those meaningful words.
Meanwhile, Kallion's brows furrowed deeply.
Watching them, Yuliana added with a sly smile:
"Oh, I mean as his secretary, of course."
Layla, stiff at first, forced a smile.
"Thank you for saying so, Madam."
But Kallion's face remained hard.
'So she thinks Layla suits me better? Isn't that the same as saying she herself will never stand beside me?'
"I'll be going now," Yuliana said casually, turning away.
Kallion clenched his fists as he watched her leave.
He suddenly felt irritated.
'Why am I so unsettled? Did I want her to be jealous? But wasn't I the one who asked her to accept Layla back?'
Feeling ashamed of the childish things he had just said in front of her, he sighed deeply.
***
A little later, after Kallion entered his office, there was a knock.
"It's Layla."
"Come in," he said, walking toward the window with a heavy heart.
Layla entered with a bright smile.
"Do we have a lot of backlogged work?" she asked, gazing at his side profile longingly. She had missed that face so much.
When Kallion slowly turned to look at her, she lowered her head quickly and said,
"If you give me the orders, I'll start right away."
Kallion looked at her and spoke in a voice full of coldness.
"I still haven't completely forgiven you, Layla."
Her shoulders stiffened.
"You deceived me with lies and insulted the lady of the house. That's a grave crime."
He was referring to how she had even harmed herself to frame Yuliana.
When the truth was revealed and she was ordered back to Sorrento for reflection, she had felt her world collapse.
Not because of the punishment, but because Kallion had seen her at her ugliest.
But when the order came for her to return, she believed it meant he had forgiven and understood her.
She had felt such relief then, thinking, 'Of course—after ten years together, he would never cast me aside.'
Yet, looking into his icy eyes now, she realized it had all been her mistake.
"I decided to end it by exiling you to Sorrento because of our ten years together," he continued.
Her heart dropped. That meant he had intended never to see her again.
"But Yuliana insisted you be allowed back into the estate," he added.
Unlike the tone he used earlier in front of Yuliana, now his words were clearly a warning.
The only reason she was here was because of Yuliana's forgiveness. She had no other ground to stand on.
'Is this all I am to him, after ten years by his side?!'
Layla looked up at him with hurt eyes, but his cold, expressionless gaze froze her in place.
"No matter how loyal you are to Valdormer, no matter that Yuliana is Heister's daughter," his voice dripped with frost, "you crossed the line, Layla."
With the light at his back, his face was shadowed. She was almost glad—because if she had to see the contempt on his face, she might collapse.
"Even if it's you, I will never forgive anyone who tries to destroy what belongs to me."
Layla bit her trembling lips hard and bowed deeply.
This was no longer advice to a beloved subordinate.
It was a clear, deadly warning.
"I-I'm sorry…" she stammered.
But Kallion cut her off.
"Don't disappoint me again."
The hostility in his voice made her lips sting as if cut by ice.
"Yes, I understand," she forced out, though her fists trembled with humiliation.
***
Time passed with daily routines.
Yuliana continued managing the estate as usual. Layla once again served as her assistant.
This time, Layla showed no hostility.
Yuliana had expected revenge, but instead Layla quietly and obediently carried out her duties.
It made the work easier, but Yuliana couldn't shake her unease.
It had been three weeks since she and Kallion had shared a bed.
Still, she felt no symptoms of pregnancy.
It was still early, but if she had conceived from their first night, it could already be four weeks—yet her body showed no changes.
'Maybe I really didn't conceive… Then what should I do? I'd have to sleep with him again, wouldn't I?'
Hot memories of Dallot suddenly rushed back—their nights when even she lost control.
Flustered, she shook her head to drive the thoughts away.
At that moment, Layla appeared with a tea tray and placed a cup beside her.
"Madam, please rest a little."
Yuliana answered cautiously, "Thank you."
"It's chamomile tea, your favorite," Layla said with a polite smile as she sat across from her.
Yuliana looked at her suspiciously.
'Why is she suddenly being so kind? What is she planning?'
"I realized I never properly apologized to you after returning," Layla continued.
Yuliana tried to end the conversation quickly.
"There's no need for apologies. Just focus on your work."
"Yes, Madam. I'll devote myself to my duties from now on," Layla replied smoothly.
Yuliana studied her in confusion.
'Is this another act? Is she pretending just to trap me again?'
Layla then smiled meaningfully.
"From now on, I will serve you as the lady of the house and share everything with you."
Yuliana narrowed her eyes.
"Everything?"
"Yes. For example, orders from Lord Kallion that were kept secret from you."
At that, Yuliana's brow furrowed sharply.
"Why would you tell me such things?"
Although it was valuable information, it came from Layla—so she couldn't trust it easily.
But Layla looked her straight in the eye and said,
"Because you too deserve to know the truth, Madam."