{Half chapter} Janifer the maid

Janifer's Night

Janifer sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

She had just put their child to sleep in the small crib, tucking the blankets around the tiny body with practiced care. When she turned back, she saw her husband already lying down, his expression distant. His eyes were unfocused, lost in some thought that clearly had nothing to do with her.

She sighed softly.

Lowering herself onto the bed, she expected—hoped—he would at least acknowledge her presence. But he remained still, as if she wasn't even there.

A flicker of irritation passed through her.

With a small huff, she pulled off her upper garment, letting her shoulders relax as the fabric slid away.

She always thought having a generous chest was an advantage—a source of pride for a woman. And, if she were honest with herself, she had once enjoyed the admiring glances men gave her in her younger years.

But now?

Now, they were more of a burden than a blessing. A nuisance that made her shoulders ache.

And what was the point of them, really? The one man who was supposed to appreciate them the most wouldn't even spare her a glance.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked at her husband again.

Still lost in his thoughts.

Still acting like she wasn't there.

Frustration welled up inside her.

She leaned closer, placing a hand on his arm. Her voice was soft but firm.

"What are you thinking about so deeply that you can't even spare a moment for your wife?"

Her husband finally turned to look at her, but there was no warmth in his eyes—only mild annoyance.

"Not now, Janifer. I need to think."

Janifer stiffened.

A sharp frustration rose in her chest.

"What is so important that you have to think about it even at a time like this? Can't it wait?"

His tone turned sharper, more irritated.

"Wait for what?"

Her breath caught. Her eyes widened slightly.

"Can't you tell?"

He scoffed.

"Uhh… come on, Janifer. You're not that young anymore. Don't act like a cat in heat."

Silence.

Janifer stared at him, disbelief and hurt flashing across her face.

How could he say that?

The man who once couldn't keep his hands off her. The man who had looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Now, he couldn't even be bothered to pretend to care.

She felt something crack inside her.

Her voice was quiet when she finally spoke.

"How could you…"

Her husband exhaled, shifting uncomfortably. He must have realized he had gone too far.

For a moment, she thought—hoped—he would apologize.

But he hesitated.

Then, as if swallowing his words, he turned away and muttered, "Don't act like that. I'm thinking about our future, so don't disturb me."

With that, he got up from the bed and strode toward the door.

But just before stepping out, he suddenly paused.

Without turning around, he added, "Be careful around that noble… what was his name? Ethan? Yeah. It's said that he likes to seduce women with sweet words of nothing. So be careful around him."

Then he left.

The door shut with a soft thud.

Janifer sat frozen, her chest tightening.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

She barely even registered his warning about Ethan.

Her husband—the man who had once been crazy about her—had changed.

She wiped at her eyes, feeling a painful helplessness settle over her.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile.

"Seduce women?"

Even her own husband, the man who had once been desperately in love with her, didn't care anymore.

Would a young noble—a man in his prime—really see her as anything more than… old?