My Bratty Wife
Chapter 162 - Hundred And Sixty Two

Chapter 162: Chapter Hundred And Sixty Two

The pale light of dawn crept through the tall windows of their room, casting long shadows across the floor. Two weeks had passed since Doris’s death, weeks filled with grief, suspicion, and the gnawing fear that something far more sinister will happen.

Ryan stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, but his thoughts were far away. The image of Doris’s lifeless body, the blood staining the floor, was seared into his memory. He had found the strange leaves in Doris’s room, tucked away in a small pouch, the same leaves that had been used to poison Suzy.

A cold fury had gripped him then, a burning need to uncover the truth.

He had taken the leaves to the doctor, requesting a thorough examination. The doctor’s report had confirmed his suspicions. The leaves, a rare and potent herb, were known to cause memory loss when ingested. It was clear now. Doris had been responsible for poisoning Suzy, not with a fatal dose, but with something that stole her memories, her past. The realization was a heavy blow. Doris, her trusted companion, her friend, had betrayed her. "But why?" He asked.

The investigation into Doris’s actions had led to a dead end. The maid who had delivered the poisoned food to Doris had been apprehended, but before she could reveal the identity of her employer, she had taken her own life, running headfirst into a stone wall. The abruptness of it, the desperation, only deepened the mystery. Who was behind this? Who wanted to erase Suzy’s memories and why?

Ryan turned from the window, his gaze falling on Suzy, who sat by the fireplace, staring into the flickering flames. She had recovered physically from the poisoning, but the emotional scars were still visible. The light in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a quiet sadness.

He walked over to her and sat beside her, taking her hand in his. "Duchess," he said softly, "how are you feeling?"

Suzy looked up at him, her eyes filled with a weariness that went beyond the physical. "I’m... I’m better," she replied, her voice soft as a whisper. "But... I still miss her."

Ryan squeezed her hand gently. "I know," he said. "She was... she was a part of your life."

Suzy sighed, her gaze returning to the fire.

"Ryan," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "what if... what if it’s someone we know? Someone... close to us?"

Ryan’s expression hardened. "Then they will pay," he said firmly. "No one... no one hurts you and gets away with it."

The danger was still too real, the pieces of the puzzle still too scattered to draw any conclusions. "We may never truly understand Doris’s motives," he said carefully. "But we will find out who is behind all of this. I promise you."

Suzy shook her head slowly. "It’s like... like a nightmare," she whispered. "I keep thinking about her, about her lifeless body on my arm... about everything that’s happened. It’s too much."

Ryan pulled her closer, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. "I know," he said, his voice filled with compassion. "But you’re not alone in this, my love. I’m here for you. We’ll get through this together."

Suzy leaned against him, finding comfort in his presence. "Okay," she whispered.

A few days later, Ryan met with the doctor again. "The leaves," Ryan began, his voice low, "you said they were used to cause memory loss. How... how long would the effect last?"

The doctor stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It depends on the dosage and how often it was administered," he replied. "In her grace’s case, it seems the effects were... significant. But thankfully not permanent. However, these leaves are not easy to find. Someone went to a great deal of trouble to obtain them."

Ryan nodded grimly. "I understand," he said. "And the poison that killed Doris? Was it the same?"

The doctor shook his head. "No," he replied. "That was a different substance altogether. Fast-acting and highly toxic. It seems... someone wanted to ensure she wouldn’t talk."

Ryan’s suspicions were confirmed. This was no random act of violence. This was a carefully organized plan, targeting Suzy, and anyone who might get in the way. He knew now that the danger was far greater than he had initially thought. He was sure he’s now dealing with someone powerful, someone ruthless, someone who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. The mysterious murderer. And his wife, was the target. He had to protect her, no matter the cost.

Suzy, in the meantime, had organized a proper funeral for Doris. She stood by Doris’s grave, tears streaming down her face, saying her final goodbye. "I forgive you, Doris," she whispered, her voice carried away by the wind. "I’m sure your lady too forgives you. I hope... I hope you’ve found peace." The grief was still raw, the pain still sharp, but with each passing day, Suzy found a little more strength, a little more resolve. She knew she had to move forward, not just for herself, but for Cassandra, for Doris, for everyone who had been hurt by this mysterious enemy. She would not let them win. She would not let them silence her. She would find the truth, no matter how dangerous it might be.

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The moon hung high in the inky sky, casting a silvery glow over the castle gardens. Suzy, unable to sleep, slipped out of bed, donned her robe and walked silently to the balcony. The cool night air was a welcome change from the warmth of the room. She settled onto a small bench, her gaze drawn to the moon’s gentle light. A great number of thoughts swirled through her mind. "My study should be ready now," she mused to herself. "I need to get back to work. The orphanage jubilee is fast approaching, and there’s still so much to do. And... and I can’t forget about the investigation. I need to start my own investigation. I need to find out who is threatening my life. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m still in danger."

Her thoughts were interrupted by a warm breath on the back of her neck, followed by a gentle kiss. Strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her back against a familiar embrace. "Can’t sleep?" Ryan’s voice was soft, a low rumble against her ear. He moved to sit beside her on the bench, then, with a playful grin, laid his head in her lap.

Suzy smiled, her fingers instinctively threading through his hair. "No," she replied softly. "I just needed some fresh air. To clear my mind."

Ryan, thoroughly enjoying the feel of her fingers in his hair, looked up at her with a tender expression. "Davis told me yesterday that your study is finally finished," he said. "You can move in there tomorrow."

Suzy’s smile widened, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. She took his hand to her lips and kissed it gently, her touch light as a feather. "Thank you, Ryan," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

Ryan’s smile deepened. "I’m glad you’re moving on," he said softly. "It’s been a month since I’ve seen a genuine smile on your face. I’m... I’m proud of you, Cassandra."

Suzy’s heart swelled with warmth. She bent down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "Let’s go back inside," she said gently. "Before you catch a cold." She glanced at his bare chest, a playful glint in her eyes. "Especially since I don’t know why you came outside shirtless."

Ryan chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. He stood up, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "And what if I told you I planned it that way?" he teased, then, in one smooth motion, scooped her up into his arms.

Suzy gasped, her laughter bubbling up.

"Ryan! Put me down!" she protested, though her tone was light and playful.

Ryan carried her effortlessly back towards the castle, his gaze fixed on her. "Not a chance," he said, his voice low and husky. "I’m not letting you out of my sight tonight."

Suzy wrapped her arms around his neck, her laughter softening into a contented sigh. "You’re impossible," she murmured, but her voice was filled with affection.

Ryan carried her inside the room, kicking the door shut behind him. He gently set her down on her feet, but kept his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close.

He took her hand in his, his fingers intertwining with hers. "You know," he said, his voice low and intimate, "I’ve been worried about you."

Suzy looked at him, her eyes filled with concern. "Worried? Why?"

Ryan cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gently caressing her cheeks. "Because of everything that’s happened these past weeks," he said softly. " 4 weeks to be exact."

Suzy leaned into his touch, finding comfort in his presence. "I know," she whispered. "But I’m... I’m trying. I’m trying to move on. To... to heal."

He looked down at her, his eyes filled with tenderness. "I know and I mean it, Cassandra," he said softly. "I’m proud of you. You’re strong, and you’re resilient. And I... I admire you so much."

Suzy’s heart fluttered at his words. She stood on her tiptoes, reaching up to gently cup his face in her hands. "And I admire you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "You’ve been so supportive, so patient. I don’t know what I would do without you."

Ryan leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. "You’ll never have to find out," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. He lowered his head, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, tender kiss. "I’ll always be here for you, Cassandra. Always."