PSS - 14

Chapter 14: The Unveiled Backstory

The story Soon-ae revealed completely shattered Hae-in’s assumptions.

It turned out that Jung Soo-hyun had harbored feelings for her throughout their college years. Because of this, most men hadn’t dared to approach her.

“I can’t believe it. I never even had a personal conversation with him.”

“That’s the funny part—everyone else seemed to know except us, the two people directly involved.”

“How could that be…?”

Hae-in stared at her friend in disbelief, eyes wide as saucers. Soon-ae let out a wry laugh and explained how she uncovered the truth.

“After you told me about all this, I got curious and started asking around. Apparently, some guys from Soo-hyun-sunbae’s group tried to make a move on you once.”

“Really?”

“You know what those guys were like—a bunch of trash cans. There wasn’t a single girl in school they hadn’t touched. I was one of them too.”

Soon-ae’s past must have been painful to recount, but she brushed it off for Hae-in’s sake, which only made Hae-in feel guiltier.

“...I’m sorry. I remember how hard things were for you back then…”

“What’s there to apologize for? It’s all in the past. That was years ago.”

Hae-in refilled Soon-ae’s empty glass to express her regret. Soon-ae grabbed some snacks and continued.

“Thinking back, there were a few odd things. Usually, when someone dates into that group, they introduce their friends and hang out together. But while we were dating, he never once asked me to bring you along.”

“Even if he had, I was so busy I probably wouldn’t have been able to go.”

“But here’s the kicker—Soo-hyun beat up someone almost half to death because of you. Remember that senior who was notorious for being a drug addict?”

“Because of me?”

As the story unfolded, Hae-in found herself stunned. She had heard Soo-hyun was the type to throw punches before words, but she never imagined such incidents involved her.

“That drug-addicted punk apparently declared he was going to mess with you. Soo-hyun-sunbae overheard and nearly killed him on the spot. Everyone around panicked, trying to stop him from actually murdering the guy.”

“This is the first time I’m hearing any of this…”

“It was pretty famous among the guys. Soo-hyun-sunbae’s reputation was so fearsome that even this incident was quietly swept under the rug.”

The drug-addicted senior had been infamous for dragging his girlfriends into addiction, ultimately ruining not just their lives but also his father’s political career. His imprisonment had made headlines years ago, though no one knew whether he’d been released since.

If that thug had come after her, Hae-in shuddered to think what might have happened.

Lost in thought, she absentmindedly fiddled with her soju glass. Sensing her mood, Soon-ae cautiously asked:

“So… what’s going on with you? Suddenly getting married? And to Soo-hyun-sunbae, no less.”

“A marriage proposal came through.”

If she were to marry, Soon-ae would be the first friend Hae-in would tell and invite. Without hesitation, Hae-in shared the truth, slightly sugarcoating details involving Chairman Park. She didn’t want to burden her fiercely loyal friend with unnecessary worries.

“The more I hear about him, the more surprising it gets. I always thought chaebol heirs only arranged marriages within wealthy families. How unusual.”

Soon-ae munched on some snacks, shaking her head in disbelief, before suddenly brightening with an idea.

“Wait—could it be that Sunbae has liked you all this time and specifically requested to meet you through the matchmaking?”

“Well, now that you mention it, that could be true.”

Hae-in nodded along, subtly erasing any room for doubt in Soon-ae’s mind.

“Wow, my friend’s becoming a chaebol daughter-in-law! This is insane. I can’t believe it.”

As Soon-ae gushed in disbelief, Hae-in chuckled softly and refilled her glass. Her reflection shimmered faintly in the transparent liquor.

Could it be that some lingering feelings for her still remained?

She recalled Soo-hyun’s face, hazy-eyed and repeatedly calling her name.

‘The you I remember…’

Now she understood why he kept bringing up her past during their encounter at the hotel. If this were true—if Soo-hyun still held her in his heart—

What she had thought would be stepping into a tiger’s den might not lead to such an unhappy marriage after all. A flicker of hope began to grow in her chest.

Watching Soon-ae celebrate innocently, Hae-in smiled faintly.

---

“Ms. Yoon Hae-in, please come in.”

Waiting outside the examination room, Hae-in rose quietly at the nurse’s call. Pushing open the door, she entered to find the same female doctor greeting her.

“Hmm…”

The doctor hesitated before calling for the nurse waiting inside.

“Nurse Park, could you go to the third floor and check on Dr. Min? Tell him the patient I mentioned yesterday has arrived.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

The sound of the door clicking shut echoed behind her. Hae-in sat silently, waiting for the doctor to speak.

When she had asked why she needed another visit to the gynecologist, Director Seok hadn’t provided much detail. He simply said the doctor would conduct another test upon her arrival.

“Do you know why you’re here today?”

When the doctor sighed and posed the question, Hae-in responded with a look that implied she was expecting an explanation.

“To be honest, I wasn’t given the full details.”

“Well… there was an order to check whether your hymen is intact.”

At the doctor’s words, Hae-in felt a jolt run down her spine. The doctor shook her head as she spoke.

A hymen test.

It was such an outdated concept. She knew Chairman Park was obsessively controlling over his grandson’s personal life, but this level of intrusion was shocking.

Not knowing how to respond, Hae-in simply stared at the doctor. Though it felt like being doused with ice water in broad daylight, she wasn’t planning to refuse if it had to be done.

“But I’m not going to do it.”

The doctor gave a weary smile. Seeing Hae-in’s puzzled expression, she elaborated.

“Whether it’s the people who believe such tests are valid or those who demand them… moments like these make me question why I became a doctor. Don’t worry—I’ll keep things minimal. I’ve already heard the gist of the situation.”

After a few private questions, the doctor concluded the session, saying that was enough for today. As she wrapped up, Hae-in asked a question that had been on her mind since their last meeting.

“Why are you being so kind to me…?”

“Curious, aren’t you?”

A resigned smile crossed the doctor’s face.

“I hope you’re the last one. To be honest, every time I receive such orders, I feel utterly defeated. Sometimes I wonder why I even became a doctor.”

“The last one?”

“Oh, I should clarify. Among those brought to see President Jung. I hope you’re the last. That’s why I’m trying to be as considerate as possible.”

“Have that many women come before me?”

“I can’t give you exact numbers, but honestly, there were times I considered quitting medicine altogether. I’m sorry. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, you arrived. It’s selfish of me, but I hope you can endure.”

The doctor paused to catch her breath before continuing with a meaningful gaze.

“This is the first time Chairman Park has shown such interest in a woman. I heard none of the previous candidates even got close to President Jung.”

“Is that so…”

Hae-in awkwardly smiled, unsure how to respond.

“We’ll likely see each other often. Your next appointment is three days after your period starts. They’ve instructed me to monitor your ovulation cycle monthly. There’s no way around it—we’ll see each other every month from now on. Until then.”

Hae-in simply nodded and rose from her seat. It seemed she would now need to meticulously track her ovulation dates and report them regularly.

To outsiders, it might seem like the glamorous start of a high-society marriage. But beneath the surface, everything was dictated by a contract—an arrangement entirely driven by Chairman Park’s will, with no input from the groom himself.

“I’m done.”

Hae-in followed the female secretary waiting outside to the lobby. As the secretary called for the chauffeur, Hae-in stood idly, lost in thoughts of Soo-hyun’s words.

“But no children.”

Though the wedding hadn’t taken place yet, Chairman Park wanted them to conceive as soon as possible. However, Soo-hyun clearly showed no intention of cooperating.

What to do?

The thought of regularly visiting the gynecologist made pregnancy feel like an imminent reality rather than a distant future.

“If I get pregnant…”

She suddenly remembered the prenuptial agreement she had signed with the sole intention of saving her brother.

The document assigning a monetary value to each child felt surreal. At the time, consumed by immediate concerns, she hadn’t deeply contemplated the implications of having a child.

Her dying brother and withering parents had felt far more urgent than any unborn child.

“I’ll escort you to the main house immediately.”

The young chauffeur she had met before spoke from the driver’s seat. Today, accompanied by a secretary, he seemed even more cautious in his speech.

Hae-in bowed slightly in acknowledgment and gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Visiting the gynecologist regularly, reporting every intimate detail to Chairman Park—it all felt like something out of another era. Yet, considering Chairman Park’s reliance on astrology and physiognomy for executive promotions, perhaps it wasn’t entirely implausible.

Hae-in resolved to detach herself emotionally from everything happening to her. 

Yes, I am Taesung’s possession.

Thinking this way somehow brought her peace. What rights or emotions could an object possibly claim? Objects simply fulfilled their purpose until discarded.

Perhaps it was fortunate that, while being used, she could still contribute to her family’s happiness.

With her resolve firmly set, they arrived at the Taesung estate. Hae-in steeled herself and stepped out of the car.

But as soon as she entered the garden, someone blocked her path.

Pausing at the shadow looming over her, Hae-in looked up to find an unexpected figure waiting for her.