Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
At Chairman Park’s question, Hae-in felt her breath catch in her throat.
For a moment, she considered confessing the truth. But then the image of Choi Ae-ran, the head chef, flashed in her mind. If she admitted to receiving help, it would not only embarrass herself but also put Ae-ran in an awkward position.
Lowering her gaze as respectfully as possible, Hae-in responded gently.
“If it doesn’t suit your taste, I apologize. I still have much to learn.”
She avoided outright lying while sidestepping a direct answer about whether she had personally prepared the dish. Her response subtly acknowledged her shortcomings without outright denial. To her surprise, Chairman Park suddenly burst into laughter.
“What an interesting girl you are. Truly amusing!”
Hae-in wasn’t sure whether the laughter was mocking or genuine, so she simply bowed her head further.
“You’ve got some wit. Thank goodness you’re not as foolish as Hyeyeon. You’re better than your mother-in-law.”
Hearing such blatant criticism of her mother-in-law left Hae-in unsure how to react. Smiling along would feel like agreeing with the insult, yet maintaining a stern expression might come across as failing to match the chairwoman’s mood.
Every interaction with Chairman Park felt like a test, and Hae-in couldn’t afford to let her guard down. As she scrambled to find an appropriate response, the chairwoman continued.
“I like clever people. In that regard, you’re growing on me.”
“Thank you.”
“So, I thought I’d give you a little gift.”
The word “gift” made Hae-in look up. Never before had the word sounded so ominous.
“There’s a dish Soo-hyun particularly loves. If you want to win his heart, try making it sometime. His late mother used to make it for him.”
Surprised by this unexpected advice, Hae-in nodded with a slightly bewildered smile. Was this truly just a harmless tip? Hoping it was sincere guidance to bond with her husband, she replied cheerfully:
“Thank you. I’ll definitely give it a try.”
“Do you know how to cook French cuisine?”
“I haven’t tried before, but I’ll practice.”
Satisfied with Hae-in’s obedient response, Chairman Park smiled approvingly.
“Remember this. Soo-hyun likes coq au vin with crème fraîche. His brother loved it too.”
“Coq au vin… crème fraîche…”
Though the unfamiliar terms didn’t stick easily, Hae-in repeated them silently, committing them to memory.
Perhaps this was her way of showing approval as part of the family. Hae-in sensed her guard against Chairman Park loosening slightly compared to their first meeting.
No matter how intimidating someone might be, perhaps deep down, she was just a grandmother wanting to express affection for her grandson—albeit in a somewhat misguided way.
“That’s right, you’ve got Soo-hyun firmly under control, don’t you? Ever since the wedding night, for days on end…”
Before Hae-in could process her earlier thoughts, Chairman Park leaned forward with gleaming eyes. Surely, she wouldn’t blatantly ask about their intimate life? Feeling flustered, Hae-in laughed awkwardly.
“It seems genes from poverty ensure certain skills are well-honed. After all, survival depends on something, right? Even Soo-hyun’s late mother relied on that to enter this household.”
Hae-in’s face flushed red. She hadn’t expected such crude remarks. Her ears burned, and a dry lump formed in her throat.
“Through premarital pregnancy, no less.”
Chairman Park concluded her statement and rose from her seat.
“My dear, come again tomorrow.”
Without waiting for Hae-in’s reply, she exited the dining room, clearly enjoying the sight of Hae-in’s discomfort.
________________________________________
Over the following days, Hae-in woke at 3:30 a.m. every morning to prepare for her visits to the main house. She faithfully prepared breakfast and shared meals with Chairman Park without missing a single day.
Interacting with Chairman Park was always a challenge. The constant tension during these visits left Hae-in so exhausted that she often spent half the day asleep upon returning home.
Though her heart yearned for her parents’ house, her body was too weary. As a result, her visit to her family kept getting postponed.
After commuting to Taesung nearly every morning, Hae-in grew closer to the kitchen staff. They now chatted freely around her, allowing her to gather bits of information about Soo-hyun and the family.
None of what she learned was particularly groundbreaking.
She discovered that Soo-hyun had been an affectionate and cheerful child, close to his older brother. She also learned that Jeong Tae-hoon, Soo-hyun’s father, still visited his late wife’s grave every month.
One morning, about a week later, she was told to greet Chairman Park before preparing breakfast. Arriving slightly later than usual, Hae-in knocked on the door to the chairwoman’s room and entered—only to see Soo-hyun sitting inside.
“I’ll take my leave.”
It seemed he had returned directly from an early-morning flight, as his eyes were slightly bloodshot.
Seeing her husband after so long, Hae-in brightened and greeted him warmly. However, Soo-hyun acted as though she weren’t even there, avoiding eye contact entirely.
As Soo-hyun stood to leave, Chairman Park spoke.
“Aren’t you going to claim what’s yours? I thought you disliked others touching your things.”
Soo-hyun paused as he passed Hae-in.
Her gaze followed him, though it barely reached his shoulder due to his towering height. His cold, emotionless eyes finally turned toward her.
“…Mine?”
His indifferent stare pierced through her like a frigid wind. Watching her crestfallen expression, Soo-hyun dropped his next words carelessly.
“With Chairman summoning her like this, can I even call her mine?”
“You called her here a few times while you were away. Are you upset?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Soo-hyun responded indifferently, turning back to Chairman Park.
“Whatever you give is ultimately your decision. Take it back or return it as you wish. I’m tired of reacting to your whims.”
His icy gaze shifted back to Hae-in, colder than his cutting words.
“Heartless boy.”
Chairman Park scolded him, though her tone carried an undertone of amusement.
Surely, she had known Soo-hyun would arrive at this time. Why else would she summon Hae-in specifically now?
Nothing Chairman Park did was without purpose.
Realizing she might have orchestrated this encounter to provoke such a reaction, Hae-in’s face darkened.
“Since you’ve reunited, spend some quality time together.”
Hae-in’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. Though she should have grown accustomed to such comments, they still made her feel exposed and uncomfortable.
She glanced at Soo-hyun again, but he remained unresponsive, staring blankly into space.
“…”
Without responding to Chairman Park, Soo-hyun swiftly turned and exited the room. Staying any longer risked unleashing uncontrollable anger.
As he quickened his pace, Hae-in called out hesitantly, but he ignored her completely.
He refused to show even the slightest acknowledgment of her presence in front of Chairman Park.
“If you wish, I can assign Se-young to you now. What do you think?”
To his disbelief, Chairman Park abruptly mentioned Lim Se-young—a granddaughter of Lim Woo-sik, currently studying abroad in America—after wrapping up his business report.
It had barely been a month since their wedding. Yet here she was, offering to assign Se-young as his secretary, practically inviting him to toy with her affections.
Soo-hyun knew that Chairman Park was aware of Se-young’s long-standing infatuation with him. Appointing her as his secretary seemed designed to provoke jealousy and insecurity in Hae-in.
He understood that Chairman Park enjoyed manipulating people. That’s why he maintained a stoic demeanor—at least until Hae-in appeared.
From the day he first pulled her away from Chairman Park to their engagement ceremony, the chairwoman’s eyes gleamed with delight whenever she looked at him.
Clearly, she relished the opportunity to manipulate her previously elusive grandson.
“I’ll consider it if I grow tired of what you’ve already given me.”
Soo-hyun restrained his emotions and answered in a flat tone. By the time Hae-in entered the room, he realized everything—the conversation, the timing—was staged for her benefit.
Predictably, she would cry. That fool always did.
Cruel words brought tears to her eyes, a reaction he anticipated.
He despised crying women.
Yet, Hae-in’s tears were different. Seeing them well up in her clear eyes tightened his chest. While other women’s tears disgusted him, hers stopped his breath.
“What you give is ultimately your choice. Do as you wish.”
Though his words were harsh, his eyes followed her. Silently, he prayed she wouldn’t cry—not in front of Chairman Park, where showing concern would only endanger her further.
The more he protected her, the more Chairman Park would torment her.
“Irritating.”
Without slowing his stride, he walked faster, eager to leave the suffocating atmosphere of the main house.
“Sunbae! Sunbae!”
Hae-in’s voice called out behind him. Turning, he saw her rushing toward him, shoes barely tied.
“When did you arrive? Why didn’t you call?”
How could she act so unaffected?
After everything he had done to her on the bed just before his trip, she greeted him like an excited puppy, as if nothing had happened.
But the thought that she didn’t actually care for him—that it was all part of some contract—ignited irrational fury within him.
His feelings toward Hae-in were frustratingly unpredictable.
Her seemingly caring actions drew him in, only for him to remember the contract binding them and lash out in anger.
“Must I report to you now?”
“I waited for you.”
Approaching casually, Hae-in looped her arm through his. He immediately shrugged her off.
“If you’ve nothing else to say, go straight home.”
“When will you come back?”
“When the time comes.”
Soo-hyun curtly replied and resumed walking. Behind him, Hae-in’s voice rang out one last time.
“I’ll have dinner ready and wait for you. If you’re not too busy, please come home early.”
Still irritating.
Ignoring her words, Soo-hyun continued walking without looking back.
Google Sites
Report abuse