Chapter 32: Without Fully Understanding

It was the time when Soo-hyun was just a middle school student.

Soo-hyun’s older brother, Jung Ihyun, gained public attention after being admitted to a prestigious science high school. A chaebol heir with such an exceptional intellect was rare, so Ihyun became the sole focus of Yoon-Hwa’s affection.

Kang Yeonhee, Soo-hyun’s mother who had been looked down upon for her humble background, also began gaining recognition from Yoon-Hwa thanks to Ihyun’s achievements. More bluntly put, it was only then that she started being treated like a human being.

This change came seventeen years after her marriage.

Yoon-Hwa, who had become thin and irritable from focusing solely on studying, would personally instruct Yeonhee to prepare the food Ihyun craved. Although Yeonhee had several employees working under her, on days when Yoon-Hwa gave specific orders, Yeonhee would go grocery shopping early in the morning herself.

One morning, Yeonhee left the house without a chauffeur and was bombarded with relentless calls from Yoon-Hwa since dawn. That day happened to be the anniversary of her late father-in-law’s death, and Yeonhee had several times more tasks than usual to prepare.

Driving through the rain while continuously answering calls, Kang Yeonhee got into a car accident and tragically died at the scene.

From that day forward, the mother who used to wake her two sons every morning was gone.

“…Until then, Chairman Jung’s sons didn’t know the reason behind their mother’s passing. It was simply known as an accidental traffic accident.”

Director Seok, sitting across from Hae-in, spoke flatly. The story unfolding in his matter-of-fact tone was more horrific than expected, prompting Hae-in to repeatedly ask for clarification.

“It’s hard to believe that the wife of such a large corporation would personally shop for groceries.”

“She was… that kind of person. She enjoyed taking care of her family directly. Unlike other wives who were usually consumed by business ambitions, she was different.”

Director Seok’s expression turned slightly bitter as he set down his teacup and continued.

“To be honest, Chairwoman Park also treated her a bit harshly.”

He explained that at that time, all of Jung Tae-Hoon’s siblings were forced into strategic marriages. Tae-Hoon, the only one who married for love, chose a woman he loved deeply, regardless of status or wealth.

Of course, she didn’t meet Park Yoon-Hwa’s standards and was practically treated like a servant whenever the family gathered.

Reflecting on how Chairman Park treated him, Hae-in surmised that Park Yoon-Hwa must have been even harsher decades ago. Nodding, Hae-in asked Director Seok:

“Even so, didn’t she feel some guilt towards Soo-hyun-sunbae?”

“Chairwoman Park is someone who refuses to admit that she could ever be wrong.”

Director Seok calmly continued his explanation.

When Yeonhee passed away, Park Yoon-Hwa never once thought it was her fault. Instead, she blamed the “stupid woman” for driving recklessly in the rain.

Despite knowing full well that she had orchestrated the situation, she shifted the blame onto her eldest grandson, repeating daily:

“You insisted on making the food your brother liked, and look what happened.”

She kept repeating those words.

Overwhelmed by guilt over his mother’s death, Ihyun committed suicide a year later. With her son’s death, Park Yoon-Hwa’s earlier claim about Yeonhee’s incompetence became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Park Yoon-Hwa invited Soo-hyun over every weekend under the pretense of comforting him, fulfilling any request he made. However, each meal included French home-cooked dishes that Yeonhee had prepared the day she died.

“Grandma, do you like this dish? My mom often made it…”

When Soo-hyun asked, puzzled, Park Yoon-Hwa casually replied,

“Your brother struggled terribly with it, but you eat it well. Yes, that’s how you overcome trauma.”

“What do you mean…?”

“That morning, she was preparing this very dish when the accident happened. You didn’t know? If not, you should remember it now. Your brother couldn’t handle it. But you’ll do fine. You take after me.”

After hearing Park Yoon-Hwa’s words, Soo-hyun vomited everything he had eaten.

“Director Seok, I don’t understand. I heard Chairman Park has strong affection for her descendants. But why does it sound like she’s tormenting her grandsons?”

Hae-in couldn’t fathom Chairman Park’s mindset.

Feeding Soo-hyun the same food that drove his mother to death and his brother to suicide…

Using this as a method to overcome trauma was too cruel. It wasn’t a solution—it was torture.

“Chairman Park desires a strong bloodline. That’s how I understood it. As subordinates, do we really need to understand? We just accept it.”

“But…”

“I don’t know. Perhaps she believed that repeating such actions would strengthen mental resilience. She always emphasized that the head of a major corporation shouldn’t make decisions driven by emotions at the expense of gains.”

“But this isn’t about separating work and personal matters.”

Learning that Chairman Park’s schemes were horrifying and realizing she was attempting to perpetuate them through her hands sent shivers down Hae-in’s spine.

It was no wonder Soo-hyun never smiled, having lived under such a person his entire life.

How foolish of her to promise making him smile without fully understanding the gravity of the situation. Hae-in felt dizzy and pressed her hand against her chest.

After silently observing Hae-in for a moment, Director Seok resumed speaking.

“Chairman Park herself banished all her siblings.”

“Does she want the same for Soo-hyun-sunbae? To become such a person?”

“CEO Jung’s management skills are exceptional. He reminds me of Chairman Park in her younger days. The higher Chairman Park’s expectations for CEO Jung grow, the tighter she will squeeze him.”

Director Seok paused mid-sentence and narrowed his eyes.

It had already been thirty years since he began serving beside Chairman Park.

In his youth, he admired the iron-willed woman for her outstanding management skills. But as time went on, he became increasingly aware of the people around her being crushed underfoot.

Park Yoon-Hwa clung obsessively to her bloodline yet showed no love for it. Paradoxically, she constantly referred to her precious bloodline and cherished grandchildren.

Park Yoon-Hwa herself was a bundle of contradictions.

Under her leadership, Director Seok handled many affairs. Among them, Ihyun and Soo-hyun were brothers who, due to Tae-Hoon’s frail health, were raised almost like children by Director Seok himself.

One of these brothers died, and the other survived harboring poison within him. Though Seok couldn’t openly call himself their father, seeing how much Soo-hyun had changed broke his heart every time.

“In fact, looking back, I searched hard for the person CEO Jung had long held feelings for. I felt it was crucial to find out who that person was.”

“Director, if you’re referring to me, that’s not true.”

Hae-in shook her head.

“I mean nothing to Sunbae. Moreover, I sense significant resentment toward the contract I signed with Chairman Park.”

“But you come to the house every day. Right?”

“Well, yes…”

“Originally, CEO Jung had no real home. He practically lived at the company.”

Could there be any emotion in the man who came to bed with her?

Unable to express her inner thoughts, Hae-in sighed.

“As you know, I have no power. Sunbae openly hates me.”

“I wish you would become CEO Jung’s home.”

“I don’t have the ability…”

“I strongly recommended you as his marriage partner. After thoroughly investigating your family background, academic records, and social relationships, I concluded you were the best choice.”

Listening to Director Seok, Hae-in absently brought the teacup to her lips to mask her conflicted emotions.

Though she had no choice but to accept the proposal, learning that Director Seok was the one who pulled her into this situation troubled her deeply.

“I’m sorry. In return, I’ll help your siblings or family as much as I can. This is also Vice Chairman Jung Tae-Hoon’s wish.”

Hae-in recalled the sight of her father-in-law during the formal introduction and wedding. His pale complexion and listless demeanor stuck in her mind.

For the first time, she deeply understood Soo-hyun’s feelings.

Confronting Chairman Park was akin to standing on the edge of a cliff, moments away from falling to one’s death. No one around offered a fundamental solution—not even her biological father, who seemed powerless.

Soo-hyun clearly pushed himself to survive.

“I’ll… try my best.”

A desolate feeling washed over her, like a breeze brushing against her chest. She felt trapped, struggling helplessly.

Realistically, escape was impossible. All she could do was earnestly fulfill her role as a wife.

“I truly regret pulling you into this.”

Director Seok bowed repeatedly as he rose and headed toward the entrance. Feeling awkward receiving such apologies from a man old enough to be her father, Hae-in kept bowing deeply in response.

Click.

After the front door closed, silence enveloped the house.

The staff had already left before Director Seok arrived, leaving the house completely empty. The vacant space felt unusually vast.

Letting out a short sigh, Hae-in went to the kitchen.

________________________________________

[When are you coming today?]

Ding. Along with the alarm, a message popped up. Soo-hyun, who had been sifting through piles of documents needing approval, absentmindedly glanced at the glowing phone screen. Then he fixed his gaze on it.

Three months had passed since marrying Hae-in.

Every day at 6 PM, a carefully prepared dinner photo would arrive on his phone.

Unless he was on a business trip, the message always came at the same time.

Still, Soo-hyun’s attitude towards her hadn’t changed much. Despite his efforts to provoke her into filing for divorce, Hae-in remained steadfast, waiting for him with an unchanged expression no matter what he said or did.

Over time, it was Soo-hyun who found himself anticipating her messages.

“Hmm.”

Holding the phone, he closely examined the picture Hae-in had sent. Today’s menu was soybean paste stew and barley yellow corvina.

“She’s not even good at making stews…”

Hae-in didn’t seem particularly talented at cooking. Yet, despite the meals not being particularly delicious, they occasionally lingered in his mind. That was because of Hae-in, bandaging her fingers after cutting herself while preparing the meals.

He had heard that she was diligently learning how to cook from the chefs and hired help. Her hands were always covered in cuts and bruises.

‘How long does she plan to keep this up?’

After reflecting for a moment, Soo-hyun turned off the screen and returned his attention to the documents.