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Joo-Chan spoke indifferently, seemingly unaware that it was precisely because he genuinely grappled with such concerns that the public had chosen him.
“But as the investigation unfolded and various allegations surfaced, my perspective shifted a bit.”
“How so?”
“I may not have been passionate about politics, but I gave it my all. It feels unfair, you know? No matter what Father did behind the scenes to manipulate people, I just focused on doing my job.”
“Isn’t that the problem, Hyung? Father shouldn’t have had any involvement in your work at all.”
“You’re right. I didn’t think about that. Even when Father pressured me to propose bills favorable to his business interests, I ignored him completely. I never imagined he’d pull strings from behind the scenes.”
“Did you really think Father would give up so easily?”
“I didn’t think too deeply about it. I had no interest in Father’s business dealings.”
Perhaps that was why he always seemed so indifferent to worldly matters—he truly hadn’t cared.
Chairman Choi’s ambitions to turn his sons into politicians, aiming for positions like mayor of Seoul or even president, had never crossed Joo-Chan’s mind.
“You’re quite the fool, Hyung. How could you be so oblivious to Father’s intentions?”
“This is the perfect chance to break the chain.”
“That’s right.”
“So you don’t need to apologize to me, Joo-Hyuk.”
Ah, so this was where the conversation had been heading all along.
Joo-Hyuk pressed his dry lips tightly together. Joo-Chan’s expression was warm and gentle—something he had rarely seen in their father but occasionally glimpsed in their late grandmother.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been able to let go of Father’s corruption. And I’ve realized that I was actually quite sincere about politics. So...”
Joo-Chan set down his chopsticks, placed both hands on his thighs, and bowed deeply to Joo-Hyuk.
“Thank you.”
Joo-Hyuk hadn’t expected to hear words of gratitude from his brother. The gesture deeply moved him, and tears welled up in his eyes. For a long moment, neither of them spoke—they simply gazed at each other silently.
At the very least, after that day, Joo-Hyuk came to understand one thing:
His brother would be fine. As always, he would continue to thrive as a politician. Perhaps someday, he might even fulfill his dream of becoming the president of this country.
“In that case, it’s truly fortunate. Despite appearances, I’m actually a supporter of Representative Choi Joo-Chan.”
Prosecutor Lee downed his now-cold coffee in one gulp and smiled.
---
“Chairman, Madam Sena has arrived.”
“Send her in.”
At Chairman Choi’s deep, commanding voice from inside, his secretary nodded toward Sena.
With trembling steps, Sena entered through the door the secretary held open for her.
She had never met Chairman Choi alone before, let alone come to his house like this.
The dim study was illuminated only by the evening sunlight streaming through two tall windows. Through the floating dust particles, she could see Chairman Choi seated in a distant armchair, a glass of whiskey in hand.
Approaching him, Sena bowed toward the still-closed-eyed Chairman.
“You called for me, Father?”
What did he want to say?
Sena couldn’t make sense of it. Amidst the chaos of the ongoing investigation, why had he summoned her?
“Divorce Joo-Hyuk.”
Before she could even process the words, Chairman Choi’s voice rang out. Shocked by the content more than the suddenness, Sena froze like stone.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
Chairman Choi finally opened his eyes and glanced sideways at Sena standing beside him.
“W-What are you saying...?”
“Is it so hard to understand? I’m telling you to divorce Joo-Hyuk.”
“Father, why are you suddenly saying this?”
“Suddenly?”
He sharply turned his head toward her, his dark eyes flashing with anger.
“Your marriage was originally a strategic alliance between families. It was necessary then, but now it’s unnecessary, so I’m telling you to end it.”
“B-But Joo-Hyuk and I love each other.”
Despite her trembling body, Sena forced herself to speak clearly.
“Love? Ever since meeting you, Joo-Hyuk hasn’t been in his right mind.”
“What?”
“He wouldn’t betray his own father and brothers unless he’d lost his sanity. He started acting strange after meeting you. You’re the root of the problem!”
Suddenly, Chairman Choi bellowed, causing the whiskey in his glass to spill onto the carpet.
“They say a woman who brings misfortune into a household ruins everything. Since you entered our family, everything has gone awry. You’re the problem!”
“Father, I can guess why you’re angry, but blaming me for this...”
“You’re just like Joo-Hyuk’s mother! A shameless woman who covets what she shouldn’t.”
Sena clenched her eyes shut, unable to bear the insult.
“Enough talk. Divorce Joo-Hyuk immediately!”
“I can’t do that, Father.”
“What did you say?”
She couldn’t back down now.
How could she part ways with Joo-Hyuk, whom she had reunited with after so much effort, just because of Chairman Choi’s threats?
“With all due respect, we truly love each other. Nothing else matters.”
Chairman Choi slowly rose from his armchair and turned to face her. Leaning forward, he stared intently at her face.
“Don’t make me into a monster.”
“...?”
“You should already know you’ve received more than you deserve. Your father’s company is now useless to me, and even your father has turned his back on me. Do you think I’ll keep you as my daughter-in-law in this situation? What makes you so bold?”
“Father, I...”
“I saw your psychiatric treatment records.”
Sena froze in place.
“Do you think I’ve seen them, or haven’t I?”
“W-What are you talking about...?”
“You shamelessly played the victim after what you did and clung to Joo-Hyuk. Don’t act innocent.”
He had seen it.
There was no doubt Chairman Choi had seen her counseling records.
How? How could he have accessed them without her consent?
Dr. Cho, her former counselor, and Seol-Young, her current therapist, were not the kind of people who would disclose such information about her—or any patient—without consent. They were professionals bound by confidentiality.
“If you had truly seen those records, you wouldn’t be able to say such things.”
“The version of you I’ve seen is more than capable of twisting memories to suit your own narrative.”
“How well do you really know me to say something like that...?”
Chairman Choi stood up and waved his hand dismissively, signaling he no longer wished to continue the conversation.
Sena’s eyes welled up with tears of frustration and injustice.
“Regardless of the truth, people believe what they want to believe. So, I’ll just think of your truth however I please.”
“Joo-Hyuk already knows everything about me. If you’re planning to use this to threaten me...”
“Do you think I’ll tell Joo-Hyuk about this?”
The cold, bitter smile on Chairman Choi’s face sent shivers down Sena’s spine.
“What do you think will happen if the KMS shareholders find out? If they believe Joo-Hyuk has been ensnared by some woman and lost his ability to make sound judgments? Soon, a motion to dismiss him as CEO will be brought up at the shareholders’ meeting...”
Though he trailed off, his meaning was crystal clear.
“You understand, don’t you? Divorcing Joo-Hyuk is the only way to save him.”
With those final words, Chairman Choi smirked triumphantly and left the study.
Alone in the now-empty room, Sena collapsed onto the floor.
The journey home felt impossibly long. When Chairman Choi’s secretary offered to drive her back, she briefly considered accepting, but shook her head. She didn’t want any help from him—not after how he had used Joo-Hyuk as leverage. Calling him “Father” was only out of respect for Joo-Hyuk, because he was his father.
As she rode the subway, she caught sight of the Han River bathed in a breathtaking sunset. On impulse, she got off at the next stop.
The sky, painted in shades of violet, shimmered over the river like embroidery. The gentle ripples reflected the streetlights, creating fleeting shadows of the sunset.
If only life could be as fleeting and beautiful as those sparkling lights—how peaceful it would be to simply fade away like that.
The thought made her smile bitterly.
She hadn’t entertained such ideas since she was a child, twelve years ago, though she had often contemplated them during her teenage years.
One, two, three, four...
She closed her eyes and slowly counted to ten. When she opened them again, the negative thoughts had somewhat subsided.
As she turned to head back to the subway station, her bag vibrated. It was Joo-Hyuk calling.
“Hello?”
[“Where are you?”]
“I stopped by the Han River Park because the sunset looked so beautiful on my way home.”
[The Han River?]
“Yes.”
[Let’s enjoy it together. It’s lonely playing at home.]
“I’m sorry.”
His childish pouting made her smile softly.
[Come home when you’re done. I’ve been waiting for you so eagerly.]
“Hey, Joo-Hyuk?”
[Mm?]
“If you’re free, do you want to come out?”
[Huh?]
“Do you want to go on a date with me?”
She wasn’t sure why those words slipped out. Suddenly, she just thought it would be nice to hold hands with Joo-Hyuk and take a walk together.
The streets were blooming with cherry blossoms, signaling the arrival of spring.
When had spring come so suddenly?
It felt like just yesterday they had watched the first snowfall together.
[Do you know something?]
“What?”
[This is the first time you’ve ever asked me out on a date.]
“Oh?”
Now that she thought about it, he was right. Before their marriage, Joo-Hyuk had always initiated their meetings. She had simply followed along with whatever he suggested.
“I’m sorry. I never realized.”
[You’re a bit slow when it comes to these kinds of things.]
“Hmm... I guess I can’t argue with that.”
[Where should we go?]
“Huh?”
[I accept your date invitation. Where do you want to meet?]
After a moment’s thought, Sena suggested a midpoint where both of them could arrive around the same time.
[I’ll be there soon.]
“Be careful on your way.”
[Don’t take the subway; take a taxi instead. It’s rush hour, so it’ll be crowded.]
They exchanged several reminders to be safe before finally hanging up.
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