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“Hnn... Seung-hyun... uhn.”
Seung-hyun extended his tongue and licked the prominent spot.
He repeatedly sucked deeper into her mouth and released, causing her vision to blur repeatedly.
As she received the pleasure rising up her spine with her whole body, she trembled as if something terrible was about to happen.
Paradoxically, rather than being afraid of those sensations, she wanted Seung-hyun to delve even deeper into her.
It was a strange thing indeed.
Starting from the spot Seung-hyun stimulated with his tongue, a fire surged through her entire body.
It was a distinctly different feeling from the stimulation she had received with his fingers, and she couldn’t come to her senses.
“Haa.”
She could feel the sensation of something flowing between her buttocks, indicating just how much fluid she was producing.
His tongue was softer than his fingers, but the heat she felt was more intense.
“Haa, Seung-hyun-ssi!”
It felt as if something condensed in her chest was about to explode.
Unable to bear it any longer, Yewon let out a moan and gripped Seung-hyun’s shoulders tightly.
As her excitement reached its peak, the initial shame she had felt was completely gone.
Now, even without Seung-hyun spreading her knees with his hands, she spread them wide open for him, forgetting all embarrassment.
As if asking him to thrust his tongue even deeper.
“If I had known you liked it this much, I wouldn’t have just suppressed my desire. I should have joined bodies with you sooner.”
Seung-hyun, who had thoroughly soaked Yewon’s lower area, lifted his upper body and looked up at her.
Yewon, with slightly teary eyes, breathed heavily.
Seung-hyun raised one side of his mouth and lowered his head again.
This time, his lips touched the area around her navel, and Seung-hyun began to move upward, gradually moving towards Yewon’s upper body.
“Eut.”
Sometimes he would gently place his lips, and other times he would suck with a loud, explicit sound.
Each time, Yewon would moan and her body would heave, but Seung-hyun paid no heed.
He left deep marks on the areas where he lingered for a while.
Before she knew it, Seung-hyun had reached a position where he could look at Yewon’s face at the same level.
Knowing that something even more intense was about to happen, Yewon’s heart pounded as if it would burst.
“Spread your legs wider.”
Yewon silently obeyed his explicit command.
Seung-hyun pushed his body between her inner thighs.
The hard shaft that had approached the place where Seung-hyun’s lips had been moments before settled into place.
“I won’t stop even if you ask me to.”
“......!”
“I’m at my limit too.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Seung-hyun pushed himself deep into Yewon’s inner flesh.
Since she had never had anything penetrate her before, it was difficult for Yewon to accept Seung-hyun.
No matter how much foreplay he had given her, it was searing and painful, like her flesh was being torn.
‘Is it always this painful?’
It was overwhelming.
Although she wasn’t sure since she had no experience, she thought it might be because Seung-hyun’s was too large.
It felt so tight just passing the entrance.
When Seung-hyun moved his hips and pushed deeper inside, her mind went blank.
“Hah... Seung-hyun-ssi. It’s too...”
“Euk.”
It seemed that it wasn’t easy for Seung-hyun either.
The way he furrowed his brow, letting out small moans as if he was holding something back, was incredibly sensual.
Before they started having sex, she was worried that the room was too bright and she wouldn’t be able to concentrate, and would be embarrassed.
But as she watched Seung-hyun’s face become increasingly excited, not missing a single detail,
she couldn’t help but feel a strange, erotic excitement, wondering if she was really such a wanton woman.
“Kim Yewon, why are you so tight?”
Even his vulgar words excited her rather than making her feel unpleasant.
“Heut.”
Seung-hyun slowly pushed his cock in, checking Yewon’s condition.
It seemed this was what he meant by being considerate since it was her first time.
“Are you okay?”
“Haa. Yes, I’m okay.”
Her breathing became increasingly rough.
When she only accepted his fingers, she wondered if she could handle a cock that was so much larger.
But that was a needless worry.
Because the tightness she felt below was gradually turning into pleasure.
“Eung.”
“Haa.”
Seung-hyun, who had kissed her, gently intertwined his tongue with hers, as if he was trying to soothe her.
The kiss he gave her while pushing his cock into her body was much more erotic than any kiss they had shared before.
‘Why does this feel so good?’
What’s wrong with me?
The more she felt that way, the more smoothly Seung-hyun’s cock seemed to move.
Yewon felt like she could now accept Seung-hyun even deeper.
And as soon as that thought ended,
“......!”
Seung-hyun’s shaft filled her completely.
For a moment, she was breathless, as if she had forgotten how to breathe.
“Haa.”
“Eung.”
Once he had opened the path, moving was much easier.
The lewd sound of their slick flesh rubbing together, made by their soaked and messy lower bodies, grew faster and faster.
“Hnn, Seung-hyun-ssi.”
As he moved his hips,
waves of pleasure washed over her body, then receded, over and over.
It was thanks to the fluids, whose origin was unclear, that acted as a lubricant.
“Haht.”
She realized that what he had done with his hands was just child’s play.
Yewon dug her fingernails into Seung-hyun’s back.
The unfamiliar pleasures, which she didn’t know how to handle, drove Yewon crazy.
No matter how hard she tried to hold back, moans kept spilling from her lips.
Yewon couldn’t believe those sounds were coming from her.
Embarrassed, Yewon bit her lip, trying to suppress the sounds.
Muffled sounds were swallowed into her throat.
“Kim Yewon. Make some noise.”
“Heut, I don’t want to... eung.”
She tried to clench her teeth, afraid that truly embarrassing sounds would erupt if she opened her mouth.
But Seung-hyun pushed his fingers into her mouth, preventing her from closing her lips.
“Heut.”
With Seung-hyun’s hips moving more violently, Yewon couldn’t help but moan.
The speed increased, and countless fireworks exploded in her chest.
An overwhelming pleasure washed over Yewon like a huge wave, pulling her deeper.
A dizzying feeling, like swimming in the deep sea, her body floating and then plummeting to the bottom.
At some point, the place filled with Seung-hyun trembled as if convulsing.
“Too... heut!”
Just as she thought there couldn’t be a greater pleasure, an even greater dizziness engulfed Yewon, as if mocking her.
“Haa, too... I like it too much.”
Yewon hugged Seung-hyun tightly with both arms.
Seung-hyun’s rough breaths were exhaled into Yewon’s ear, which was shaking wildly.
Her mind grew increasingly faint, and at the moment she thought she wouldn’t mind dying like this,
“Haa, Kim Yewon.”
They both reached their climax at the same time.
The overwhelming sensations were too much to bear, and Yewon’s vision blurred, and all the strength drained from her body.
“Heut.”
Seung-hyun once again left a wet mark on Yewon’s stomach.
Yewon couldn’t understand why Seung-hyun, who had suggested having a child, insisted on ejaculating outside her.
‘He could have done it inside.’
Yewon felt bitter at the sight of herself feeling resentful about such things.
Just a few seconds ago, she had shared a passionate first time with Seung-hyun, but all that followed was emptiness.
After catching his breath, Seung-hyun got up first, pulled out a tissue, and wiped away the semen scattered on Yewon’s stomach.
It was just a simple act of wiping away the marks, but Yewon’s body, without any sense of pride, twitched.
Without any pride.
“Wash up first.”
Seung-hyun, who had returned to his aloof demeanor, looked down at Yewon, who was still lingering in the afterglow.
Seeing him standing there with an indifferent face, Yewon felt as if the previous events were just a dream she had had alone.
She resented him for making her feel miserable, but she couldn’t show it at all.
“No. You wash up first.”
“If that’s what you prefer, then so be it.”
Seung-hyun immediately left the bedroom.
Yewon, who was staring blankly at the place he had disappeared, felt her eyes well up with tears.
“Heuk.”
Yewon, feeling miserable at the emptiness of loveless sex, shed tears.
Why am I doing this here? What did I just do?
“I didn’t bring up having a child to have meaningless sex.”
Yewon got up, a bitter smile on her face.
She shouldn’t have mentioned pregnancy just out of a desire for a child.
—’Seung-hyun-ssi, would it be okay if you slept with other women while sleeping with me and having a child?’
The question, which she had asked hoping for a “no,” was met with a bitter “I don’t mind.”
If she didn’t have feelings for Seung-hyun either, they could create a family without any problems.
She was the one who brought up the topic first, and she was the one who developed feelings that weren’t in the contract.
It was all Yewon.
But maybe...
“Divorce.”
That might be the right thing to do.
She shouldn’t have given in to Seung-hyun on the day she decided to divorce him.
She hated herself for taking on something so big when she wasn’t capable of handling it.
“Haa.”
Yewon covered her face with her hands, sobbing.
Seung-hyun stood under the shower and turned the faucet to cold water.
It had been a hot, sultry time, as if his whole body was on fire.
“Haah.”
The cascading stream of water ran down from his head, over his body, and onto the floor.
The coldness stung his skin, but strangely, it didn’t clear his mind.
“This is maddening.”
He hadn’t intended to lose control so completely and thrust himself into Yewon like that.
Since it was her first time, he had planned to take it slow, to be considerate.
Even though it was just sex for the sake of appearances, he wasn’t the kind of trash who would ruin someone else’s first time and leave them with a messy memory.
He didn’t want Yewon to later remember him as an inconsiderate first partner either.
But—
—”Mr. Seung-hyun, do you think it’d be okay for you to meet other women while sleeping with me and having a child?”
At the moment Yewon said those words,
The bright smile of the man she’d been facing flashed through his mind, making his blood run cold.
He didn’t have any particular feelings for Yewon, yet every time he thought about that scene, he felt as if his rationality was slipping away, and he couldn’t understand why.
—”On the other hand, while preparing for pregnancy, I might end up meeting another man too.”
Perhaps she wanted to clarify things beforehand so she wouldn’t get caught in a difficult situation.
Her roundabout questioning of whether he could handle such a scenario made him irritated.
His initial resolve crumbled, and Seung-hyun let his body take over, moving his hips instinctively.
Ignoring Yewon’s shy protests, he started having sex...
Watching her moan sensually in rhythm with his movements, growing more aroused by the second...
Seung-hyun felt as though he were turning into a beast.
Yewon’s tight grip around him, as if trying to break him in two, was... sexy and beautiful.
There was no other way to describe it.
Perhaps it was the atmosphere, but he impulsively almost pulled her close again.
Worried it might look like he was enjoying the sex too much, Seung-hyun got up nonchalantly, as if finishing a chore.
After all, what Yewon wanted wasn’t to satisfy lust—it was a real pregnancy.
Thinking it best to be precise about everything, he decided withdrawal before their planned check-up would be better.
“Crazy bastard.”
Just thinking about how Yewon had arched her back like a bow, trembling, made him hard again.
Overwhelmed, Seung-hyun let out a dry laugh, bit his lip, and grasped himself firmly.
He couldn’t possibly leave the bathroom looking like this.
“Haah.”
Closing his eyes, Yewon’s image filled his vision.
As his pace quickened, Seung-hyun’s head tilted back.
Between the pounding spray of the showerhead came deep groans.
Behind his increasingly rapid movements...
“Ugh.”
An opaque liquid spurted from the tip of his swollen head.
In the midst of climax, with his eyes tightly shut...
—”Haa, it’s… it’s too good.”
The sight of Yewon clinging to him, moaning seductively, flooded his mind.
The tremors of her body still lingered vividly, startling Seung-hyun as he snapped his eyes open.
“What is...”
Why had Yewon’s face suddenly appeared at the peak of his climax?
Though a vague discomfort settled over him, Seung-hyun shook it off and finished his shower.
But Yewon’s image clung to him like a stubborn film, tormenting him for a long while.
---
“Ah.”
When Yewon emerged from the bedroom wearing only a bathrobe, Seung-hyun was nowhere to be seen.
Apparently, he had cleaned up and gone back to work.
“He could’ve at least said he was leaving.”
That he behaved this way after their first intimate encounter on a day like today made her emotions flare up again.
“Hah.”
All she could muster was a hollow laugh.
Rather than staying here alone, it might be better to go home, even if Jong-hee came looking for her.
Yewon quickly showered and put the robe back on.
Her discarded clothes were neatly folded on the sofa—Seung-hyun must have done it.
“Such unnecessary kindness.”
Instead of these trivial gestures, it would’ve been better if he had simply told her he needed to go back to work.
With a disapproving expression, Yewon picked up her clothes.
Just as she was about to head to the bedroom, her phone vibrated where it lay next to her clothes.
<Husband>
It was Seung-hyun.
She hesitated to answer, fearing he’d say something hurtful again.
Today’s events had already been overwhelming enough.
Not wanting to break down further, Yewon ignored the call and turned away.
After dressing in the bedroom, she stared blankly at her silent phone before unlocking the screen.
<1 missed call, Husband>
Just like when he canceled dinner earlier, Seung-hyun had only called once.
If this was all he intended to do, it might have been better not to call at all.
This single call felt to Yewon like nothing more than a perfunctory gesture.
It was akin to what he had referred to earlier as “saving face.”
Yewon slipped her phone into her pocket, shaking her head lightly.
But at that moment, her phone vibrated again.
Assuming it wasn’t Seung-hyun, Yewon checked her phone, her eyes widening.
[Thought it’d be better to leave without saying anything. I’ll pick you up tonight. See you later.]
Despite her quiet sobs, it seemed he had noticed her crying.
The message was brief, but to Yewon, it felt special.
It was the first time Seung-hyun had ever sent a message instead of calling.
“Why are you doing this, Kim Yewon?”
Yewon read and reread the message before exhaling in defeat.
The worst thing about unrequited love is that no matter how miserable you feel, you’re helplessly swayed the moment the other person shows even the slightest consideration.
Even if you know deep down that their actions hold no real meaning.
To her own disbelief, Yewon’s lips slowly curved upward into a faint smile.
---
In the evening, as promised, Seung-hyun arrived at the hotel to pick Yewon up.
“The dress looks great on you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you taking care of it.”
After spending some time alone and sorting through her emotions, Yewon was able to respond to Seung-hyun with a composed smile.
Earlier in the afternoon, Seung-hyun had sent over five outfits through a personal shopper.
The pieces were all elegant, understated dresses and two-piece sets.
Yewon had chosen a peach-toned two-piece that complemented her fair skin beautifully.
“I thought that one would suit you best, and I was right.”
“Did you personally look at the clothes?”
Yewon asked, surprised, assuming the selections had been made by an employee.
“I picked them out myself.”
Not just overseeing the choices but handpicking each item himself?
Yewon felt puzzled by this unexpected side of Seung-hyun.
“I didn’t know that. Thank you for choosing such beautiful clothes.”
She found herself curious about his intentions and what he might be thinking.
Though she wished he’d say more, Seung-hyun quickly changed the subject.
“From now on, if Mother says anything unpleasant, let me know immediately.”
“I will.”
“And stop doing things like cooking meals yourself. If I’d known you were going to prepare food today, I wouldn’t have gone to work this morning. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Okay, I’ll make sure not to do that again.”
His words were thoughtful and reassuring, but they also weighed on Yewon’s mind.
She couldn’t help but wonder if her presence was causing strain between Seung-hyun and Jong-hee.
Hadn’t Seung-hyun already started distrusting Jong-hee because of her?
Hesitant, Yewon finally spoke up.
“Still, please try to stay on good terms with your mother.”
“What?”
Seung-hyun looked as though he’d heard something absurd.
“I don’t want our issues to ruin the relationship you’ve always had with her.”
Yewon gave an awkward laugh, trying to explain why this matter had been bothering her.
When Seung-hyun didn’t respond, she continued.
“That’s your business, not mine.”
“Why isn’t it my business? Your problems are my problems too.”
“Seung-hyun... You really don’t have to go so far.”
---
“And who said we ever had a good relationship anyway? Try saying something that makes sense if you expect me to pretend to listen.”
Seung-hyun scowled, irritation lacing his voice as he spat out the words.
It was likely that Yewon’s response was meant to take his side, yet his expression remained sour.
Though he could be blunt, Jong-hee had always been proud of Seung-hyun.
If Yewon were in her shoes, raising a son as handsome and capable as Seung-hyun, she imagined she’d feel like she owned the world.
Perhaps Jong-hee’s harshness stemmed from feeling as though her son had been taken away from her.
Regardless of the reason, the fact remained that Jong-hee had crossed a line.
“Anyway, thank you for standing up for me. For the first time, I actually feel married.”
Wanting to shift the mood, Yewon wrapped up the conversation neatly, hoping to ease the tension.
But Seung-hyun’s face remained stern.
His jaw clenched tightly as he gripped the steering wheel, then finally broke the silence.
“How long do you plan to keep thanking me?”
“Huh?”
Why was he bringing this up now?
Yewon wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt, feeling increasingly uneasy around Seung-hyun today.
“It’s only natural for a husband to take care of his wife.”
“Oh.”
“If you don’t want to embarrass us in front of family, you should stop acting overly polite even when it’s just the two of us. Start practicing accepting my gestures as something normal.”
“Okay.”
Yewon replied immediately, knowing he wasn’t wrong.
“And another thing—how many times have I told you that you don’t need to worry about Mother?”
“You’re right, you did say that. But...”
“Even though I’ve told you there’s no need, worrying about my relationship with Mother is unnecessary meddling.”
“...!”
Meddling?
The word hit Yewon like a punch to the back of her head, leaving her stunned.
So this was how much “meddling” could sting.
Her thoughts felt blocked, and all she could do was roll her eyes.
“At tonight’s dinner, my uncle’s family will also be attending.”
“So suddenly? I hadn’t heard anything about this from Mother until this morning...”
“That’s why they’re considered rude. No one invited them.”
Seung-hyun clicked his tongue in disapproval.
His uncle, Suk-joon, had recently returned from Hungary, where he’d lived with his family for years.
As the CEO of Donghwa Hotel, Suk-joon had spent the past three years aggressively expanding his business overseas for the sake of his son, Tae-hyun’s future.
Despite several warnings from Han-Joo, Suk-joon grew increasingly reckless over the years.
It was understandable, given that his older brother—Seung-hyun’s father, Suk-Pil—had achieved immense success, and Suk-joon didn’t want to fall behind.
He must have wanted to secure a solid position for Tae-hyun, no matter the cost.
Especially after Seung-hyun took over as CEO of Donghwa Construction, Suk-joon and his wife, Mi-jin, became consumed with envy.
They expanded their ventures to Hungary, but unfortunately, repeated failures left them empty-handed.
Suk-joon had vowed not to return until he achieved success, but clearly, that promise went unfulfilled.
“You’ve never met my aunt, right?”
“No.”
Since Suk-joon’s family hadn’t attended Seung-hyun and Yewon’s wedding, this would be their first meeting.
“If they ask any questions, I’ll handle it. Just keep quiet.”
“Okay.”
From the occasional stories about Mi-jin that surfaced during family gatherings, Yewon inferred that she was not an easy person to deal with.
Even before meeting them, Yewon felt her nerves tighten.
“And...”
“Yes?”
“Why were you crying earlier?”
“…!”
Yewon’s heart sank. She hadn’t expected him to bring that up.
As she hesitated, Seung-hyun added another remark.
“Was I being too selfish and pushing you too hard?”
“It wasn’t that.”
“Did it hurt a lot?”
“No, it wasn’t that either.”
Exasperated by her repetitive answers, Seung-hyun let out a long sigh and ran his hand through his hair.
“When you cried like that, it made me feel like I’d forced myself on you.”
“That’s not true. I enjoyed it too.”
Yewon carefully chose each word, ensuring none of her true feelings slipped out.
But even her reassurance didn’t seem to lift Seung-hyun’s mood.
“If something’s wrong, just tell me. Whether it’s what happened with Mother or why you were crying alone today—don’t make me feel like an idiot.”
“I understand. From now on, I’ll make sure to tell you everything. Today... I think it was just because it was my first time, and my emotions were all over the place.”
Seung-hyun nodded, seemingly understanding.
“Having sex with someone you don’t care for isn’t something just anyone can do. And deciding to have a child through that—it must be even more painful.”
“That’s true.”
Yewon nodded in agreement.
“You should’ve saved your first time for someone who truly cherishes you. It’s regrettable.”
“It’s okay. It was my choice, so please don’t feel bad about it.”
Yet, Seung-hyun’s eyes remained clouded with concern as he gazed at her.
“There are other ways to have a baby without having sex. You know that better than I do.”
“Yes…”
“Now that you’re ready for proper testing, think about it carefully. Whatever method you choose, I’m willing to support you fully.”
After that, neither of them spoke again as they headed toward the restaurant.
The car fell silent, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
---
The venue Seung-hyun had reserved for his grandfather’s birthday celebration was an upscale traditional Korean restaurant.
After parking, Seung-hyun stepped out of the car, walked around the hood, and opened the passenger door for Yewon.
“Take my hand.”
Yewon hesitated for a moment before cautiously placing her hand in his.
When Seung-hyun firmly clasped her hand, an electric sensation shot through her body.
It hadn’t been like this when they entered the hotel earlier.
Perhaps it was because they’d had sex... Even just holding hands felt different now.
The two stepped out of the car, their hands tightly intertwined, and climbed the stone steps together.
The Korean restaurant, built in a traditional hanok style, featured a spacious and well-maintained garden.
One corner housed a small pond with a waterwheel, surrounded by ancient-looking trees that exuded history.
“I’m Cha Seung-hyun.”
“Yes, please follow me.”
Upon entering, they were greeted by a staff member dressed in a modernized hanbok who guided them inside.
The reserved room was private and spacious, located deep within the restaurant.
When the staff knocked and opened the door, everyone except Han-Joo was already seated.
‘So that’s her.’
Among them, the middle-aged woman who was lavishly dressed and eyed Yewon sharply could only be Mi-jin.
With a single glance from head to toe, Mi-jin sniffed dismissively.
Startled, Yewon instinctively flinched, but Seung-hyun tightened his grip on her hand.
His gesture felt like a silent reassurance: Don’t let her get to you.
“It’s been a while, Seung-hyun. And is this the secretary you married?”
Her words were sharp right from the start.
“She’s not my secretary; she’s my wife.”
“Same difference.”
Though Seung-hyun corrected her, Mi-jin showed no reaction.
“Now that you’re here, sit down.”
“Yes, Father.”
Seung-hyun and Yewon naturally took their seats next to Suk-Pil and Jong-hee.
Across from them sat Suk-joon, Mi-jin, and their son Tae-hyun with his spouse.
Though it had been a long time since they’d all shared a meal, no one exchanged greetings.
The atmosphere was tense, as if walking on thin ice.
“Brother. Why are we celebrating Father’s birthday at a place like this this year?”
Mi-jin, arms crossed, looked around disapprovingly.
“We’ve always eaten at home, so I thought we’d change things up this year.”
“I heard you gave all the staff a holiday at once. Looks like you planned this, Brother?”
Jong-hee’s face darkened with irritation.
“Sister-in-law, why do you keep speaking like that? It makes people uncomfortable.”
“I said it precisely because it should make you uncomfortable.”
“Dear!”
Suk-joon, sitting beside her, tried to calm Mi-jin while glancing at Suk-Pil.
But instead, Mi-jin frowned deeper, as if questioning why she should stop.
“If you stole that position by deceiving someone else’s life, shouldn’t you work hard until the day you die? What’s so difficult about preparing Father’s birthday meal? It’s just one day a year.”
Someone else’s life?
Yewon held her breath at the ominous undertone.
Mi-jin turned her gaze toward Seung-hyun.
“When are you going to stop acting this way? If something’s wrong, say it. Does your grandfather deserve such treatment? I can’t understand why the CEO of Donghwa Construction acts so soft.”
“That’s enough.”
Creeeak.
The tightly shut door creaked open.
It was Han-Joo.
From his expression, it was clear that Han-Joo had overheard the conversation inside.
“Father, welcome. I heard today is supposed to be the coldest day of the year. You must have had a tough time coming here.”
Mi-jin, who had been sharp and cutting just moments ago, completely changed her demeanor.
But Han-Joo didn’t respond and simply took his seat.
After an employee took his coat and jacket and disappeared, he finally spoke.
“The hotel division’s performance has been plummeting every quarter. Isn’t it about time you let go of the duty-free business?”
Han-Joo’s gaze landed on Suk-joon without even acknowledging Mi-jin’s earlier comment.
Mi-jin seemed flustered but forced a smile as she interjected.
“Father, they say it’s always darkest just before dawn. If you could just wait a little longer, this one will soon—”
“It’s also a skill to know when to let go if something isn’t working. The fact that I’m saying this means it’s already too late.”
Mi-jin’s face flushed red after being cut off by Han-Joo.
Unfazed, Han-Joo turned his attention to Seung-hyun.
“Seung-hyun, I heard you secured major construction projects in Singapore and Qatar. It’ll be tough starting next year when things kick into high gear.”
“No trouble at all. It’s something I enjoy doing, so there’s no need to worry.”
Seung-hyun calmly replied with a faint smile.
“I think it would be wise to have a child before you get busier. Are you still not considering it?”
It was the first time Han-Joo had brought up the topic of Seung-hyun and Yewon having children.
Sensing her chance, Mi-jin’s face brightened.
“It seems like hearing the cry of a baby is quite difficult in your household. Just like your brother—”
Mi-jin trailed off, biting her lip while trying to suppress a smirk.
Her first impression was far from pleasant as she worked hard to criticize others.
Moreover, much of what she said was difficult to fully understand.
“We’ve been thinking about it. We’re worried that if we miss this chance, it might be too late, so we’re considering moving quickly.”
“So you’re not completely against the idea, I see.”
“While we’re keeping our options open, I’ve also been discussing whether we should adjust our plans since I’ll be traveling abroad frequently for work. I don’t want Yewon to struggle alone if a child comes along.”
His tone was natural, as if they were already expecting.
“If you’re not using contraception and still haven’t conceived, shouldn’t you visit a doctor? I know a good infertility center—”
“You don’t need to worry about our affairs.”
Seung-hyun curtly dismissed Mi-jin’s intrusive remark.
The awkward tension thickened until Han-Joo cleared his throat.
“In any case, I’m glad to hear it. That matter is up to the two of you to decide. Have a good discussion about it.”
“Yes, understood.”
Yewon tensed slightly, fearing the pregnancy talk might drag on.
Fortunately, the conversation shifted promptly to business matters.
In the meantime, a lavish spread of delicious dishes was laid out on the wide table, and the meal began.
‘Why does she keep staring at me like that?’
Though Yewon felt Mi-jin’s piercing gaze, she pretended not to notice and focused on eating diligently.
Feeling uneasy in her seat, she only reached for foods that were easy to digest, worried about upsetting her stomach.
As she chewed slowly, a plate of braised ribs suddenly appeared in her field of vision.
“This place is famous for this dish. Try some. Don’t just keep eating pumpkin porridge.”
“O-Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
Yewon hesitated, catching herself before reflexively thanking him.
She was surprised that Seung-hyun had noticed she’d only been eating pumpkin porridge.
Though her appetite was low, she picked up a piece of the braised ribs with her chopsticks.
“Does it taste good?”
“Yes, it’s delicious.”
Seung-hyun added a follow-up question, putting on a convincing act of being a caring husband.
Though their marriage was one of convenience, Yewon found herself repeatedly swayed by his false kindness.
And this was despite him hurting her not even a day ago.
“Ugh, my head hurts.”
The dinner, filled with so many things to be mindful of, was giving her a headache.
Yewon slumped her shoulders, wishing the gathering would end soon.
As she chewed another piece of the braised ribs, Seung-hyun’s large hand suddenly rested atop hers under the table.
Her eyes widened as she looked at him, and he gave her a gentle smile.
Even though she knew he was doing it deliberately for show in front of the family, her heart still raced uncontrollably.
‘I really like Seung-hyun this much.’
She knew it made her seem foolish…
Yet, Yewon couldn’t deny that she both felt awkward and enjoyed his attentiveness.
It was an undeniable fact.
---
The dinner ended sooner than expected.
After Han-Joo left, the rest of the family headed toward the parking lot.
Throughout, no one exchanged a single word, each looking in different directions.
“Then, we’ll take our leave now.”
“Since we missed your wedding while we were overseas, invite us to your home next time. Let’s have a meal together.”
“Sure, I’ll do that.”
Mi-jin’s words to Yewon, accompanied by a pat on her arm, were impossible to gauge as sincere or insincere.
It was hard to tell which version was her true self.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Once again, Seung-hyun intertwined his fingers with Yewon’s.
The warmth seeping through her hand made Yewon’s chest flutter.
After helping her into the passenger seat, Seung-hyun walked around to the driver’s side and got in.
Click.
As soon as the door shut, Yewon opened her mouth.
“Thank you for helping me out so much today without making things awkward… Hmm. This feels weird to say without sounding like gratitude.”
“I never told you to stop thanking me altogether. Stop overthinking my reactions.”
As soon as they were alone in the car, Seung-hyun shed the affectionate husband persona he’d worn at the restaurant.
His slightly irritated tone pricked at Yewon’s heart.
“Hmph, till the very end.”
The moment Yewon heard Seung-hyun mutter those words, she rolled her eyes.
He kept telling her to stop overthinking, yet he kept creating situations that made her do just that.
On top of that, his sudden shift in tone without any provocation from her felt unfair.
Rather than staying quiet and feeling like a pushover, Yewon turned sharply toward him.
“Hey, Seung-hyun—”
But at that moment, she froze, her eyes widening as she realized how close Seung-hyun had leaned in.
Caught off guard by the sudden situation, Yewon froze like a statue, locking eyes with Seung-hyun. He spoke softly.
“Yewon.”
“...Yes?”
Without another word, Seung-hyun reached out and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
The delicate touch sent tingles through her nerves, drawing all her attention to that single sensation.
“Suddenly... why are you doing this?”
Though they had agreed to allow physical contact between them, she wondered, Do we really have to do this here?
But he offered no explanation, only leaning closer to her.
His lips were now just inches away, close enough to kiss.
Before Yewon could even think to pull away, she squeezed her eyes shut. Seung-hyun cupped her chin and tilted his head slightly.
She braced herself, expecting him to press his lips against hers at any moment—but nothing happened.
What’s going on?
Seung-hyun was right there in front of her, yet he made no further move.
As question marks filled her mind, he finally pulled back.
“There are still spectators around.”
“Huh? Oh...”
Realizing what he meant, Yewon barely stopped herself from turning her head to look outside. Instead, she shifted her gaze subtly and spotted Mi-jin standing nearby.
So that’s why he had acted strangely—it was all part of maintaining their charade as an affectionate married couple, even inside the car.
“I’ll get going now.”
“Yes.”
With that, the car carrying the two of them glided smoothly out of the parking lot.
---
Though it wasn’t rush hour, the drive home was surprisingly congested.
Seung-hyun stared at the red brake lights of the car ahead, mentally organizing the words he needed to say to Yewon.
I didn’t want to reveal this like this.
It was because of the story Mi-jin had brought up during dinner—the one about his biological mother.
Since he and Yewon were only contractually married, he hadn’t anticipated their relationship deepening to this extent, so he’d never mentioned it before.
He had planned to casually bring it up someday when the timing felt right, as if it were no big deal.
But things hadn’t gone according to plan.
Carefully exhaling without making a sound, Seung-hyun gripped the steering wheel tightly.
“You probably guessed from today’s conversation, but the woman who raised me isn’t my birth mother.”
Despite trying not to show vulnerability, his voice trembled slightly at the first words.
Yewon simply nodded quietly and turned her head toward him, offering no other response.
But Seung-hyun couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze.
Even as he pressed firmly on the brake, his eyes remained fixed straight ahead.
“My aunt was quite close to my birth mother.”
As fellow daughters-in-law of the Donghwa Group, they shared similar struggles, and being of similar age, they got along well.
As a child, Seung-hyun had been particularly fond of Mi-jin.
When his mother passed away, he had contacted Mi-jin before even reaching out to his father, Suk-Pil.
“For years, despite knowing that my father had set up a separate household, my mother endured for the sake of my younger brother and me. She rarely spoke about her pain, but I later heard that she confided her struggles only to my aunt.”
“How could something like that happen...?”
Though he had rehearsed this speech countless times in his head, recounting these memories he wished to forget was far from easy.
He hadn’t even begun properly, yet his throat felt parched, and the craving for a bottle of water became almost unbearable.
“As soon as the funeral ended, that woman walked into our home holding my father’s hand.”
“What? Surely not...”
“The stranger who hugged me tightly at the funeral, acting as if she knew me well—that was her, your current mother-in-law.”
Shocked, Yewon covered her mouth with both hands.
Her wide, wandering eyes seemed to pity him, which only twisted the knife deeper in his gut.
This is why I didn’t want to talk about it.
Seung-hyun felt as though he had exposed a raw, hidden wound to Yewon.
“The very first thing she said after entering our home was, ‘Call me Mom.’”
—”From now on, I’m your mother. Call me Mom.”
He remembered that moment vividly.
“How could anyone say that to a child who hadn’t even begun to heal from losing their mother?”
“I don’t know.”
At just 12 years old, even then, Seung-hyun and his younger brother Hyo-Jin thought it was absurd. They shouted that they would never comply.
In response, Suk-Pil struck Seung-hyun across the face with a force so strong that a high-pitched ringing filled his ear.
Beside Suk-Pil, Jong-hee looked down at Seung-hyun and Hyo-Jin with a smug expression, as if their punishment was well-deserved.
The memory was still painfully vivid.
—”You ungrateful brats. When an adult tells you to do something, you obey. That’s how it works.”
Terrified by his father’s sudden violence, Seung-hyun reluctantly submitted and began calling Jong-hee “Mom.”
He believed that was all he could do—pretend everything was fine while inwardly burning with resentment.
Hyo-Jin, however, resisted until the end and was eventually sent abroad under the guise of studying.
People say guilt haunts those who sin, but Suk-Pil and Jong-hee seemed to live happily ever after.
The more their laughter filled the house, the darker Seung-hyun’s expression grew.
But Suk-Pil, known for his womanizing ways, soon returned to his old habits, leaving the house frequently.
Desperate to hold onto him, Jong-hee tried repeatedly to conceive but struggled. A late visit to the doctor revealed that her ovaries were no longer functioning properly.
—”Sister-in-law, how poetic. You drove nails into someone else’s heart, thinking you’d live happily ever after? Now feel what it’s like. Experience the misery yourself.”
Upon hearing the news, Mi-jin laughed mockingly in front of Jong-hee, clearly delighted.
Seung-hyun secretly felt the same way but dared not show it, fearing Suk-Pil’s wrath.
Though he wished for Jong-hee’s loneliness, there were moments when her silhouette reminded him of his late mother, leaving him conflicted.
If only he had said something back then—if only he had asked his mother, Are you okay? Would you like to take a walk together?—perhaps the worst could have been avoided.
Though Seung-hyun despised his stepmother, he hoped to ease some of his lingering regret by taking her outside for walks.
Every day, even in silence, they strolled along the same path.
It wasn’t difficult, so why hadn’t he done the same for his own mother? Night after night, tears blurred his vision as he grappled with remorse.
Over time, he learned how to bury his emotions.
The belief that eternal love doesn’t exist—and that children from broken homes have no future—became deeply ingrained in his mind.
“So that’s why I told you not to worry about Mother. And my family too. They’re the farthest people from me.”
“I understand.”
Yewon’s voice trembled faintly.
He wondered if he should have just said, ‘She isn’t my birth mother,’ and left it at that.
He regretted going into such detail, fearing he might have spread his own sadness to Yewon.
He didn’t want to weigh down her heart further, especially after hearing her sobbing alone in the hotel room that morning.
For a fleeting moment, he questioned whether he was the cause of her sorrow, but quickly dismissed the thought.
After all, their relationship wasn’t built on deep emotional bonds—there was nothing to wound in the first place.
“The reason I proposed this contract marriage to you is the same.”
“I see.”
“Any kind of love is bound to change eventually, so I thought a marriage without emotions from the start would be better.”
“…”
“You and I both know neither of us will ever hold feelings for each other.”
Yewon could only manage an awkward smile.
It was clear what he meant: they were on the same page.
“For you, I’m the only family you’ve got.”
“…”
“So from now on, don’t let anyone else sway you. Just listen to me.”
Though he had tried to keep it brief, Yewon’s expression looked like she might cry at any moment.
He decided it was good he had stopped there.
“You barely ate anything earlier. Is there something you’d like to eat?”
“No.”
Her reply was curt, and then silence settled between them.
It was the first time Seung-hyun had shared this story with anyone, and the first time someone had looked at him with pity. This quiet moment felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
A strange feeling crept through his chest, spreading uneasily.
Unable to bear the suffocating silence, he pressed the accelerator and sped up.
---
Yesterday had been an eventful day for Yewon.
She had shared her first proper intimate moment with Seung-hyun and learned about his painful family history.
It was a special day, yet nothing had fundamentally changed.
“He went to work… again.”
When she woke up in the morning, the bed was empty, just as she had expected.
—”Neither you nor I will ever hold feelings for each other.”
Yewon recalled Seung-hyun’s words from the car and pressed her hand firmly against her chest.
It seemed there was no room for her in his heart.
She remembered how he had proposed the contract marriage, seemingly treating marriage lightly, and how he had promised never to divorce once a child was conceived.
Just as she didn’t want to pass on her own pain, perhaps he didn’t either.
Though she had always thought of him as someone different from herself, yesterday’s conversation made her feel a sense of kinship.
Maybe that’s why she had started to expect some kind of change.
“Haa.”
Every time she was disappointed, she wondered why she kept doing this to herself.
If she wanted to stop being swayed by these emotions, maybe she needed a new hobby.
“They say hormonal changes during pregnancy make it hard to control your emotions.”
Perhaps she should start something now, not for herself but for when the time came.
Being depressed during pregnancy wouldn’t be good for the baby either.
“Should I really start painting again?”
Yewon froze mid-gesture as she pretended to draw in the air.
She hadn’t expected to seriously consider picking up her paintbrush again.
This time, she decided not to ignore the thought and gave it genuine consideration.
Heading to the kitchen, she took out a teacup and reached for a bag of tea leaves.
She planned to brew a calming cup of tea to soothe her troubled mind, but the doorbell rang.
“Who could that be?”
On the video intercom, she saw an unfamiliar middle-aged woman.
Could she be one of Seung-hyun’s relatives that Yewon didn’t know about? Hesitating, Yewon paused.
Perhaps pretending no one was home would be the better option.
As she wavered, her phone buzzed on the dining table.
Yewon rushed over immediately.
The caller was Seung-hyun.
So the visitor must be connected to him.
“Hello?”
-Where are you?
“At home.”
The doorbell rang again.
Without anyone urging her, Yewon’s words tumbled out faster.
“But someone’s here… Did you arrange for someone to visit?”
-She’s someone I hired.
“What?”
-She’ll help with household chores. She worked for me before the wedding and treated me like a son. You can trust her.
It seemed this was the same woman who had stopped working because Yewon had felt burdened by her presence before the marriage.
Leaving someone waiting outside while talking on the phone felt impolite, but Yewon hesitated to act.
“How can you just spring something like this on me without a word?”
Since she was the one living in the house longer, Yewon voiced her frustration.
-If I’d told you, you would’ve said no.
“And you did it anyway?”
It felt dismissive, and Yewon twisted her lips in irritation.
-You’re too thin.
“Why does that matter right now?”
-We’re trying to have a baby, remember? From now on, you need to eat properly instead of skipping meals.
“That’s something I can handle myself.”
-Mother could drop by anytime, and stress during pregnancy affects fetal brain development. Just do as I say.
At first, Yewon thought Seung-hyun was simply worried about her.
But after hearing everything, it became clear that his focus was entirely on the unborn child.
It left a bitter taste in her mouth, as if she’d swallowed a handful of bitter medicine.
-Why aren’t you answering?
“It’s fine. I understand.”
Yewon tapped the video intercom to unlock the door.
After adjusting her grip on the phone, she rubbed her forehead with her hand.
“Next time, please let me know about things like this beforehand.”
-The meeting ran long, so I couldn’t call sooner. Sorry.
As soon as Seung-hyun apologized, the woman Yewon had seen on the intercom entered through the door, wearing a warm smile.
Forcing a polite smile, Yewon bowed slightly in greeting.
“Welcome. I’ll hang up now.”
She spoke softly, just loud enough for Seung-hyun to hear, before ending the call.
She felt self-conscious about looking disheveled after just waking up, and it weighed on her mind.
“Hello, I’m Choi Jung-Eun.”
“Yes, I’ve heard about you. I’m Kim Yewon.”
Yewon quickly tidied her messy hair with a comb.
Though it didn’t make much difference, she felt slightly more at ease afterward.
Choi Jung-Eun gazed warmly at Yewon’s face.
“The CEO mentioned he’ll be traveling abroad frequently soon and was worried about leaving you alone at home.”
“Oh, really?”
Just like how he had acted in front of the family yesterday, Seung-hyun was an excellent actor.
To others, it would seem like she was deeply loved by him.
Whether that was good or bad, Yewon couldn’t decide. She gave a wry smile.
“No matter how hard I try, I know I can’t fully replace him, but I’ll do my best to fill in where I can.”
“Thank you. By the way… what should I call you?”
“Just call me Mrs. Choi. It’ll be fine.”
“Okay, I will.”
Earlier, during their call, Seung-hyun had said he regarded Mrs. Choi like a mother.
“Would you like anything specific for lunch today? Just tell me what you want. Though it’s bragging a bit, I’m quite a good cook.”
“I’m fine with anything.”
Perhaps that was why—though it might be too early to say—Yewon already felt comfortable around her.
---
After hanging up, Seung-hyun placed his phone on the desk.
Thud.
A hand suddenly appeared in his line of sight.
“You’re being so rude.”
Seung-hyun furrowed his brow and looked up.
Standing there was his younger sister, Hyo-Jin, who bore a striking resemblance to him.
Hyo-Jin, who was married internationally, had returned to Korea for Grandfather Han-Joo’s birthday and immediately sought out Seung-hyun.
Avoiding encounters with other family members besides Han-Joo, Hyo-Jin typically stayed in Korea for about a week each year before returning abroad.
“Excuse me, Mr. Cha Seung-hyun.”
“What is it, Ms. Cha Hyo-Jin?”
“Are you seriously treating your wife like this? No charm whatsoever?”
“What? Charm?”
Seung-hyun stared at her incredulously at her choice of words.
“After tormenting her like that, you say, ‘Stress affects fetal brain development’? Really?”
“You were the one who told me that! Why are you—”
“I can’t figure out why Sister-in-Law married someone like you in the first place.”
Hyo-Jin made a disgusted face, but Seung-hyun merely chuckled lightly.
“You were the one saying you were worried about leaving her alone. You even asked about how tough early pregnancy can be, what foods are good for morning sickness, and all that. Why twist it like that? You could’ve just said you wanted her to stay with Mrs. Choi for company.”
“Did you come here just to nag?”
“No, but you’re making me nag! I wish Sister-in-Law could meet a kind man and start over with a new marriage!”
Though he knew she didn’t mean it seriously, the moment Hyo-Jin said it, Seung-hyun pictured Yewon standing face-to-face with another man, smiling brightly.
It was a side of her she had never shown him.
Perhaps Hyo-Jin was right—maybe Yewon could build a happier future with someone else.
‘Why am I thinking about this again?’
Yet, when he imagined Yewon in a wedding dress standing next to another man, a wave of discomfort washed over him.
Unable to define this tangled emotion, he quickly pushed it aside.
“Wait thirty minutes. Let’s have lunch.”
“You always change the subject when things get tough.”
Ignoring her jab, Seung-hyun turned his attention back to the documents in front of him.
---
The two siblings had lunch featuring the seafood Hyo-Jin wanted.
Because Hyo-Jin insisted on buying a gift for Han-Joo, Seung-hyun reluctantly tagged along to the department store, checking his watch as they walked.
Though he cherished his younger sister, having his time taken up like this was inconvenient.
“Oppa, let’s go check this out.”
Completely oblivious to Seung-hyun’s irritation, Hyo-Jin nudged him with her elbow.
The direction she pointed to was a store selling baby clothes.
“Welcome.”
“Do you have any baby shoes?”
She seemed to be shopping for a gift for her daughter back home.
Though the clothes looked too small for his niece, Seung-hyun didn’t comment since he wasn’t familiar with children’s sizes.
He browsed the selection, wondering what might make a good gift for his niece.
‘What size should I get?’
Unable to decide, he waited patiently while Hyo-Jin finished her shopping.
“Your purchase is complete.”
“Thank you.”
At the sound of the exchange, Seung-hyun turned toward Hyo-Jin as she approached.
Before he could say anything, she handed him a shopping bag.
“What’s this?”
“For my first niece or nephew.”
“Me?”
“Yes, Oppa.”
“Did you misunderstand what I told you? I said I’d start preparing properly, not that it’s already happened.”
Peering into the shopping bag, Seung-hyun found a pair of impossibly tiny shoes.
It felt like she had gotten the wrong address entirely.
“I’m giving them to you anyway. It’d be better if I gave them directly to your wife, but I have to head back sooner than expected this time.”
“Have you been abroad so long that you’ve forgotten how to understand Korean?”
The more he spoke, the more frustrated he became.
On the other hand, Hyo-Jin was beaming as though everything was perfectly fine.
“Nope! It’s an invitation for a cute baby to come along.”
“Huh?”
“Without meaning to, you mentioned that nothing’s happened after two years, right?”
Since Hyo-Jin was the only person close to him who had recently dealt with pregnancy, he had asked her various questions and shared updates.
“Mm.”
Seung-hyun nodded.
“If you leave these shoes at home, my future niece or nephew will sense they belong to them and settle in right away.”
“…”
“With your genes, they’re bound to be smart, so they’ll figure it out immediately. Just take it already. My arms are getting tired.”
Hyo-Jin shook the shopping bag vigorously.
Though he reluctantly accepted it, the idea that the gift carried deeper meaning left him with mixed feelings.
“I’ll wait for good news. Remember, stress isn’t good for Sister-in-Law—or for you either.”
Seung-hyun glanced back into the shopping bag.
Inside was a pair of pink shoes adorned with a delicate ribbon.
As thoughts of a daughter naturally came to mind, an image of a small child resembling Yewon suddenly appeared before his eyes.
She looked as white and adorable as a rabbit.
Until now, he had never once imagined what their child might look like, even when discussing pregnancy with Yewon.
This sudden mental image left him flustered.
‘I shouldn’t have asked Hyo-Jin about this.’
He silently scolded himself for consulting her instead of seeking advice from his doctor.
Still, the thought of a child who resembled Yewon toddling around in those tiny shoes made his heart flutter.
“Thanks for the gift.”
“Make sure to give it to Sister-in-Law. And, Oppa—”
“Yeah?”
“I want to believe you’re only shy around me and not acting cold toward Sister-in-Law, but just in case, I need to say this.”
Seung-hyun raised his eyebrows, waiting for Hyo-Jin’s next words.
“It might be overstepping, but…” She murmured softly before meeting his gaze.
“What women want isn’t something grand.”
“…”
“People think women want luxury bags or flashy rings, but what they truly crave is a kind word.”
Hyo-Jin’s earnest tone forced Seung-hyun to listen intently.
“Especially during pregnancy, hormonal changes can make even small things hurt deeply. Something you might think is trivial could upset her.”
“Cough.”
Seung-hyun cleared his throat awkwardly.
“So please, speak kindly to Sister-in-Law. You don’t want to regret it later, do you?”
Her words stung sharply.
Though she didn’t know the full context of his relationship with Yewon, her advice hit too close to home.
The sound of Yewon sobbing alone after their first time together kept echoing in his ears.
—”Go wash up first.”
That had been his first words to her that day.
According to Hyo-Jin’s earlier critique, utterly charmless.
Though they weren’t an ordinary couple, he could have at least said something gentler instead of brushing her off like that.
“I should have asked her why she was crying instead of telling her to leave the room.”
The realization that he had likely ruined Yewon’s first experience weighed heavily on his heart.
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