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As she entered the café, Yewon immediately spotted Dong-joon sitting there in his shabby attire.
It had been nearly three years since they last saw each other, but he hadn’t changed a bit.
No—perhaps he looked even worse than before.
At least in the past, he would make an effort to dress up when he wasn’t gambling.
But Yewon didn’t plan on staying long. She ordered a warm cup of coffee for him and headed to their table.
“Yewon, you’re here.”
“Yes.”
Her curt reply was met with Dong-joon’s gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.
“Money does wonders. You’ve really blossomed.”
“I’ll say this upfront—I don’t have any money to give you.”
She didn’t intend to drag out the conversation, so she cut straight to the point.
Dong-joon scowled deeply.
“What do you mean, no money? Donghwa Construction is booming—your husband must be raking it in!”
“That money isn’t mine.”
“Are you two some fake couple or something? His money is your money!”
Dong-joon’s loud voice drew stares from the other patrons.
Yewon wanted to leave as quickly as possible—the embarrassment was unbearable.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“How could you do that? You called me ‘Father’ yourself! What, no parents? No one to sit at the wedding table?”
“How did you know about that…?”
Only Seung-hyun and his family were supposed to know about that excuse.
The fact that Dong-joon knew meant someone had contacted him.
Realizing this, Yewon clenched her hands tightly on her lap.
“What’s the point of knowing that? After all the support I gave you, how dare you betray me? Are you even human?”
Dong-joon raised his voice even louder, clearly intending for others to hear.
How could she have ever trusted and followed such a man?
Every penny she had given him now felt like wasted regret.
“Lower your voice.”
“I thought your face was too thick to feel shame, but I guess you do after all.”
His stubbornness was beyond absurd.
Yewon felt utterly disillusioned by his behavior.
Over the past two years, she had occasionally wondered if not informing him about her marriage was too harsh.
But looking at him now, she realized it had been the right choice.
She didn’t want to show Seung-hyun—the first love she cherished—the lowest depths of her life.
Taking a deep breath, Yewon finally spoke.
“The insurance payout for Father’s death wasn’t a small amount. I believe that was enough to repay my debt to you.”
“What?”
“To be honest, it was more than enough. So why do you keep demanding money as if I owe you something?!”
Splash.
Cold water flew into Yewon’s face.
When she lifted her gaze, she saw Dong-joon holding an empty cup, his face red with anger.
He had thrown water at her.
If it had been hot coffee instead, the consequences could have been horrifying. The thought made Yewon’s body tremble faintly.
“You ungrateful brat! I raised you despite everything, and this is how you repay me?”
Just as Yewon was wiping her face with a napkin, a familiar voice cut through the tension.
“What are you doing here?”
Yewon prayed her ears were deceiving her.
She couldn’t bring herself to turn around—it had to be Seung-hyun standing there.
Thud.
A large coat draped over her shoulders, and Seung-hyun’s scent brushed against her nose.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Cha Seung-hyun, Yewon’s husband.”
Seung-hyun’s polite introduction caught Dong-joon off guard.
With a slight smirk, Seung-hyun continued.
“I heard you recently met my aunt.”
“Oh, so that woman was your aunt? You should’ve said so earlier.”
“Didn’t she tell you?”
Dong-joon scratched his ear and blew mockingly.
“So you accepted a large sum of money without even knowing who it was from?”
“You mean… you actually received money?”
Yewon interrupted their exchange, her mind going blank.
“That’s what I heard,” Seung-hyun said, his sharp gaze fixed solely on Dong-joon.
“Thank you for raising Yewon so well.”
“She never said that to me, but here I am hearing it from you.”
Dong-joon glared at Yewon, seemingly pleased to find common ground with Seung-hyun.
“But now that I see it, Yewon grew up just fine on her own.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“You were just accusing her of not repaying your efforts, weren’t you?”
“…”
“How could I, a mere bystander, know what you claim not to?”
Dong-joon’s eyes darted wildly.
Yewon prayed Seung-hyun hadn’t witnessed the water incident, but it was clear he knew everything.
Meanwhile, Yewon felt stripped bare in front of him.
“Do you have any idea how much she struggled to give you her father’s insurance money? Did you ever stop to think about it, even once?”
“…”
Dong-joon’s mouth clamped shut, unable to respond.
The roaring indignation he had shown earlier vanished completely.
“If you come back here again, I won’t stay silent next time.”
“What’s wrong with a father visiting his daughter? Why are you threatening me like this?”
Dong-joon’s shouting didn’t faze Seung-hyun in the slightest.
Instead, under the table, he squeezed Yewon’s hand tightly, as if to say, “Trust me.”
“If you feel that way, come back anytime. We’ll settle this properly through the company’s legal team.”
“!”
“You might even have to return the money you took from Yewon, so it’d be wise to prepare for that.”
“Birds of a feather flock together, huh? Looks like two unlucky bastards found each other.”
Realizing he couldn’t win, Dong-joon backed down.
“Yewon left a coffee order at the counter. Take it with you when you leave. We’ll get going now, so take care.”
Seung-hyun tightened his grip on Yewon’s hand and helped her stand up.
Though grateful for Seung-hyun putting Dong-joon in his place, Yewon felt exposed and vulnerable.
Looking at his towering back, he seemed larger and more distant than ever.
As if to remind her that she shouldn’t dare covet someone like him.
________________________________________
After entering the house, Seung-hyun finally released Yewon’s hand.
“Change your clothes first.”
Though his tone was flat, it carried a subtle threat. Yewon obeyed without protest.
In the dressing room, she removed his coat and her wet clothes, then changed into something dry.
Her reflection in the mirror looked pitiful.
She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so wretched.
Grabbing a towel, Yewon dried the remaining moisture from her hair.
“Haa…”
She couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at the absurdity of being doused with water.
If Seung-hyun hadn’t shown up, who knows what might have happened.
She was grateful for his intervention, yet part of her resented it.
Her emotions were tangled in knots.
Click.
Having cleaned up as best she could, Yewon opened the dressing room door and stepped out.
Seung-hyun stood with his arms crossed, his back facing her.
Sensing her presence, he turned to face her.
His silence left her wondering what he was thinking.
“He must be disappointed.”
In his world, such incidents were unimaginable.
Even if he was truly disappointed, Yewon had no words to offer.
Even if he suggested erasing everything, she couldn’t undo what had happened.
“You.”
Yewon braced herself for the worst-case scenario.
“Are you okay?”
To her astonishment, that was what he asked.
Thinking she misheard, Yewon widened her eyes, unable to respond.
“I asked if you’re okay.”
“…I’m fine.”
Even as she answered, Yewon doubted her ears.
“From where did you hear…?”
She decided it was better to address the issue directly.
Seung-hyun’s eyebrows rose slightly before settling back into place.
“From the beginning. All of it.”
“…I see.”
Yewon felt as though she had jumped into flames, her entire body burning with shame.
Beyond embarrassment, she felt a sense of resignation.
“Did you live like that all this time?”
“Yes. That’s why I chose this marriage—to escape.”
She had hidden it so carefully, and now it had been exposed. The shame was overwhelming.
“I’m sorry for hiding all this and pushing through with the marriage.”
“Haa. Always apologizing.”
“There was no other way. I thought if I stayed hidden, everything would work out. I never imagined someone would track down my uncle. I was careless.”
Yewon spilled everything in one breath, leaving only the most crucial sentence unsaid.
Looking into Seung-hyun’s eyes, she prepared to deliver it.
This Cinderella game was over.
If Mijin knew, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the family found out.
Perhaps they already did and were simply waiting for her to leave on her own.
“So… let’s end this.”
“What?”
“Divorce…!”
Before she could finish, Seung-hyun’s lips crushed hers, silencing her words.
“Haa. No.”
Ye-won tried to push Seung-hyun away, but she was no match for his strength.
Seung-hyun thrust his tongue deep inside her and roughly undressed Ye-won.
Without permission.
...A rough night began.
Last night.
Seung-hyun had a splitting headache and was helped home by Secretary Park.
He usually drove himself home, but he felt he absolutely shouldn’t get behind the wheel.
“I’m sorry for taking up your weekend time. Please take this.”
Feeling like he had taken away his secretary’s weekend family time, Seung-hyun handed Secretary Park a set of traditional Korean sweets he had bought in advance.
“You shouldn’t have gone to such lengths.”
“You’ve been working hard for me lately, so I wanted to give you this. They say these sweets are made by a master, so they’ll be delicious.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you Monday morning.”
“Go on in.”
The headache that wouldn’t go away even with medicine was probably due to insomnia.
He hadn’t taken sleeping pills for the past few days because they affected his condition the next day, and it seemed he was paying the price.
Seung-hyun decided to go straight home and lie down in bed to try to sleep.
But just as he was about to enter the bathroom, his phone vibrated.
He checked the caller ID and it was Secretary Park.
They had just parted ways, so what could have happened?
Seung-hyun, puzzled, touched the call button.
“Yes, Secretary Park.”
-Sir, I’m passing by the café on the main street, and your wife is here.
Could she be with that man again?
The image of them together popped into his head, and his brow furrowed involuntarily.
-I saw them from the car, so I’m not sure, but... it appears she’s with her, uh, ‘uncle’.
“What?”
How did that person find her here?
The only face that came to mind was Mi-jin’s.
Seung-hyun pressed his hand to his forehead.
-I thought it would be best to tell you.
“Yes, thank you. I’ll check it out now.”
Seung-hyun, forgetting his headache, immediately hung up the phone and hurried out.
The combination of jealousy and worry made him realize that he wasn’t just taking care of Ye-won out of pity.
He had been denying it, but...
He didn’t know when it started, but he seemed to... have fallen for her.
After returning from the café and arguing, Seung-hyun and Ye-won embraced each other passionately, as if it were their last time, several times.
There were no words, only the sounds of rough breathing filling the night.
His last memory was of passing out from exhaustion.
Ye-won expected to wake up to an empty bed this morning, just like usual.
But when she opened her eyes, surprisingly, Seung-hyun was beside her.
He was asleep, offering her his arm as a pillow.
‘Is this... a dream?’
Ye-won stared at Seung-hyun as he slept.
Had they ever woken up like this in the same bed in the past two years?
Seung-hyun had always kept his distance from Ye-won, as if there was an invisible wall between them.
To wake up like this after talking about divorce...
‘What’s going on?’
Not just now, but everything that happened yesterday felt like a dream.
Most of all, she hoped Dong-jun’s visit wasn’t real, but it had happened.
Last night, she wanted to lose herself so much that she couldn’t think of anything.
So she spent the night following Seung-hyun’s lead, matching his pace.
Surprisingly, after she tried to end it, their physical intimacy was hotter and more intense than any other night.
She was reminiscing about the previous night when...
“Can I open my eyes now?”
“Oh my!”
Ye-won’s body jerked violently at Seung-hyun’s sudden voice.
She was mortified to have been caught secretly looking at him.
Seung-hyun slowly lifted his eyelids.
“I thought you’d sleep in, but you woke up surprisingly early.”
“Is... is that so? It must be uncomfortable, please take your arm away. I didn’t even realize I was sleeping like this.”
Ye-won slightly lifted her head and tried to push Seung-hyun’s arm away.
But Seung-hyun didn’t budge, just held his ground.
“It’s not uncomfortable. Just lie down.”
“Still...”
Ye-won trailed off as Seung-hyun stared at her intently.
His large hand wrapped around her shoulder.
Ye-won reluctantly rested her head on his arm again.
She was worried that her pounding heart would be audible to Seung-hyun.
“Kim Ye-won.”
“Yes?”
“You’ve endured a lot.”
Ye-won almost hiccupped in surprise at his words.
It was the first time she had heard such words, and she didn’t know how to react.
“I know how hard it is to endure. I’ve almost given up on life many times.”
“...”
Last night, Ye-won had tried to tell Seung-hyun about the divorce.
She thought that if she pushed him away, it would be over, but Seung-hyun pulled her closer.
“After what happened yesterday... aren’t you disappointed in me?”
“Not at all. I was more sympathetic than disappointed, realizing that you’ve lived a life no different from mine.”
“Ah.”
It wasn’t a good feeling to be pitied by the man she loved.
When Ye-won tried to lower her head slightly, Seung-hyun grabbed her chin and made her look at him again.
“The only thing I’m disappointed in is that you brought up divorce so abruptly.”
“...”
“Those words shouldn’t be thrown around lightly, even if we have a contractual relationship.”
Was he drawing a line, or was he offering his hand to cross it?
He always left Ye-won confused.
Cha Seung-hyun was that difficult of a person.
“If I were Seung-hyun... I think I would have been disappointed.”
“Are you saying you think I would have been disappointed enough to want to end the marriage?”
“...”
Seung-hyun sighed deeply at Ye-won’s answer.
“You’re not me. Why do you assume what others are thinking?”
“The family will find out soon, and they’ll definitely want to kick out the daughter-in-law they already dislike.”
“Why do you always half-listen to what I say?”
“Huh? When did I ever do that?”
She tilted her head, wondering why the conversation had suddenly taken this turn.
“I told you not to worry about the family. They’re just called family, but they’re no different from strangers to me.”
“Still...”
“As you know, except for my grandfather, no one sees me for who I am.”
She had heard this story many times, but this time it felt heavier.
“So please, just look at me.”
“...”
“Get pregnant, have our child, and whether we pretend to be a loving family or become one, just stay by my side.”
It was just a part of the contract, but hearing Seung-hyun say it made her heart race as if she had received a confession.
She couldn’t say anything, afraid that something would burst out of her throat if she opened her mouth even slightly.
Seung-hyun cupped Ye-won’s frozen cheeks in his hands and leaned closer.
Then he placed his lips on hers.
“Haah.”
The careful movements of his lips, holding hers and stroking her tongue, were so gentle that they could easily lead to misunderstandings.
With a kiss that started gently, unlike the night before, Seung-hyun began to caress Ye-won’s body again.
He undressed Ye-won with gentle touches, as if handling a baby.
His touch, caressing her body so carefully, was different from before.
It felt like the parts his hands touched were melting.
Soon, Ye-won was completely naked.
“Beautiful.”
Seung-hyun, who had been scanning Ye-won’s body with his eyes, murmured to himself.
That one word made Ye-won’s heart pound.
A moment later, his lips, which had briefly parted, touched Ye-won’s neck.
“Uhh.”
He ran his tongue over Ye-won’s soft skin.
His lips, leaving hot marks with ticklish breaths, traveled down her neck to her collarbone.
As he slowly traced the shape of her collarbone with his tongue, excitement pooled in the hollow.
Before the tickling sensation could subside, Seung-hyun had already taken Ye-won’s breast into his mouth.
He rolled his tongue around her areola and sucked on her sensitive peak, making a suggestive sound.
Ye-won slightly twisted her waist at the unbearable tickling.
“Haah.”
As she let out a soft moan, the force of his suction on her nipple increased slightly.
Unlike when he gently rolled his tongue, the feeling was now electrifying.
Ye-won was lost in the pleasure of Seung-hyun’s breast caresses for a long time, her body swaying.
As her breathing grew heavier, Seung-hyun’s lips moved further down.
His lips, which were moving away from her breasts with a soft, wet sound, stopped at her flat lower abdomen.
Knowing what Seung-hyun would do next, Ye-won swallowed hard.
He would surely bring those soft lips to her vulva and lick and drink her sweet fluids.
She hadn’t told him directly, but...
Ye-won liked it when Seung-hyun pleasured her below with his mouth.
That’s why she was looking forward to his next move.
But then, something suddenly dawned on her, and her knees tensed.
“Seung-hyun.”
Ye-won immediately sat up and looked at him.
“Huh?”
Seung-hyun looked puzzled, as if she had suddenly broken the mood.
Ye-won paused to catch her breath before saying something bold.
She had made up her mind, but saying it out loud felt different.
After taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, Ye-won carefully moved her lips.
“I’ll... do it for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“...I didn’t say it, but I like it when you pleasure me down there.”
“You do?”
Seung-hyun replied with a faint smile.
“So... I want to do it for you too.”
“You mean, you want me to do that to you right now?”
“Yeah.”
When Ye-won nodded, Seung-hyun paused for a moment.
It was only natural, as this was the first time she had taken the initiative to do something like this.
Once she had conveyed the difficult words, her body moved on its own.
She was embarrassed to be naked, but Ye-won got off the bed and stood facing Seung-hyun.
“What are you going to do?”
Seung-hyun, looking at her, had an unreadable expression.
Unlike her, Seung-hyun was still dressed.
“Can you... take your clothes off?”
Ye-won said, wondering what to do, and Seung-hyun got up and walked right in front of her.
Then he whispered in her ear.
“You take them off.”
“...Okay.”
As soon as she answered, Seung-hyun wrapped his large hand around the back of Ye-won’s head and pulled her closer.
Then he slipped his tongue into Ye-won’s mouth, intertwining their soft flesh.
Ye-won closed her eyes and moved her tongue, following his movements, and reached out to Seung-hyun.
As he wished... she began to undress Seung-hyun.
Her hands trembled, but she moved them carefully.
His firm body, hidden by the cloth, began to be revealed.
...And the last remaining drawers were waiting for Ye-won’s hand.
“Haah.”
After parting her lips, Ye-won looked down.
His front was taut, as if it would burst out.
She swallowed hard.
“What are you doing? After getting me this excited.”
Ye-won placed her hands on Seung-hyun’s waist at his husky, growling voice from above.
As she grabbed his drawers and slowly pulled them down, Seung-hyun’s cock, which had grown to an alarming size, was revealed.
His manhood, erect and stiff as if it would touch his navel.
Ye-won took a small breath and knelt down in front of Seung-hyun.
Then she grasped the base of his cock with her hand.
“Uhh.”
Seung-hyun let out a heavy moan at just that.
“I’ll do it.”
Before she could get an answer, Ye-won put his cock into her wide-open mouth.
She had never done it before, so she didn’t know how, but she trusted her instincts.
As she sucked on it like a candy,
“Ah ah.”
Seung-hyun trembled slightly and placed his hand on Ye-won’s head.
She liked the sound of his moans, which felt lewd.
So she took his cock deeper into her mouth.
She couldn’t believe that this huge cock, reaching her throat, had penetrated her countless times.
And yet, it wasn’t painful, but rather so good that she wanted more.
It was a strange thing.
“Haah.”
After moving a little more, her jaw started to hurt.
But Ye-won couldn’t stop when she saw him moaning softly.
If she kept putting it in so deeply, she wouldn’t be able to pleasure him for long.
So Ye-won decided to hold the base of his cock and only take it into her mouth moderately.
She wondered if he preferred deep sucking, but...
“Ah.”
As soon as her tongue touched the glans, Seung-hyun leaned down and reacted.
Looking at his face, he had his eyes closed, enjoying the feeling.
It seemed that this method stimulated him more, so Ye-won moved her tongue like when she kissed.
As she licked and intertwined, his breathing grew rougher.
Occasionally, she could taste the characteristic flavor from the split tip.
It seemed to be the Cowper’s fluid he had mentioned during their last encounter.
“Haah. Ye-won.”
Seung-hyun moved his hips slightly and called Ye-won’s name.
It seemed that her mouth was opening wider.
Whether it was her imagination or not, his cock, which was already large, seemed to have swollen even more.
“Ah, wait a minute.”
Seung-hyun grabbed Ye-won’s shoulders and tried to push her away.
He seemed to have reached his climax.
He probably wanted to pull his cock out because he couldn’t ejaculate into Ye-won’s mouth.
But at that moment, Ye-won’s desire to see his climax soared.
Making Seung-hyun ejaculate with her mouth alone gave her a strange pleasure.
So she put more strength into her body.
“Ye-won.”
Seung-hyun looked embarrassed, but Ye-won didn’t care and sucked his cock even deeper.
The wet, explicit, and lewd sounds filled the bedroom.
“Aah.”
Seung-hyun gave up and tilted his head back, moaning.
She liked even the way his body twitched from time to time.
As she saw him getting more and more excited, Ye-won’s hands and mouth moved faster.
Soon,
“Uhh.”
Seung-hyun ejaculated directly into Ye-won’s mouth.
She was taken aback by the liquid filling her mouth, but she didn’t regret it.
She was just happy that another secret act that she could only do with him had been added.
“Haah, Kim Ye-won.”
Seung-hyun called Ye-won’s name, panting.
Ye-won swallowed Seung-hyun’s essence in her mouth and looked up.
Perhaps her look was too seductive, because his cock, which had just released its fluid, became erect again.
‘Is that even possible?’
When she looked up at him with surprised eyes, Seung-hyun chuckled.
“I didn’t know you had this side of you.”
“I just... wanted to do it for you.”
“You had a thoughtful idea. You even ate my essence.”
“Ahem.”
He didn’t have to mention that.
As she cleared her throat, feeling awkward, Seung-hyun held out his hand to Ye-won.
“How long are you going to stay like that?”
“Ah.”
Ye-won, who had been kneeling all this time, took Seung-hyun’s hand and got up.
Seung-hyun pulled Ye-won and laid her down on the bed, then immediately placed his hands on her knees and spread them apart.
“I’ll do what you like.”
“Uhh!”
Seung-hyun buried his face in her wet spot.
Ye-won’s body shook violently as he immediately straightened his tongue and pistoned her hole.
As if he had planned it, Seung-hyun sucked up all the fluids that had moistened Ye-won’s vulva.
He acted as if he wouldn’t leave a single drop of what was collected inside her.
“Hoo-uh, heuht.”
Perhaps because she said she liked it, Seung-hyun’s movements were more persistent than usual.
Unable to hold back any longer, Ye-won spoke up.
“Please put it in.”
“You’re showing a lot of initiative today.”
“Hurry. I want it.”
Seung-hyun, who seemed like he was going to tease Ye-won even more, immediately climbed onto the bed.
Soon, their flat stomachs touched.
“Heuht.”
“Aah.”
Seung-hyun thrust his cock into her entrance in one go and hugged Ye-won tightly, moaning.
How ecstatic would sex be on a day when she was this aroused just by being caressed?
It was a moment full of anticipation.
Seung-hyun and Ye-won’s bodies began to sway at the same pace.
“Get in.”
“Where are we going?”
After having sex and eating a late breakfast, the two of them left the house together.
It was the first time they had gone out together like this on a Sunday.
“You said you wanted to see an exhibition.”
“Oh? Are you going with me? You said you were busy.”
“I’m not going with you, I’m going myself. We didn’t have a proper date this week.”
Date……
Without any rush, Yewon was delighted.
“I’m so excited!”
It was an exhibition she had wanted to visit with Seunghyun, which made her even happier.
Yewon tried to contain her excitement as she gazed out the window.
Despite her cheerful mood, the cloudy sky looked like it would soon pour rain.
“If only the weather had been nice on a day like this.”
Yesterday had been so sunny.
Yewon couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the gloomy weather.
“Let’s get going.”
“Okay.”
Seunghyun started the car and pulled out of the house.
He had said he wouldn’t have time for a while, so she was grateful that he had managed to make some for today.
Seeing how kind Seunghyun was being, despite what happened yesterday, made her feel like they were dating.
If this were real, it would be wonderful—but such a miracle could never happen for her.
“He’s probably just being nice because he feels sorry for me,” Yewon concluded internally.
Misinterpreting things would only hurt her in the end.
________________________________________
Because it was the weekend, traffic was heavy, and they arrived later than expected.
The museum parking lot was full, so they decided to park in a nearby building-style parking lot and walk from there.
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
After parking, they took the elevator down to the entrance of the parking lot, where the rain had grown heavier than before.
As Yewon looked up at the sky with a troubled expression, Seunghyun unfolded an umbrella beside her.
“Thank you,” Yewon said instinctively, reaching out to take it—only for Seunghyun to pull it back slightly.
“This is the only umbrella we’ve got.”
“Oh, I see. Then I’ll just buy a disposable one from the convenience store.”
“No need. The umbrella’s big enough—we can share.”
With that, Seunghyun draped his arm over Yewon’s shoulder.
“Your clothes will get wet if you stay too far out. Move closer.”
Thump.
Yewon’s heart started racing.
“It’s just because of the rain. He’s worried about my clothes getting soaked,” she told herself.
But every time Seunghyun acted like this, her nerves tingled with suppressed hope.
Under the shared umbrella, Yewon felt both unfamiliar and thrilled as they walked side by side.
“The rain isn’t so bad after all,” she thought, her earlier disappointment completely reversed.
Yesterday, she had been so embarrassed she considered divorce; today, she found herself grinning foolishly like an idiot.
If Seunghyun continued treating her this way, maybe even a loveless pregnancy wouldn’t be so bad.
She could still keep her unrequited feelings hidden.
________________________________________
Though it was the same exhibition they had visited just yesterday, everything felt new and special because Seunghyun was with her.
When she had come here with Minho, she focused solely on the paintings. But now, all her attention was on Seunghyun.
Her eyes might have been fixed on the artwork, but her heart wasn’t.
“Which piece do you like the most?”
“Me? Hmm… I like that one,” Yewon replied, pointing to a painting she remembered vividly.
It depicted a crimson sunset bleeding into a blue sea. The sky and ocean blended shades of red and blue, with a lone ship floating in the scene.
To Yewon, the ship seemed hesitant, as if standing alone in the midst of a fiery sunset—a reflection of her own lingering fears.
When she first began drawing in college through club activities, her first painting had also been of a sunlit sea.
Until then, she thought she’d grown up without lacking anything, thanks to Dongjun who raised her. But perhaps there were things only biological parents could provide.
Though she believed her life was satisfying enough, she always felt lonely deep down.
The fact that she associated beauty with fear when looking at that stunning sunset proved it.
“It’s a beautiful piece.”
“I think… so too.”
Hearing Seunghyun’s words, Yewon realized how different she must be from others.
After carefully admiring each work, they left the exhibition hall.
The sky, which had been pouring rain earlier, was now in a lull.
They walked cautiously together over the rain-soaked ground.
“Thanks to you, I got to enjoy an exhibition again—it was great.”
“Thank you for saying that. But why don’t you paint anymore, Seunghyun? We were in the same art club, weren’t we?”
This had been on her mind since their last visit to the art supply store.
“Well, everyone kept telling me to focus on business classes instead of wasting time on useless hobbies, so I stopped.”
“Ah.”
Yewon let out a small sigh.
She once saw an unfinished painting of Seunghyun’s, and its unique style had left a strong impression on her.
Given that he’d been groomed since childhood to take over a company, she could somewhat understand why people pressured him.
If she hadn’t married him, she might never have known about these struggles. But seeing him up close, even someone enviable like Seunghyun seemed to carry an emptiness within.
His marriage—the supposed second chapter of life—hadn’t been something he chose freely either. It felt a little tragic.
Of course, she wasn’t in any position to comment on that.
“I hated it back then when they dismissed what I loved as useless.”
“…”
“Anyway, I don’t plan to start painting again. So I’m counting on you to fulfill my share.”
“…Alright.”
Perhaps recommending art to her hadn’t just been about supporting her dreams.
“Am I overthinking things?”
She wanted to cherish this proper first date with Seunghyun, but her insecurities kept creeping in.
It hadn’t been this bad until now. Why was she feeling this way?
Suddenly, the memory of Dongjun embarrassing her in front of Seunghyun flashed in her mind.
She attributed it to being overly sensitive because of yesterday’s events.
“This isn’t helping anyone but me.”
Yewon resolved not to dwell on it further.
“The exhibition date is over. It’s still early, but is there anything you want for dinner?”
“Hmm…”
The first thing that came to mind was the tteokbokki place in Samcheong-dong she’d gone to with Minho yesterday.
But imagining Seunghyun sitting awkwardly in the cramped shop made her chuckle—it simply didn’t suit him.
Besides, she’d never seen him eat street food, so she didn’t mention it.
“How about the traditional Korean restaurant we went to for Grandfather’s birthday? I regretted not eating properly that day.”
She added a plausible excuse and picked something she knew Seunghyun would enjoy.
________________________________________
By evening, Seunghyun’s car arrived at the parking lot of the traditional Korean restaurant.
As usual, they didn’t talk much during the drive.
The sound of raindrops tapping against the car and soft music filled the silence between them.
Once again, the rain played its role perfectly.
“Cha Seunghyun here.”
“Yes, please follow me.”
The staff led them to a private room with large windows overlooking a well-maintained garden. It felt like looking at a framed painting.
Just seeing the view improved her mood.
After settling into their seats, dishes were soon elegantly arranged on the table.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“You too, Seunghyun.”
Dinner began.
Yewon started with the braised short ribs Seunghyun had prepared for her last time, taking a small portion to taste.
“It’s delicious.”
Last time, she’d been too busy worrying about the family members’ gazes to truly savor the food.
Every dish she tasted tonight, starting with the braised ribs, suited her palate perfectly.
“I’d like you to keep next Tuesday evening free.”
Seunghyun’s voice broke the quiet clinking of cutlery.
Yewon swallowed the food in her mouth before responding.
“What’s happening that day?”
“Our university alumni year-end gathering.”
Yewon froze mid-motion as she reached for her ceramic cup.
She knew about the annual alumni gatherings from her days as his secretary—they were the only friends Seunghyun had kept close over the years.
Though she attended the same university, she had dropped out and hardly knew anyone there.
Unsure if attending as his fake wife was appropriate, she hesitated. Sensing her unease, Seunghyun spoke.
“People have been talking a lot lately, saying I haven’t introduced you to anyone since our marriage.”
“Really?”
“Some mockingly suggest our marriage is fake, while others joke that it’s all in my head.”
Two years ago, their wedding had been a quiet affair attended only by relatives. Though he informed his friends of the marriage, he’d never brought Yewon along to formal events.
Seunghyun chuckled softly and took a sip of water.
But Yewon struggled to respond immediately.
“Are such occasions uncomfortable for you?”
“Not exactly uncomfortable… I’m just not sure if it’s a place I should attend.”
Yewon always remained polite but wasn’t foolish enough to overstep boundaries.
Refusing outright seemed less tactful than expressing doubt.
“Are there places I shouldn’t attend?”
At that, Seunghyun’s expression darkened.
“They’re my closest friends, after all. That’s why…”
“Do you forget there’s no divorce in our marriage?”
“Of course not.”
Yewon shook her head.
“Sooner or later, you’ll need to attend. As long as it’s not uncomfortable, please clear your schedule.”
“…Alright.”
With Seunghyun insisting, she couldn’t refuse any longer.
Among married couples, it was common for both partners to attend. Her presence wouldn’t raise eyebrows.
While Yewon absentmindedly played with her rice grains using chopsticks, Seunghyun spoke again.
“Yoon Se-ah will be attending this time too.”
“…!”
The sudden mention of Se-ah sent her heart plummeting.
“It’ll be less awkward since you’ll know at least one person there.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Though the gathering would undoubtedly be uncomfortable, she now had a reason to attend.
If she didn’t show up, Se-ah would likely claim the seat next to Seunghyun without hesitation.
Though Seunghyun treated her as a friend, Yewon could see clearly that Se-ah harbored feelings for him.
Rather than warning Se-ah to stay away, presenting themselves as a loving couple would be far more effective.
Under the table, Yewon gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, steeling herself.
________________________________________
At the same time…
In a dimly lit area, a man recently hired secretly by Jonghee climbed into her parked car.
Thunk.
As soon as the door closed, the employee, removing the deeply pulled-down cap, showed Jong-hee a yellow envelope.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Jong-hee exchanged it with what she had prepared.
The envelope she handed over contained the money promised to the hired employee.
While he took the money out of the envelope, muttering numbers and confirming the amount, Jong-hee anxiously put her hand into the envelope.
For the past two years, no matter how much she pried into Ye-won’s life, she was always at home, so there was nothing to hold against her.
She had been spending a lot of money, but there were no decent results, so she felt empty.
“Hoo.”
Jong-hee let out a long breath and took out the contents.
And at that moment, Jong-hee’s eyes widened.
She had finally caught Ye-won’s tail.
The photo showed Ye-won and a man who looked to be around the same age enjoying a date together.
She scoffed at the course, which led from an art museum to a shabby snack bar.
She felt disgusted at the sight of him even taking Ye-won home near her house, as if he were mocking Seung-hyun.
“As expected, pine caterpillars should live on pine needles.”
Jong-hee tapped Ye-won’s brightly smiling face with her fingernail and sneered.
Only then did Ye-won seem to be wearing clothes that suited her.
“You’ve done a good job this time. But it would have been better if you had a photo of them going in and out of a hotel.”
“They seem to be more than just friends, so they’ll get caught soon.”
The employee also spoke with confidence.
She was relieved that it wasn’t just Jong-hee’s delusion.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Okay, go in.”
After confirming that he had gotten out of the car and walked away, Jong-hee turned on her phone and touched the screen.
After a simple ringing tone,
-Yes, sister-in-law!
Mi-jin’s voice, greeting Jong-hee happily, came over.
The end of their weekend date was sex.
The two of them, who had found a hotel instead of home, rushed to each other’s lips before the door could even close.
Having had sex several times, Seung-hyun’s hands, undressing Ye-won, had become quite skilled.
Seung-hyun quickly made Ye-won naked and carried her to the bedroom, laying her on the bed.
“Ha-ut.”
Seung-hyun, while kissing, endlessly stimulated Ye-won’s lower body with his hands.
As a result, the squelching sound grew louder and louder, and Ye-won’s lower body became a mess.
Although she hadn’t seen it directly, the amount was enough to wet the entire sheet.
She was embarrassed to have leaked so much to Seung-hyun, but Ye-won’s mind quickly turned blank from the stimulation he gave her.
“Hoo-uh, haah.”
With frequent sex, Ye-won vaguely learned how her body heated up when Seung-hyun did certain things to her.
Although most of it was good, there were some caresses and positions that felt particularly special.
She hadn’t told Seung-hyun separately, but he seemed to know what they were.
“Ah, my fingers are going to break.”
Even though he spoke explicit words, she didn’t dislike it and wanted him to continue tormenting her.
Ye-won didn’t know she was someone who liked sex this much.
She was learning a lot through her relationship with Seung-hyun.
“I always feel that your body is so sweet.”
Chop chop.
Seung-hyun’s lips left marks on Ye-won’s neck and collarbone, gradually moving down.
“A-ut.”
When he licked her side with his tongue and gently bit her so it wouldn’t hurt, Ye-won’s waist lifted slightly.
Ye-won couldn’t even think about holding back her moans because of Seung-hyun, who always gave her new feelings.
Startled by her own moans, which were so lewd that she couldn’t believe they were hers, Ye-won rolled her lips inward.
She was careful because she thought that letting out moans as she felt them would make her look like a woman who was too open.
But today, the sounds flowed out on their own, without any time to hold back.
Seung-hyun was now holding her pelvis from below.
“Why are you holding back?”
“......!”
She thought he wouldn’t know, but Seung-hyun specifically asked her.
When Ye-won couldn’t answer, Seung-hyun lifted his upper body and placed his hands on her knees.
“Why are you holding back such good sounds? I get excited by your moans.”
Seung-hyun raised one corner of his mouth and used his hands to spread Ye-won’s knees wide open.
As his gaze turned downward, Ye-won’s body twitched on its own.
“So this time, make some noise.”
Seung-hyun lowered his upper body as it was.
Hot breaths touched the place he had been poking with his fingers just a moment ago.
“Because I want to get more excited too.”
With those words, Ye-won’s lower body became hot and wet.
She couldn’t hold back her moans with the endless stimulation.
“Ha-ah.”
Ye-won’s toes, pointing towards the sky, became stiff.
Seung-hyun brought Ye-won to climax with just caresses.
“Because you’re crying like that, I’m like this.”
He took Ye-won’s hand, which was letting out hot breaths, and brought it to his center.
“......!”
She felt his bursting manhood in her palm, and it felt like she was going to suffocate.
It was always overwhelming, but today it seemed even bigger than before.
“Open your eyes. This is just the beginning.”
Licking his lips with his tongue, Seung-hyun overlapped his body over Ye-won.
Seung-hyun pushed himself deeper into Ye-won.
The Next Day, Morning
As soon as Seunghyun woke up, he dropped Yewon off at her house before heading to work.
Yewon stood by the window, watching his car disappear into the distance, and let out a long sigh.
“Hoo.”
She then placed her hand gently over her left chest.
Her heart was still racing.
Yesterday had felt like she and Seunghyun were truly lovers.
The perfect date, followed by even more perfect sex, and the long, lingering night—everything had been flawless, except for the occasional pang of emptiness.
─”Why are you being so nice to me?”
She had almost asked him that again, just like last time.
Once might have been excusable, but asking twice would make Seunghyun suspicious of her intentions. So, Yewon swallowed the words and kept them to herself.
‘But what’s with this hollow feeling?’
After such a lovely weekend, she should have been in high spirits to start the week, yet her mood was as gray as the clouds in the sky.
The gloom persisted even after Mrs. Choi left for work.
Not wanting to be alone, Yewon sat on the living room couch and opened a book she had brought.
Just as she turned to the third page, Mrs. Choi placed a plate with a sandwich and a cup of coffee on the table in front of her.
“I dug up some sweet potatoes from the garden yesterday, so I made sweet potato sandwiches. Try them—they’re really tasty.”
“Wow, thank you! I’ll enjoy them.”
Yewon took a bite of the sandwich.
Its soft, fluffy texture filled her mouth.
“Mmm, it’s so delicious.”
It was a delightful taste.
When Yewon widened her eyes and gave a thumbs-up, Mrs. Choi looked pleased.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Yewon lifted the cup to her lips, took a sip of coffee, and then asked,
“You said you harvested the sweet potatoes from the garden? Are you growing them yourself?”
Mrs. Choi nodded before replying.
“I’ve set up a small vegetable patch in the yard, planting all sorts of things, and thankfully, they’ve grown well on their own.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. I’ve always wanted to try gardening, but I lose confidence quickly and end up giving up. Do you have any pictures?”
“Of course!”
Mrs. Choi eagerly pulled out her phone and showed Yewon photos of her neatly arranged vegetable patch.
“It’s very well-organized, just like your personality,” Yewon thought.
“This is chili, this is perilla, lettuce… Maybe I’ll plant tomatoes next year.”
There were quite a few varieties besides what she mentioned.
Yewon listened intently, fascinated by Mrs. Choi’s explanations.
As they chatted cheerfully about the garden, the doorbell rang inside the house.
“Just a moment.”
Mrs. Choi quickly got up and checked the wall pad.
A little later, she pressed the door-opening button and turned back to look at Yewon.
“It seems the CEO has sent something.”
“Huh? From Seunghyun?”
Could it be art supplies again?
Or maybe ingredients or one of Seunghyun’s personal belongings.
A short while later, the deliveryman arrived holding something intriguing.
“Are you Kim Yewon?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Please sign here.”
Given its size, it must be a canvas or something similar, right?
Yewon glanced at the item the deliveryman had leaned against the side and signed the tablet screen.
“And this is for you as well.”
Something was suddenly thrust toward her.
“What’s this?”
A large bouquet of white and blue hydrangeas, beautifully harmonized.
Yewon blinked rapidly, wondering what was going on.
“This is a gift from Cha Seunghyun. Where would you like me to place this painting?”
“Oh… Over there, please.”
The deliveryman placed the “painting” where Yewon pointed.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“You too.”
After he left, Yewon cradled the bouquet in her arms and examined the large, wrapped object from all angles.
“Surely it’s not a mistake…”
Just in case, she awkwardly smiled and casually spoke to Mrs. Choi.
Mrs. Choi shook her head.
“The CEO did mention this morning that a gift for Madam would arrive today.”
“Really?”
“Yes, so go ahead and open it.”
“Well… Should I?”
Yewon placed the bouquet she had been holding on the dining table and stood in front of the painting.
Thump-thump, her heart fluttered pleasantly.
She carefully reached out and began unwrapping the packaging.
The contents were revealed almost immediately.
“Oh my.”
At the sight of the painting, Yewon froze, covering her mouth with both hands.
─”Which piece do you like the most?”
─”Me? Hmm… That one.”
It was the exact painting Yewon had pointed out at the exhibition, saying she liked it.
She had no idea Seunghyun could be so thoughtful.
In an instant, the void she had felt throughout yesterday’s date seemed completely filled.
She hadn’t dared to hope for grand romantic gestures.
All she’d wanted was a little attention from Seunghyun—and this was more than enough.
No, this was beyond what she had hoped for.
Suddenly, Yewon’s eyes welled up with tears.
“The painting is so beautiful.”
“Isn’t it?”
Her voice trembled slightly as she answered.
She was so curious about why Seunghyun had prepared such a gift, but Yewon decided not to ask him anything.
She was already deeply moved, and if she heard it was meaningless, she feared her disappointment would be immense.
Yewon picked up her phone, which she had set aside earlier, and opened the camera app.
Click.
She took a picture of the painting and sent it to Seunghyun.
[I received the gift. Thank you.]
Though it was only two sentences, she poured all her emotions into the message before sending it.
She regretted bringing up divorce the other day.
[I’ll do better.]
After sending one more message, Yewon smiled brightly.
She was so grateful and apologetic to Seunghyun for doing so much for her.
“Stand in front of the painting with the bouquet. Let me take a picture for you.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Yewon handed her phone to Mrs. Choi with a shy smile.
She then stood in front of the large painting, holding the hydrangea bouquet as instructed.
It had been so long since someone else had taken her picture that she hesitated, unsure of what expression to make.
“Look naturally at the bouquet. I’ll take the picture.”
“Okay.”
Yewon’s eyes, gazing at the hydrangea bouquet, softened into a beautiful smile.
________________________________________
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking echoed through Seunghyun’s office.
“Yes.”
After his brief response, Secretary Park entered and approached Seunghyun’s desk.
Slightly bowing his head, Secretary Park began briefing him on the schedule.
“At 10 a.m., there’s a Strategic Planning Team meeting in the main conference room. At 1 p.m., you have lunch with the CEO of Eunhwa Construction. As you requested, the Finance Team meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. will be rescheduled for next week.”
Secretary Park placed documents related to the upcoming Strategic Planning Team meeting on Seunghyun’s desk.
“If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll remind you again 30 minutes before the meeting.”
After finishing the briefing, Secretary Park bowed and exited the office.
“Haa.”
As the heavy door closed behind him, Seunghyun let out a deep sigh.
‘Just need to successfully close the Eunhwa Construction acquisition deal.’
He clenched his interlocked hands tightly.
Donghwa Construction was one of the subsidiaries that had grown rapidly in recent years.
Before, it had been dismissed as a mediocre company under the Donghwa name, with lackluster performance.
But since Seunghyun became its CEO, the company had started gaining recognition and praise for his capabilities.
However, those who viewed him negatively criticized his young age and lack of experience, claiming he wouldn’t handle crises well.
Uninterested in engaging with such gossip, Seunghyun worked tirelessly to silence them with results.
That was also why he had chosen marriage—a practical decision to avoid scrutiny.
─”If we successfully complete this acquisition, our construction capability rating will soar significantly. Expectations are high. Seunghyun, you’re finally proving yourself.”
Grandfather Hanjoo was proud of Seunghyun.
He even promised to transfer a portion of his shares to Seunghyun once the acquisition was finalized, strengthening his control over management.
Given how important this deal was to Hanjoo, Seunghyun couldn’t afford to let his guard down for a moment.
Especially since the CEO of Eunhwa Construction was known for being conservative and sensitive to rumors, Seunghyun had been extra cautious.
“Just this one deal…”
Seunghyun trailed off, stroking his chin.
He knew for certain that his uncle’s faction would try to sabotage the deal. He needed to stay sharp.
Rather than wasting energy tormenting others, solidifying his position would bring far greater benefits.
This was exactly the type of behavior Seunghyun despised.
Thinking about those foolish individuals hardened his expression.
‘Damn, now I’m in a foul mood.’
He clicked his tongue as he reached for the documents on his desk when—
Zing—
His phone vibrated briefly.
With an unchanging stern face, Seunghyun reached for the phone as it buzzed again.
[I received the gift. Thank you.]
[I’ll do better.]
The consecutive messages were from Yewon.
Relieved that she liked the carefully chosen gift, he felt a quiet sense of satisfaction.
Just then—
[The bouquet looks best when held personally. Mrs. Choi took the photo. The flowers are so pretty.]
Another photo arrived.
In it, Yewon was smiling brightly as she looked down at the bouquet.
‘I didn’t expect her to like it this much.’
Seunghyun raised one corner of his mouth into a faint smile as he quietly absorbed the photo.
Though it was meant to highlight the bouquet, all Seunghyun could see was Yewon.
After gazing at the phone for a moment, he saved the picture.
─”Don’t assume things on your own. Listen carefully to what your sister-in-law has to say.”
In truth, Seunghyun had sought advice from his younger sister, Hyojin, before their date yesterday.
He hadn’t wanted anything special for an anniversary but decided to give Yewon a gift. So, he asked Hyojin for suggestions.
During the date, Seunghyun followed Yewon’s gaze and listened closely to her words.
─”It’s beautiful.”
As they strolled through Insadong after the exhibition, Yewon paused briefly in front of a flower shop.
─”Do you like flowers?”
─”No, they’re just pretty.”
For two years, Seunghyun had brushed off such comments without much thought. But when he began paying attention, he realized Yewon wasn’t someone who clearly expressed whether she liked or disliked something.
At that moment, he considered asking her to pick out a flower.
But since it wasn’t something he usually did, he hesitated and instead opted to send flowers to her house.
To avoid any misunderstandings—like her thinking they were from another man—he’d even informed Mrs. Choi beforehand.
“Haa.”
Thinking about that man again made him sigh involuntarily.
But the person living under the same roof, tied together as husband and wife, was Seunghyun himself.
This placed him in a more advantageous position with Yewon.
Changing himself in such a short time wouldn’t be easy, but Seunghyun resolved to try.
“Hmm.”
If this had been before, he wouldn’t have bothered replying. But after some deliberation, Seunghyun slowly moved his fingers across the screen.
Thinking of Yewon calmed his previously uneasy heart.
________________________________________
Once again, there was no reply from Seunghyun.
After receiving the gift and wrestling with indecision, Yewon had sent the photo Mrs. Choi had taken of her.
She feared he might ask why she suddenly sent it, so she added a rambling explanation about how the bouquet looked better when held personally.
‘Was this really unnecessary?’
Her heavy thoughts spiraled endlessly, and eventually, she even felt nauseous despite not eating anything.
Then, her phone screen lit up with a notification.
[Let’s have dinner together tonight.]
Yewon quickly grabbed her phone to check the message—it was from Seunghyun.
“Haa.”
Finally, the knot in her chest loosened.
“What a relief.”
Though it wasn’t about the photo, receiving a reply made her feel much more at ease.
Having dinner together wasn’t something that happened often, so she was thrilled.
Grateful to Seunghyun, she naturally began brainstorming menu ideas, planning to cook dinner herself.
Just then, her phone vibrated again.
[If you’re thinking of making dinner yourself, don’t bother. Everything will already be prepared.]
“Huh?”
It was as if Seunghyun had read her mind and responded accordingly.
[Okay.]
Yewon chose an appropriate response and sent it, then clutched her phone tightly to her chest.
The feeling of dating him might have been an illusion, but she was so happy tears welled up in her eyes.
________________________________________
“Welcome home...”
Yewon greeted Seunghyun as he returned from work but froze, her eyes widening.
It was because of the bag in his hand.
At first glance, it contained groceries.
“I said we’d have dinner, right?”
“Oh, did you have something specific in mind? Give it here—I’ll start now since it’ll take some time. Just tell me the menu while you go wash up.”
“No, I’ll handle it.”
“...What?”
Yewon repeated her question, staring at Seunghyun as he placed the bag on the counter.
After shaking his hands dry, he turned to face her.
“I’m going to make dinner for you.”
“Wait... Are you serious?”
Flustered, Yewon waved her hands in confusion.
Seunghyun let out a dry laugh.
“Why are you making that face?”
“No, it’s just... um...”
She swallowed the words “Isn’t this weird?” before they left her mouth.
Her stuttered, nonsensical response made Seunghyun chuckle softly.
“Sit tight. I’ll change and be right out.”
Yewon could only watch dumbfounded as Seunghyun headed toward the bedroom.
“The saying goes that if someone changes suddenly, they’re dying soon.”
That old adage came to mind first.
Did he receive some kind of terminal diagnosis after working nonstop day and night?
His behavior was so unfamiliar it was almost frightening.
Soon, Seunghyun emerged from the bedroom, his long strides carrying him over to where Yewon stood. He tapped her forehead gently with his index finger.
“Are you just going to keep standing there?”
“Seunghyun, are you feeling unwell?”
“Why would I be sick?”
“Or... have you changed your mind about divorcing me?”
“What? Why do you keep saying strange things? Are you the one feeling unwell?”
Concern flickered in Seunghyun’s eyes as he placed a hand on Yewon’s forehead.
Startled, Yewon took a step back. The spot where his hand had touched seemed to burn.
Seunghyun narrowed his eyes slightly.
“You don’t seem to have a fever.”
“There’s an old saying,” Yewon murmured. “When someone changes suddenly, it means they’re going to die...”
“What? Haha.”
Seunghyun burst into laughter, clearly amused by her words.
Seeing him laugh openly like this—his hand covering his mouth—was a new sight. She was used to his usual stoic expression or furrowed brows, so his laughter felt oddly surreal.
“So Kim Yewon has this cute side to her too.”
“It’s not like that—I’m genuinely worried about you.”
“Worried, huh...”
Seunghyun drew out the last word as he gazed deeply at her.
“Yeah, it’s something worth worrying about.”
“Huh?”
“For now, let’s focus on preparing dinner.”
With those cryptic words, Seunghyun turned and walked away.
‘Why is he acting like this?’
While Seunghyun laughed freely, Yewon’s worries only doubled.
________________________________________
Tuesday Evening: Seunghyun’s Alumni Year-End Gathering
He had sent clothes to the house earlier that day.
Looking at the elegant and calm-style dress, Yewon could already guess the atmosphere of the gathering.
Dressed and ready by the time Seunghyun was scheduled to arrive, Yewon checked her reflection in the dressing room mirror.
“You look beautiful.”
Back when she worked as his secretary, Seunghyun had bought her expensive clothes and bags, saying her appearance reflected his image.
Though the prices were overwhelming, Yewon had always valued the fact that he personally picked them out.
During those moments, she knew he was thinking solely of her.
Only now did she realize that the gratitude she felt back then was also a form of affection.
“We’re ready to go?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Seunghyun and Yewon headed down to the garage.
Aside from weddings and family gatherings, meeting people from Seunghyun’s side was practically a first.
Perhaps that was why she couldn’t help but feel nervous, no matter how hard she tried.
“Let’s get going.”
With those words, Seunghyun slid the car smoothly out of the garage.
________________________________________
The venue was a lounge bar on the top floor of a famous hotel with a panoramic view of downtown Seoul.
As soon as they stepped into the elevator, Seunghyun extended his hand to Yewon.
When she lowered her head slightly to clasp his hand, the ring on his left fourth finger caught her eye.
It had always been there, but today it stood out vividly.
“If anyone teases you with silly questions, don’t panic. They’ll just want to tease you more if they see your flustered face.”
“Got it.”
“And if anyone makes you uncomfortable when I’m not around, just ignore them.”
“How can I do that? They’re your friends.”
Yewon replied as though his suggestion was absurd.
“My real friends wouldn’t make you uncomfortable anyway. If ignoring them feels awkward, just curse at them.”
“Seunghyun.”
“I’m telling you this so you remember I’ve got your back. I don’t want my family—or my friends—to treat you poorly.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Why did Se-ah’s face flash in her mind as soon as he said that?
What if something like what happened in the car occurred again?
Imagining herself yelling insults straight at Se-ah’s face brought an involuntary smile to Yewon’s lips.
Of course, she wouldn’t actually do it in real life, but picturing the scene in her head was satisfying enough.
─”I’m reminding you that I’ve got your back.”
Yewon replayed Seunghyun’s comforting words in her mind.
Thinking about how much more her behavior as his wife now mattered compared to when she was his secretary, she resolved to change herself.
She couldn’t stand seeing others disrespect Seunghyun, so she needed to become stronger too.
“Wow, it’s Cha Seunghyun!”
As soon as the couple entered the lounge bar, someone called out.
Following that exclamation, all eyes turned to them.
Among them was Se-ah’s gaze.
“Why are they looking at us like that?”
Seunghyun casually pulled out a chair for Yewon and glanced around at his friends.
“It’s because I’m not alone, you idiot. Hello, I’m Sim Suktae, Seunghyun’s friend.”
“Hello, I’m Kim Yewon.”
“This is my wife.”
When Suktae introduced the woman seated next to him, she smiled brightly and offered a handshake.
“I’m Lee Juyeon. Not just any wife—she’s an alumna too. I’ve been curious about you, Yewon. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
Everyone greeted Yewon warmly.
As Seunghyun and Yewon took their seats, delectable dishes were served to the table.
Once the staff left, conversations resumed as steaks were sliced.
“We honestly thought Seunghyun had gotten divorced. He’s been wearing that ring, but we weren’t even sure if he was married or not. For two years, we begged him to bring his wife to our gatherings, but he completely ignored us.”
Once again, Suktae was the first to break the ice.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“It’s an honor to finally meet you. Does Seunghyun treat you well? Among friends, he can be quite... finicky...”
“Yewon, could you pass me a napkin?”
At that moment, Se-ah interrupted Suktae mid-sentence and abruptly spoke to Yewon.
“Do you know each other, Se-ah and Yewon?”
Juyeon’s head snapped toward Se-ah.
Se-ah snatched the napkin Yewon handed her and neatly folded it, as if she hadn’t needed it in the first place.
“Yeah, we were in the same club. Remember the art club where both Seunghyun and I joined?”
“I remember that. So... does that mean you’re also one of our alumni?”
Juyeon’s wide-eyed gaze turned to Yewon.
Yewon awkwardly smiled and nodded.
“Yes, I attended for a while.”
She could already predict the next questions and wished to avoid such situations.
But Se-ah once again put Yewon on the spot.
“Why? Did you drop out? From such a good school?”
“Family circumstances...”
“If you’ve managed to get into a great school but it doesn’t suit you, quitting is better than forcing yourself to stay.”
Before Yewon could finish her honest reply, Seunghyun cut in with a plausible excuse.
She silently berated herself for not thinking of such a convincing reason earlier.
“That’s true. So after dropping out, what did you do? Did you find your passion?”
“She paints. Her skills are incredible.”
“This guy never stops boasting. How did you hold back from bragging about her all this time? We want to hear from Yewon herself. Why do you keep answering for her?”
Sensing his chance, Suktae jokingly glared at Seunghyun.
Seunghyun merely shrugged and chuckled.
“I have something I’m really curious about.”
“Whatever it is, it’s probably best to stop. Look, she’s not even eating properly.”
Though Seunghyun showed signs of annoyance, Suktae brushed it off and turned to Yewon.
“Can I ask what you liked about Seunghyun?”
“Hey, Sim Suktae.”
“I honestly thought this guy would stay single forever. When he told us about his arranged marriage, I thought it was a joke because I assumed he’d get divorced right away.”
After a brief pause, Yewon slowly opened her mouth to answer.
“Well, to start, he’s handsome, so that caught my eye.”
“Oh, so you go for looks too, Yewon?”
“That was just my eyes. My heart went… when I saw his back standing still for a long time in front of my painting during college. And when he said he liked it, that’s when I was completely captivated.”
She figured being truthful would help more than crafting a clumsy lie that might raise suspicions.
“Wow, Cha Seunghyun truly is something else. He stole someone’s heart with just his back.”
Suktae let out an exclamation, shaking his head in disbelief.
“And he’s always been so kind to me. Whenever I talked to him, I felt like I was someone worthy of respect. That’s why I fell for him. He was my first love.”
“So you’ve liked Seunghyun since college? All this time?”
Yewon bashfully nodded with a soft smile.
Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine confessing such feelings while sitting next to Seunghyun.
Still, she wanted to convey those emotions to him at least once.
Though she hadn’t expected it to happen here.
“Seunghyun also said Yewon was his first love. It seems the two of you were truly fated. So romantic.”
Juyeon clasped her hands together as if in prayer and sighed in admiration.
Then, without warning, she sharply glared at Suktae sitting beside her.
“I know all about this guy’s dating history. When Sim Suktae broke up with his first love, he nearly jumped into the Han River, you know?”
“Must you bring up ancient history like that? I’ve completely forgotten about it.”
“When he broke up with the older woman he dated second, he drank until he got a stomach ulcer and ended up in the ER.”
“Hey, stop it. Yewon’s here.”
Suktae nudged Juyeon with his elbow, but she clearly wasn’t done yet.
“They started as friends and eventually got married. They used to claim nothing would happen even if they were stranded on a deserted island together, but then they announced their marriage and pregnancy all at once in front of us. Quite the impressive pair.”
Youngchul, sitting across from them, chimed in casually as if the banter meant nothing.
Finding the whole situation amusing, Yewon covered her mouth and giggled softly.
Her laughter faded, however, when her eyes met Se-ah’s.
Se-ah looked at Yewon with clear disdain, as if her mere presence irritated her.
Yewon felt that looking away now would feel like surrender, so she held Se-ah’s gaze for a moment.
Meanwhile, Juyeon, having wrapped up her teasing, grabbed a wine bottle with a pout.
“I need a drink. Oh, Yewon, since it’s our first meeting, how about a toast?”
Juyeon gestured toward the empty wine glass beside Yewon.
“Sure, I’d love to.”
Yewon cheerfully picked up the stem of the wine glass and extended it toward Juyeon.
But before her arm was even halfway raised, Seunghyun’s hand stopped her.
“Juyeon, sorry.”
“You’re not forcing her to drink herself to death. Besides, even if she drinks, what’s the harm? You’re here.”
Juyeon shot Seunghyun a look as if to say, “What’s the big deal?”
But Seunghyun firmly took the glass from Yewon’s hand.
“We’re trying for a baby.”
A brief silence fell over the table.
No one seemed able to quickly come up with a suitable response to that.
Seunghyun smirked and broke the silence.
“Is pregnancy really such an uncomfortable topic at our age?”
“It’s not that—it’s just so sudden.”
“Exactly.”
Suktae backed up Juyeon’s words.
With an awkward smile, Juyeon retracted the wine glass she had offered to Yewon.
“The guy who swore he’d never marry or have kids suddenly changes like this—it’s scary.”
“Scared he’ll die from changing too much?”
“No, you’re the type who wouldn’t bleed even if pricked. It’s just... when you suddenly change like this, I wonder what crazy scheme you’re planning next.”
“You’re impossible.”
Seunghyun gritted his teeth and glared, but Suktae simply shrugged.
“The more I learn about you two, the more interesting you seem as a couple.”
“Can’t you just shut up?”
“Seunghyun, what is it about Yewon that made you change so much?”
“Didn’t I mention it before?”
“You only said, ‘She’s my first love.’“
Suktae’s question made Yewon’s ears perk up like a rabbit’s.
She intended to hold onto those words and replay them whenever doubts crept in.
Even if it was a lie meant to deceive others, she was curious about his answer.
“There’s no other reason. Being with Yewon just feels comfortable. I found myself sharing things I’d never told anyone, and even walking beside her felt nice.”
“...”
“Most importantly, on days I met Yewon and went home, I could sleep without medication. That’s probably why my feelings naturally gravitated toward her.”
Though not as detailed as Yewon’s confession, it was a heartfelt lie that stirred emotions.
“If only that were true,” Yewon thought as warmth spread across her cheeks.
“Is that really Cha Seunghyun?”
“I don’t think so. No, it definitely isn’t.”
As friends teased Seunghyun one by one, he boldly held Yewon’s hand and locked eyes with her.
The affectionate gaze that sparked delusions made Yewon’s heart race—thump, thump, thump.
________________________________________
“Damn it! Are those two secretly dating or something?”
Failing to maintain her composure, Se-ah stormed into the restroom, threw her bag onto the sink, and cursed under her breath.
She leaned on the sink with both hands, breathing heavily.
─”We’re trying for a baby.”
The moment Seunghyun said those words, she couldn’t help but imagine him and Yewon having sex.
It was disgusting, making her want to vomit.
“Is having sex something to brag about?”
Why announce something like procreation so proudly in front of friends? She found it utterly ridiculous.
Se-ah’s irritation soared as Seunghyun’s unexpected declaration threatened to derail her plan to take him away from Yewon.
She realized she had grown complacent, relying on Jonghee and Mijin as her strong backup.
She had assumed Seunghyun’s family support would make divorcing him and Yewon easy—but now, an unforeseen obstacle had appeared.
“Ugh, this is so frustrating!”
Se-ah screamed at the top of her lungs to vent her frustration.
Just then—
“Oh my goodness, you scared me. Se-ah, what’s wrong?”
The restroom door opened, and Juyeon walked in, her eyes wide with surprise.
She approached the sink next to Se-ah and turned on the faucet to wash her hands.
“It’s nothing, just... I’ve been stressed lately because of work.”
Juyeon’s loose lips were notorious; anything she heard would inevitably spill out.
So Se-ah hastily fabricated an excuse to leave, reaching for her discarded bag.
“I always thought you and Seunghyun would end up married.”
Her hand froze mid-air as she gripped the bag.
“Honestly, tell me. Didn’t you two date in college? After hanging out with Suktae, I’ve learned there’s no such thing as purely platonic friendships between men and women.”
“Haha... Well...”
Though grateful for the misunderstanding, Se-ah paused to gauge the atmosphere.
Interpreting her silence as confirmation, Juyeon’s eyes sparkled as she stepped closer.
“I knew it. So Seunghyun’s claim that Yewon was his first love must have been a lie too, right?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“Cha Seunghyun is hilarious. Why lie about something like that?”
Juyeon shook her head in disbelief, clearly amused by Seunghyun’s supposed fib.
“Honestly, they don’t suit each other at all. Wasn’t she his secretary? Sure, she has a nice figure, but maybe they became partners and ended up getting married because of physical attraction?”
“Nah, surely not.”
“There are plenty of cases like that, though marriages stemming from such relationships aren’t common.”
Se-ah didn’t utter a word, but Juyeon eagerly pieced together her own narrative.
“Sigh. You and Seunghyun looked so perfect together. Why did you break up? If you two had married, imagine how fun our alumni couples’ gatherings would’ve been!”
Completely misunderstanding the situation, Se-ah feigned genuine regret.
Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind: using Juyeon, who loved gossip, to her advantage.
Having drunk some wine earlier out of frustration over Seunghyun, Se-ah slipped into acting mode.
“If only I hadn’t gone abroad for studies, we might have ended up married.”
It wasn’t exactly studying abroad—it was more of an escape.
After her father’s business failure left the family in financial ruin, she had fled to another country.
“Ah! Now I get it!”
The moment Juyeon heard that, she clapped her hands together loudly.
“The reason Cha Seunghyun suddenly brought his wife to this gathering today.”
“Huh?”
“He probably brought her because he knew you’d be here! He was putting on a show for you, trying to prove he’s fine without you!”
“Ah, is that... so?”
Se-ah thought Juyeon should seriously consider switching careers to become a novelist.
Her ability to weave stories together like dried fish was uncanny.
“I understand everything now. Honestly, how does it make sense for someone as capable, smart, and good-looking as Cha Seunghyun to marry some nobody? I always thought something was off about it from the start.”
“Really?”
“And what about that first love story earlier? And the one about the woman who made him feel comfortable… Wasn’t that actually you?”
“Haha, maybe?”
Se-ah quickly played along.
If she kept silent any longer, Juyeon might grow suspicious. So, Se-ah decided to speak up.
“Actually, I met Seunghyun’s mother recently.”
“Wow!”
Juyeon’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“I heard they got married in a rush because of grandfather’s pressure. They needed someone to fill the role of a wife and bear an heir.”
“Se-ah, do you still have feelings for Seunghyun?”
“Why would you...?”
Before Se-ah could finish her cautious question, Juyeon grabbed her arms and forced her to meet her gaze.
“I want to help you. When I heard Seunghyun talk earlier, it seemed like he still has lingering feelings for you. You only live once—don’t you think you should be with the person you love?”
“That’s true, but… Seunghyun is already married. And didn’t he just say they’re preparing for pregnancy?”
“Are you really this naive? That was just to provoke you, trust me!”
By now, Juyeon fully believed the fabricated story she had spun.
Things were falling into place much easier than expected.
“So, do you think Seunghyun still has feelings for me?”
“Of course!”
“Well, actually, Seunghyun and I dated before his wedding, but we broke up because of opposition from his family.”
“What? Really?”
Se-ah added a slight embellishment to the story Juyeon had concocted herself.
“His family insisted they absolutely needed an heir... You know how I’ve always said since I was young that I didn’t want kids even after marriage.”
“That’s right, you did say that!”
Juyeon nodded, agreeing as if recalling the memory.
“So, I ended things. Actually, I think the whole ‘preparing for pregnancy’ thing he mentioned earlier was probably because of me.”
“No wonder! I thought it was strange when he suddenly brought that up!”
Juyeon exclaimed loudly, her eyes wide.
“Juyeon, just to be safe… You won’t tell anyone about our conversation, will you?”
“Do you not know how tight-lipped I am? I’ll never say a word!”
Whenever Juyeon assured someone with such confidence, rumors tended to spread faster than ever.
And that was exactly what Se-ah wanted.
“I feel like I can breathe a little better now that I’ve opened up to you.”
“If you ever feel stuck again, come talk to me. If two people are meant to meet, they’ll find each other somehow. Don’t stress too much.”
Juyeon comforted Se-ah.
“Thank you.”
With a voice trembling as if on the verge of tears, Se-ah leaned into Juyeon’s embrace.
As Juyeon patted her back reassuringly, the corners of Se-ah’s lips curved upward slightly.
________________________________________
End of the Year Gathering
The event wrapped up sooner than expected.
“Yewon, let’s go golfing together sometime, couples included.”
“Yes, I’ll talk to Seunghyun about it.”
“Take care on your way home. It was great meeting you today. Seunghyun, you take care too.”
“You guys drink responsibly and head home safely.”
________________________________________
Everyone exchanged parting words amidst lively chatter.
While others moved on to continue drinking elsewhere, Seunghyun and Yewon, who had announced they were “preparing for pregnancy,” decided to head home early.
After saying their goodbyes, the two got into the car.
With the soft click of the door closing, Seunghyun turned toward Yewon.
“You must be tired from all that. Feeling okay?”
“Yes, I was quite nervous. I’ll close my eyes and rest while you drive.”
“Go ahead.”
Yewon immediately lowered her eyelids.
She knew full well it was rude to nap in the passenger seat while someone else drove.
But Yewon couldn’t bring herself to look at Seunghyun.
Just moments ago, she had overheard Se-ah and Juyeon’s conversation outside the restroom.
─”I always thought you and Seunghyun would end up married.”
The voices leaking through the crack of the door had frozen Yewon in her tracks as she approached the restroom.
Listening to the rest of the conversation, her heart sank multiple times.
Though she didn’t dare hope for Seunghyun’s affection, she had at least wished there wasn’t anything special between him and Se-ah.
Now she recalled how hesitant she had been about attending the alumni gathering. At the time, Seunghyun mentioned that Se-ah would be attending.
He had said it would make things less awkward for Yewon since she’d know someone there—but it seemed his real intention was to provoke Se-ah.
When Yewon initially proposed extending their marriage contract by including pregnancy as a condition, he had strongly opposed the idea. But later, his attitude shifted, and he agreed to have a child.
It was all likely because of Se-ah.
Realizing this made Yewon’s thoughts swirl with complexity.
Through their conversation, she understood that she was merely an “insignificant person” caught between Seunghyun and Se-ah.
Still, despite everything, she found herself wanting to believe in Seunghyun.
“It can’t be true. It shouldn’t be.”
She wished she had remained oblivious—it would have been better.
Even pretending to sleep with her eyes closed, Yewon’s heart felt like it was being torn apart.
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