CEB - 4

Chapter 4: I Can’t Die a Virgin

“No matter how you look at it, someone like you must have plenty of other marriage proposals. Plus, I can’t afford extravagant dowries or gifts.”

Even though she had expressed her desire for a divorce-free marriage, Dan-jung still couldn’t fully grasp the situation. Compared to him, she felt vastly inferior in terms of conditions.

“All preparations will be handled by my side. You don’t need to worry about dowries or gifts.”

“But…”

“Also, for your information, I have a condition.”

“Huh? A condition?”

“What I’m about to say is confidential. If you disclose this, I cannot be held responsible for any consequences.”

“…Understood.”

Dan-jung swallowed hard, suddenly feeling solemn under Min-hyuk’s stern warning.

Could it be something terminal? She wanted to grow old with her husband…

As she watched Min-hyuk gulp down a glass of water before speaking, her imagination ran wild.

“I am unable to feel emotions.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I was diagnosed with alexithymia, a post-traumatic stress disorder caused by a car accident I had as a child.”

“Alexithymia?”

“In short, I cannot experience joy, anger, or sadness.”

“Huh? Then how do you…?”

She stopped herself from finishing with “…live?” Worried it might hurt his feelings—though he claimed he wouldn’t feel hurt anyway.

“I communicate by observing others’ expressions, gestures, and actions.”

“Ah…”

Dan-jung nodded, pretending to understand, and added a verbal cue.

“Does that answer your question?”

“Yes… well.”

Only now did Dan-jung begin to comprehend why Min-hyuk hadn’t married into another chaebol family or a famous celebrity.

So what? He has some kind of mental issue, so he can’t marry anyone else and is settling for me instead? Like substituting a chicken for a pheasant? Still, even if it’s just a “chicken,” it’s still a chaebol.

If she married a chaebol, Dan-jung believed she could change her fate and live comfortably ever after.

But marrying a man incapable of emotions gave her pause. And the fact that divorce was impossible made her hesitate even more.

“Are you rejecting me?”

“Do I have to decide right now?”

“As you know, I don’t have much time.”

“Still, can you give me some time to think?”

“I’ll give you one day.”

“One day?”

Dan-jung was incredulous at the idea of deciding her life within 24 hours.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t offer more than that. I’ll await your positive response.”

For the first time, Min-hyuk hoped the woman sitting across from him wouldn’t reject his proposal.

As he gazed at Dan-jung, who might become his future wife, he muttered inwardly:

‘It seems I’m into this type.’

________________________________________

“Why isn’t she coming home yet?”

Jin-hee grew increasingly restless as Dan-jung hadn’t returned long after her shift ended.

What if something terrible happened because she told Dan-jung to go hear him out?

After all, despite her poised exterior, Dan-jung was the type to fall for love alone when it came to relationships, ignoring material conditions entirely.

Moreover, she was a rare breed who believed her first time should be with someone who truly loved her.

“Ugh, why isn’t she answering her phone?”

Beep, beep. After countless rings went unanswered, Jin-hee grew anxious.

When the call finally went to voicemail, she redialed without hesitation.

• Hello?

Thankfully, Dan-jung picked up on the second attempt.

“Where are you? Why aren’t you home?”

• I’m on my way.

“You could’ve at least sent a text. I was worried sick!”

• Sorry… were you worried?

“Of course I was! Is everything okay?”

• Yeah, everything’s fine… Don’t worry.

Dan-jung hesitated mid-sentence. Truthfully, today had been anything but ordinary.

“Did your president say anything? Did you record it?”

• Hmm? I’ll tell you when I get home.

“Okay, come back safely.”

After hanging up quickly, Jin-hee paced restlessly, dying of curiosity.

Perhaps due to her anxiety, Ha-yeon woke up crying loudly.

“Oh no, my baby must be hungry!”

Jin-hee cradled her wailing daughter and began breastfeeding.

________________________________________

Dan-jung was on her way home in Min-hyuk’s luxurious sedan after an awkward dinner.

Though she’d ended the call with Jin-hee abruptly, she worried Min-hyuk might have overheard her mention recording their conversation.

“Sigh… I shouldn’t have said that.”

Dan-jung stole a glance at Min-hyuk, sighing softly.

But Min-hyuk appeared completely disinterested, staring straight ahead with his usual blank expression.

“Family?”

Feeling her gaze, Min-hyuk turned to face her directly.

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by his sudden movement, Dan-jung blushed and looked away.

“No, that was a friend. We’re living together right now.”

Her face flushed as she avoided his piercing gaze.

Why does he have to be so handsome?! Her heart raced uncontrollably.

“I see. Are you free during lunch tomorrow?”

“I guess I am, but I usually eat then.”

“Let’s have lunch together. I’d like to use the break to take you on a date.”

“A date? But why…?”

Didn’t he say he couldn’t feel emotions? So why a date?

Confused, Dan-jung stared at him with wide eyes.

“I believe you’d make a suitable marriage partner, and I want to put in minimal effort to secure your positive response. Plus, I’d like to learn more about you.”

“Ah… I see.”

Though she nodded in acknowledgment, agreeing to lunch while undecided about marriage left her uneasy. She feared potential repercussions if she rejected Min-hyuk’s proposal.

At the same time, she didn’t dare refuse his invitation outright.

“Rest assured, there won’t be any repercussions if you decline my proposal.”

What? Does he read minds?

Dan-jung was astonished by how accurately Min-hyuk seemed to perceive her thoughts. Instantly realizing her concerns, she felt a twinge of unfairness.

Unlike his unreadable poker face, she couldn’t decipher his emotions at all.

And how could he propose a date so matter-of-factly? He truly seemed devoid of feelings.

“Um… you can drop me off nearby.”

Awkwardly gazing out the window, Dan-jung noticed they were already near her officetel.

“Mr. Im, find a spot nearby.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once the car stopped, Dan-jung prepared to exit with her usual polite farewell.

“Thank you for dinner. It was delicious.”

Truthfully, the extravagant dishes had left her speechless. She briefly imagined eating such meals regularly if they married.

“See you tomorrow.”

With Min-hyuk’s parting words, Dan-jung hesitantly stepped out of the car.

________________________________________

“I’m home.”

Unlocking the door, Dan-jung entered the apartment.

Jin-hee, who had been breastfeeding Ha-yeon, abruptly ended the feeding session and rushed over.

“What took you so long?”

“Oh, I had dinner with the president.”

“What did he say?”

“He wants to marry me. Within ten days.”

“What?! No way!”

Jin-hee’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

“But it’s not necessarily a good thing…”

“Why? Is there a catch?”

Though Dan-jung had a mysterious allure that attracted men, Jin-hee couldn’t fathom why even a chaebol would pursue her. Unless there was a flaw…

“It’s not that… but he seems to have some mental issues.”

“Mental issues? Depression? Bipolar disorder? Anger management problems?”

Jin-hee rattled off conditions without waiting for an answer.

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then what is it?”

“He told me not to tell anyone… You can’t breathe a word of this!”

Though Min-hyuk warned of consequences if she disclosed his secret, Dan-jung couldn’t bear to shoulder such a heavy decision alone.

“Okay, okay, I won’t say anything. Just tell me already—I’m dying of curiosity!”

“He says he has alexithymia.”

“Huh? What’s that?”

“He can’t feel emotions. Weird, right?”

“That is weird… Is your president a psychopath or something?”

Jin-hee frowned suspiciously.

“Well… he doesn’t seem crazy to me.”

“How can you tell after meeting him once? So, what are you going to do?”

“I asked for time to think. He gave me a day, so I’ll decide tonight.”

“Why the rush to marry?”

“It’s his late father’s will. If he doesn’t marry within ten days, he’ll lose management rights to someone else.”

“Wow… Chaebols really are strange. Anyway, I support this marriage. Even if you marry for love, most end in divorce. But if you divorce a chaebol, you’ll get a hefty settlement.”

Having spent five years devoted to one man only to face divorce without compensation, Jin-hee urged Dan-jung to seize the opportunity.

“But… he says divorce is absolutely forbidden. If we marry, it’s for life. If we divorce, he loses everything.”

“Isn’t that perfect? You’ve always been scared of breakups. With no chance of divorce, problem solved.”

“I guess… but how can I marry without love?”

“Love doesn’t feed you! Think about it. Marry a chaebol, and your struggles are over.”

Jin-hee knew Dan-jung had worked tirelessly through various part-time jobs to graduate college without parental support. Even now, she worked hard to pay her brother’s tuition.

“Still… it won’t be a sham marriage, will it? If he can’t feel emotions, does that mean he lacks desires too?”

“I don’t know. Ask him yourself.”

True to Jin-hee’s advice, Dan-jung resolved to ask Min-hyuk about intimacy when they met tomorrow.

After all, she couldn’t die a virgin.