43. My Wife’s Lovely Answer.

His wife, with her innocent eyes and proper tone, so easily tempted Kang-joon. The firm core deeply embedded in his chest wavered without resolve. In a short moment, a fierce conflict erupted: instinct urging him to embrace her versus reason telling him to endure; immediate desire versus a love that would last; remaining an animal versus being remembered as a human. The moment he fell into this dilemma, Kang-joon held his breath and lowered his gaze.

“…!”

His wife’s small hand was stealthily invading his chest. He regretted not wearing a shirt, but it was too late. His body was reacting quickly and honestly to her clumsy touch on his bare chest. He tried to endure, only letting out hot breaths through clenched teeth. But his body, already free from the control of reason, was expressing its own desires. His wife seemed to feel it too. No, she couldn’t possibly not know. Her face, which had briefly looked down and then wavered, was bright red. Her soft whispered voice was full of shyness.

“Kang-joon, you don’t have to hold back.”

Fortunately, his upper body still moved according to Kang-joon’s will.

“I can still endure.”

His lips spoke like a rational human. The hand that wanted to do something naughty, instead of taking off his wife’s clothes, pulled her even closer into his embrace. Even though he became a husband whose upper and lower body acted independently, he had proven himself human, not an animal, so that was enough.

“So, later.”

Love was more urgent than desire, and his wife’s heart was hungrier than her body.

“Don’t you want to hold me, Kang-joon?”

“I want to so badly I’m going crazy, but I’m enduring.”

Kang-joon grumbled in response. Did his wife know? That he contained more explosive energy than any other man. A husband who excelled in everything with the character for ‘power’ (力) at the end, from strength to stamina.

“So, why?”

But today, his wife was unusually persistent. He wondered if she had heard something else during her dinner with Madam Jo. If so, Kang-joon had even more reason to endure.

“If I say I love you, will you believe me?”

Kang-joon desired his wife out of love. But his wife wanted to fulfill her duties, not because she desired him. Giving her body, but keeping the door to her heart tightly closed. Not being able to control this trivial desire was a scratch on his pride. At his wife’s silence, Kang-joon sighed faintly and muttered, “I don’t want to be an animal just mating.”

He regretted, again and again, acting like an animal that night. For not being considerate and delicate. For feeling like they hadn’t properly connected. For prioritizing desire over love. For feeling like only he had been ecstatically pleased.

“Wh-who said that?”

Even her small face, glaring at his blunt answer, was so pretty that he swallowed hard.

“I want you to embrace me because you love me, not out of duty as a wife.”

Even now, he desperately wanted to hold her, but Kang-joon endured and endured with patience.

“So, until I hear those words, I’ll only hold you and sleep.”

Until he heard her say she trusted and loved him, he wouldn’t hold his wife in that way.

“I told you, don’t overthink it. I’ll make everything easy for you.”

Kang-joon buried his lips in her fragrant hair and mumbled, “So, just stay by my side. That’s all I need.”

Because only if she stayed by his side could he endure and be patient. The moment his wife disappeared, he would probably become a frenzied beast.

“What good is a wonderful husband if you don’t use him to your heart’s content?”

His wife, who had been quietly held, suddenly hugged Kang-joon tightly around the neck. It was his wife’s lovely answer, shown through action instead of words.

________________________________________

For some reason, it made his chest swell with pride. It made him wonder if this was what loving felt like. Kang-joon patted his wife’s back and mumbled, “Let’s sleep now. I’ll put you to sleep.” He desperately wanted his wife to fall asleep before the terrible urge he had barely suppressed reawakened.

________________________________________

The approaching weekend, for the first time, they received a lunch invitation to Chairman Seo’s main residence. Kang-joon smiled and asked Tae-ryeong, who was silently looking at the magnificent gate, “Are you nervous?”

Instead of answering, Tae-ryeong gently smiled, holding her husband’s hand tightly. In truth, what made Tae-ryeong nervous was the couple, Madam Jo and her husband, who were also invited today. As they entered the gate and ascended the stone steps, a paradise unfolded. Ancient pine trees stretching geometrically, babbling streams, large stones, and nameless flowers. The meticulously arranged landscape seemed to prioritize natural beauty over artificiality. Beyond the beautiful scenery, two buildings, built front and back, were visible. As Tae-ryeong looked silently, Kang-joon explained.

“The back building is used as a gallery. My grandfather’s hobby is collecting artworks. All the works that disappeared for a long time are probably in there. The front building is where the family lives.”

The first floor of the three-story front building was designed with windows that could be fully opened on all four sides.

“The first floor is mainly used as a multi-purpose space. They invite guests, hold parties, have meals, and conduct meetings. He dislikes doing things outside so much.”

Escorted by Kang-joon, Tae-ryeong entered the house and presented a gift to Yeon-suk. Yeon-suk, overjoyed, disappeared upstairs, saying she would bring Chairman Seo. Tae-ryeong briefly bowed her head to Madam Jo and her husband, who were seated at the spacious dining table that could easily seat 20 people. Only then did Madam Jo look at Tae-ryeong with cold, glassy eyes.

“Tae-ryeong, it’s polite to arrive 30 minutes early when invited for a meal.”

“My work finished a bit late.”

Kang-joon then stepped in front of Tae-ryeong, lightly blocking her gaze.

“We know Kang-joon is busy. Tae-ryeong, sit here.”

Kang-joon took Tae-ryeong’s hand as she headed towards the seat next to Madam Jo.

“I’ll have my wife sit next to me. Grandfather might be displeased if a couple sits separately.”

“Do as you wish, then.”

And so, they ended up sitting across from Madam Jo and her husband. Only then did Tae-ryeong look at Young-guk, the Vice Chairman of Inno Group, with dry eyes. It was her first time seeing him since the wedding, yet he was only looking at the elevator where Chairman Seo would appear. Well, you’ve always been that kind of man. Only superficially charming, cowardly, timid, and indecisive. And completely lacking in responsibility or remorse. It was Young-guk who had seduced and touched her mother, even knowing she was his wife’s sister. When her mother became pregnant, he cowardly slipped away alone, claiming he mistook her for his wife because they looked so alike and seduced her. A man who had abandoned and ignored Madam Jo’s terrible acts, her mother’s death, and even his own daughter. Yet, he cherished only the daughter Madam Jo gave birth to. Being in the same space as the two people she hated most in the world made her stomach churn. Her fingertips, losing warmth, were so painfully cold that she clenched her fists. Just then, a large, warm hand beneath the table gently enveloped Tae-ryeong’s hand. She quietly shifted her gaze and saw her husband still looking ahead with an indifferent expression. Yet, the warmth emanating from his hand was warm enough to bring tears to her eyes.

________________________________________

The reason Chairman Seo arranged this gathering was revealed after the meal.

“I called you because I have something to apologize for.”

Chairman Seo’s gaze turned to Madam Jo and her husband.

“I only just learned that my grandson has been causing trouble for Tae-ryeong. And I wouldn’t have known until now if our daughter-in-law hadn’t told me. What a rogue. I educated him so thoroughly since he was young.”

Chairman Seo glared at Kang-joon once and continued.

“I take this opportunity to apologize to you on his behalf. He has promised me he won’t do it again, so please be generous and overlook it just this once.”

Chairman Seo slowly rose from his chair and bowed his head. Everyone was startled, calling out his name, rising from their seats, and trying to stop him. Yeon-suk, supporting Chairman Seo, calmly explained the situation.

“Kang-joon wouldn’t listen to me at all, so I told my father-in-law. As a man’s wife and a son’s mother, I felt this wasn’t right. If he wanted to have fun, he should have done it before marriage. It’s against principles to do that after getting married and even registering the marriage.”

Yeon-suk smiled sweetly, her gaze directed at Madam Jo.

“Actually, our in-laws must have resented our Kang-joon. What mother wouldn’t feel resentful of a son-in-law who neglects her daughter? Our in-laws must have reluctantly understood because of our Kang-joon’s stubbornness. I couldn’t just sit by feeling sorry. Right, in-laws?”

Madam Jo’s eyes twitched as she offered an awkward smile instead of a reply. Chairman Seo, who had been quietly observing, suddenly snapped at Kang-joon.

“You rascal! Your grandfather and mother are apologizing, and what are you doing with your head held high? Apologize immediately and promise in front of the adults! That you won’t do anything foolish again and will be faithful to your family!”

Only then did Kang-joon slowly rise and speak to Madam Jo and her husband.

“Unlike my generous father-in-law and mother-in-law, my grandfather and mother seem to have been displeased with me until now. They are so eager to devour me every day. So, I think I’ll stop my escapades here.”

“Seo Kang-joon! Is that an apology?!”

As Yeon-suk raised her voice slightly, Kang-joon bowed his head with a dry expression.

“I apologize for displeasing both of you with my imprudent actions. From now on, I will strive to be an excellent husband. And I will also try to love my wife with a heart of atonement for what I haven’t done until now. Instead...”

Kang-joon deliberately trailed off, his gaze blatantly directed at Tae-ryeong. Yeon-suk, noticing his look, quickly interjected.

“Of course, a couple should both try. Tae-ryeong, since Kang-joon says he’s going to mend his ways, couldn’t you generously forgive him just this once and try together? If you’re not going to divorce, then you both have to try for the marriage to improve and to have children. Right, in-laws?”

Yeon-suk looked at Madam Jo and her husband as if seeking support. As Madam Jo clamped her mouth shut at that look, Young-guk slowly opened his mouth.

“Tae-ryeong, you should answer the adults that you will be a good wife, like your mother.”

Young-guk, busy trying to gauge Chairman Seo’s mood, was seen nudging Madam Jo. Then, as if nothing had happened, Madam Jo elegantly opened her mouth.

“Thank you both for understanding the heart of a parent with a daughter. And Tae-ryeong, since Mr. Seo says he will be a good husband, you should also answer that you will try, okay?”

Tae-ryeong’s stomach churned at Madam Jo and her husband, who were displaying the epitome of hypocrisy. Nevertheless, without showing any emotion, Tae-ryeong calmly replied, “As you both said, I will also try. To be a good wife to Kang-joon. And I’ll try to deliver good news as soon as possible.”

Knowing what the ‘good news’ was, Chairman Seo and Yeon-suk’s faces visibly brightened. In contrast, Madam Jo and her husband’s faces darkened.

“My grandson is a bit stubborn, but he keeps his promises well. So, let’s sit down and have a warm cup of tea.”

Chairman Seo sat down with a pleasant expression, and everyone except Kang-joon took their seats. Kang-joon, keeping his gaze fixed on Tae-ryeong, spoke to Chairman Seo.

“I’ll excuse myself with my wife for a moment. To show her around the house, and to discuss our future.”

“Do so. Show my granddaughter-in-law my gallery too.”

Once Chairman Seo’s permission was given, Kang-joon extended his hand.

“I’ll show you around the house.”

Tae-ryeong quietly looked at his hand, then cautiously took it, stood up, and said, “I want to go to the garden again.”

She wanted to feel the cool breeze and calm her heart, which was boiling with hatred. After leaving the garden and walking for a bit, her churning stomach slowly settled. Only then did Tae-ryeong calmly ask Kang-joon, “Today’s events, you planned them, didn’t you?”

“Why do you think that?”

It was neither a denial nor an affirmation. Tae-ryeong smiled quietly and mumbled, “Just a woman’s intuition.”

She remembered what her husband had said a few days ago: to just stay by his side, and he would take care of everything. His drive was terrifyingly relentless. That night, she remembered her husband saying he would take care of everything if she just stayed by his side. It must have been his subtle proposal: this marriage, the truth he accidentally discovered, and a more thrilling revenge. If you help me with my revenge by my side, I will be your shield. Tae-ryeong inadvertently turned her body and met the eyes of Vice Chairman Yoo, who was looking this way through the window. Suddenly, she wondered. How would he feel, as a father, if the daughter he had ruthlessly abandoned, forgetting her very existence, were to steal the husband of the daughter he had cherished so much? He had told her to get along with her son-in-law, but if he saw them actually getting along, how would her aunt, who was practically dying to devour her, react?

“Kang-joon, can I use you right now?”

At Tae-ryeong’s sudden request, her husband stopped walking and stood in front of her. With his hands in his pockets, he stood before her and leaned down at the waist.

“Just say the word.”

His soft breath grazed her ear, as if soothing Tae-ryeong’s rough heart. Her chest ached without reason, and Tae-ryeong slowly closed and opened her eyes. Her husband’s face was close enough for his breath to touch her.

“What can I do for you?”

His deep gaze was so tender it made her heart ache.