I thought I would cry uncontrollably. I thought my chest would ache so much that I could barely breathe. But Tae-ryeong was no different than usual after leaving the airport. The end had finally come, and with it, a farewell. She arrived at the parking lot, thinking that she seemed surprisingly unfazed. Getting into the car that Butler Kim had parked for her last night, Tae-ryeong called Ms. Jo.

“It’s me. I just saw Kang-joon off at the airport. He left without any suspicion.”

Tae-ryeong’s tone was still polite and submissive. She intended to be perfectly submissive until she could break free from this rapidly concluding contract.

“You haven’t forgotten to prepare those two documents, have you? If I don’t get them, I’m not going to Germany.”

Two documents: one with Chairman Jo Yeong-hee’s seal, authorizing her to receive her grandmother’s medicine at Gayang Hospital’s clinical center, and another transferring 5% of Inno Fashion shares. Ms. Jo’s voice spewed “wicked bitch.” Tae-ryeong calmly listened and remained silent until Ms. Jo finally replied with an understanding “Alright.” Only then did Tae-ryeong calmly speak again.

“Now, please tell me what my remaining role is and what I need to do.”

After ending the call with Ms. Jo, Tae-ryeong’s expression remained impassive. She had only started the engine, yet she stared intently straight ahead. Thinking that the brightly shining sunlight hurt her eyes, Tae-ryeong murmured,

“The sun is so dazzling,”

Why is my vision so dark? Why does it feel like my body is submerged in pitch-black darkness? A strange sense of disconnect came over her, and Tae-ryeong slowly closed her eyes. The vivid illusion that formed on her blocked retina was her husband. The moment a tear flowed from the corner of her closed eye, Tae-ryeong realized. That Seo Kang-joon had been her sun. And that sun had left today.

________________________________________

From 5 PM, Yeon-sook couldn’t take her eyes off the CCTV screen showing the front gate. She had suddenly received a call from Tae-ryeong asking if she could come for dinner and had even canceled her own plans. The moment the luxury car stopped in front of the house, Yeon-sook darted out and opened the gate. Tae-ryeong, who was about to ring the doorbell, stood there with a surprised expression. But that was only for a moment; Tae-ryeong smiled brightly and linked her arm with Yeon-sook’s affectionately.

“I guess we had telepathy. I finished work as early as possible because I missed you, Mother.”

Yeon-sook, who had been staring blankly for a moment, suddenly teared up.

“Goodness, this is why you should have a daughter.”

Her only child, hard-won, happened to be an exceptionally brilliant son. He fulfilled his filial duties meticulously but was like an emotionless AI who couldn’t utter a single warm word. A supremely arrogant man, thinking he was the best in the world. Having such an annoyingly excellent son made Yeon-sook weak to such displays of affection.

“Let’s go inside quickly, Father is waiting for you with bated breath too.”

Contrary to Yeon-sook’s words, Chairman Seo scrutinizingly eyed Tae-ryeong from head to toe. Wondering why, Tae-ryeong stood still, receiving his gaze, when a satisfied smile spread across Chairman Seo’s lips.

“If you had lost more weight, I would have given that rascal a good scolding. You look very good. But if Kang-joon gives you trouble again, you must tell your grandfather immediately, alright?”

While replying that she understood, Tae-ryeong found the situation unfamiliar and incomprehensible. Her grandmother had always been gruff due to poverty, and her father had neglected her. Ms. Jo couldn’t wait to torment her, and her half-sister, Alicia, was indifferent. That was the family Tae-ryeong knew. So why were these people, who weren’t related by blood, treating her so kindly?

“Oh dear, Father. Tae-ryeong must be hungry. Let’s feed her first, shall we?”

The dinner atmosphere was harmonious. Strangely, there was no mention of Kang-joon; the conversation was truly mundane. So much so that she almost mistook herself for the daughter of the house, not the daughter-in-law. After dinner, Chairman Seo headed to his study due to urgent business. Yeon-sook and Tae-ryeong amicably sat in the garden gazebo, drinking fragrant tea.

“Do you know how surprised and happy I was when you suddenly said you’d come for dinner?”

“I’m sorry. But today was the only day I had free. I’m going to Germany for about a month on a business trip in two days.”

“That long?”

Yeon-sook’s eyes widened.

“As Mother said, I’m planning to retire from management after this trip. I stayed in Germany for a long time since I was 20, so I thought I’d go back, reminisce, and travel. When I return, I plan to focus all my energy on supporting Kang-joon.”

“If it’s because of Ms. Jo, should I meet her on your behalf?”

“No, Mother. It’s a decision I made because I wanted to.”

Yeon-sook finally shrugged, seeing the sincerity in Tae-ryeong’s gentle smile.

“Well, in that case, there’s nothing more to say. But you can always work again if you want to. Don’t worry, I’ll stop Ms. Jo. Or you can tell Father or Kang-joon. They’re all on your side.”

Yeon-sook, drinking her tea, didn’t notice. That Tae-ryeong’s eyes were trembling beneath her neatly lowered long eyelashes.

“Do you know how much Father liked the alcohol gifts you sent every week? Because of your pretty handwritten note saying not to drink more than three glasses of medicinal wine, Father only drinks the alcohol you send that week and no more?”

After their meeting in Jeju Island, Tae-ryeong had been sending Chairman Seo local specialty soju or makgeolli as gifts every week.

“I’m glad he’s drinking less.”

Only then did Tae-ryeong extend the shopping bag she had been holding to Yeon-sook and continued,

“And this is for you, Mother. I wanted to give it to you in person, but I’ve been so busy, I apologize for only giving it to you now.”

“Goodness, you prepared something for me too?”

“It’s nothing special. It’s a spray made by blending herbal oils, and it’s quite effective.”

Yeon-sook opened the small case she took out of the shopping bag. Headache, insomnia, muscle pain, nasal congestion, stress. She gently sprayed one of the sprays, which had a sticker with pretty handwriting, on her wrist.

“The scent is so good! Did you really make all of this yourself?”

Seeing Yeon-sook genuinely happy, a faint smile appeared on Tae-ryeong’s lips. She felt glad she had mustered the courage to come. She wanted to give Yeon-sook, who had been so kind to her, a memorable farewell gift.

“What can I do for you? Just tell me!”

“Please tell me stories about Kang-joon’s childhood, Mother.”

“You want to exchange this precious gift for just that?”

“It’s not ‘just that’ to me.”

Yeon-sook stared intently at Tae-ryeong’s shy face. Kang-joon hadn’t said anything when he asked her to arrange a dinner with the Inno Vice President and his wife. He had only asked her to pretend not to know anything and to treat her well until he resolved everything. Yeon-sook hadn’t asked either, but she was secretly curious. The reason why the Vice President and his wife treated such a beautiful and lovely child like an object.

“He’s such a boring child. You’ll get bored listening.”

“I want to hear it. So please tell me, okay?”

Yeon-sook imagined all sorts of things, but she came to only one conclusion: the daughter-in-law sitting close to her, coaxing her, was simply beautiful to Yeon-sook. Everyone envied Yeon-sook for having such a perfect son. But Yeon-sook herself had never truly played the role of a mother because of her astonishingly perfect son. As an adult, her son even declared himself a non-marriage advocate, and Yeon-sook and Chairman Seo couldn’t even think of persuading him. He was that stubborn, a son who would always accomplish what he set his mind to. Such a son not only got married but also fell in love. So how could the child in front of her not be lovely? Even if she were a terribly behaved daughter-in-law, she would have had to welcome her with tears in her eyes.

“Our Kang-joon cried ‘wah’ when he was born and hardly ever cried after that. I should have realized it when he was a newborn. That I didn’t give birth to a human, but a robot who did everything perfectly.”

Tae-ryeong, who had been listening intently, mumbled that she somehow understood and laughed aloud. In fact, Yeon-sook had been eagerly anticipating the day the official announcement of her son’s marriage would be made. How she would lavish the ever-accumulating money, which had no other use, on her daughter-in-law. *** The day after arriving in the US, Kang-joon’s schedule was packed from morning. The President’s last engagement in the US was a site visit to Hanseon’s electric car factory construction site in Georgia. To ensure the President’s visit went smoothly, Kang-joon headed to Georgia from morning. After inspecting the completed Plant 1 and Plant 2, which was still under construction, he received a briefing on the electric car business. Afterwards, he had dinner with the Governor of Georgia. The Governor also had a great interest in this factory, established in Georgia as a joint venture with a famous American car company. After promising 4 trillion won in investment within three years, he finished his schedule and returned to the hotel past midnight. Kang-joon took a quick shower, then soaked in the bathtub, fiddling with his phone. It was around 3 PM in Korea. She must be busy working. Knowing that, Kang-joon called his wife, just in case. After a few rings, a neat voice answered.

[Kang-joon?]

Her neat voice still showed no surprise or welcome. It was disappointing for the caller. As if only he had missed her, though only a day had passed.

“Are you working?”

[No, I was packing for my business trip at home.]

“Wasn’t your overseas trip two days from now?”

[My schedule got moved up a bit. The sooner I leave while you’re gone, the sooner I can come back, right?]

There was no such information on his wife’s schedule that he had received this morning.

“Is there any other change I should know about?”

[Oh, the business trip schedule changed from one week to one month.]

“...Suddenly?”

His wife spoke calmly about a change that would make Kang-joon’s eyes widen in disbelief.

[The Inno brand was only supposed to enter a large shopping mall in Germany, but the business seems to be expanding further. A proposal came from the strategy team to open showrooms in various bustling areas of Germany. Since I’m going to Germany anyway, I plan to visit the shortlisted locations myself. As a Germany trip and work trip, with a happy heart.]

Kang-joon’s eyebrows twitched nervously. He was desperate to finish his schedule quickly and return. Yet, his wife had extended her Germany trip, which was both a vacation and work, to a month. Sensing the subtly deepening silence, his wife spoke again.

[This trip is my last project. When I finish the Germany trip and return, I plan to retire from management and focus on supporting you, Kang-joon.]

“I wanted my wife’s love, not her support, as far as I know.”

[I understand how you feel, Kang-joon. But I just chose this myself because I don’t think I can handle work and love at the same time.]

His wife’s words meant she had chosen Kang-joon over work. But why wasn’t he happy about that?

[I’ll clear my mind completely and return to be a wife who only looks at you, Kang-joon. I might even surprise you with an amazing transformation. So even if you’re disappointed, just bear with it for a month.]

His wife’s calmly persuasive voice was strangely composed. If she were in front of him, he would have read her eyes and expression.

“Just keep in touch.”

He spoke casually, but Kang-joon’s mind was working diligently.

[I don’t think I’ll be able to communicate well. There’s a time difference, and we’ll be moving busily with several people. But I’ll check emails.]

I won’t be able to see Joo Se-hee’s face, or hear her voice. So how am I supposed to endure? But Kang-joon, having finished the call saying he understood, immediately called Secretary Yoon.

[Umm... Yes, CEO.]

His voice was mumbled, as if he had just woken up.

“Since we’re already out of Korea, let’s complete all overseas schedules while we’re at it. But don’t exceed three weeks.”

He thought it wouldn’t be bad to just do all possible overseas schedules at once while his wife was away.

[If the CEO suddenly visits, the branches and factories won’t like it.]

Secretary Yoon’s voice was wide awake at Kang-joon’s instruction.

“If they’re doing well, they’ll be looking forward to my visit.”

[CEO, please just...]

The words “help me” were calmly buried by Kang-joon’s low voice.

“I’ll give you my personal card again. And as soon as we get back, I’ll hire a direct secretary to lighten your workload.”

At the tempting offer, Secretary Yoon quickly changed his tone and replied,

[I will coordinate and report the schedule to you by tomorrow afternoon.]

“One more thing. Set the final schedule for Germany.”

[Germany is a central location among the branches to visit. Won’t that mess up the travel route and waste a full day on flight time?]

Look, he’s already finished calculating in his head. Secretary Yoon was excellent at what he was told to do, even if he complained about it. Suppressing a laugh, Kang-joon said,

“I’ll finish the last schedule in Germany with my wife and return.”

Kang-joon hung up the phone and stared straight ahead, resting his arms on the bathtub. He calmly took in the dazzling night view of Washington spread beneath the panoramic window. The feeling that Joo Se-hee is smoothly slipping out of his arms...

“...It must be my imagination.”

He thought all unnecessary worries and suspicions had vanished, but he hadn’t known. That some ambiguous, thin thread of unease would remain. But he dismissed it as an uneasiness that would completely disappear in three weeks. It would vanish cleanly the moment he met his wife, looked into her beautiful eyes, and held her in his arms.