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chapter 42
Yeon-seo turned her head, changing the subject.
“I was worried about Father, so I went into his room, and there were liquor bottles rolling around. The smell isn’t good either. I think it would be best to clean it up quickly.”
“Oh, I left them there because you told me not to go in. He’s acting up again, just like last time.”
“Like last time?”
“His runaway episodes are your ladyship’s weapon. On days when you don’t enter, he lives like a wreck. Chairman Seo couldn’t stand it and granted his son’s request… but this time, I don’t think Chairman Seo will let it slide so easily…”
“I see.”
In reality, Geum Seon-ae was enjoying private moments with her lover. Yeon-seo, knowing nothing of this, felt sympathy for her husband, while Myeongseonjae was turning into chaos because of it… Knowing the truth made Yeon-seo uncomfortable.
“By the way, is there anything you’d like to eat? I can make it for you separately.”
Watching Yeon-seo’s increasingly gaunt face, Madam Paju spoke up.
“Ah… I’d like some bibim naengmyeon, if that’s okay.”
“Oh, of course! If you’re not feeling hungry, a noodle dish is perfect. I’ll make it for you! Just let me know anytime.”
“Thank you.”
Yeon-seo filled a clear glass with water from the kitchen and quenched her parched throat.
At that moment, they heard the front door open. Madam Paju, glancing toward the door, even clapped as she warmly greeted the person who entered.
“Oh, just in time! The young master has come! You two have been enjoying some time together, and I’ll be preparing dinner!”
Yeon-seo slowly turned around.
Do-heon appeared, smiling warmly at her. Perhaps because everything had gone smoothly today, his face seemed lighter than usual.
The beige suit he wore highlighted his fair skin, giving him the look of a European noble on vacation. A natural aristocrat who never lost his elegance, no matter the situation.
“Welcome back.”
Though her heart felt reassured seeing him smile, a pang of pain in a corner of her chest was undeniable.
“Yes. Have you eaten anything?”
“Madam Paju said she would make bibim naengmyeon for dinner, so I’ve been looking forward to it.”
“Bibim naengmyeon again today?”
“Maybe because it’s hot. I wanted something cool to eat.”
“I see. Shall we go to the room for a bit?”
“Yes.”
Yeon-seo nodded and followed him. The unusual atmosphere made her even more uneasy.
Did he have something to say? Would it be about the end of our contract? He’d already deposited money into my account, so there shouldn’t be anything else to discuss.
She tried to appear calm, but inside, she was restless. It had been hard enough over the phone, but knowing she’d hear it in person made the pit of her stomach ache.
Once inside the couple’s room, they sat across from each other at a table.
Do-heon didn’t take his eyes off Yeon-seo. What his hazel eyes held was unreadable.
They were complex and subtle, as if hesitant about something.
“The contract we made before marriage.”
The low voice sliding down Do-heon’s throat made her heart feel like it had dropped.
‘So, it’s finally coming up.’
For Yeon-seo, this felt like the final confirmation. She could guess what he was about to say, and she was afraid.
He would say that they had fulfilled the contract, and there was no reason to see each other anymore. That he would no longer touch her beautiful face or meet her eyes directly, just like that day in the hotel room when they signed the contract.
All the power belonged to him.
“The contract is over, and…”
Do-heon unusually hesitated, holding back his words.
Why would it be so difficult? It’s a contractual relationship, and he’s only stating the facts…
“I know. We need to prepare to leave Myeongseonjae. Divorce. I already knew that.”
Yeon-seo replied quickly. She didn’t want to become another burden for him, who already carried so much.
Yet, why did it feel like regret and helplessness lingered in Do-heon’s gaze?
Was it sympathy? Perhaps he felt a little guilty for being so cold, sending her away as soon as he got what he wanted.
“I…”
Do-heon hesitated, opening his mouth slightly. Yeon-seo forced a smile to ease his tension.
“You’ve done a lot for me.”
“Things you’re grateful for?”
“Do you know what I thought when we first made the contract? I thought it was a truly dreadful agreement. I’d have to give up my soul. Just endure a little… yes, that’s what I thought.”
Do-heon smiled bitterly.
“I see. That makes sense.”
“If it weren’t for you, this contract would have been unbearable.”
It was her brave confession. She wanted him, at least finally, to notice her feelings a little.
Perhaps it started the moment he saved her from drowning in the lake…
She already knew that the moments spent with him would become the most meaningful memories of her life.
Perhaps she had loved him from the moment they first met. She kept telling herself it was all just mutual use, but it was no use.
All her senses were already focused on him.
‘I love you…’
The words rose to her throat, tightening her heart.
“…That’s a relief.”
Yeon-seo gave a faint smile instead of answering.
She couldn’t bring herself to say all those words aloud. Hoping to magically understand everything hidden in Do-heon’s heart was futile.
Do-heon pressed his palm to his forehead. His ring finger still bore the wedding band, scratched as if worn daily.
It was similar to the one she wore. She thought the only shared part of their marriage was physical intimacy, but even this small thing remained.
Yeon-seo scolded herself for trying to find the last connection with him. Even knowing it was hopeless, she couldn’t let go of her lingering attachment.
“Friday evening. I want to have dinner together outside. I’ll tell you the place the day before.”
Was he trying to properly conclude things? Yeon-seo slowly nodded, guessing the meaning behind his words.
After speaking, Do-heon seemed a little relieved, his eyes narrowing slightly. Yeon-seo simply watched him, captivated.
When expressionless, he could be colder than anyone, but when he smiled, it was refreshing, boyish. That face, which could suddenly let her guard down, she wanted to remember forever.
Knock. Knock.
At that moment, Madam Paju’s voice called out.
“Dinner’s ready. Come eat!”
With Geum Seon-ae absent, the table was so quiet that even breathing sounded loud. Chairman Seo, Seo Jin-bae, Kang Jae, Do-heon, and Yeon-seo gathered and picked up their utensils.
“Yeon-seo, why do you have bibim naengmyeon in front of you?”
Chairman Seo spoke, seeing the dish before her. He was already hoping for Yeon-seo to be pregnant, and worried she might get caught.
“Oh, it’s just that with the heat, it’s hard to eat rice. Please enjoy.”
Yeon-seo answered in a neutral tone, trying not to draw attention. Before even lifting her chopsticks, her mouth watered.
Seeing the food Madam Paju prepared, she couldn’t help but admire it. It looked healthier and tastier than the cold noodles from restaurants.
Seeing Yeon-seo pick up her chopsticks, Chairman Seo spoke again.
“Haha, Madam Paju’s naengmyeon is incredible! Next time, I should try bibim naengmyeon too. It looks delicious!”
“Indeed. Father, the summer is almost over, and we haven’t had a single bowl yet!”
It was a harmonious conversation, as if nothing had happened.
At the same time, it felt like everyone was trying to avoid mentioning Geum Seon-ae. After all, the most pressing issue now was her runaway.
Seo Jin-bae, sitting awkwardly, still had worry in his face. Was he not happy that his son had become the head? It seemed he only cared about Geum Seon-ae.
Kang Jae, sitting opposite his father, didn’t even seem interested in joining the conversation. He looked like he could flip the table and leave at any moment.
Amid the stilted conversation, the meal ended.
If not for Madam Paju’s cooking skills, they might not even have realized what they had eaten.
After finishing the fruit, they stood up.
Do-heon tapped Yeon-seo’s shoulder with his finger, a very secretive gesture.
Yeon-seo looked up, and he whispered tenderly, barely audible to anyone else.
“Shall we go for a drive?”
A drive, in this situation?
