Chapter 01

“I’m pregnant.”

For the first time in his life, Seo Taejoo truly understood what people meant by being stunned speechless.

“…What?”

He asked again, looking at the woman sitting across from him—his perfect wife, who had just dropped a bomb into his mind.

Yeo Jaekyung.

A woman who possessed all the elegance, dignity, and restraint expected of someone born into a chaebol family.

Even now, her long, perfectly groomed black hair flowed down to her waist. Delicate lips. A straight nose. Skin so smooth and pale even silk would envy it. A slender frame like a willow branch, paired with graceful poise.

His wife had done ballet as a child. Even now, she could effortlessly spread her legs into a full split.

Seo Taejoo knew that very well.

Especially in bed.

Because he was her husband.

Yes—husband. Yeo Jaekyung was Seo Taejoo’s wife.

All this time, Yeo Jaekyung had flawlessly fulfilled her role as both his spouse and the daughter-in-law of Taegwang Group.

A perfect wife. A perfect daughter-in-law. His perfect woman.

Seo Taejoo acknowledged Vice Chairman Seo Moonsu’s remarkable judgment in choosing her as his wife. There was no better catch in South Korea’s chaebol marriage market than Yeo Jaekyung—before marriage or now.

But what?

A strange feeling rose in his throat, as if the tea he had swallowed earlier was coming back up.

He was so flustered he forgot he had already asked once.

“…What did you just say?”

“I said I’m pregnant.”

Yeo Jaekyung repeated herself clearly and kindly.

As though she had expected his reaction, there wasn’t a trace of impatience or irritation in her voice.

Calm as always, she lifted her teacup and took a sip. Her little finger raised delicately. Not a single flaw disturbed her elegant posture.

They had married before the ink on their university diplomas had even dried. On paper, they had been husband and wife for over five years.

Yet Seo Taejoo had never once seen Yeo Jaekyung sulk or throw a tantrum.

She hated depending on others more than death itself. Like a woman who had never once acted spoiled in her life.

And that fiercely independent personality remained unchanged—even at a moment like this.

Even while informing her husband of her pregnancy.

Yeo Jaekyung spoke calmly.

“Of course, I feel sorry that something unfortunate happened during such an important time.”

“What?”

Seo Taejoo frowned.

He couldn’t understand her words.

“Your pregnancy… is unfortunate?”

“Yeah.”

Yeo Jaekyung answered evenly.

As if admitting an unavoidable mistake made at work.

As though the child born from a married couple’s love was merely an accident.

Seo Taejoo felt his throat tighten.

“Why is that unfortunate?”

Pregnancy.

His emotions were already surging and confusing enough.

But her answer came immediately—cold as a blade.

“Because we’re getting divorced.”

What?

Divorced?

The corner of Seo Taejoo’s lips twisted.

He almost laughed.

An instinctive displeasure and irritation rose inside him.

“What the hell does that—”

“I do feel pretty sorry toward you, Seo Taejoo. Having a child would probably become an obstacle in several ways. For remarriage, for example…”

“Wait. Yeo Jaekyung, what exactly are you—”

Seo Taejoo tried to interrupt, but she was faster.

“Still, I’ll tell you in advance. I don’t think I can get rid of the baby.”

His face crumpled in disbelief.

He couldn’t believe those words were coming from his wife.

Before he could even ask what she meant, she added:

“Because I want to give birth.”

“……”

Seo Taejoo lost his words.

She wanted to keep the baby.

Wasn’t that… natural?

And just before he regained the reason that had flown out of him—

The second bomb dropped.

Yeo Jaekyung declared:

“But I’m still getting divorced.”

In that precise, unwavering voice—the only voice in the world that made even Seo Taejoo, Taegwang Group’s untouchable youngest son, hesitate to oppose—

“Our marriage was strategic from the beginning. I should give you your freedom now.”

Director Yeo remained composed even at a moment like this.

“Let’s end it here. Our arranged marriage.”

She spoke as though commending an employee who had devoted years to a company.

“You worked hard all this time, Seo Taejoo.”

His entire body stiffened.

Humiliatingly enough, his mind went dizzy.

Divorce…?

Seo Taejoo stared at the woman before him in disbelief.

Since marrying, they had never once slept in separate rooms.

Just a week ago, she had fallen asleep in the same bed with her head resting on his arm.

Unlike many arranged marriages, theirs had never felt cold or distant.

Or at least—

That was what he had thought.

“Ha. Yeo Jaekyung, you…”

He stared hard at his perfect wife.

His wife, who had been absentmindedly touching her teacup, lifted her gaze to meet his.

At that moment, Yeo Jaekyung’s flawless expression—unmoved until now—slightly furrowed.

“…Your tie is crooked.”

Her hand reached toward his neck.

Slowly.

While her pale, slender fingers approached, Seo Taejoo couldn’t move at all.

Her capable hands carefully fixed his tie.

His gaze remained fixed on her.

An utterly dumbfounded expression.

“…Why are you making that face, Seo Taejoo?”

After smoothing down the perfectly straightened tie with her fingertips, Yeo Jaekyung looked into his eyes.

Then lightly tapped his cheek, as though telling him to snap out of it.

“What are you doing? Come on—we’ll be late for Father’s birthday party. You know he hates people being late.”

At the end, she even smiled calmly.

Seeing that expression—still carrying traces of warmth—

The last shred of Seo Taejoo’s sanity was shaken loose, and he completely collapsed inside.

The married life he had believed was smooth and stable.

His pregnant wife had just announced the end of their arranged marriage.

* * *

The hall hosting Taegwang Group’s founding anniversary ceremony and Vice Chairman Seo Moonsu’s birthday celebration buzzed with noise.

As they passed through the lounge, flashes from cameras burst everywhere.

The chief secretary glanced at Executive Director Seo Taejoo, who was roughly running a hand through his carefully styled hair.

Following closely behind, Director Lee asked:

“Director Seo. Are you alright? Your complexion…”

He asked, but didn’t particularly expect an answer.

Taegwang Group’s untouchable youngest son.

Assistant Executive Director Seo Taejoo of Taegwang Electronics’ Strategic Planning Team.

As always, he looked flawless.

His expensive vest strained across his chest because of his broad, muscular build.

Jet-black hair slicked back. A slim waist and narrow hips contrasting with powerful thighs.

His overwhelming sex appeal made him look less like an executive of one of Korea’s largest corporations and more like a company advertisement model.

Though his reputation’s far too terrible for that…

Director Lee judged coldly.

No matter how attractive or capable Seo Taejoo was, one label had followed him since high school:

The center of rumors surrounding Taegwang.

The group’s problematic former crown prince.

A legendary delinquent.

Rumors that he lost his position as Taegwang Group’s official heir to an incompetent older cousin purely due to personality issues were well known.

In short:

A third-generation chaebol troublemaker.

That was Seo Taejoo.

Looking only at appearances, Director Yeo Jaekyung really does seem wasted on him… She was always the model student type.

Without realizing it, Director Lee recalled the rumors surrounding the couple for the past five years.

A perfect showcase marriage. A strategic union. A couple who supposedly never exchanged glances or shared meals even when in the same place.

He quickly shook his head.

Even I, knowing the truth, shouldn’t think like that.

For the sake of loyalty to Seo Taejoo—his boss and former school friend.

“Where is Director Yeo Jaekyung?”

“Huh? Pardon?”

For a moment, Director Lee thought he had misheard.

“Director Yeo Jaekyung came in before me. Which way did she go?”

“Ah, Director Yeo went over there earlier…”

Seo Taejoo had already started walking before Director Lee finished speaking.

“Director? Director Seo? Hey, Seo Taejoo!”

Director Lee shouted after his current boss and former childhood friend.

There was no response.

* * *

“Hoo… Alright. Yeo Jaekyung. If you were trying to catch me off guard, nice try.”

Seo Taejoo muttered as he strode in the direction Director Lee had pointed.

A mocking smile hung on his lips.

“I almost completely fell for it.”

Maybe this was some kind of hidden-camera prank.

Or perhaps a silent protest against him.

Low blood sugar? Or has her schedule been too intense lately?

Why was his wife acting like this?

Seo Taejoo tried to trace the source of the bomb she had dropped earlier.

The steel division has been busy lately.

If anyone could become like this from overwork, it would be his wife—the same kind of workaholic as him.

People lose judgment when they’re pushed too hard. Suddenly asking to end a marriage with a husband she’d maintained a peaceful relationship with? Sure. Possible.

He took a deep breath, trying to regain control.

He raised an eyebrow and casually smiled at people greeting him.

Or maybe—

A slump in the marriage?

Yeah.

That could happen.

No matter how you live with a man like me—flawless inside and out, with looks and a body that constantly provide excitement—you could still get bored.

Seo Taejoo let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.

She said she’s pregnant. It could be hormonal changes.

Pregnant.

The moment the word surfaced, his brain seemed to stop.

A child.

His and Yeo Jaekyung’s child…

His stomach churned with anticipation and uncontrollable excitement.

Seo Taejoo lifted his gaze.

In the distance, he saw his wife.

Yeo Jaekyung, speaking calmly with her father-in-law, Vice Chairman Seo Moonsu.

Look at that. She seems perfectly normal even now.

Gathering all his composure, Seo Taejoo smiled faintly while watching them.

Which means the divorce talk was just a whim.

A simple whim.

His fist clenched tightly.