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chapter 28
Yeon-seo’s eyelids twitched. Her tension heightened like a deer caught in the presence of a predator.
“So, you tried to deceive me. You’re getting less and less likable. I still wonder how you even rolled in here…”
“To be honest, I did it because I thought you might worry. Uncle, you’ll be fine.”
Seon-ae wore a mischievous expression.
“Worry? I know my son well. I know every move he makes.”
Yeon-seo inhaled sharply.
It was chilling how calmly Seon-ae admitted she was following her own son. No wonder Do-heon was so cautious and on guard. Anyone in this house could become the target of surveillance from Geum Seon-ae.
“I heard everything that happened in that room.”
“…I see. Then you know everything my uncle did as well.”
Until now, Yeon-seo hadn’t wanted to recall it because she was always with Do-heon, but Kang-jae had done something terrible to her. It could have escalated to an even worse situation.
The suppressed feeling of humiliation started creeping up.
“What Kang-jae did? That guy only invited you out of kindness. It was your fault for not being careful in that situation.”
Seon-ae raised her eyebrows. Yeon-seo was dumbfounded by the absurd logic.
“…Are you saying it’s my fault?”
“I already felt it when you entered this house—you’re shameless. Don’t you think about my sons getting hurt or the mess you caused?”
Seon-ae’s veins in her neck bulged as she acted like the victim, which was terrifying.
‘She’s definitely not an ordinary person.’
Raising her voice further would accomplish nothing.
Making a loud scene in the middle of the night would cause commotion in the house, escalating the situation. It was better to step back.
“If that’s what you think, I have nothing more to say. I’ll go in now.”
“What?”
“If you want an apology for your uncle getting hurt, I can’t give that. It’s clear that I’m the one who should be receiving an apology.”
“What is she saying?”
“And that day… besides what you did to me, I learned quite a few of Uncle’s secrets. Unintentionally.”
Seon-ae’s lips trembled. She seemed at a loss for words at Yeon-seo’s bold threat, which she had assumed would be weak.
She didn’t try to stop Yeon-seo anymore.
“Good night, then…”
Yeon-seo lightly bowed her head and left the kitchen. Though she tried to appear calm, her trembling body betrayed her.
Once inside her room, she collapsed like a crumpled paper doll and sobbed. The events of the past few days were overwhelming.
Early in the morning, the staff moved busily. Yeon-seo entered the kitchen as if nothing had happened.
Soon after, Chairman Seo, Seo Jin-bae, and Geum Seon-ae arrived.
“New baby. Were you with Do-heon until yesterday?”
Seo Jin-bae appeared oblivious. In contrast to Seon-ae, who looked as if she’d swallowed a fishbone, he seemed relaxed.
“Yes, I spent time with him.”
“Good, that’s how it should be.”
He smiled fondly and placed a yellow oyster pancake onto Yeon-seo’s spoon.
“That’s how children are made, you know?”
Startled by the sudden mention of grandchildren, Yeon-seo dropped her chopsticks. Another talk about children… something she didn’t want to hear right now.
A staff member nearby handed her fresh chopsticks.
“Honey, what do you mean by talking about grandchildren? Just spending time together doesn’t make a child.”
Geum Seon-ae’s smile looked forced. Chairman Seo, watching from the side, supported his son’s words.
“Children come when they’re supposed to! I always envied President Kang when he boasted about his granddaughter. Ahem.”
Geum Seon-ae glared at Yeon-seo with a displeased look. She mocked her, thinking that if Yeon-seo really had Do-heon’s child, it would threaten her and Kang-jae’s position.
Seon-ae already had a limited position as a secondary wife, and her son was a burden to Seo-guk.
Thinking this way made Yeon-seo feel her appetite vanish. Would there ever be a day she could eat in peace?
Just as she was about to leave after finishing her meal, a man entered through the front door. His slightly messy hair suggested he was in a hurry.
Do-heon stopped the moment he saw Yeon-seo, his eyes flickering nervously at her.
“Is Do-heon here? Come eat.”
Chairman Seo’s hearty voice echoed. Do-heon bowed politely, then looked at Yeon-seo again.
“I already ate. I came to go to work with Yeon-seo.”
“The boy… he missed you so much he came on the way to work?”
Chairman Seo’s boisterous laughter filled the room.
“Yes, even though I saw him plenty yesterday, I missed him.”
Do-heon suddenly kissed Yeon-seo on the cheek. His lips were slightly dry, probably from lack of sleep.
Yeon-seo assumed it was a gesture for the family’s sake and stayed still.
“I’ll be waiting, so get ready for work.”
Her plan to leave quietly for work had failed.
The funny thing was that her sorrow melted away like snow at the sight of Do-heon’s face. Foolishly so.
Yeon-seo entered her room to get ready for work.
She wore a form-fitting pencil skirt with a blue blouse. Today, her fair skin stood out more than usual.
When she went out toward the garden, she saw Do-heon holding a long cigarette. He paused, about to pull out a lighter from his pocket, when he saw her.
“You don’t need to worry. Just smoke.”
Yeon-seo passed him and tried to leave for Myeongseonjae.
Then, a firm hand grabbed her wrist, turning her body toward Do-heon against her intention.
“Why? You don’t like it.”
He raised one eyebrow, and his gaze made it difficult to look away.
‘Ah. I have something to say! Don’t smoke in the garden!’
‘What?’
‘The plants absorb it! Have you ever thought about the nicotine?’
She recalled their first encounter behind the garden when she was a child.
It would have been better if he had been outright harsh. Smoking openly would have been clearer. His occasional consideration made her heart flutter all day.
Do-heon’s gaze darkened.
“About yesterday…”
“I know… there’s a reason.”
“You know?”
“Yes, so I hope we can quietly go to work today.”
Yeon-seo spoke firmly.
If he tried to justify himself, it could lead to disaster. She feared she’d spill out all the questions as if she were his wife: What happened between you and that woman? What’s your relationship with her?
Why does he stir up feelings without letting her draw a line or move on? It feels like he could take everything from me if he touched me…
Do-heon opened the passenger door, waiting for Yeon-seo to get in.
Sitting quietly in the passenger seat, she noticed an unfamiliar scent: a sharp mix of cinnamon, sage, and citrus.
She spotted a stick-shaped air freshener on the vent. She had never seen it before.
Perhaps it was a gift from Seoryeon. Or did they go on a date together? Endless speculations swirled in her mind.
Do-heon, as if considerate of her, said nothing. The smooth, silent ride created a quiet tension difficult to break.
Looking out the window, Yeon-seo reminded herself of her goal: once the contract ends, it’s over with him.
Yet strangely, the more she steeled herself, the more her eyes filled with tears.
Hoping he wouldn’t notice, she squeezed her eyes shut. She resented the tears that slid down her cheeks.
Fortunately, he didn’t look at her until they arrived at the company. She wiped her tears secretly with her sleeve.
“We’re here.”
“Thank you.”
It was their first commute together.
As she opened the door, employees glanced at them in the parking lot.
“I’ll go up first, use the restroom.”
Do-heon took a navy handkerchief from his jacket pocket and offered it to her. Yeon-seo hesitated, alternating her gaze between him and the handkerchief.
She shivered slightly from embarrassment. He seemed to already know she had cried in the car.
“When your eyes are red and wide open, you look like a rabbit.”
His words were friendly and playful. As he handed her the handkerchief, it was as if he was trying to comfort her.
