Chapter 5
“What?”
Yu-ju, doubting her own ears, asked again in disbelief.
As if he had already expected her reaction, Seung-hyuk continued without hesitation.
“I’m asking you to act. Of course, we’d have to live in the same house, but we’d use separate rooms. Think of it like roommates. I just think people will only give up once I’m married.”
That part was true. The marriage proposals that came in right after his engagement was broken off were far worse than Gong Seol-ah.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Yu-ju cut him off, her face paling.
“Of course, I’ll make sure you’re well compensated. A year should be enough. The money you’d receive as alimony when we divorce… it’ll be beyond your imagination, Cha Yu-ju.”
Money. Always money.
So, was he the same kind of person as Gong Seol-ah after all? The type who believed everything could be solved with money—that no mistake, no hardship couldn’t be smoothed over with cash.
But then, her mother and Ki-ju’s faces came to mind. Her mother, who had no steady job and sometimes barely managed part-time work, constantly sighing that she couldn’t take it anymore. Her brother, Ki-ju, who had been “preparing” for employment for years while only getting into trouble. In truth, Yu-ju was the real breadwinner of the family.
“My father is the chairman of Hyeon Hospital.”
Few women had stayed composed after learning of his background. Seung-hyuk thought dropping the card would strike deeply, but Yu-ju didn’t react at all. He instantly felt ashamed for playing it so soon.
“Of course, you’d have to live in Gangwon Province… but the air and water are good there…”
He rambled carelessly, but suddenly Yu-ju’s eyes lit up.
“Live in Gangwon Province?”
It was just for a moment, but he had clearly seen her eyes sparkle. Seung-hyuk was bewildered at what part of his words had caught her attention.
“Yes, in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. The hospital’s there.”
The light in Yu-ju’s eyes quickly vanished, and she returned to her original composure.
“Still, I don’t think this is right.”
“Why not?”
Yu-ju gripped her coffee cup tightly, trying to steady her trembling hands.
“Why me? Someone like you could easily find another woman to play that role.”
“Women chasing after me for my status are endless.”
Seung-hyuk’s gaze fell on her wrists gripping the cup. That night too, he had been strangely fixated on her fragile wrists.
“Those women always bring trouble. But you… you didn’t know who I was. You only saw me as a one-night stand. And you expect nothing from me.”
A faint, self-mocking smile tugged at his lips.
“…There’s no one better suited than you.”
When she had whispered those seductive words at the bar, he had uncharacteristically followed her without hesitation. In the silence of the elevator, her faint scent had brushed past his nose, and he had found himself glancing her way.
That was when he noticed her pressing the button for the third floor. Her wrist was so slim it looked like it might snap if he applied just a little force. The delicate veins beneath her skin had caught his eyes, and strangely, he hadn’t been able to look away.
“And besides, it won’t be about some ‘scandalous affair.’ It’ll be packaged as a story of pure love, enough to break off an arranged marriage.”
“Still—”
Unable to listen any longer, Yu-ju hurriedly cut him off.
Perhaps she was worse than those women he spoke of—worse than the ones chasing his wealth. If he ever learned that she had used a private service to sabotage his marriage, how contorted would his expression become? Just imagining it made her shiver.
“This isn’t right. I’ll be going now.”
Yu-ju tried to stand, but Seung-hyuk extended his phone toward her.
“Your number.”
“What?”
“I gave you my card. Let’s be fair.”
After a brief hesitation, Yu-ju entered her number into his phone. With each digit she typed, her heart pounded louder.
When she handed it back, Seung-hyuk pressed the call button. Hearing her phone ring, he smiled in satisfaction.
“Now it’s done. I’ll see you again, Cha Yu-ju.”
Yu-ju ignored his outstretched hand and hurried out, her unease gnawing at her. Something was definitely going wrong.
“Alright, I see.”
Ending the call, Madam Hong Hwa-ri spoke to her father-in-law, Gong Seok-hun, who was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper.
“They say they settled everything with the hotel today, paying the penalty.”
“I never thought that family would be so worthless. Just wait and see—I won’t let their sons or daughters marry well anywhere.”
Seok-hun put down the paper and scowled.
His granddaughter Seol-ah was the apple of his eye. After losing his only son, Yeong-chan, Seok-hun’s sole joy in life was her.
He had poured all his affection into her. If she wanted to learn piano, he searched for the nation’s best teachers. If she wanted to study abroad, he sent her. She had even won awards at several competitions.
The only regret was that he might have spoiled her too much.
But then again, weren’t all young people like that these days? Certainly not just his Seol-ah. He always shook his head at the thought.
“That bastard. To sneak around with another woman before the wedding—shameless!”
“Grandfather, it’s over now. Getting angry isn’t good for your health.”
Leaning against him, Seol-ah cooed sweetly. Seeing his granddaughter trying to comfort him even while hurting herself only deepened his affection.
“By the way, who sent you those photos?”
Adjusting his glasses, Seok-hun asked. Seol-ah flinched, then quickly answered with a sniffle.
“Yu-rim. She said she happened to be at the hotel and saw him. She took the photos and sent them to me.”
“How did Yu-rim even recognize your fiancé?”
“Ah… I’d shown her his picture once. She must’ve remembered.”
Seol-ah stumbled over her words, but thankfully, her grandfather didn’t notice anything odd.
“Well, that man’s handsome enough to stand out. A doctor looking like a model—no wonder.”
“Grandpa, you’ll have to find me someone much better than Hyun Seung-hyuk. Someone whose family makes Hyeon Hospital look like nothing. Promise?”
Her over-the-top sweetness finally made Seok-hun smile.
“Of course. Leave it to me, Seol-ah.”
Phew.
Seol-ah let out a long sigh of relief.
Half of what she had told him was true, and half was a lie. Because the one who had actually seen Seung-hyuk at the hotel that night—was none other than herself.
She had several men she met for fun. Men who bent to her whims as long as she threw money at them. And among her many amusements, stepping on them was her favorite.
That night, she had gone to the hotel with one of them—only to run into Seung-hyuk. At first, she panicked. But then she saw him entering with another woman.
Perfect. Seol-ah had zoomed in from afar and taken dozens of pictures.
“I’m not leaving the Gangwon branch. Nor do I have any ambition to take over the main hospital. You decide whether you want this marriage or not.”
“You’d better pick one between the cigarettes and the perfume. The stench is unbearable.”
His insults still stung. There was no way she would ever marry a man who dared speak to her like that, much less move to Gangwon.
How dare he humiliate the granddaughter of Yul Law Firm’s CEO.
But it had been a marriage arranged by her grandfather. Without him, none of her luxuries or indulgences would have been possible.
So, she had spent days wondering how to break off the engagement without displeasing him. And then, fate had handed her the perfect opportunity.
She had shown him the photos at dawn, crying and begging that she couldn’t possibly marry such a man. As always, he hadn’t questioned her once. He had simply removed the obstacle.
Now, she no longer had to go to Gangwon, nor marry that insufferable Seung-hyuk.
Her mood soared. As always, the world was on her side.
