Chapter 5
Soeun’s heart raced nervously.
Her eyes darted around in panic, and she didn’t know what to do with her hands resting on her lap.
‘He’s making an effort too. This is an arranged marriage we were forced into, so we’re both trying our best not to show our dislike in public.’
Soeun felt tears welling up.
The thought of having to pretend to be a married couple with a man who didn’t like her, in the same space, made her feel utterly miserable.
What good was it that he was the heir to the country’s top conglomerate?
He was a husband who didn’t want her, and she was a bride who didn’t want him.
Even after the wedding, he went on their honeymoon and then immediately returned to the U.S.
‘So this is what a “showcase couple” really means.’
Her husband would continue to be away most of the time, wandering externally, possibly even having affairs.
In the end, she might be divorced, or even if she wasn’t, she’d live a hollow, empty life.
Soeun swallowed a deep sigh as her imagination ran to extreme possibilities.
It was terrifying.
This was not the life she wanted.
It might sound far-fetched, but Soeun had dreamed of a different kind of love and marriage.
Secretly admiring a cool senior on campus, hopelessly in love with him, and finally becoming a campus couple.
Walking through cherry blossom petals together, starting a sweet relationship, eventually receiving a romantic proposal, and having a wedding built on love and trust.
She wanted to be a bride full of affection on a beautiful spring day.
She wanted a happy life, raising children with the man she loved.
But with this family-arranged marriage, such a normal, happy life had vanished.
Before she realized it, the car had arrived at the luxurious mansion she had often admired on her way home from school.
The mountains surrounding the estate looked as if they were guarding the house, towering magnificently.
After parking in the garage, Hyunjun unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out first, opening the car door for Soeun.
“Get out.”
Tense, Soeun stepped down.
A butler, already informed that Hyunjun would arrive, came out to greet them.
“Master, welcome. I hope you have been well.”
The butler, whose hair had turned completely white, had managed this grand estate for decades.
Everything that happened in this house went through him; he was practically a living witness to the family’s history.
Even the butler wasn’t someone Soeun could be entirely comfortable with.
“It’s been three years, Butler.”
“Yes, Master. And madam, have you been well?”
When the butler addressed her, Soeun awkwardly returned the greeting.
She wasn’t used to being called “madam.”
At Jusang Foods, she had only ever been called “Miss Soeun.” The title “madam” belonged to her aunt, Joo-ok.
“Yes, thank you. And you, Butler, have you been well?”
“Of course. Everyone inside has been waiting for your arrival. Dinner has been prepared with dishes the master and madam enjoy especially.”
“Let’s go inside, then.”
Hyunjun spoke in his usual dry tone and walked ahead. The butler gestured to Soeun to follow.
She nodded lightly, stepping out in her low-heeled shoes, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and discomfort.
Visiting this mansion alone during holidays was one thing; coming with her husband made it feel different.
But seeing the cold, brisk air and formal atmosphere, she thought it might have been better to visit alone.
Hyunjun’s hands were shoved deep into his pockets, faintly smelling of citrus as he led the way.
The distance between them made their strained relationship obvious to anyone who looked.
‘The one who said not to show our dislike in public… who was that again?’
Yet as Soeun walked through the courtyard, her eyes were caught by the beautiful garden, and she momentarily forgot Hyunjun.
She had never entered this garden nor expressed a desire to do so.
But with lilacs in bloom, she couldn’t look away. Passing by the herb flower garden, the air was filled with a delicate fragrance and a spectacle of light purple flowers.
Soeun walked, mesmerized, while the butler followed from the back, silently observing.
Inside the main house, the smell of delicious food filled the air.
“Mother, Father, I’m here.”
“Hyunjun, you’ve arrived. Well done.”
“Hyunjun, my son! Are you well?”
Sooncheol, honorary chairman of GH Group, Ho-jung, vice chairman, and Ae-kyung, who ran a small art gallery, expressed joy at Hyunjun’s visit.
“Ah, Soeun is here too?”
Sooncheol wheeled over to her, gently touching her hand.
“Yes, Grandfather. I’ve been well.”
“Ah, the same as always. You’ve been taking care of yourself alone all this time. Now that Hyunjun is back, you can stop worrying so much. Haha.”
Though he spoke kindly, there was a subtle undertone suggesting that now that her husband had returned, the nights would be better…
Soeun opened her eyes wide and tried to deny it, but with so many eyes around, she held back.
Ae-kyung guided the couple to the dining room.
“There’s much to catch up on, but let’s eat first. It’s been a long time since the family gathered like this. Soeun used to come alone every holiday, right?”
“Yes, haha.”
Soeun forced a smile and followed her in.
Her parents-in-law, Ho-jung and Ae-kyung, treated her kindly as a member of the family.
Yet no matter how warmly she was treated, Soeun always felt tense.
She had become the granddaughter-in-law of GH Group at a young age and had to face adults alone every visit.
At the head of the table sat Sooncheol, followed by Ho-jung and Ae-kyung facing him.
Soeun sat across from Hyunjun.
“What about Jeon Hyunmin and Jeon Hyunho?”
Hyunjun pulled out his chair, asking if his younger brothers were present.
“They haven’t arrived yet. Both have been busy; it’s been a while since they had dinner at home. They usually come in late at night.”
Hyunjun nodded knowingly and picked up his spoon.
Hyunmin and Hyunho were his younger brothers. The eldest, Hyunjun, was slightly older than his mid-twenties siblings.
Soeun had briefly seen them during past holidays but had never grown close.
Even though they were her husband’s brothers, they were older than her and still intimidating.
Both had inherited the family’s tall stature and handsome features.
Apparently, they were receiving management training to eventually work in the company.
Ah… that’s why they were always arriving late.
As Soeun ate, Sooncheol spoke.
“So, Hyunjun, now that you’re back in Korea, you’ve finished your master’s and PhD? You won’t be going abroad anymore?”
His words reflected a wish for his eldest grandson to stay nearby.
“That’s not entirely the case, Grandfather. I am in Korea, but I still have seminars, conferences, and symposiums in the U.S., and I need to travel occasionally. I also have management research projects under guidance from global professors. Once these are finished, I’ll be fully settled here.”
“I see. I thought the eldest grandson would stay by my side, but there’s still more travel.”
Ah… he would still be traveling abroad occasionally.
“Haha, Father, you really missed Hyunjun, didn’t you?”
“Yes, of course. The eldest grandson always carries special meaning. You’ll understand when you have one of your own.”
Sooncheol was speaking to Ho-jung, but it was Soeun who felt her face heat up.
Because giving the eldest grandson to Ho-jung was her responsibility.
Soft laughter echoed around the table, except for Hyunjun and Soeun.
“From next semester, I think I’ll take up a professor position in Korea. I received a good offer.”
