CHAPTER 29……………………………………………
“Ah, it’s so bright.”
Seoyoung squinted against the sunlight streaming through the window and raised her hand to block the glare.
Then, as she tried to sit up, a throbbing ache forced her to bury her head back into the pillow.
‘Again?’
The events of a few days ago flashed through her mind like déjà vu.
Half-expecting the worst, she closed her eyes and cautiously reached toward the space beside her. Fortunately, she felt nothing.
Remembering that they were supposed to leave for the airport right after breakfast, Seoyoung finally got herself up.
Outside the window overlooking the sea, the sun was just rising.
As she pushed back the covers and swung her legs out of the bed, she was startled to realize she was wearing only her underwear.
Her eyes finally fell on the dress lying on the floor.
‘Could it be that getting undressed when I drink is my “drunken habit”?’
Seoyoung, who rarely drank, tilted her head in confusion, considering it had happened twice in a similar way.
She threw on a robe and went searching for Hyukjin, finding him sleeping in another room.
His muscular, shirtless body was still impressive.
As she stared blankly, her expression slowly began to crack.
‘What kind of memory is this?’
Faint memories surfaced—Hyukjin’s bare upper body, her hand brushing against his chest, feeling his warmth.
“Ah!”
She quickly covered her parted lips in shock.
Even the faintest recollection of bare skin made her cheeks flush instantly.
She hurriedly left the room and returned to her own bedroom.
‘What on earth happened?’
Perched on the edge of her bed, Seoyoung slowly pieced together the fragments of last night.
Bits and pieces of memory resurfaced like a puzzle. The clearer the memories became, the wider her eyes grew.
The passionate kiss at the beach, the lingering touches back at the villa, and the intense look in his eyes as he removed her dress in the bedroom—all of it.
Her lips went dry from the dizzying recollection.
But that was all. The memories abruptly cut off mid-way, leaving blanks.
“Could it be…?”
Half-opened, her robe revealed red marks left by him here and there.
She quickly closed it again.
‘It didn’t go all the way, did it?’
Her head throbbed, her body ached, but she could be sure of nothing.
‘Why did I drink so much when I’m not even good with alcohol!’
Seoyoung sighed deeply, blaming herself for being carried away by the moment and having no control.
Then, seeing the time, she hurried to the bathroom.
“I need to get ready first.”
There wasn’t much time before leaving for the airport.
She needed to prepare before the secretary arrived.
She hesitated, wondering if she should wake Hyukjin, but she didn’t have the courage to face him, so she went straight to the bathroom.
On the flight back to Korea.
Seoyoung sat by the window in business class, her gaze fixed on the sky filled with clouds and blue above.
Seeing Hyukjin and Minwoo looking uncomfortable on the way to the airport didn’t make her feel any better.
Especially with Minwoo’s occasional sullen expression and Hyukjin’s cold demeanor, she felt awkwardly caught in the middle.
Minwoo immediately turned his head the opposite way after takeoff, putting on headphones as if to completely ignore Hyukjin and Seoyoung.
‘Is he angry because I spent the last night with him?’
Hyukjin’s expression when he had come to find her didn’t suggest they had fought.
Perhaps because of the vacation mood, the two of them had come close to a surprisingly heated encounter—though whether they actually spent the night together, Seoyoung wasn’t sure.
‘Minwoo has a right to be upset.’
Though the trip was officially a honeymoon, Seoyoung couldn’t help laughing at being stuck between the two men.
She even half-wished one of them would just come out and tell her how they felt.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
Hyukjin raised an eyebrow as he noticed her fidgeting.
“No, I’m fine. Just a bit of a headache from drinking too much yesterday.”
Seoyoung emphasized that she had drunk a lot, subtly hinting that her memory might be fuzzy.
‘Is he embarrassed about last night?’
Hyukjin recalled the previous night but nodded without suspicion.
He even called a flight attendant to ask for headache medicine.
“Here you are, ma’am,” said the attendant, smiling brightly at Hyukjin as she handed over the medicine and water.
Having eaten lightly due to her stomach, Seoyoung took the medicine and reclined in her seat.
“Sorry, I’ll take a nap.”
“Alright.”
She closed her eyes and put on an eye mask, trying not to notice Hyukjin’s gaze.
Shortly after, she heard him speaking quietly to Minwoo across the aisle.
Not wanting to hear it, she even plugged her ears and tried to sleep.
The newlyweds decided to start their married life at Hyukjin’s parents’ house in Pyeongchang-dong.
Seoyoung sat in the back seat with Hyukjin, occasionally sneaking glances at Minwoo driving through the rearview mirror.
Alone with the tense atmosphere between the two men, she felt frustrated and helpless at herself for caring.
She even thought it would be easier if he had another woman, it was that uncomfortable.
“So, the in-law world begins,” she muttered to herself.
Hyukjin chuckled softly beside her.
The car passed through the large main gate and eventually arrived in front of the main building.
Hyukjin stepped out first, extending his hand.
They had changed into hanbok at the airport, making it obvious they were a newlywed couple.
Minwoo, watching them from behind, gave a polite nod.
“I’ll head inside now,” he said.
Hyukjin turned from the doorbell, replying, “Alright. You should take a good rest tomorrow too.”
Minwoo bowed to Seoyoung before leaving promptly.
As Hyukjin clicked his tongue, the front door opened.
Seoyoung’s face stiffened with tension as she took her first steps into her new family life.
“Nervous?”
“A little,” she admitted.
Taking a deep breath, she held Hyukjin’s hand and entered.
This was another society she had to adapt to.
“Madam paid special attention to the remodeling.”
Yoon, in charge of the annex, smiled brightly and opened the front door, guiding her through the living room, kitchen, and even the gym.
Hyukjin stayed in the main building’s study with Youngjin to discuss company matters, leaving Seoyoung to explore the annex alone.
Walking through the house from the first floor, Seoyoung wanted nothing more than to rest.
But out of courtesy to Yoon, she stifled her yawns and nodded repeatedly while touring the house.
“This is the study, and that will be your bedroom.”
Finally reaching the second floor, Seoyoung quickly glanced at the study and passed Yoon to enter the bedroom.
The space was much larger and more open than she had expected, making her eyes widen.
The first thing she noticed was the king-size bed—spacious enough to sleep comfortably apart.
Next to the bed were a small table and a cozy-looking rocking chair, perfect for reading while sipping tea.
She glanced at the small balcony leading outside and smiled.
With this bedroom, not only could she rest, but she could handle most daily activities comfortably.
“Since you’re both busy with work, she wanted the bedroom to be as comfortable and cozy as possible.”
“It really looks comfortable. I should thank your mother properly.”
Seoyoung was genuinely impressed.
Unlike the villa where she had stayed alone, the warmth of human life permeated every corner of this house.
She liked it all the more because of that.
“I’ve kept you too long. You must be tired. Change your clothes and rest. I’ll come back for dinner.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Yoon.”
After the door closed, Seoyoung collapsed onto the bed.
“I’m so tired.
