Chapter 36…………………………………
The guilt of deceiving them for her own purposes scraped painfully at Seoyoung’s chest.
When will I ever meet people this kind again?
Feeling a dull ache in her heart, Seoyoung lowered her head as if embarrassed. She blinked several times, forcing back the moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes.
I’m sorry, Grandfather. While I’m your daughter-in-law, I’ll do my very best, Mother.
She had expected to see the cold, ruthless side typical of chaebol families. She had never imagined they would embrace her like real family.
Turning to follow Hyukjin, Seoyoung swallowed the surge of emotion rising in her throat.
She couldn’t help feeling choked up by the affection she was receiving—more than even blood relatives had ever given her.
She wondered if it was really right to do this to people who were being so sincere, but she forced herself to rationalize that she had no choice.
Instead, she resolved to love them like her real family.
At least while she remained the daughter-in-law of this household, she would treat them as her true family and do her utmost.
On the way back to the annex.
Seoyoung fidgeted with her fingers the entire time, her heart uneasy.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Yes?”
Her mind was in turmoil when Hyukjin’s voice fell from above her head, making her frown slightly.
“I mean what the elders said. Since we won’t be having a child, there’s no need to worry about pointless things.”
“Yes. I have no intention of having a child either. But I feel so sorry toward the elders. They want it so desperately, and lying to them feels terribly disrespectful.”
Even though she was a fake daughter-in-law, Chairman Cha was ready to spend a huge sum on her as a wedding gift.
And the earnest gaze of Hyukjin’s parents, who truly longed for a grandchild…
“Ha…”
A quiet sigh escaped Seoyoung’s lips.
“Are you still thinking of us as a fake couple?”
Hyukjin suddenly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and whispered near her ear.
His breath tickled her ear. The sudden contact made even her heart pound.
“I told you before—until we divorce, don’t think that way. Never forget that those thoughts could unconsciously show on the outside.”
“Yes. I’ll be careful.”
The abrupt shift in atmosphere made Seoyoung even more tense.
“In that case, shall we spend our first night together tonight?”
Noticing her reaction, Hyukjin whispered softly. His voice was subtle, yet filled with unmistakably impure intent.
The warmth from the hand gently stroking her shoulder felt almost burdensome.
“No. I’m not mentally prepared yet. And besides, back then you clearly said—”
“That I’d wait until you gave permission. I know. I was just asking in case you’d changed your mind.”
“I haven’t. Hearing the elders say they want a grandchild makes it even more burdensome.”
Seoyoung shook her head, slipped out of his grasp, and walked faster. Then she stopped abruptly and turned back.
“If I’m confirmed as CEO at the shareholders’ meeting, I can divorce you immediately. So regardless of the contract, tell me anytime you want. I’ll sign without hesitation.”
After saying only what she wanted to say, Seoyoung turned again and quickly walked toward the annex.
Hyukjin’s steps gradually slowed.
“Ha! She says she’ll divorce me anytime? That really gets my competitive spirit going.”
To Hyukjin, who had only ever seen women trying desperately to cling to him, Seoyoung was nothing short of a rare species.
“How can someone look at this perfect body and background and not waver?”
He wasn’t even a narcissist, but when he saw her act like that, he felt an urge to list out exactly how impressive he was.
He had signed a two-year contract marriage just to have an excuse to stay in Korea a bit longer, yet that naïve woman kept provoking him.
And so, against his nature, stubborn defiance rose in him.
“Will I be able to sleep properly tonight?”
Standing in front of the annex door, Hyukjin let out a long sigh.
He tried to act unaffected, but sleeping with Seoyoung clinging to him like a cicada was still difficult.
“Being too healthy is a curse too.”
Clicking his tongue, Hyukjin finally went inside after a deep sigh.
The next morning, Seoyoung woke up refreshed, stretching, only to find the space beside her empty again.
“Does he always leave for work this early?”
Tilting her head, she hurried to get ready for work.
Sleeping while holding Hyukjin had been quite uncomfortable at first. But after a few nights, his arms weren’t as bad as she’d expected.
A man who expressed desire through his body shouldn’t have a comfortable embrace—but thinking of him as a body pillow made her drowsy in no time.
He was warm, almost like her father’s arms, and perhaps because she was tired, she slept well.
Delicious home-cooked meals, in-laws who sincerely cared for her—there was nothing lacking.
I really am lucky.
In terms of both her work at the hotel and her daily life.
Recently, Seoyoung felt that the world was quite livable.
And I’m not lonely anymore.
Thinking that her married life with Hyukjin was better than expected, Seoyoung headed down to the first floor.
Her steps were unusually light.
[I’ll be working late for a while, so I’ll be home late.]
Just before quitting time, a text arrived from Hyukjin.
Looks like he really is busy.
After finishing a meeting with the Hano Construction staff, Seoyoung decided to join them for a team dinner.
Ding. Another message arrived, and she opened her phone.
[Don’t even touch alcohol.]
He must have known about the dinner. The concerned message made the corner of Seoyoung’s lips lift slightly.
When Jinho approached, she quickly slipped her phone into her bag.
“Isn’t Executive Director Cha Hyukjin coming? Tell him to join us.”
“No. He’s busy and working late. People are waiting—let’s go.”
Shaking her head, Seoyoung stepped forward first.
“Did you make a reservation?”
“Yes. We booked a nearby Korean beef restaurant. I already sent the location, so everyone will find their own way.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
“Ah, I’m getting sleepy.”
Seoyoung covered her mouth as she yawned repeatedly, struggling to stay awake.
Despite Hyukjin’s warning not to drink, she’d finally given in to the employees’ insistence on a toast and had just one beer.
Even so, the familiar wave of drowsiness washed over her again.
“We’ve arrived, Madam.”
At the driver’s words, Seoyoung, who had been nodding off in the back seat, opened her eyes.
“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”
As she stepped out and reached into her bag for her wallet, someone approached.
“Here you go. Thanks for your work. Keep the change.”
“Oh my. This is quite a lot? Thank you.”
The substitute driver smiled brightly, tucked the money into his pocket, and walked back the way he’d come.
“Hyukjin?”
Turning around, Seoyoung’s eyes widened.
Seeing her slightly flushed face—like she’d had at least a bottle to drink—and catching the faint scent of alcohol, Hyukjin frowned openly in displeasure.
“How much did you drink, exactly?”
“You said you were working late, but you came earlier than I thought.”
Instead of answering, Seoyoung smiled brightly, more curious and happy that he was there.
Frowning, Hyukjin took her hand and headed toward the gate.
“Huh? Wait a second. What about parking?”
When Seoyoung resisted, pointing to her car with the keys still in it, Hyukjin tightened his grip.
“Driver Kim will be out in a moment.”
“Really? Then let’s go inside quickly. I’m actually really sleepy.”
Blinking her eyes, Seoyoung lifted the corners of her lips slightly—cute, like a drunk puppy.
Hyukjin’s frown deepened at the sight.
Does she smile like this at just anyone when she drinks?
He’d even sent her a warning text, yet she’d gone and drunk anyway. Just imagining her acting drunk in front of others made him dislike it.
Knowing how weak she was to alcohol, Hyukjin let out a small sigh and rubbed his forehead.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
As if she’d been waiting, Seoyoung grabbed Hyukjin’s arm and linked arms with him—so naturally, like it was something they did every day.
Hyukjin’s eyes narrowed.
She’s been openly clinging to me lately, and now she’s doing it outside too?
Her behavior was outrageous, yet that natural ease wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
What bothered him was that while he was sneaking naps at work from lack of sleep, she was blissfully unaware.
A painful memory surfaced—those moments when he held his wife but couldn’t do anything.
Wrapped tightly around his waist, clinging to him, she would fall asleep soon after, breathing softly, seemingly not even aware of him as a man.
