Chapter 36

The pounding heartbeat, the faintly trembling body.

The sunlight beating down was hot enough to scorch their skin.

Even taking a single step left her breathless—not just because of the heat.

Taeseok’s gaze lingered on Iseo’s profile.

“You said you were okay, but you don’t seem okay.”

“I thought I’d be fine, but the idea of having a new family… it’s making me feel a little strange.”

They walked along a path lined with well-maintained trees and colorful flowers.

The scenery was beautiful, but the thought of spending an entire year here already filled her with all kinds of worries.

She finally understood why her late grandmother used to joke that the farther away the in-laws lived, the better.

Perhaps sensing how she felt, Taeseok quietly took her hand.

The warmth from his hand spread into hers. Iseo took a short breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

“We’re here.”

At the sight of them, Hyejeong stood up.

“Welcome back.”

“The trip was too short. You probably didn’t even have time to really enjoy it. What a shame.”

“Please, you don’t have to speak so formally.”

“Still, you both look well. I suppose I should start calling you my daughter-in-law now that you’re married?”

Despite Hyejeong’s cheerful words and smiling lips, Taeseok’s expression remained unchanged.

“Where is the chairwoman?”

“She had to step out for something urgent.”

Taeseok’s lips curled into a bitter smile—he knew better than anyone that she was just avoiding seeing them enter together.

“You both must be tired. Go rest for a while. I’ll let you know when she returns.”

Without a word, Taeseok took Iseo’s hand and headed up the stairs.

As he opened the large door and stepped inside, his brows furrowed, and a hot breath slipped through clenched teeth.

So much time had passed, the memories were hazy. The bed and furniture custom-made for him long ago, the outdated decor that seemed frozen in time—it was all exactly as he remembered.

From the lighting to the curtains to the faded trinkets—it was not a room meant for a newlywed couple. Everything in it irritated Taeseok.

“This won’t do.”

“What?”

Iseo looked up, startled, not knowing what was wrong.

“What’s the problem?”

Without answering, Taeseok turned and headed back downstairs, Iseo following closely behind.

“If you were going to have us stay here, the least you could’ve done was make it livable.”

Taeseok’s low, heavy voice echoed throughout the living room.

“What are you talking about?”

At that moment, Pilsoon entered, her sharp voice cutting through the air. Iseo bowed her head and greeted her.

“What’s all this nonsense?”

“This isn’t just my room. We’re living here together. I have no intention of staying in a place that doesn’t even have a proper bed.”

“What’s the problem? That room’s perfectly fine.”

“You know I’m not alone anymore.”

A sharp glare passed between Taeseok and Pilsoon.

“Remodeling starts tomorrow. Just so you know.”

“Taeseok, it’s really okay with me.”

“Well, it’s not okay with me. There’s no table, no dressing room, no vanity. It’s not just one night—we’re talking about a whole year.”

“Are you saying you’re going back to the hotel?”

“We’ll stay in the annex until the remodeling is done.”

“Seriously? Making a fuss on the very first day?”

“Mother, I agree. It’s not really suitable for a newlywed couple.”

Pilsoon bit her lip tightly, her furious gaze locking on Iseo. Red veins popped in her eyes as her rage boiled over.

“I’ll let you know when it’s time to eat. It’s your first day back, so of course we should have dinner together. Jitae said he’d come early, so go rest for now.”

Iseo stood awkwardly between Pilsoon and Taeseok.

They followed the path behind the house and arrived at the annex. The first floor had a dining room and study, and the second floor held a large bedroom and bathroom.

“This is way better.”

“Did we really need to go this far? The third floor is spacious and looked fine to me.”

Taeseok knew exactly what Pilsoon had intended from the start—to crush Iseo’s spirit.

“Don’t be afraid or intimidated just because we’re staying here.”

“Look, I may have been kicked out once for not having money, but I’ve never cowered in front of anyone. Don’t worry and just make sure you’re good to your mom and grandma.”

The place was filled with memories of his mother from long ago. For a moment, memories flickered in his mind like film, and Taeseok’s brows twitched.

“It’s cool in here. Even has AC.”

A three-story main house and now this huge annex. The sheer size of the estate was jaw-dropping.

“You must be hot—go wash up first.”

“Why do you keep telling me to wash up? This isn’t the time. I should go help your mom cook.”

“You don’t have to. That’s what the helpers are for.”

“Still, how could I just ignore it? It’s not like I’m working today. I should help.”

“Did you forget we just got back from a trip?”

At the end of his sentence, Taeseok pulled Iseo close by the waist.

A cool citrus scent wafted from him.

“This is nice. Just the two of us. Honestly, we could skip the remodeling and just live here for a year.”

“Are you joking?”

“I’m serious.”

Taeseok gave her a quick kiss.

“Hey…”

“Never thought I’d set foot here again, let alone spend my honeymoon in this place.”

Iseo blushed and looked away.

“Let’s rest—we’ve got a lot to do tonight.”

She had a hunch what he meant, but pretended not to know, pursing her lips in embarrassment.

Later that evening, the five of them sat at the long dining table.

No one spoke first, and a heavy silence filled the dining room.

“So, sister-in-law, how was the trip?”

Jitae, sitting across from them, finally broke the silence. Taeseok’s cold gaze shot straight at him.

“I love the ocean, so seeing it again after a long time was really nice.”

“Hyung must’ve treated you well. You look so much healthier than before the wedding.”

Jitae let out a thin laugh, the corners of his lips curling.

“Come on, let’s eat. Mother, you too. The food’s going to get cold.”

“You didn’t need to prepare this much. We could’ve kept it simple.”

“It’s been so long since we all sat down for a meal together. Now that we have a new family member, the house feels full. I like it.”

Trying to shift the atmosphere, Hyejeong spoke gently, but the awkwardness remained. Then, unexpectedly, Taeseok spoke in a soft tone.

“You must’ve been tired yesterday.”

“Sorry?”

“Try this. You like seafood, right?”

Taeseok placed a perfectly grilled shrimp on Iseo’s plate. Pilsoon, dumbfounded, let out a bitter laugh.

He didn’t stop there—he even peeled the shrimp and placed it in her bowl.

“What do you think you’re doing? Aren’t you thinking of the rest of us?”

“This is me thinking of the rest of you.”

“Our CEO sure is a romantic.”

Jitae smirked beside Hyejeong, who smiled faintly.

Unable to take it anymore, Iseo picked up a rib and set it on Pilsoon’s plate.

“Please have some, ma’am.”

“Who are you calling ‘ma’am’? Who gave you permission to call me that?”

“Then should I call you ‘elder’?”

Pilsoon’s anger flared even more at Taeseok’s comment.

“Did I offend you? I apologize.”

“Why are you apologizing? Just call her Madam Chairwoman. Nice and clean.”

Taeseok stood up, taking Iseo’s hand.

“What do you think you’re doing? Sit down.”

“Iseo gets startled easily. If we keep eating like this, she’s going to get indigestion. We’ve got plans for tonight. Let us spare you and continue your meal.”

While Iseo looked flustered, Taeseok left the dining room with a calm expression.

“Did you see that? The guy’s so whipped he doesn’t know up from down. This is why upbringing is everything.”

“Honestly, I didn’t expect him to act like this.”

Hyejeong chuckled faintly, but sharp glares turned her way.

“Grandma, it’s their first day back. You could’ve cut them some slack.”

“You stop calling her sister-in-law too. She won’t be around long anyway.”

“She’s not going anywhere. At this rate, she might even cut ties with you.”

The cold air persisted, and the food on the table slowly grew cold.

Later…

“Are you seriously going to keep doing this?”

“What did I do?”

“Why’d you give me shrimp? And if you’re going to give it, why peel it too?”

“I like peeling.”

“This isn’t a joke. Don’t you get that the more you act like this, the harder it gets for me?”

Just thinking about Pilsoon’s icy gaze and harsh tone made her heart race in dread.

“So from now on, can you please just not—”

Before she could finish, Taeseok’s hot lips covered hers.

“I wanted to be alone with you. This works out perfectly.”

As soon as he pulled away, Iseo quickly covered her mouth in shock. Taeseok grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her hand down.

“Let’s just focus on us.”

Before she could respond, something warm and soft slipped past her lips, and her whole body tensed.

As the sensation made her breath catch, Taeseok lifted her into his arms.

“W-what are you doing?”

“Yesterday was me holding back.”

With breath growing heavier, his soft lips moved down to her pale neck.