Chapter : 12
“I was thinking it might actually help her recovery if we told them the news that you’re expecting a child.”
Daehyun’s attitude felt so sincere that it left her dumbfounded.
Juhye wanted to read what was really going on in his mind, but his cold, expressionless face offered no clues at all.
‘She gave birth to Yoonhee safely, so things will stay quiet for a while. What a relief.’
It reminded her of what had happened when Jooyoung remarried Kangil and gave birth.
Jooyoung had once divorced because she couldn’t conceive, and from then on rumors about her infertility had noisily filled the weekly tabloids.
But when Yoonhee was born through a premarital pregnancy with Kangil, all those false rumors disappeared in one blow.
The stock price of the furniture company Jooyoung headed returned to its former level, and even the stock of Rowan Hotel, which Kangil managed, rose along with it.
With so much good news overlapping, it was only natural that Chairman Jin Soocheol was pleased.
‘How are you doing these days, Juhye?’
Her father’s voice, tinged with subtle expectation, sounded gentle, but Juhye found herself feeling inexplicably small.
No one had compared her to Jooyoung, yet she felt as though she were doing so herself.
Since getting married, there hadn’t been any good news—no sign at all.
‘We’re trying… but it’s not easy.’
‘Is that so?’
‘He’s busy, and I’m swamped with work at the arboretum. We’re waiting for the right time.’
The media was always watching, hunting for prey.
Just like what had happened to Jooyoung, there was always the possibility that one day Juhye would become a target of the tabloids.
They might say something like the reason she couldn’t have a child was because there were problems in the marriage.
‘Don’t worry too much. Your mother was the same.’
Of course, Chairman Jin wasn’t pressuring her to get pregnant.
Perhaps because he believed there was nothing wrong with his daughter, he would occasionally send someone to deliver something to Daehyun.
She never found out exactly what it was, but it was probably some kind of tonic or supplement.
Judging by how pale Secretary Jung looked every time he delivered it—he had a weak stomach—it must have been something unpleasant.
‘We didn’t have any news for five years after getting married either, but in the end we raised three healthy children, didn’t we?’
Thanks to Chairman Jin’s unwavering faith, she didn’t feel guilty, but Juhye was always anxious.
With Daehyun constantly busy, the only time they ever shared a bed was on Fridays, and that alone wasn’t enough to confirm love.
Juhye was always starved for affection. Sometimes, she was afraid he might think sleeping with her was merely a duty he had to fulfill as the price of this marriage.
If an act meant to confirm mutual love were interpreted as a service rendered for profit, nothing could be more miserable.
“So what is it you want to say? That we should try to have a child even now?”
“At least it’s a more economical choice than divorce.”
An economical choice. Even with divorce looming so close, only her husband could respond so coldly and matter-of-factly.
“That only applies to you.”
“What?”
“If I don’t love you anymore, what’s the point of living together?”
Faced with her self-mocking question, Daehyun hesitated for half a beat before muttering,
“You can’t even stand living in the same house with me anymore?”
She was afraid her resolve might weaken.
There was no need to waver, no need to be considerate of someone like him… yet Juhye forced herself to harden her heart.
She knew how quickly Daehyun could read her feelings if she showed even the slightest crack.
“I told you before. I said I’d handle it quietly so it wouldn’t disadvantage you.”
“Divorce will disadvantage us no matter what.”
He was right.
Their families would be disappointed, the media would make a fuss—it was all obvious.
“Mentally and financially.”
No matter how she looked at it, it was a losing situation, but Juhye wanted to act selfishly for once.
Even if just a little, she wanted to protect her own heart and pride.
“After seeing that bastard today, I really can’t do this anymore. Divorce.”
As expected, Daehyun quickly snapped back with hostility.
There was deep animosity in the way he said “that bastard.”
“Don’t call him that. Junhwi and I… I told you, it’s not that kind of relationship.”
“That’s what you think. Do you really think he feels the same?”
“He does!”
Even though Juhye answered firmly, Daehyun’s eyes still brimmed with suspicion.
She frowned. The hostility was something she couldn’t understand at all.
She had never once seen Junhwi as a man, nor had she ever harbored feelings for anyone other than Daehyun.
“When Junhwi joined the Jinju Arboretum, we got back in touch. It wasn’t like we were meeting privately or anything.”
“Not privately, yet you have dinner alone without your husband knowing?”
“Since getting married… when have I ever gone out and spent time with anyone?”
There was practically nothing. Even Daehyun couldn’t deny that.
Daehyun was busy every day, but occasionally he would find time to come home.
However, he never told her the exact date or time, so Juhye always kept her schedule as empty as possible and waited at home.
That way, she could fully enjoy the time with her husband when he showed up like a gift.
For him, it might have been a whimsical choice, but for her, it was an opportunity that wouldn’t come again if she missed it.
“So you’ve got nothing to say, right? I was always at home, waiting only for you, Daehyun…”
There were days when that life felt depressing, but more often than not, it made her happy.
Just sitting across from Daehyun and sharing a short meal after he came home felt like bliss.
Even when half-asleep, feeling the prelude to intimacy as he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the back of her neck made her happy.
There were times when simply being in the same space as Daehyun made her feel as though her whole heart were filled with love.
Perhaps those long days had only made her present despair all the more vivid.
“Juhye.”
The moment the hostility disappeared from Daehyun’s voice, a surge of emotion rose in her chest.
She needed to harden her heart even more, but it wasn’t easy.
Was it because she saw his eyes waver slightly?
Or because the gentle way he called her name felt unfamiliar?
“But… you—”
No. Juhye scolded herself harshly and lowered her gaze. She couldn’t reveal the truth so carelessly.
If the divorce didn’t proceed as planned, the fact that Daehyun had a mistress would become crucial evidence.
Until then, Daehyun must not know that she was aware of it.
“Let’s stop talking, the two of us.”
“Jin Juhye.”
“It’s not like this is a pleasant conversation anyway.”
As if by coincidence, a sudden loud noise cut through their exchange.
Perhaps she had pressed something wrong during the earlier scuffle—Juhye’s phone rang loudly instead of vibrating.
She reached for her bag first, but Daehyun’s hand moved faster.
[Kang Junhwi]
Of all times… Juhye bit her lip in dismay.
Daehyun stared silently at the name on the screen, then asked flatly,
“And you’re still saying it’s nothing?”
“……”
“Just a college senior and junior?”
This time, Juhye had nothing to say. The call was too blatant.
“He must have been worried after we parted like that earlier. It’s nothing serious.”
“Sure. That’s how you’d see it.”
Daehyun turned off the phone and let out a short, scoffing laugh.
Just as she was about to protest, he abruptly changed the subject.
“The arboretum anniversary ceremony is scheduled for early August, right?”
“Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden…?”
“You already sent out invitations. There’ll be quite a few guests.”
Ah—Juhye swallowed, her face turning pale.
She had just remembered that she had sent out the invitations last month.
Not only from the arboretum, but from Jinju Civil Engineering and Jinju Construction as well, guests were expected to attend.
If anyone sensed even a hint of divorce then, rumors would spread instantly.
“If you don’t want strange rumors causing Father unnecessary worry, it means we need to behave properly.”
That was exactly what she wanted to say.
Unable to voice the words she had buried deep in her chest, Juhye pressed her lips together.
Daehyun’s gaze briefly swept over her red, swollen lips before turning away.
“Sir.”
At that moment, Secretary Jung knocked on the door from outside.
At the polite knock, Daehyun turned toward the door.
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
As if it were unexpected, Daehyun’s eyes narrowed.
Before Juhye could even turn around, a familiar voice reached her ears.
“Hello, Juhye. It’s been a while.”
Chae Kangil—Jooyoung’s husband and Daehyun’s friend—greeted her with an easy smile.
