Chapter : 48
“That can’t be… Professor.”
Sure enough, even though her period was long overdue, nothing had happened.
But this wasn’t the first time. When she was tired, her period often came late.
So she assumed it was the same this time.
Especially since the past few days had been more exhausting than usual, and her physical condition had even gotten so bad she had to go to the hospital.
“The results show that it seems you are about seven weeks along.”
The doctor cleared his throat with a troubled expression and whispered again.
“It would also be good to undergo a more detailed examination. And…”
While the doctor gave a long explanation, Juhye just stared blankly at her stomach.
All she could hear was a ringing in her ears, not the doctor’s voice.
Pregnant?
A few months ago, she might have felt joy at such news.
But now, she felt only despair, as if she were apologizing to the child before even knowing it.
To have this happen before the divorce reflection period left her head spinning.
“If you inform the CEO and visit again, we’ll carry out the detailed examination then.”
The doctor smiled as if delivering good news, but Juhye couldn’t smile back.
She barely maintained her expression and stepped outside, her whole body immediately drained of energy.
Of course, someone who doesn’t know would congratulate me…
The divorce between Juhye and Daehyun was being handled in strict secrecy. Since no one outside knew, the doctor probably thought it was happy news.
With her hand trembling slightly, she carefully stroked her belly.
Even after hearing the doctor’s confident confirmation, she could hardly believe she was really pregnant.
Perhaps it was because it was only seven weeks, but outwardly, everything looked the same as usual.
So the nausea I felt… was because of the pregnancy?
Now that she knew the answer, the previously suspicious changes suddenly made sense.
She returned to the car where her secretary was waiting, asked to go to the arboretum, and closed her eyes.
Even as her vision darkened, the throbbing headache at her temples remained.
“Ha…”
Should she tell Daehyun, the father, about this news? She hesitated.
She feared that if she told him, he might suddenly promise to take responsibility for the child.
Using the child as a pretext for remarriage was the last outcome she wanted.
I should consult Juyoung first.
The only women around her with experience in pregnancy or divorce were Juyoung.
She felt guilty for constantly reaching out, but there was no one else to consult.
If she consulted her family, she couldn’t predict Suhana or Sugyeong’s reactions.
Chairman Jin was still recovering, so she hesitated to give him shocking news.
“Secretary Jeong.”
“Yes, madam?”
“Sorry, but could we go somewhere other than the arboretum?”
“Somewhere else… where?”
Juhye gazed out at the blue sky beyond the car window and whispered,
“To the Young S&D building.”
Young S&D, Juyoung’s interior company, was located in the heart of Gangnam.
Juhye deliberately armed herself with sunglasses and a hat to avoid being noticed and got out of the car alone.
She instructed her secretary to leave first, avoiding the surrounding eyes.
“Why isn’t she answering her phone…”
But there was a problem: Juyoung wasn’t picking up.
She must have been away dealing with something.
She could have gone in and waited, but it wasn’t a quiet time, and she didn’t want to inconvenience the busy staff.
[Unni, are you busy? I’m in front of the office…]
[Unni, how was it when you were pregnant?]
[I think I might be pregnant…]
She wrote and deleted texts repeatedly as time passed unkindly.
Unable to do anything, she sighed heavily while sitting on a bench in front of the office.
Just as she considered going back and put her phone away,
“Juhye?”
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her head, and a familiar voice reached her ears.
Juhye froze like a stone, unable to lift her head, staring at the ground.
“Juhye, right?”
“…”
“What brings you here…? No, more importantly, why aren’t you going in?”
She timidly lifted her gaze and saw polished brown shoes.
As expected, it was Kang Il, Juyoung’s husband and the CEO of the Roun Hotel.
“Yes, hello.”
She wanted to pretend she had mistaken him for someone else and leave, but now that their eyes met, there was no escape.
She had no choice but to greet him and stand abruptly.
If she said she was busy, he wouldn’t linger.
“Wait a moment.”
But as luck would have it, Kang Il was sharp and faster on his feet.
In an instant, he blocked her way. She sighed deeply, looking up at him.
Noticing her awkward expression, he smiled sheepishly and adjusted his glasses.
“If you’re not too busy, could we have a moment? I’ll buy you a coffee.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just here briefly to see my sister…”
“Ah, I see. Juyoung couldn’t come in today. Yoonhee has a fever.”
Juhye’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden news.
Perhaps because she had just learned of her own pregnancy, worry came first.
“Is Yoonhee okay?”
“Not a high fever, but they want to monitor her condition at the hospital.”
So Juyoung had taken Yoonhee to the hospital.
Juhye felt a small sense of relief but froze when she noticed Kang Il smiling.
He was already nodding toward a nearby café.
“It’ll just be a short moment. There’s something I really want to say.”
“But…”
“I won’t take much of your time.”
Having heard of Juyoung before, Juhye knew Kang Il could be stubborn.
Even if she refused, he would probably follow persistently.
“…Just a moment, very briefly.”
Finally, she nodded in surrender.
Kang Il smiled brightly and led the way.
She braced herself, knowing the conversation would likely be about Daehyun.
“I’ve asked Juyoung to arrange a meeting before… did she not tell you?”
Upon entering the cool café, he unexpectedly started speaking.
Juhye looked puzzled, and he nodded knowingly.
“I guessed none of it was communicated at all.”
They sat in the most secluded corner and ordered drinks.
Kang Il ordered coffee confidently, but Juhye scrutinized the menu.
Normally, she would have chosen a sweet coffee, but…
Coffee isn’t good for the baby.
Thinking about what might harm the child surfaced unconsciously, making her heart even heavier.
She ordered a warm tea and put the menu down.
In the suffocatingly awkward silence, they drank while looking at each other.
When Juhye put down her cup, Kang Il finally spoke.
“I won’t presumptuously ask you to meet again.”
As expected, the conversation went in a slightly different direction than Juhye anticipated.
Kang Il tapped the table nervously and continued.
“Even if I’m friends with that guy, there are boundaries I must respect. Pressuring you to meet wouldn’t be what you want either.”
“…”
“But there’s one thing I want you to know. That’s why I wanted to meet.”
Kang Il remembered clearly what Daehyun had said in Japan.
Considering Daehyun’s pride, position, and fears, he certainly wouldn’t have shared that with Juhye.
Even if the divorce ended, he likely wouldn’t reveal his weaknesses fully.
“I wanted to clear up any misunderstandings you might have.”
“Misunderstanding?”
“You seem to think that Daehyun never loved you.”
But Kang Il also felt that this wouldn’t be a perfect ending for either Juhye or Daehyun.
“Seodae-hyun truly loved you, and he desperately tried to maintain the marriage.”
“Yes, desperately. For Daehyun’s own benefit.”
“Do you really think that?”
If Daehyun found out later, he might punch him, but for now, Kang Il wanted to help.
At least as a friend observing him, Daehyun had never loved anyone while giving so much effort.
“If he only cared about his own benefit, he wouldn’t have married you in the first place.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Did you know that Daehyun drafted a contract before marrying?”
Juhye’s eyes widened in surprise at the news she had never heard.
