Chapter 10
The branch of Hyun Hospital had a much smaller and cozier feel compared to its Seoul counterpart.
Following Seung-hyuk’s instructions before he left for work, Yu-joo went to the orthopedic department on the second floor and was seen by Seo Ji-woong, a second-year resident.
“Dr. Han still has patients left. It’ll be about an hour before he’s done. If you don’t mind, would you like to have a cup of coffee in the doctors’ lounge while you wait?”
After finishing her treatment, Ji-woong clasped his hands with a mix of eagerness and anticipation as he looked at Yu-joo.
The news of Hyun Seung-hyuk’s marriage had sent shockwaves through the Gangwon branch of Hyun Hospital.
The place had already been buzzing when his sudden breakup with the granddaughter of Yul Law Firm’s CEO had made headlines. Now, only a month later, he was reported to have married a completely different woman.
Naturally, the hot topic was: who exactly was the woman Hyun Seung-hyuk chose over the prestigious Yul family?
Everyone talked about his marriage whenever they gathered, but no one actually knew who his wife was. And no one dared to directly ask Seung-hyuk either—after all, one only has one life, and it was too precious to risk.
And now, unbelievably, Hyun Seung-hyuk’s wife had appeared at the hospital.
Ji-woong’s curiosity was bursting. Who was she, and how on earth had she ended up marrying him?
But he would never dare ask Seung-hyuk himself.
“Let’s go. I make an excellent cup of instant coffee, you’ll see.”
When Yu-joo hesitated awkwardly, Ji-woong gently pulled her toward the doctors’ lounge. Having missed her chance to refuse, she followed him to the surgery department lounge.
Inside were Do-yoon, another surgeon who had been introduced as Seung-hyuk’s friend, and Ji-won, a third-year resident.
Ji-woong quickly mixed a cup of coffee for Yu-joo and pulled out a chair for her.
“Please, sit!”
No sooner had she sat down than Ji-woong unleashed a torrent of questions.
“When, where, and how did you two meet? How long have you been together?”
“Ah, well…”
Yu-joo faltered, not knowing how to answer, when Do-yoon jumped in.
“I thought Hyun Seung-hyuk wasn’t that type, but turns out he’s totally superficial! Miss Yu-joo, right? Honestly, you’re way out of his league.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
The two of them joked back and forth, bombarding her with questions.
Yu-joo could only feel overwhelmed.
‘We met by chance at a hotel bar and spent one night together. And somehow that led to a contract marriage.’
Obviously, she couldn’t say that.
‘Actually, I seduced him because I wanted to ruin my enemy’s marriage.’
Even worse.
“So, what do you even see in him? That guy’s ice-cold. Sometimes it feels like he doesn’t have blood or tears.”
Do-yoon chuckled as he asked. Judging by his tone, he and Seung-hyuk were close friends.
“He’s not cold at all,” Yu-joo blurted out without thinking. She hadn’t meant to defend him, but it was the truth.
Cold? That wasn’t him.
“He’s kind… and thoughtful.”
He had quietly helped her when she was harassed by loan sharks.
He noticed her sprained ankle right away and treated it. He even bought her a beautiful piano.
And, above all…
“If you just say you’re fine, how am I supposed to know if you’re really fine or just forcing yourself?”
He was the one who told her she didn’t have to endure everything.
Yu-joo’s voice grew a little stronger as she repeated:
“He’s a kind man. Han Seung-hyuk.”
Her words left Do-yoon and Ji-woong dumbfounded. They stared at each other in shock.
“Kind? You’re calling him kind? Ji-woong, I must be dying. This can’t be real.”
“Love must really be powerful, sir. I can’t believe it either.”
They pretended to faint dramatically, while Ji-won, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly stood up.
Thud—
As she walked toward the bookshelf, she brushed against Yu-joo’s arm. It was no accident—the contact was too firm, too heavy.
Yu-joo instinctively turned to look at her.
Hostility.
The sharp glint in Ji-won’s eyes was unmistakable—resentment, even hatred.
Yu-joo knew it instantly. It was the same gaze Gong Seol-ah used to look at her with.
The open animosity made Yu-joo shrink back unconsciously. She felt too uncomfortable to remain in the room any longer. Already struggling to answer Do-yoon and Ji-woong’s questions, she used the chance to excuse herself.
“I should get going.”
“Oh? Already? Dr. Han’s probably still with patients…”
“I’ll look around the hospital a bit. Goodbye.”
Leaving behind their disappointment, Yu-joo stepped out of the lounge.
But Ji-won’s hostile gaze lingered in her mind, stirring up unwanted fragments of memory. Painful times she wished to bury came rushing back all at once, weighing down her chest.
“Haa…”
She sighed as she stepped onto the escalator down to the first floor. Being hated without reason was harder to bear than she remembered.
It was something she had hoped never to experience again.
As she reached the first floor, she realized she should probably let Seung-hyuk know before leaving.
What should she do…
She hesitated, then turned around—just as a man looking at his phone nearly bumped into her.
“Oh, sorry.”
He wore a doctor’s gown, and looked about Seung-hyuk’s age.
He didn’t even glance up, offering an apology as he passed.
“It’s fine, don’t worry,” Yu-joo replied.
The man gave a polite nod, still glued to his phone. But as he moved to walk away, Yu-joo stopped him on impulse.
“Excuse me, could I ask you something…?”
She figured he’d know where she could find Seung-hyuk.
The man finally lifted his gaze and looked at her.
“Are you… Cha Yu-joo?”
Yu-joo froze. She racked her brain but drew a blank—she’d never seen this man before. She had never been to Gangwon-do or Hyun Hospital in her life.
Yet here, a complete stranger was calling her by name.
It didn’t feel good at all. A vague unease settled in her chest.
“You are Cha Yu-joo, right?”
He pressed again, with unmistakable certainty in his eyes. A hint of fear crept up her spine, robbing her of an answer.
I have to get away.
The moment she decided, the man suddenly reached out his hand with a bright smile.
“I’m Shim Seo-joon. I’m a fan of yours.”
“Oh, the madam just left.”
Ji-woong explained. Seung-hyuk had rushed over after finishing with patients, but Yu-joo had already gone.
“Wow, she’s gorgeous. How did a guy like you even meet her?”
Ignoring Do-yoon’s teasing, Seung-hyuk strode out of the lounge, intent on catching up with her.
Scanning the area, he spotted Yu-joo near the bottom of the down escalator. His steps quickened as he hurried down.
“…!”
She was holding another man’s hand.
A sudden wave of irritation flared inside him.
In an instant, he was beside them.
“What’s going on here?”
His firm voice rang out as he wrapped his arm around Yu-joo’s shoulder. She flinched, but he pulled her closer, forcing the other man to release her hand.
The man was Shim Seo-joon, a pediatric specialist. Seung-hyuk had never liked him much to begin with, and now his mood soured even further.
“Oh, Dr. Han.”
Seo-joon’s face showed surprise at the sight.
“How do you know Cha Yu-joo?”
“She’s my wife.”
Seung-hyuk’s curt reply cut him off. Seo-joon’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Your… wife?”
“Yes. Do you know her well?”
His voice had a sharp chill to it. The grip on Yu-joo’s shoulder tightened.
“Ah… no, I was just a fan. I saw her perform once and was deeply moved…”
He trailed off, still looking astonished.
Someone who knew a past version of Yu-joo. The thought unsettled Seung-hyuk.
“It wasn’t even a real performance. He said he just happened to see me at a competition when he was there to support his younger sibling,” Yu-joo added nervously.
“No, I actually followed you to every competition. When I heard you suddenly quit piano, I was devastated…”
“We should get going.”
Seung-hyuk cut him off, sensing Yu-joo’s growing discomfort—and disliking the emotions written all over Seo-joon’s face.
His tone, his expression… far too much emotion for Seung-hyuk’s liking.
“Ah… I see.”
Seo-joon stepped back reluctantly, regret plain in his eyes.
“Well then, goodbye. Please visit often, Yu-joo.”
Even as they turned away, his words lingered in Seung-hyuk’s mind, souring his mood further.
Outside the hospital, his expression was dark. Just as Yu-joo was about to speak, he beat her to it.
“Cha Yu-joo, do you just let anyone hold your hand?”
“What?”
Baffled, she blinked before realization dawned.
“Oh… that? It was a handshake. He just offered a handshake, so…”
Before she could finish, Seung-hyuk seized her hand tightly. Startled, she tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened.
“There are many eyes watching here. We need to look like a loving couple, don’t we, Cha Yu-joo?”
Ah, the wife role.
Realization settled in, and Yu-joo quietly allowed her hand to remain in his.
“I’ll take you to the bus stop. I still have work to do.”
She almost said she was fine, but stopped herself.
The hospital path they walked hand in hand was beautifully lined with trees preparing for autumn. A cool breeze played with her hair. His hand, warm and steady as always, held hers firmly.
Her heart fluttered, restless yet soft.
She told herself it was just the season changing, that was all.
That must be why she wanted to keep holding Han Seung-hyuk’s warm hand a little longer.
