CHAPTER 02………………………..
Hana, who had been staring at her phone with a stiff expression, suddenly sprang to her feet. As if something urgent had come up, she hurried her steps.
Click—
“Huh? Executive Director, where are you going?”
Miju, who had been making coffee, looked at Hana with a puzzled expression. There was still time before the morning meeting, so Hana’s sudden appearance was unexpected.
“I’m going to see the Chairman for a moment. Call me if anything urgent comes up.”
“Yes, have a safe trip.”
At the mention of the chairman’s office, Miju quickly nodded.
Passing by Miju, Hana headed straight for the elevator. She let out a small sigh and reached out to press the button for the very top floor, where the chairman’s office was located.
Ding—
As she stepped out of the elevator, she saw the secretary’s face. They exchanged a familiar glance in greeting, and Hana walked toward the chairman’s office.
Knock, knock, knock—
“Come in.”
At the brief reply, Hana carefully turned the doorknob and stepped inside, swallowing once as if tense.
“…You called for me.”
“Sit.”
What was her father, Gi-hun, calling her in for today? At his low voice, Hana gauged his mood and stepped toward the sofa.
But she couldn’t bring herself to sit down right away. She merely followed Gi-hun’s movements with her eyes as he rose from behind his desk.
Step, step—
Only after Gi-hun approached the sofa and sat down first did Hana slowly lower herself onto the seat.
“President Jung.”
“Yes?”
“He got to work fine?”
“Ah, yes… of course.”
Startled for a moment by the sudden question, Hana nodded as if it were only natural.
“Looks like you slept at home, at least.”
“…….”
“They say old habits die hard—you’re still living it up as wildly as ever.”
Understanding his meaning immediately, Hana lowered her gaze and bit her lip.
“I hear rumors are flying around the business world that you’ll be getting divorced soon. Well, considering President Jung Geon-woo is in and out of hotels every other day, I suppose it’s not surprising.”
Hana merely pressed her lips together, her expression unchanged. It wasn’t anything she didn’t already know.
“…I’m sorry.”
Though said calmly, the words carried pressure. Hana bowed her head even lower.
“Don’t just say you’re sorry—pull yourself together from now on. What are you trying to do when you can’t even properly keep one man in line?”
Gi-hun clicked his tongue in irritation. Even without looking, it was obvious his gaze toward her was filled with contempt.
That was why she deliberately didn’t raise her head. She kept her eyes fixed on her hands resting on her thighs, fidgeting slightly.
“The child.”
“…….”
“Are you at least trying?”
Gi-hun emphasized that she should get pregnant with Jung Geon-woo’s child and firmly secure her place by his side. If she carried his child, the bond between the two companies would naturally deepen.
Ilju Group and Seoga Foods becoming lifelong partners—that was all Gi-hun wanted. Hana was merely a tool to achieve it.
“…Yes, I’m trying.”
Under Gi-hun’s persistent stare, Hana reluctantly answered. Of course, it was a lie.
Being told to have Jung Geon-woo’s child—this was the first thing Hana, who had always obeyed her father, chose to ignore. But she didn’t let it show.
What would change if a child were born between two people who didn’t love each other? Even if she did get pregnant, would Jung Geon-woo really love that child?
She wanted her child to grow up in a happy family, surrounded by love. She didn’t want to go that far. She didn’t want to force herself to give birth to a child of a man who didn’t even love her.
A child was innocent, after all.
“Then why is there still no news?”
“…….”
“Hurry it up. If Jung Geon-woo hears he’s got a kid, what choice will he have?”
“…Yes.”
Hana gave another answer she didn’t mean. But Gi-hun seemed dissatisfied, his brow still furrowed as he continued.
“If you really end up divorced, be prepared. If even a word about ending things comes from Ilju Group—you know what that means.”
“…Yes.”
“If you understand, then go.”
Having finished speaking, Gi-hun stood up first and returned to his desk. Hana, rising heavily after him, lowered her head toward his back.
Though it seemed her greeting didn’t even register with him.
Swallowing the sigh that threatened to escape, Hana took one quiet step after another and left the chairman’s office.
Beep—
“Miju, go have lunch.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The morning had passed before she knew it, and it was lunchtime. Hana spoke briefly through the intercom, then turned her gaze back to her monitor.
So absorbed in her work that she didn’t even feel hungry—
Click—
The door opened without a knock, and someone walked into the office. Hana naturally lifted her head.
“Why are you still working? Didn’t you say you had plans?”
It was Geon-woo. She had clearly told him earlier that she had an appointment, yet he acted as if he’d never received the message.
As always, he’d come straight to the office and quickly closed the distance between them.
“Didn’t you say you had a lunch appointment?”
“…It got canceled.”
Feigning calm, Hana turned her eyes back to the documents she’d been reviewing. Appointments could be canceled suddenly, right? She thought it was a fairly plausible excuse.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
He snorted softly.
“You sure you didn’t lie from the start?”
“What?”
At the mocking tone, Hana frowned deeply and snapped her head up.
“I hate liars.”
“…….”
“Lying to your husband—that’s more than enough reason for a divorce, isn’t it?”
Hana bit her lip tightly and glared at Geon-woo. The first thing she noticed was the crooked curve of his lips.
“…And what about you?”
Without realizing it, Hana’s hand clenched on the desk, her gaze sharpening.
“You slept with another woman the other day, didn’t you? I asked you not to see other women. No— even if you did, I begged you not to let it be obvious… I clearly asked you. You said you understood—so why did you do it…?”
“Did I?”
Geon-woo tilted his head slightly, then burst into a short laugh.
“Fine. Let’s say I did.”
“…….”
“You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
Smiling, Geon-woo moved closer to where Hana was sitting and casually perched himself on the desk.
“Hana.”
At his unexpectedly gentle tone, Hana’s eyes widened slightly. She still wasn’t immune to hearing her name from his lips.
Maybe because it had been so long since she’d encountered that tenderness that once shook her.
Something fluttered strangely in her chest, leaving her feeling tight and uncomfortable.
“If I said I didn’t sleep with her, would you believe me?”
“…….”
“See? You don’t.”
Hana’s eyes, fixed on him, were filled with resentment.
How could she believe him? He came home late, reeking of alcohol, and she’d already seen the lipstick mark left on his shirt.
She’d even been summoned by the chairman that morning because of it.
“So, do you want a divorce?”
“…….”
“Shall we stamp the papers?”
Hana pressed her lips tightly together. He knew she couldn’t say yes—he knew that better than anyone.
As if amused by the situation, he roughly grabbed her chin and smiled.
“Want to kiss?”
Her face twisted instinctively.
“No—let’s do it.”
As if her will didn’t matter from the start, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up in an instant.
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her between his legs. The distance was suffocatingly close—she could barely breathe.
“…This is the office. Move.”
Flustered, Hana twisted her body, struggling to break free from his hold. But as if it were pointless, he pulled her even closer, pressing their bodies together.
“What does it matter?”
“…It’s almost lunchtime— mmph…!”
His lips suddenly crashed down on hers, leaving Hana no time to dodge. She could only clench her fists tightly.
How long had she endured his kiss with her lips firmly closed? Finally, as he pulled away, he let out a short laugh.
“What are you trying to do?”
He seemed displeased by her refusal to part her lips, raising one eyebrow as he wiped his wet mouth.
