Chapter 26
[No matter how hard you try, being second is just… what it is.]
Second.
No matter how much she tried, sitting across from her newlywed husband, the reason she would always be second was simple.
“He must have another woman.”
The thought that Ha Yoon-jae might really have someone else.
That would explain his cold, stone-faced indifference, even toward someone as charming as herself.
Maybe infidelity runs in the blood.
No, wait—maybe it’s not even an affair.
What if she came first?
A chill ran down her spine.
“Being the second woman is not my style.”
Whatever else she could tolerate, she didn’t want to be the pitiful, messy type.
There are so many beautiful things in the world.
We bit into the peach before us.
Crunch.
After discovering her peach allergy had disappeared, peaches had become her favorite food.
“Thought he was a wolf, but turns out he’s a fox… Ha Yoon-jae.”
Chewing and savoring, she smirked.
It’s only for a year anyway.
She hated messy complications and refused to make a problem out of something uncertain.
And it wasn’t worth asking directly either, so she brushed the thoughts aside and took another bite.
Crunch.
“…Ugh.”
But that uneasy feeling still clung to her like damp mist.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Good work.”
“Good night, ma’am.”
When Mrs. Kim left for the day, both Yoon-jae—who had come home early—and she happened to greet her together.
“Ah, yes. Then, have a good night.”
Mrs. Kim, catching sight of the two of them standing side by side, smiled faintly before hurrying out.
Neither of them noticed the pleased look on her face as they sat back down.
“……”
Something about her calm demeanor made Yoon-jae narrow his eyes.
He had rushed home early, worried something might have happened after her meeting with Hye-won and Eun-se, but everything was oddly peaceful.
She sat quietly at the table, munching on boiled corn. Suspiciously quietly.
He stared at her heavily, like soil pressing down on roots.
She split the corn in half and said,
“If you have something to say, don’t. I’m on a diet, and I’m sensitive.”
At her serious declaration, Yoon-jae crossed his arms.
“When did that start?”
“This evening.”
“……”
“Starting is half the battle. I’m serious.”
She did look more irritable than usual. He barely stifled a laugh and got to the point.
“Anything happen?”
Fortunately, she understood the subjectless question immediately.
“Nothing happened.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Not at all.”
If she were hiding something, he would’ve noticed—but her steady chewing on the corn made her sincerity obvious.
If anything had really happened, he would’ve heard about it by now. The world has too many eyes and fast mouths.
So, he let it go.
After finishing up, Yoon-jae returned to his study.
Left alone, she chewed the remaining kernels, her mind restless.
Ask, or don’t ask.
The question that had been tangled up inside her all day refused to leave.
Even if I do ask, he won’t answer honestly anyway.
She sighed, weighing it back and forth like a scale.
Crunch.
She bit down too hard.
“Keh—keh!”
The corn stuck in her throat. She coughed hard, thumping her chest.
She’d been thinking too long about nonsense.
When the lump finally went down, fatigue washed over her.
Maybe I’ll have a cup of coffee before bed.
She stood up—just as the very person who had filled her thoughts appeared before her.
It was Yoon-jae, back from his study.
“If you came for coffee, wait a bit. I’ll bring it over once it’s brewed.”
She went to the coffee maker and pressed the button.
Beep.
As the water began to heat, he watched quietly before speaking.
“What’s wrong?”
“What?”
“Why are you making me coffee?”
His response to her kindness made her roll her eyes.
“You’re weird. It’s just a favor. A favor!”
“And I’m supposed to believe that?”
“Excuse me? If a husband can’t trust his wife, who can he trust? What, do you have a girlfriend or something?”
Oops.
She’d been thinking about that all day—and now she’d said it out loud.
When she shut her mouth, embarrassed, Yoon-jae simply stared at her.
“……”
Blink. Blink.
She looked away awkwardly.
He stepped forward, opened the refrigerator, and took something out.
It was a sandwich—one Mrs. Kim had made for him to eat while working late.
Her eyes followed it unconsciously until he handed it to her.
“Stop your diet. Right now.”
“……”
Clearly, he’d gotten the wrong idea.
Still, knowing she had been acting overly sensitive, she took the plate quietly.
Without a word, Yoon-jae went back to his study, leaving her alone.
“…Damn it.”
Flustered and embarrassed, she blushed furiously as she finished making the coffee.
Then, tray in hand with the sandwich and cup, she headed to his study.
Knock knock.
Ear against the door, she called out.
“I’m coming in!”
She turned the handle and entered.
The air inside smelled faintly of books—mixed with the aroma of fresh coffee.
Taking a small breath, she began cautiously,
“I bought gifts for your stepmother and half-sister today. With your card.”
Yoon-jae let out a quiet, soundless laugh.
He wasn’t offended.
If anything, her bluntness made it feel lighter, even refreshing.
“You don’t have to report that. If you need the card, just tell Chief Hong.”
“It’s fine. I’ll be returning it soon anyway.”
Her offhand remark made his eyes pause on the papers for a second.
She placed the coffee on his desk and continued.
“Can I ask you something rude?”
“Don’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’ll be rude even if you don’t.”
“Then, excuse my manners—but were you Cinderella?”
Her tone switched from rude to impolite, and Yoon-jae sighed.
What on earth went on in this woman’s head?
“You mean, was I abused?”
“Uh… something like that.”
It wasn’t a particularly sensitive question for him.
He refocused on his documents.
“I was over twenty when I came here. And even if I hadn’t been, she’s not the type to do that.”
Seo Hye-won was far too refined and graceful.
She had welcomed him with perfect composure and a practiced smile, calling him “son.”
Which only made the cold contempt in her gaze and gestures all the clearer.
At his calm answer, she took a sip of coffee, then tossed out the real question that had been sitting on her tongue.
“Then… do you have another woman?”
It was a bomb—direct and unfiltered.
Even Yoon-jae, who rarely flinched, was caught off guard.
He almost dropped his papers.
“What did you just say?”
“I mean… if it’s easier to just be honest, you can tell me…”
She trailed off, uncharacteristically shy. He exhaled deeply.
“If you’re this hungry twice, you’ll start asking if I have kids too.”
“You do?”
“……”
“Kidding.”
She laughed awkwardly, realizing she’d crossed a line.
Still, the first question remained. She twisted her hair nervously.
“If you tell me the truth, great. If you lie, make it convincing at least.”
She shrugged, pretending to be casual.
In truth, she did care.
Whether she was the second or the two-hundredth didn’t matter—
or so she told herself.
…It shouldn’t matter.
Even so, she couldn’t stop asking.
Yoon-jae tilted his head slightly, unimpressed.
So that’s what this was—she wasn’t emotional; she was just bored.
He replied simply.
“I do.”
Her eyes widened.
Bang!
She slammed her hands on the desk and leaned forward.
“Who was first? Say it was me. I hate being second. Even if it’s a lie—”
“……”
He decided not to correct the very wrong part of that statement.
Instead, he sighed softly and gestured at her chin.
“Aren’t you a woman?”
“…What?”
“Or are you hermaphroditic?”
“That’s ancient history—wait, huh?”
It took her a second to process the tease—then she got it.
And laughed.
“So, I’m the only woman for you, Ha Yoon-jae?”
Her smile was dazzling—too bright, too beautiful.
Flinch.
Yoon-jae’s facial muscles stiffened at the absurd turn.
She straightened up.
“Okay then. I’ll be going.”
As she turned, feeling oddly satisfied, his voice stopped her.
“Joo Ae-jung.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have plans this weekend?”
She had none—she had nothing but free time, living as one of the richest, most unemployed people around.
“No, why?”
Was he about to nag her about wasting time again? She eyed him warily.
He looked straight at her—quietly, firmly.
That gaze was always the problem. When he stayed silent, Ha Yoon-jae was dangerously her type.
Fidgeting with her cup, she asked,
“Why do you ask, all of a sudden—”
“Go Woo-ri.”
Just two words—and a chill ran down her spine.
Her name.
The way it sounded now, foreign and sharp, made her flinch slightly.
Knowing that, or perhaps not, he continued.
“I was thinking of visiting the columbarium.”
“What?”
Her surprise calmed, but a different emotion filled her chest—something heavy, tangled.
Her eyes trembled slightly.
Yoon-jae added quietly,
“You keep thinking about it.”
He wasn’t wrong.
But the reason she couldn’t stop thinking about it… was something she could never say aloud.
Seeing her hesitation, he loosened his tie.
“It’s up to you. The choice is yours.”
It sounded like he was giving her freedom, but the distance in his tone said otherwise.
He was only following Dr. Jang’s advice—giving her the chance to tie off her own loose ends.
But that offer—
made her wavering gaze sharpen.
With clear eyes and steady breath, she nodded.
“I’ll go.”
