Chapter 3
“Once again, I’m asking you—keep this a secret until the divorce is finalized, Oppa. And I’ll do my best to keep it from Mom, too.”
“Alright.”
Other than “alright,” Injun couldn’t bring himself to say anything more. He thought that going along with what Inyoung wanted, even if it hurt him silently, was the best way to support her.
Inyoung’s mother had always been frail, and after giving birth to the youngest, Inyoung, she had barely ventured outside. Her poor health had continued to this day.
There was no need to inform her mother about the divorce in advance. In fact, even after it was finalized, it would be better if she didn’t know.
Inyoung’s father, Chairman Choi, had a fiery temperament, so there was no reason to tell him ahead of time either. If informed prematurely, he would insist on reclaiming his investment in DA Construction. It was better to wait until after the divorce to break the news.
Inyoung didn’t wish for Seonghyuk’s DA Construction to fail as a result of the divorce. She didn’t want the investment to be withdrawn.
“And about Chaesoo… and that child… don’t tell anyone. Not even my new sister-in-law. I’ll find out myself.”
Even though Inyoung insisted she would check herself, Injun knew he would likely try to find out anyway. Still, it was important to say it. By stating this, any gossip about Chaesoo or the child wouldn’t spread without Inyoung knowing.
Although she said she would investigate, she had no intention of doing so as soon as she returned to Korea. She didn’t want to risk being caught by Chaesoo while arranging anything. The divorce, she decided, should proceed quietly. She hoped it would be completed without discussion.
While one couldn’t conclude anything based on appearances alone, Inyoung’s heart leaned toward certainty—there was no need for further confirmation. The evidence before her was already sufficient to justify the divorce.
After returning from the U.S., Inyoung stayed in her bedroom for two days, claiming exhaustion, not stepping foot outside. She avoided the master bedroom, where Seonghyuk rested, choosing instead to lie in the bed prepared separately for her.
For two days, all she did was lie down and think about the divorce. Before her surgery, she meticulously organized in her mind the steps she needed to take for the divorce.
“Ah… how miserable, how miserable.”
She felt utterly wretched for being able to think of nothing else.
After two days, Inyoung finally went to the scholarship foundation the next day. She completed all pending paperwork at once and issued instructions to address problems without delay.
Working three consecutive days, not just alternating days, she quietly organized the foundation according to her own system.
That evening, she went to Seonghyuk’s office. Through the secretarial staff, she confirmed he had no external appointments today.
She had something important and confidential to discuss with him, so it was better to meet outside the house. To speak with him without being discovered by Anseongdaek, it was safer to meet elsewhere.
Inyoung entered the secretarial office without prior notice. Oh, Seonghyuk’s longest-serving secretary, was both surprised and delighted to see her. Although he had reported by phone that Seonghyuk had no external appointments today, he had never imagined Inyoung would actually visit.
Since their marriage, Inyoung had rarely come to Seonghyuk’s office—only a few times. Hence, Oh’s reaction of surprise mixed with delight.
“My, Mrs. Seonghyuk, you look even more beautiful than I remember.”
“It’s been a while, Oh. But I don’t see Park here.”
Inyoung noticed the absence of Park, a younger secretary who had been with Oh before. Though she had only met Park once or twice, her absence felt oddly chilling—as if signaling some hidden agenda.
“Oh, Park is currently checking the schedule with the CEO for his business trip.”
Oh’s explanation seemed to account for the cold feeling Inyoung had sensed. She shivered, thinking she knew exactly why.
Because Seonghyuk’s U.S. business trip was just five days away, Park had gone to the CEO’s office to review the schedule. None of the secretaries would accompany him abroad, so a meticulous review of the itinerary was essential. Only team leaders from the overseas strategy team would go on this trip in place of the secretaries.
“Please wait a moment, Mrs. Seonghyuk. I’ll inform the CEO.”
Even the most urgent schedule matters couldn’t take precedence over the rare visit of the lady of the house. Oh hurriedly knocked on the CEO’s office door.
“Sir, Mrs. Seonghyuk has arrived.”
His voice carried into the office. Moments later, the door opened—but it wasn’t Park who appeared. It was Seonghyuk.
To Inyoung, he looked excessively flustered.
“Ah… how did you… come here without notice…?”
Seonghyuk seemed startled by her sudden arrival, but to Inyoung, he appeared far more flustered than the situation demanded.
Perhaps the one more surprised than Seonghyuk was Park, standing awkwardly behind him. She rose hesitantly, her expression screaming “this is a disaster!” Her excessively fluttering blouse and short skirt caught Inyoung’s eye.
“I came to have dinner with you.”
Because it was the office, not home, Inyoung spoke formally.
How many times had she dreamed of suddenly asking Seonghyuk to have dinner together? Yet, showing up at her workplace like this—where she would always remain the subordinate—was also unnerving. Her mixed emotions caused Seonghyuk’s expression to stiffen more than expected.
“Wait a moment. Let me finish this first.”
Seonghyuk opened the office door wide, gesturing for her to enter.
“Mrs. Seonghyuk, would you like something other than coffee?”
Oh remembered that Inyoung didn’t drink coffee. Inyoung declined, explaining she would leave shortly. After taking medication for her upset stomach, she had no desire for tea.
Instead of drinking, Inyoung sat in Seonghyuk’s office, observing the room. The CEO’s office she had visited several times was far smaller and more modest than her own chairman’s office. Seonghyuk had never bothered to redecorate since becoming CEO.
Sitting in the relatively small space, she could easily see Seonghyuk’s schedule.
His week-long U.S. business trip was fully booked, except for the two travel days. Notably, the day before returning to Korea was empty.
Why is that day open?
If there’s nothing scheduled, couldn’t he return the previous day? Is there really no flight?
A sudden, unsettling suspicion arose. The reason for her earlier chill seemed connected—she couldn’t shake the thought that he had cleared that day to meet Gwak Chaesoo.
Still, she couldn’t ask Seonghyuk or Park why he wasn’t flying back the day before. Previously, she hadn’t given his schedule a second thought, but now it weighed heavily on her mind.
However, today there was something even more important. She had to settle this matter today to align perfectly with her surgery schedule before heading back to the U.S.
“Then, we’ll keep the return flight as scheduled.”
Perhaps due to schedule adjustments or Inyoung’s visit, Park hurriedly stood. Watching her rise from behind, Inyoung couldn’t help but think:
Can the CEO’s secretary really dress like that?
Ah, so you’re interested in Ju Seonghyuk. You want to impress him. But what now? Ju Seonghyuk doesn’t care, so your efforts are meaningless. Well, just like him, he never cared about me either.
Inyoung let out a small chuckle to herself at that thought.
