Chapter 24
After the formal family meeting, Dohoon and Eunha saw off Chansook as she left the main house. The driver who had brought her earlier was already waiting with the car ready.
“Alright then, take care.”
“Sure, I will. See you, Choi son-in-law.”
Until now, Chansook had always called Dohoon “Director,” treating him with a certain stiffness. But after the meeting, she suddenly began to call him “Choi son-in-law” and acted friendly — even cheerful.
When they met that morning, she’d looked displeased, but now she seemed like an entirely different person. The sudden change left Eunha a bit stunned.
“Let’s head out too.”
“Yes.”
After Chansook left, Dohoon spoke up, and Eunha nodded, getting into his car.
Once they were away from his uncomfortable family home and even Chansook had gone back, Eunha finally felt she could breathe again.
“You did well today.”
“I didn’t do anything. You’re the one who had it hard.”
Because of her, everyone had treated Dohoon sharply, and Eunha couldn’t say a thing.
If she’d tried to speak up, she might’ve only made things worse for him. She already knew — from what Dohoon had told her — that his family wouldn’t welcome her. Still, it hurt more than she’d expected.
Once they were married, it would probably get even worse.
At least Ihak didn’t seem to hate her too much. That was some comfort.
Maybe she should try to stay on Ihak’s good side if she wanted a peaceful marriage, she thought, closing her eyes for a moment.
Between the morning’s intimacy with Dohoon and the tension of the day, she was utterly drained.
She must’ve dozed off, because when she opened her eyes again, she found herself in an unfamiliar parking garage.
At some point, she had fallen asleep. The seat was reclined, and a light blanket had been placed over her.
How long had she slept? The clock said it was past 4 p.m.
The meeting had ended around 2 — which meant she’d slept for more than two hours in the car.
As she stirred and raised her seat, Dohoon, noticing she was awake, spoke.
“You’re up?”
“You should’ve woken me.”
“You looked exhausted. And… I owe you for this morning.”
His words made her heart race again — as if her embarrassment wasn’t enough already.
“But… where are we?”
Eunha avoided his eyes, trying to change the subject.
Just remembering the morning made her lower belly tighten, so she was eager to move on.
She glanced around, unfamiliar with the place.
“Weren’t you taking me to the hospital?”
“From now on, you’ll be staying here.”
“What?”
“I know you’re worried about your father, but the wedding’s soon. You need to take care of yourself. I can’t stand it when people around me are unwell. Your body, your responsibility.”
Eunha flinched.
She had rested these past two days and knew he was right — she couldn’t keep pushing herself like this.
Her condition was clearly worse than it had been when she was staying at the hospital. She must’ve been more exhausted than she thought, having slept two extra hours in the car.
But still — where was here exactly?
Seeing her puzzled expression, Dohoon explained,
“This is my house.”
Eunha blinked in surprise.
“To be exact, it’ll be our newlywed home.”
“Oh…”
“If you don’t like it, just say so. I can look for another place.”
It seemed he felt a little guilty about deciding on their home alone.
Now that she thought about it, during the family meeting, he had mentioned wanting her to move into his house after marriage rather than finding a new one.
Eunha hadn’t objected. She wasn’t the picky type — and since this marriage would only last three years, getting a whole new house had felt unnecessary.
“No, it’s fine. I like this one.”
“Without even seeing it?”
“Ah, well…”
She fell silent, caught off guard.
But honestly, it wasn’t like the house of someone like Dohoon would be shabby.
“Come on. I’ll show you inside.”
“O-okay…”
Without another word, Dohoon got out of the car. Eunha followed him, still dazed.
As they stepped out of the garage and into the yard, the first thing that caught her eye was the wide green lawn.
To her surprise, his home was a two-story detached house — with a yard.
As she stood there gaping at the beautifully kept garden, Dohoon took her hand.
“Nothing to be surprised about. I just like houses with yards.”
He knew it looked strange — a young single man living alone in such a place. But he had always wanted to feel the change of the seasons, even from home.
And truthfully, it was also his late mother’s taste — something he couldn’t bring himself to give up. There were too many memories of her in gardens like this.
“Wow…”
When Eunha stepped inside, she couldn’t stop herself from gasping again.
It was the perfect size — not too big — and the clean black-and-white modern design suited her perfectly. But what truly stole her breath was the floor-to-ceiling glass wall that took up one side of the living room.
Through it, she could see the outside garden in full bloom — every fresh sprout of spring visible.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“It’s… so beautiful.”
She hadn’t even noticed him come closer as she spoke in awe.
Simply saying she liked it didn’t do her feelings justice.
How could a house feel this refreshing?
She had expected his home to be nice, of course — he was Dohoon, after all. She hadn’t cared what it looked like as long as it was livable.
But now, seeing the view reflected in that glass wall, she realized she truly loved it.
This is my kind of house, she thought. Exactly my taste.
“Then from today, you’ll stay here. If you have things to bring, tell Manager Park.”
“Starting today?”
“Why not? You’ve got a place to stay now — no reason to stay in the hospital.”
“…”
Eunha’s heart skipped.
He was right — she had been using her father’s illness as an excuse to avoid moving into Chansook’s house.
But living here before the wedding meant living together from now on. Was that really okay?
And if she did… would they share a bedroom? Or have separate ones?
The thought embarrassed her — but it was a serious concern.
Then, as if reading her mind again, Dohoon said,
“We’ll share a bedroom. The staff come and go freely.”
“Oh…”
Well, of course. Even if they weren’t married yet, couples in love wouldn’t be sleeping in separate rooms.
Still, the thought of sleeping in the same room as him — after what had happened that morning — made her face flush and her heart race.
“And those employees,” he added, “will also be keeping an eye on us.”
“…What?”
“Mother’s people. She planted them here to watch me.”
Eunha went blank with shock. So he’d been living under surveillance all this time?
“But… why?”
“Who knows.”
Dohoon smiled faintly.
Even he didn’t fully understand why his stepmother harbored such resentment toward him. If anyone should resent someone, it would be him.
“Maybe it’s just a guilty conscience. She broke up a perfectly normal family — maybe she’s afraid I’ll get back at her someday.”
“Then why don’t you fire them and hire someone else?”
Eunha couldn’t understand how he could accept being spied on so calmly.
He chuckled.
“And you think new hires wouldn’t be bribed?”
“Oh…”
“If I tried replacing them, she’d just take it as proof that I’m scheming something — and tighten her grip.”
Once again, he was right. If someone like her wanted to keep tabs on him, she’d find a way no matter what.
“Let her do as she pleases. It’s easier that way. I can still live my life — and get what I want.”
Dohoon gave a cold, amused smile. Eunha, however, was at a loss for words.
Was this what life in a chaebol family was like? Endless watching and power struggles.
With no one truly on his side — not even able to relax in his own home — Dohoon suddenly seemed lonely to her.
“But maybe things will change a bit once I’m married to you.”
“…How so?”
“When I was alone, she had nothing to hold back. But with a wife in the picture, she’ll have to be careful. Especially if we’re… constantly all over each other — she might visit less often.”
Eunha’s face burned. Was he implying they should act like newlyweds — for appearances?
“Well, that’s what a honeymoon’s for,” he said smoothly. “And for us… it’s something we’ll have to work on.”
His gaze locked on hers — deep and unyielding — and Eunha felt her heart pound.
