Chapter 30
by GideonHe left the hospital room and returned with a wheelchair. Hyewan had been dreading the walk, so this was a relief. As she tried to sit up, he scooped her into his arms and gently placed her in the chair.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
He ruffled her hair affectionately, as if she were something adorable.
“Ah, sorry. You’re already dizzy—are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
If this was the kind of care and affection he’d show, I’d be fine even if I weren’t.
The two made their way to the outdoor promenade. It was late at night, and the path was deserted. Along the walkway, nameless flowers bloomed in the shadows.
“The flowers are still doing their thing, even at night,” Hyewan mused. “Who are they trying to impress by blooming so beautifully?”
“You,” Yundo replied.
“Pffft.”
Yundo pushed her wheelchair, chatting softly as they moved. The night air felt cool and refreshing against her skin. They eventually found a secluded bench nestled among the vines and decided to take a break.
“Are you up for a drink? Want something?”
“Yes, please.”
“Wait here for a moment.”
The hospital cafe was already closed.
Yundo retraced his steps to a vending machine and bought two sports drinks. As he handed one to her and prepared to sit, he plucked a single white flower from the vine. Grinning at the flower in his hand, he offered it to her.
“This is the prettiest flower on the vine.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s still not as pretty as you, though. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m already dizzy. Don’t make it worse.”
“I mean it.”
Hyewan knew Yundo’s heart burned hotter than the summer night. Instead of answering, she took his hand. Their warmth flowed between them.
Even after being discharged from the hospital, the aftereffects of the concussion lingered. Hyewan suffered from a persistent headache for nearly two weeks, groaning in pain. Then, the day of the score announcement finally arrived.
Hyewan and Yundo sat side by side in front of a laptop. The LEET scores would determine which law schools she could apply to. Hankuk University’s law school had an average score of 53, so she needed at least that much to be competitive.
“Ah, I can’t watch,” Yundo said, leaning back.
In contrast, Hyewan remained calm. She believed the results would simply reflect the effort she’d put in, and she had to accept whatever score she received.
“Then I’ll look by myself.”
“Wait! We have to look at it together! Just give me a second to calm down.”
He took a deep breath. To any outsider, it would look like Yundo was the one who had taken the exam.
“Why are you making me nervous too?”
“So you weren’t nervous until now?”
“I’ll be devastated if my score is bad, but what can I do? It’s entirely my fault. But Yun-woo’s score is my fault, so I get so nervous every time I check it.”
Hyewan had tutored Yun-woo even while she was busy studying for her own LEET exam. During the month they spent waiting for the results, she had given him intensive care, fully unleashing all the tutoring skills she’d built up.
“You’re really going to be nervous after Yun-woo takes the September mock exam,” she added.
Just thinking about it made her heart race.
“You’re right. I’m always tense when Yun-woo’s report card comes out,” he agreed.
Hyewan quickly clicked the mouse, diverting his attention to Yun-woo.
“No! I’m not ready yet—!”
His shout was cut short as the score was revealed. It was 54.3, surpassing the passing average.
“Kyaaa!”
Hyewan shrieked with joy.
“I knew Ko Hyewan could do it!” Yundo shouted, looking even more excited than she was.
A man who celebrates my success more than I do.
Hyewan threw her arms around Yundo and hugged him tight.
After hearing the news, Yun-woo called Hyewan.
“Sister-in-law, I heard you aced your exam! Huge congratulations!”
Hearing Yun-woo’s bright voice lifted Hyewan’s spirits too.
“Thank you, Yun-woo.”
“But sister-in-law, can’t you just call me Yun-woo? I’d prefer that.”
“I’d like that too, but Grandma will scold me if she catches me.”
“Ah, you’re right. Forget I said anything.”
“Your grades improved a lot too, didn’t they? Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Hehe, okay.”
Hyewan always found herself smiling whenever Yun-woo laughed like a normal kid his age.
“If you ever need anything, just call. Me or Hyung, anytime. You know that, right?”
“Yes, I will.”
Yun-woo hung up cheerfully. Behind her, Hyewan sensed Yundo, who had just finished getting ready for work.
“Who was that? Yun-woo?”
“Yes. He says congratulations on doing well on the exam.”
“The kid’s getting bolder by the day,” Yundo remarked.
“That’s why I’m really glad,” Hyewan said. She wanted Yun-woo to be more energetic and cheerful, just as a boy his age should be.
“What are you doing today?”
“Nothing special.”
Yundo spoke as if it were no big deal. “I have an alumni meeting tonight. Let’s go together.”
Hyewan’s eyes widened at the unexpected news. So suddenly?
“I’m going too?”
Yundo asked back as if she were asking something obvious. “Why? You don’t want to go?”
“It’s not that. I just thought it might be overstepping if it wasn’t a partner-inclusive event.”
“Of course it’s partner-inclusive. Where would a married man go alone, leaving his wife behind? How reckless.”
“Hmm, do you really think so?”
When Hyewan’s eyes filled with doubt at his perfect line, Yundo winked.
“Of course.”
Lately, Yundo had been saying things so sweet they melted her heart—so sweet she wondered if he’d always been this way. He must be getting some serious coaching from the married veterans at his office.
“Come here.”
Yundo took her hand and led her into the dressing room. A series of purple boxes in various sizes sat there, though she was certain they hadn’t been there just moments ago.
“What’s all this?”
Hyewan had only stepped out of the dressing room to take a call from Yun-woo while she was helping Yundo get ready for work.
“I hope you like them.”
Inside the boxes were a dress, high heels, a clutch, and a matching jewelry set. Hyewan gasped with every new box she opened.
“When did you even find the time to prepare all this?”
“Hyewan, don’t overthink it. Didn’t I tell you not to feel burdened?”
While she’d been spared the burden, Yundo must have carried it all himself to prepare this. He had taken the entire weight on his own, a burden they were supposed to share.
“You should have told me sooner…”
“If I had, you would’ve worried about it. You’re already stressed enough with your exams—I didn’t want to add to that. Do you like it?”
He looked at her, his face alight with anticipation for her praise.
“If there’s anything you don’t like, just say so. Now that you know about it, we can go back together and exchange it for something you prefer.”
“No, I love it. How did you pick out such beautiful things?”
The sheer effort he’d put into the preparations made her realize this wasn’t just some casual occasion. Though she was flustered, she tried not to let Yundo notice.
He leaned in, playfully brushing his lips against hers in a lingering kiss.
“No matter how pretty these things are, you’re still the most beautiful to me.”
He was acting like a mischievous child.
The arrogant, cold man was boundlessly sweet and tender with her. Hyewan played along, making a haughty declaration of her own.
“Cha Yundo, get excited. Tonight, your wife is going to be the most stunning person there.”
“What am I supposed to do? My heart is already racing.”
He clutched his chest and pretended to collapse.
“Should I take the day off?”
His eyes sparkled at the thought of skipping work to play with Hyewan.
“Since when does a Vice President take a day off?”
“They can!”
“Really? Then why was our honeymoon so short?”
Hyewan had just been teasing, but Yundo—still unable to shake the guilt of rushing through their wedding and honeymoon—slumped his shoulders.
“…I’ll be back.”
“See you tonight.”
Oblivious to his guilt, Hyewan smiled, thinking Yundo was simply sulking.
The moment he left and the front door clicked shut, her smile vanished. She was already on edge. This was the first time she would be officially introduced as Cha Yundo’s wife. She was grateful he hadn’t mentioned it beforehand.
That afternoon, Hyewan went to the salon Yundo had booked for her to get her hair and makeup done. He was supposed to pick her up, but his meeting ran late, so she decided to go to his office instead.
Just as she was about to leave the salon, fully prepared, Chairwoman Kang called. The timing was impeccable, as if she had been waiting for this exact moment. Hyewan quickly answered the phone.
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