Chapter 24
by GideonHyewan, who had always been sensitive to changes in people’s expressions and voices, immediately noticed the shift in Chairwoman Kang’s demeanor. It went without saying that Madam Park shrank visibly the moment the Chairwoman appeared.
“That’s really not the case,” Hyewan said.
“Is that so? Then will you have a child right away?”
Although Yundo had casually mentioned he’d be happy to have a baby right now, Hyewan chose not to show it.
“I haven’t discussed the timing with Yundo yet. I think it might be difficult if I start law school next year, so I’ll need to talk it over with him.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“No, no. Like I said before, it’s a good thing for our family to have a legal professional from Hankuk University. You can take your time having a baby. I’ll wait until you graduate and build up at least some experience.”
Hyewan was stunned by Chairwoman Kang’s decision. If she waited as the Chairwoman said, it would be at least six or seven years.
“Yundo needs to prove himself before he’s appointed CEO, or there will be complaints. Imagine if a child suddenly came along.”
Chairwoman Kang Ok-seon clicked her tongue.
“Don’t distract the boy while he’s focused on work.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
“Chief Ma, bring the tea to my room.”
Having said her piece, Chairwoman Kang Ok-seon rose to her feet. Hyewan and Madam Park stood up as well.
“Oh, dear.”
“Yes?”
“Are you taking your vitamins?”
“Yes, Grandmother. I’m taking them every day.”
“And yet your face is still so pale. I’ll have another batch of herbal tonic prepared for you, so make sure you take it.”
“Thank you.”
Hyewan simply nodded. Refusing Chairwoman Kang was useless.
“Then stay with your mother for a while longer. I need to get some sleep.”
“I’ll help you get settled.”
“That’s enough.”
Chairwoman Kang Ok-seon stopped Madam Park from following her. Chief Ma strode confidently behind the Chairwoman, as if silently announcing who truly held the power in this household.
It was a strange and incomprehensible combination.
Hyewan prepared a nourishing meal with Jinju-daek.
“The Chairwoman is unusually generous today.”
“Pardon?”
Jinju-daek lowered her voice, glancing warily at the door.
“The Chairwoman is so greedy,” Jinju-daek grumbled. “She’s always singing about how precious a grandson would be. I thought she’d be demanding the young mistress have a baby right away. But what’s gotten into her?”
“Even when she’s trying to be considerate, she still manages to be… well, like that,” Jinju-daek continued. “I mean, isn’t having a child a decision for the couple? What does she mean, ‘wait until you’re ready’? That’s worse than telling her not to have one.”
Madam Park, who had been walking behind them, overheard the entire conversation.
“Jinju-daek!”
Jinju-daek spun around, startled. “Oh! Did you hear that?”
“Don’t say such things,” Madam Park scolded sternly. “What if the new bride misunderstands?”
Hyewan, who had been listening with a forcedly neutral expression, felt even more awkward now. But before she could say a word, Jinju-daek was already flustered, stammering out an apology.
“I always have a big mouth. Please don’t take it to heart, Young Madam. Just pretend you didn’t hear a thing.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m not offended.”
Jinju-daek ignored Hyewan’s reassurance and kept her eyes fixed on Madam Park, gauging her reaction.
Why do I feel so uneasy?
Hyewan couldn’t find an answer.
The plan had been to have dinner together, but Madam Park had packed the food and told her to go home and eat with Yundo. Hyewan had agreed, finding the idea of dining with Chairwoman Kang too daunting anyway, and hurried back home.
After changing her clothes, she poured the yeonpotang—the abalone and sea cucumber soup they’d brought from the main house—into a pot. Just then, the front door opened and Yundo walked in.
“You’re home?”
“Yeah.”
Seeing her in the kitchen, he asked as he walked inside.
“Did you make yeonpotang?”
“I didn’t. Mrs. Jinju-daek made it.”
Yundo’s brow furrowed. “Did you go to the main house?”
“I haven’t seen them properly since we got back from Hawaii.”
“We went to Hawaii together in the first place, so what?” Yundo retorted cynically.
“Did they say anything?”
“Nothing much. Why?”
“Are you sure?”
Yundo pressed, as if he were hoping for some kind of drama.
“What do you mean, ‘anything’? Like when I’m going to have a baby?”
He stopped in his tracks. “Are you pregnant?”
Seeing the flicker of hope on his face, Hyewan quickly waved her hand. “No, nothing like that.”
“What? I got my hopes up for nothing,” he grumbled.
“You’re just like your mother.”
“Me? Like my mother?”
“She said she’s still hoping for a baby, but told me to take my time,” Hyewan said, recounting her visit to her parents’ house.
“Grandmother startled everyone by slipping in without a sound. She said she’d wait for the baby until I finish law school and gain some experience. She also mentioned that Yundo needs to focus on his work until he’s appointed CEO, so it would be best for everyone to take things slow.”
Yundo’s relaxed hand suddenly clenched into a fist. Chairwoman Kang wanted Hyewan to fulfill her role as a protective charm, a shield for him. But he couldn’t let his frustration show in front of her.
Yundo quickly changed the subject.
“Hyewan, I’m hungry.”
“I’ll get things ready right away. Go change your clothes.”
“Okay.”
The moment Hyewan turned her back, Yundo’s expression darkened into a terrifying scowl.
Meeting Hyewan had been fate, and marrying her had been inevitable. Every step of their journey, every emotion he felt, was a choice he had made entirely on his own. He planned to have a baby as soon as Hyewan’s studies were settled—if she agreed, of course. He would raise a child who looked just like her, showering them with all his love.
“Who gave her the right to make me wait?” Yundo said, ripping off his suit jacket.
As always, he couldn’t fathom Chairwoman Kang’s logic. He felt a fresh wave of pity for Madam Park. The only reason she had managed to live as Chairwoman Kang’s daughter-in-law for thirty-three years without a single scandal was purely due to her own endurance.
“Yundo, the soup is getting cold. Come out and eat.”
“I’m coming.”
He refused to let Hyewan live a life like his mother’s.
After dinner, they went out for a stroll. The large park connected to their apartment complex was a perfect spot for a walk whenever they had the time.
The night air was mild, and the park was bustling with people.
“Aren’t you tired? You could have just rested.”
“No, I wanted to walk too.”
“Yundo.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t want you to try so hard.”
Hyewan gazed down at their joined hands, her voice filled with sincerity.
“Try hard at what?”
“Things like this.”
“Do you not like this?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then why are you saying that?”
“Because you’re always just trying to accommodate me. From the time we were preparing for the wedding until now, you’ve never told me what you like or what you want to do.”
“Is that so?”
He shook his head, thinking it over.
“What do I like? I can’t even remember.”
“Golf? Working out? Shopping?”
“I don’t think so.”
When he really thought about it, there was nothing.
“I just studied from a young age. Everything I needed was always provided in abundance, so I guess I never had room to develop any material desires. I just did what I was supposed to do, when I was supposed to do it.”
I’ve lived like a robot, only performing the tasks I was programmed for, he realized with a fresh sense of clarity.
“I’ve never thought I needed to do anything special or have anything specific. Because I could always have it, always do it. The only thing I ever truly wanted was you, Ko Hyewan.”
“My shoulders are puffing up with pride.”
“I mean it.”
“I know. But you still need to find something you enjoy, for your own sake, Yundo.”
“I enjoy doing things with you. But when we played golf in Hawaii, didn’t you say your arm hurt? Hyewan, you’re too young to have tennis elbow.”
“As for exercise…”
She paused, whispering so only Yundo could hear.
“Let’s just have sex. Anything else is too much.”
He laughed out loud. “Should we go home?”
“Since we’re already out, let’s just do one more lap,” Hyewan requested politely. “I think I’ve lost three kilograms of muscle. My stamina is completely drained.”
“Two laps,” he said, taking the lead and pulling her hand.
Yundo didn’t know what he liked, but he was sure of one thing: he loved this moment.
Every second spent with Hyewan was pure happiness. Eating with someone, walking, joking, and laughing—this was a first in Yundo’s life. He had never experienced this with his family, his ex-fiancée, or even his closest friend, Dong-yeong.
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