Chapter 32
by Gideon“Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not like I’m dismissing your grandmother’s condition.”
“I’m not.”
“She just doesn’t seem to like me interfering in your world.”
“I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”
“You don’t need to apologize. If I were in her position, I’d probably feel the same.”
He frowned. “Why would you say that?”
“She doesn’t dislike me, but she must be disappointed about the good opportunities you’ve missed because of me.”
When she thought about how proud Chairwoman Kang was of her grandson, Cha Yundo, it made even more sense.
“I can support you, but I can’t help you build your empire. You should have found a woman who could do both. By choosing me, you’ve missed out on that opportunity.”
“Hyewan. I’m not some incompetent man who needs his wife’s help. I only need you, Ko Hyewan.”
She smiled.
“I know. That’s why I played along and pretended to be fooled by your grandmother today. But if this keeps happening, I’m going to get hurt.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“No. That would just push me into a life of miserable in-law drama. When I tell you I’m upset, Yundo, just take my side. That’s all I need.”
“The married guys at work say the husband has to be the one to step up and draw a clear line between his wife and his family. That’s the only way the wife will be happy.”
“How am I supposed to tell the eldest son of a family with no grandfather or father to draw a line? I don’t have the mental strength to intentionally become the target of my grandmother and mother’s hatred.”
“No, Hyewan, think about it. You’re strong enough.”
“I said no! I just want to be loved.”
“I love you.”
She gazed at Yundo for a moment before pulling his arm and hugging him.
“Yes, I do too.”
“What?”
“I said I love you too.”
“Ko Hyewan, should I turn the car around and head home?”
“No!”
“Let’s turn around.”
“Ugh, you’re so ridiculous.”
Hyewan let go of his arm and shot him a glare.
Yundo had started his studies abroad early, graduating from a prestigious private high school before earning his degree in economics from Princeton University.
Today’s event was a gathering of Princeton’s Korean alumni. Every year around this time, they held a reunion and donated the proceeds.
Dong-yeong was Yundo’s junior in the same department. Though he was two years younger, they were only one year apart in school. They had hit it off from the moment they first met, and their friendship had endured ever since.
When they arrived at the hotel hosting the event, Dong-yeong was already outside, waiting for them. Why is he standing out here instead of going inside?
Yundo, who had entrusted the car to the valet, escorted Hyewan as Dong-yeong approached.
“Hyewan, you look absolutely stunning today.”
“You look incredible, too, Dong-yeong.”
“You flatter me.”
Dong-yeong bowed with the grace of a prince. Yundo clicked his tongue. The man’s shamelessness was truly unmatched.
“So why are you out here?”
“There’s something I need to report from the office.”
“What is it?”
Yundo’s brow furrowed. He was a workaholic, but he didn’t want to talk business while he was with Hyewan.
“If it’s not urgent, do it later.”
“It is urgent.”
Dong-yeong answered before Yundo could even finish his sentence. Hyewan slipped her arm out of Yundo’s and said, “Don’t mind me. Go ahead and talk.”
“Thank you, hyeongsu-nim.”
Dong-yeong tugged at Yundo.
“What is wrong with you?”
“Sunbae, how can you be so clueless? You should have just taken the hint and followed me! Min Sena is at the alumni party hall!”
Dong-yeong glanced warily at Hyewan before hissing in a fierce whisper.
“…I’m going to lose my mind. Why the hell is she here?”
“Excuse me? Sunbae, get your head straight. ‘She’ is our alumna too.”
Yundo clenched his jaw.
“What are you going to do? It’s not a good idea for my sister-in-law to run into Min Sena, is it?”
No man wanted his wife and ex-fiancée to meet.
“If I were you, I’d make an excuse to my sister-in-law and just leave.”
“The road here was too rough for that. Grandmother didn’t want Hyewan to come, but I forced her to bring her along.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!”
Dong-yeong sighed deeply.
“Yundo?”
Hyewan approached, her gaze sweeping over the two men’s expressions. She spoke cautiously.
“If this is urgent, you can go.”
Yundo grappled with her offer.
Rumors were bound to spread. Cha Yundo turned back at the entrance with his wife to avoid Min Sena. He doesn’t have the confidence to face her. He still has feelings for her. Countless mouths could twist the story into something completely unrelated to the truth before it ever reached Hyewan’s ears.
Besides, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t run into Min Sena at the many couples’ gatherings they’d have to attend in the future.
“Is something wrong?” Hyewan asked, noting the troubled looks on their faces.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but if it’s because of me, don’t worry about it. I’m fine. I’ve always handled my own problems, good or bad.”
Hyewan’s voice was calm.
“But if things get really difficult, I’ll ask you two for help.”
She seemed to have noticed there was a problem at the alumni reunion. It was a mistake to think they could get away with keeping her in the dark.
“Why ‘you two’? I’m the husband. I’ll handle it,” Yundo grumbled, prompting Dong-yeong to click his tongue.
“Still jealous, even now?”
“So, what is it?” Hyewan asked, her gaze shifting between Yundo and Dong-yeong.
“My ex-fiancée is also an alumna.”
“And she’s here today?”
“That’s what I heard. Dong-yeong was waiting for us because of Min Sena.”
Hyewan nodded as she listened to his explanation.
“Chief, thank you for looking out for me.”
“What? Oh, no. If I’d really been looking out for you, this wouldn’t have happened. I’m the one who should apologize.”
“Don’t be silly. Yundo, since we’re already here, let’s go inside.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s not like she’s the one who killed our parents. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“You’re brave.”
“But if I lose my cool and cause a scene, you’ll take responsibility for the aftermath, right, Yundo?”
“Sister-in-law, I’ve got your back. If you feel like causing a scene, go ahead and tear it up.”
Yundo glared at Dong-yeong for cutting him off.
As they entered the party hall, many people recognized Yundo and Dong-yeong. The guest list was impressive, featuring corporate CEOs, diplomats, and university professors. Though it was billed as a Korean alumni association, nearly half the attendees seemed to be foreigners. English was heard more often than Korean.
Hyewan’s self-taught English proved invaluable.
She carried herself with such grace that no one would have guessed this was her first party. Her fingers tightened slightly around Yundo’s arm.
“Excuse me, you’re Min Sena, right? I’ve seen you on YouTube.”
Yundo’s brow furrowed. “I had all those videos taken down. How did you see them?”
“Search terms aren’t just limited to ‘Cha Yundo’s ex-fiancée,’ you know.”
He gritted his teeth, cursing a world overflowing with information.
“Are you jealous?” she asked.
“Of course I am.”
Yundo was annoyed, yet he felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
“Introduce us,” Hyewan said.
Yundo raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
Hyewan maintained her poised smile. “Everyone is staring at us. Imagine how entertaining it is for them—his wife and ex-fiancée in the same place.”
“Should we just go home?”
“Go ahead. But if you do, be prepared to sleep in separate rooms until next year. Otherwise, let me say hello.”
It was a losing battle for him from the very beginning. Yundo had no choice but to introduce Hyewan to Min Sena.
As the two approached Min Sena, they could feel the entire room’s gaze fixed upon them. Yet Hyewan maintained her composure, refusing to be intimidated. Min Sena’s expression was equally confident. She was the one to speak first.
“Hello.”
“I’m Ko Hyewan.”
“I’ve heard about you. You look so young, though. How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-five. There’s a seven-year age gap between Yundo and me, but I don’t really feel it. Don’t you agree, Yundo?”
Yundo chimed in immediately. “That’s because men are mentally immature. I’m the same way.”
Min Sena stared at Yundo in shock, her eyes wide. “Yundo, you’re actually saying things like that? Ko Hyewan, you’re truly impressive.”
Her voice was laced with a hint of resentment and disappointment.
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