CH 11

“Cha Seorin is becoming an anchor?” Is she even qualified, or is she just getting the job because of her connections?

It seemed like Jihan was trying to force this absurd appointment, disregarding the procedures and regulations of the broadcasting station. All because Cha Seorin happens to be his girlfriend.

“Is that even justifiable?” I exclaimed, taken aback by Jihan’s behavior, which was not just crossing the line but blatantly violating it.

I arrived at a serene, upscale Korean restaurant with individual traditional houses.

“Are you Yoon Yeojin?”

“Yes.”

“Please follow me. He’s been waiting for you.”

As we pa*sed through the main building, a stillness that was only interrupted by the sound of our footsteps engulfed us.

I walked along the long wooden floor, stretching out ahead of me with the employee leading the way. At the end of the hallway was the room, and as the employee stepped back, I cautiously opened the tightly shut sliding door with a brief knock.

I saw a garden full of bamboo through the window, and then the man sitting in front of me, clutching his neck, lifted his head towards me.

“Welcome. I chose this place because I wanted to be alone with you in a quiet place. Is it okay?” said Jaeha, placing his teacup down slowly.

His eye contact with me was intriguing as I spoke first. “Yes. It’s nice to have somewhere private without any prying eyes.”

“Good to hear that. Please, sit down.”

His smile briefly crossed his lips as he pushed the menu towards me. As we faced each other under the light, it was a new experience once again.

“Are you going back to the U.S.?” I asked, closing the menu. It wasn’t a place where we had come to eat.

I asked casually, but deep down, I was worried that he might change his mind and leave again. If Jaeha left for the U.S. again, it would be difficult for me, and I was determined to find a way to keep him here.

“You have a look in your eyes that suggests you’ll chase me to the U.S. if I do,” he replied.

“Well, maybe I will.”

“I’m not your husband, Seo Jihan is,” he lowered his head, smiling playfully at me. Jaeha’s gaze, which had been staring at me without a word, suddenly changed. “So, let’s stop with the tasteless jokes here.”

His face, which had been smiling, lost its smile. His lips slowly fell, and his straight pupils focused on me.

“I’m curious as to why you brought me here,” Jaeha spoke as if he was telling me to show my hand.

Feeling the tension rising, I quickly gulped down the drink in front of me. “Seo Jihan is not my husband. I ran away during our wedding.”

For a moment, Jaeha was silent, taken aback by my sudden confession.

“You’re not considered a married couple until you share a meal together.” He continued to speak while still staring at me intently. “Since the two of you have been engaged for quite a while, there must be some sort of emotional connection.”

At Jaeha’s words, a bitter smile formed on my lips.

Was there really any emotional connection between Seo Jihan and me? Especially since he was the man who drove me to the brink of death. 

Even in my past life, Seo Jihan and I were only considered married on paper. During our five years of marriage, we never once shared a bed together. We were nothing more than a show window couple, not quite a real couple, but not quite a fake one either. Whenever I expressed my desire to have a child to become a true family with him, he was always cold. He always said that we didn’t have the luxury to do that yet… Seo Jihan and I were like oil and water, unable to mix.

“Cha Seorin had my child.”

“You know how important the Hojin family is. We can’t raise a child without a father.”

It was my husband who had divorced me, claiming that he had a child with Cha Seorin, the one I had longed for. As memories of the past flooded my mind, my hand trembled as I set down the cup I held.

“I can’t forgive him…”

Jaeha furrowed his brows in confusion, as if struggling to understand the situation.

“He had an affair with my junior. He claimed it was a pa*sionate love that made him consider divorce.”

“…”

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but I’m the only heiress to the W Group.”

His initial surprise was quickly replaced with a dark expression.

“And now he’s eyeing my family’s group.”

Jaeha’s gaze sharpened unexpectedly, as the merger between the W Group and their own was being carried out in utmost secrecy within the company. He must have been wondering why I was revealing this to him.

“Why are you telling me this? I can’t see how it would benefit me.”

“…”

“Jaeha, first and foremost, is my brother.”

First and foremost.

I knew the weight of the words that were left unspoken.

Jaeha’s words were casual, but his thin eyebrows rose sharply, betraying the intensity of his interest in my intentions. His eyes seemed to be scrutinizing my every move, trying to decipher my thoughts.

I remembered the call I had received from him on the eve of his divorce from Jihan. Jaeha had asked to meet me after the divorce hearing, which seemed odd as we didn’t normally keep in touch. But I knew this man well enough to understand that he wouldn’t come seeking me for trivial reasons. It was a gamble, but I had enough leverage to make a move.

“Marry me, Mr. Seo Jaeha.”