CLABC 14

Chapter 14

Hm. But what about your tuxedo, Mr. Kang-yoon? I want to choose that myself.”

Bora had spent hours trying on dozens of dresses, and after much deliberation, Kang-yoon had picked out a few finalists.

Even though they were rentals, the prices ran into tens of millions of won. Bora hesitated for a moment at the staggering cost, but Kang-yoon put down the deposit without a shred of hesitation.

“Weddings are all about the bride,” he said. “As long as you’re beautiful, that’s what matters.”

“But a handsome groom standing next to a beautiful bride is important too. Can’t I see your tuxedo as well? Please?”

As Bora swayed her shoulders cutely, Kang-yoon chuckled as if admitting defeat.

“Alright. Let’s look.”

He sent a message to the friend who had introduced the dress shop, and before long, an address for a tuxedo boutique arrived.

“It’s not far from here. But aren’t you tired, Bora?”

“I’m fine! We have to look anyway—might as well get everything done at once, right?”

“Alright then. Let’s go.”

Noticing Bora was still wearing high heels, Kang-yoon glanced down at her feet with concern. Bora grinned and slipped her arm through his.

“I wore more comfortable shoes today, so don’t worry.”

“I see. I suppose today was an important family meeting. But from now on, when you meet me, you don’t have to wear heels. You’re more than pretty enough without them—be comfortable.”

“Okay. I will. Is the shop around here? It’s really close.”

Because the street was too narrow for traffic, they parked at the dress shop and walked. The tuxedo boutique turned out to be a single-story building with clean black tiles.

“Welcome. I heard from CEO Baek. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Chairman Han.”

“Thank you. The date isn’t set yet, but we’re planning to hold the ceremony before autumn.”

“I see. I’ve selected only our best lines for you. This way, please.”

Kang-yoon followed the manager inside, while Bora sat on a purple velvet sofa, waiting for him to come out in his tuxedo.

“Madam, are you ready? Shall I open the curtain?”

“Yes!”

Bora, phone camera already open, answered with excitement.

“Wow… you look incredible…!”

She had seen him in suits countless times, but a tuxedo carried a different level of formality. Bora couldn’t help but murmur in awe.

Each time Kang-yoon stepped out in another tuxedo recommended by the staff, Bora clapped with her mouth slightly open—almost the same reaction Kang-yoon had when she had come out in her wedding dresses earlier.

“This one’s amazing… and the one before that too… I don’t know! I love them all. When the hanger is this good, everything looks perfect.”

Watching Bora fuss as she busily took photos from every angle, Kang-yoon felt quietly pleased.

“All our tuxedos are imported luxury brands, so the arms and legs tend to be long for Korean builds. But on you, Chairman Han, people would assume it’s custom-made even without alterations.”

“Right? He’s gorgeous. Like a model.”

“You look incredible. Truly.”

“They’re all great, but I think the first one and the one you’re wearing now suit you best. What do you think, Kang-yoon?”

“My opinion is the same as yours. Let’s go with what you like.”

After selecting several tuxedos to match Bora’s dress colors, both of them suddenly felt their energy drain away.

“I think my blood sugar dropped. Let’s go eat something sweet.”

“Agreed. This isn’t as easy as it looks.”

Exhausted from hours of changing, choosing, and standing around, they headed to the nearest café.

“Wow… I finally feel human again.”

As the brown sugar bubble tea—loaded with pearls—slid down her throat, warmth spread through Bora’s body. Only then did she feel her circulation come back to life.

While sipping her cold bubble tea, Bora watched Kang-yoon curiously as he added sugar to a strong espresso and took a sip.

“Ugh. Isn’t it bitter?”

“You drink Americano just fine, don’t you?”

“Still, espresso is a bit much…”

“It’s fine with sugar. Would you like to try?”

Kang-yoon scooped a little espresso with a teaspoon and held it out to her.

Bora parted her lips slightly and took the spoon, and Kang-yoon smiled in quiet satisfaction.

“Mmm. It’s still bitter, but definitely better than drinking it straight.”

“It’s good when you’re tired, or when your blood sugar drops like this.”

“I see. Still, I think bubble tea is better. Want to try mine?”

When Bora suddenly pushed her cup toward him, Kang-yoon looked momentarily flustered.

“It’s fine. We’re going to be sleeping under the same blanket from now on—sharing a straw isn’t a big deal, right?”

At Bora’s mischievous grin, Kang-yoon laughed despite himself.

“…It’s sweet.”

The chewy pearls and unexpectedly sugary drink made his eyebrows twitch slightly.

“I don’t usually drink things like this either, but when I’m really stressed or exhausted, I crave them.”

“If that stress was because of my brother, I’ll apologize again.”

“Well… actually, there’s something I’ve been genuinely curious about.”

Bora glanced at Kang-yoon cautiously, then brought the straw—still warm from his lips—back to her own.

“Ask. You don’t need to be careful.”

“I could tell your grandfather really dotes on you. But your aunt… I couldn’t read her expression at all. I know it’s a complicated relationship, but still…”

“You’re wondering what my aunt thinks of me?”

“Yes. I mean, her son is… kind of pathetic—no, I mean, he’s just not on your level. From her perspective, that might be irritating.”

At Bora’s words, Kang-yoon downed the rest of his espresso in one shot, then met her gaze.

“I grew up without ever hearing a harsh word from my aunt.”

“Really?”

“Of course, I don’t know what’s in her heart. How could I presume to understand the feelings of a woman raising her husband’s child from another woman?”

“That’s true. Even for a chaebol family… and I heard your father passed away early, too…”

“Since you’re going to marry me, and since you have a role clearly written into our contract, I’ll be honest with you.”

Bora traced the condensation on her glass with her finger and swallowed.

Lately, she’d been living as if they were truly dating, forgetting the real nature of this marriage.

What she had agreed to do in exchange for tens of billions of won—to save her family and sustain her business.

She quietly waited for Kang-yoon to continue.

“Finding out the truth behind the secret of my birth—the reason Han Kang-moon looks down on me. That’s what I need you to do.”

“…Me?”

Caught off guard, Bora echoed him blankly.

Leaning forward slightly, Kang-yoon lowered his voice.

“Once, my grandfather said something strange—something heavy with meaning. After that, he never mentioned it again. Talk about blood ties, about how pitiful I was… It didn’t feel like drunken rambling.”

“So all I have to do is gently coax your grandfather and find out the truth about your birth?”

“That’s the biggest task. And after that, you’ll need to get close to my aunt—earn her trust.”

“Do you think your aunt knows the truth too?”

“I don’t know. But in my estimation, no matter whose son I am, it can’t be easy to live under the same roof for decades with a child your husband had with another woman. I believe there’s a reason she took me in and raised me alongside Han Kang-moon.”

“But with your wealth and connections… shouldn’t you be able to dig up information about your birth somehow?”

“I’ve tried from every angle. But it feels like someone deliberately erased the records. No matter how hard I look, I keep hitting walls.”

Seeing his expression, Bora’s face softened. She reached out and gently took his hand resting on the table.

“But, Kang-yoon.”

“Yes.”

“Why do you want to know the truth so badly?”

“…What?”

“You’ve lived well until now, and you could continue to live well like this. Why go so far as to enter a contract marriage just to uncover a secret that might be dangerous—or something you shouldn’t know?”

Kang-yoon remained silent for a long time.

Bora watched his deep, sorrow-tinged eyes, then asked again softly.

“Is it simply because you want to know about your biological mother—the one no one ever talks about? Or…”

Water droplets slid from the surface of Bora’s now ice-empty bubble tea cup and fell onto the table.

“…Are you looking for something that could shake your entire family—so you can take revenge?”

Under Bora’s gentle palm, the veins on the back of Kang-yoon’s large hand suddenly stood out.