CLABC 31

Chapter 31

Bora closed and opened her eyes several times as she read the contract over and over again.

Article 3 (Consultation and Adjustment)
This contract must be upheld in order to maintain the marriage, and may be added to, deleted, or revised through mutual agreement if necessary.

Addendum 1-1. During the period in which the marriage contract between Han Kang-yoon and Yoon Bora remains valid, Han Kang-yoon will provide unlimited financial support for any cash required by Mrs. Lee Se-hwa, Yoon Bora’s mother. This secret agreement is made by mutual consent between Han Kang-yoon and Mrs. Lee Se-hwa and shares the same duration as the other contract clauses.

The final addition to the marriage contract Kang-yoon had drafted—an agreement between her mother and Kang-yoon—was nothing short of shocking.

“No wonder she hasn’t been nagging me for money lately… She’d been siphoning it from Kang-yoon instead….”

She felt pathetic for having brushed it off, thinking her mother had simply been too busy tending to Chairman Han at the hospital and focusing on the silver town to complain about money.

But more than anything, she was shocked that Kang-yoon—whom she trusted—had made a secret contract with her mother behind her back.

“There’s no way Kang-yoon would suddenly make a demand like this to Mom… Mom must have contacted him because she thought I wouldn’t give her any money. But how did she even know about this contract…? Don’t tell me… don’t tell me she went through my room?”

Suddenly alarmed, Bora began rummaging frantically through her desk.

“No way… Mom wouldn’t go that far, would she?”

The bankbook she had carefully saved since childhood was gone.

The debit card was kept inside it. If her mother had taken it, the money was probably already completely spent.

“This is… too much. It’s too much, Mom….”

Her scalp felt hot with anger, and she pressed her hand against her head while biting her lip.

After some time, she heard someone enter through the front door. Bora flung her bedroom door open and ran into the living room.

“Mom!”

“Oh my goodness, you scared me! What is it? How did you get here? You could’ve at least said you were coming. We already had dinner.”

“Yeah, Bora, you look well. I guess your in-laws are treating you nicely?”

Even her father’s clueless chuckle irritated her.

The moment her mother set down her golf bag in the living room, Bora grabbed her arm and dragged her into her room, slamming the door shut.

“Ow, what’s gotten into you? That hurts.”

“Mom. Did you take my bankbook?”

“Huh? Uh… well… I was just in urgent need of money. I was going to use it and refill it right away. I’ll pay it back.”

“With what money? Were you planning to ask Kang-yoon for it?”

“Huh? How did you—”

Under Bora’s interrogation, her mother avoided her gaze and trailed off.

“You went through my room, didn’t you? You found the contract and used it to threaten Kang-yoon?”

“Threaten? Honestly… Bora, fine. Since we’re talking about it, let’s just clear the air.”

At the mention of the contract, her mother straightened her shoulders slightly.

Bora frowned faintly as she looked at her mother’s skin, firmer and smoother than her own.

“What’s this about a contract marriage? Really. You made fools out of your father and me.”

“You were the one who insisted I marry the son of the Kangsan Group. You’re the one who sent me to that blind date.”

“Yes, I told you to win over the Kangsan Group’s son and live happily—not to enter some multi-year contract marriage!”

“And that gives you the right to secretly make demands of Kang-yoon?”

“Why? Can’t we benefit a little from our capable son-in-law? Once your contract ends and you divorce, you’ll be nothing. We should take as much as we can while we still can!”

“Mom!”

Bora finally exploded, clenching her fists as she shouted.

She had entered a contract marriage because of money, and because of money she had to play a spy—something never meant for her fate.

And yet her mother only saw a bottomless well of wealth in her son-in-law.

“Oh my! What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with you, Mom? Wake up!”

“Bora, what’s going on? What are you doing to your mother?”

Startled by her shouting, her father opened the door and ushered her mother—who quickly hid behind him—out of the room.

“Dad… did you know Mom’s been squeezing money out of Kang-yoon?”

“What? What are you talking about, squeezing money?”

“You know Dad’s company barely paid off its debts and is starting from zero again. Do you know how Mom’s vanity, luxury spending, and credit card bills are being covered?”

“Honestly… fine. Let’s say she received money from your husband. But is that any reason to shout at your mother like this? Is this how I raised you?”

“Instead of raising me, try raising Mom properly. Using your child as a business… I’m honestly starting to feel disgusted. If she asks Kang-yoon for money even once more, I’ll never see her again. I won’t see you either. So at least you come to your senses and talk to her.”

Ignoring whatever her father tried to say next, Bora grabbed the contract and left the house.

“Ha… this is unbelievable… wow… how humiliating….”

How had Kang-yoon felt when he met her mother and added that clause to the contract?

He must have done it so Bora wouldn’t have to worry about such things.

He probably acted preemptively, concerned she might feel uneasy about her immature parents.

Still, Bora felt deeply ashamed.

Even if it was a contract marriage, there was clearly mutual affection between her and Kang-yoon.

She knew the amount he had agreed to in exchange for uncovering the secret about his birth was excessive.

And she also knew that such a contract was only possible because Kang-yoon felt affection and trust toward her.

She didn’t want his consideration to be used in this way.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message.

I arrived safely. I already miss you, my wife.

Judging by the time, he must have just arrived in Dubai and finally had a moment to rest after unpacking.

“Ha… what should I even ask?”

After hesitating for a moment, Bora decided she needed more time to think before bringing this up.

You worked hard. Get some good rest and fighting from tomorrow! I miss you too, husband.

She even added a heart. Kang-yoon replied with one as well.

Only then did Bora smile faintly and start the car.

Heading back to a house without Kang-yoon felt strangely empty.

Late at night, when everyone else was asleep, Chairman Han quietly made his way to the kitchen.

He passed the display shelf lined with expensive liquors, opened the refrigerator, and took out a bottle of soju from the door compartment.

Glug, glug.

He filled a shot glass to the brim and stared at it before slowly swallowing a sip.

“Keuh….”

This was it. No matter how expensive or fine the liquor, nothing compared to the first shot of cold soju.

Without any side dishes, he downed several glasses in a row, and his nose turned slightly red.

As soon as he returned home from the hospital earlier that day, he had called his lawyer to review his will and pressed his seal upon it.

Afterward, an odd restlessness settled over him, heavy and limp like a jellyfish.

If I die, what will become of this family?

What about Kangsan Group, my daughter, my grandchildren?

Perhaps that would be for the living to deal with.

After death, he would know nothing and feel nothing.

Death is the end. There would be nothing more to worry about.

Yet his chest still felt tight.

Just as he poured another glass and was about to lift it to his lips, a voice from behind startled him, causing him to drop the glass with a clink.

“Grandfather! What do you think you’re doing right now?”

Bora couldn’t sleep because of what had happened with her mother. Restless with thoughts, she had come downstairs for some ice water to clear her head.

She had peeked into the kitchen light, wondering if Kang-moon might be there—only to be horrified at the sight of Chairman Han drinking.

Her face immediately crumpled in disapproval.

“Grandfather! Seriously! What do you think you’re doing?”

“A-ah… oh dear. Why aren’t you asleep?”

Seeing Bora glaring at him with triangular, furious eyes, a bead of cold sweat trickled down Chairman Han’s forehead.