WEHP 08

Chapter 08

“People used to say that I was always a bright child.”

She had always been told she spoke clearly and confidently. Neighborhood elders would even joke that she should become a lawyer someday.

“That’s true. You were always bright and kind.”

Doha thought of Hyeonseo as a child—those distant memories now blurred by time. Even back then, she had been like that. Whenever she was by his side, there had always been a certain warmth about her. Her mother had been the same way. Hyeonseo was her spitting image.

“But after I married you… I can’t remember how many times I truly smiled from the heart. I kept swallowing the things I wanted to say, forcing smiles I didn’t mean…”

“…”

“I hate this life now. Even if it’s modest and ordinary, I just want to live as myself.”

“Then please—just once more—give me a chance. Calm down for now. Let’s take some time and talk again later.”

No matter how stubborn Hyeonseo was being, Doha didn’t want to let her go. If he released her now, she would become someone completely unrelated to him forever.

Because Hyeonseo had always forgiven easily, always been bright and positive, he believed she wouldn’t hold onto the desire to leave for long.

“If it’s too hard, go stay at the Seocho-dong apartment for a while. I’ll explain things to Mother.”

“It’s okay. I’ll just stay here. I won’t be here long anyway. My decision won’t change.”

How had things come to this? Doha had believed Hyeonseo would stay by his side for life.

“Then let’s separate households as soon as possible.”

He wanted to try everything he could.

Before marriage, he had bought an apartment in Seocho-gu with the idea of living separately. But since Hyeonseo insisted on moving into the main house to stay by the chairman’s side after he reunited with his son, the apartment had remained unused.

“No…”

Hyeonseo let out a hollow sigh.

She had rejected her husband’s suggestion to start their newlywed life separately and had chosen instead to move into the main house. Now, she regretted it bitterly. If they had separated households while Seoha was still alive, things might not have turned out this way.

“At this point…”

“I’ll talk to Father and arrange it quickly. We can move out within the week.”

Hyeonseo felt uneasy as Doha kept trying to hold on. She was afraid she might be persuaded if he continued like this.

No. This really can’t happen.

“That’s not what I want. Even if we move out, we won’t be free from your mother. She’ll call us back and forth and make things even harder.”

A bitter smile tugged at Hyeonseo’s lips. She wanted to settle this cleanly before her resolve weakened.

“I want to finish this as soon as possible. I’ve already prepared the paperwork.”

Doha’s eyes widened. The mention of documents clearly shocked him.

“It’d be fastest to hand this over to the legal team. I don’t want anything, and I don’t expect anything. There won’t be any dirty fights. Just a quick mutual agreement, please.”

She pulled an envelope from her bag and placed it on the table.

“I’ve already signed it. You sign it too and send it to the legal team.”

“…”

Doha stared blankly at the documents, dumbfounded.

“You already prepared divorce papers?”

He didn’t want to admit it. He couldn’t accept that her heart had completely left.

“Oppa.”

Hyeonseo almost asked, Do you know why Seoha died?
But she stopped.

Since they were parting anyway, she wanted to tell him the truth—yet she decided it was better for him never to know.

That was the last consideration she could give him as a wife who had once loved him.

“No. It’s nothing.”

It was better that he never knew that Seoha’s death was the very reason she was leaving.

Hyeonseo stood up from the sofa and walked toward the door.

Her steps faltered for a moment. Without turning back, she murmured softly:

“You could have… loved me, at least.”

If you had, I might have abandoned your family—but I wouldn’t have abandoned you.

“…”

The man behind her said nothing. Afraid to see his expression, she left without looking back.

After leaving Doha’s office, Hyeonseo stood by the roadside to catch a taxi. The sun had already set.

She planned to pack her things as soon as she got home and leave the house by the next day.

But when she entered the house, it was noisy. Juhyeok and Hyemi were loudly chatting in the living room.

“Mother, is it the new outfit? You look especially elegant today.”

“Right, Mom. If Hyemi says it’s pretty, it really is. She has high standards.”

Hyemi clung to Youngsuk, flattering her without even noticing Hyeonseo’s arrival. Youngsuk’s face beamed with pleasure.

“Really? You think it suits me? It’s a limited edition.”

“Of course. It’s not something just anyone could pull off, but it looks perfect on you. You really have such refined taste.”

Elegant? To Hyeonseo, it looked vulgar—so tacky that it really wouldn’t suit just anyone.

Hyemi had eyes; there was no way she didn’t know. The fake praise was absurd.

“You and I have such similar tastes. We’re like mother and daughter.”

“I feel like you’re my real mother.”

“How are your parents doing?”

“They’re well. They told me to send their regards. Whenever I visit my parents, they always tell me to be devoted to you.”

“I wish Hyeonseo were like that. You can tell she grew up without proper upbringing.”

“Haha, you can’t compare me to Sister-in-law.”

Their laughter rang in Hyeonseo’s ears.

Unbelievable.
If they were happy together, that was enough—why drag her into it every time? Was she seasoning for their conversation?

Unable to hold back, Hyeonseo cut in.

“Right. You shouldn’t compare us. At least I don’t badmouth Mother behind her back—unlike someone.”

Only then did Hyemi notice Hyeonseo and jump in surprise.

“O–Oh! Sister-in-law, when did you get here?”

She panicked, worried that Youngsuk might have heard.

But Youngsuk had already heard.

“What did you just say?”

“Sister-in-law! When did I ever badmouth Mother? Why are you trying to drive a wedge between us?”

“Driving a wedge? That’s your specialty. You’ve been going back and forth between Mother and me stirring things up. Don’t tell me you thought I didn’t notice.”

“You’re really twisting things.”

Youngsuk, who had been listening, snapped.

“Hey! Where did you learn to sow discord between sisters-in-law? If anyone talks behind my back, it’s you—not Hyemi!”

Even if Hyemi had done it, Youngsuk hesitated to confront her. Hyemi’s family wasn’t easy to deal with.

In the end, Hyeonseo—who had nothing—was the easy target. A poor woman with no parents left to protect her.

“Mother, then should I repeat all the insults she’s said about you? I have a very good memory.”

Youngsuk froze. What if Hyemi really had said things—and Hyeonseo repeated them?

“And I have a request. From now on, use your own card when you shop. Not my husband’s.”

“When did I ever use Brother’s card?”

“The card Mother uses is my husband’s. Your family is well-off, isn’t it? Surely you’re not at the level of leeching off Mother.”

Hyemi was flustered. Hyeonseo had never spoken up like this before.

“How dare you talk about my family like that?”

“How else? A family that treats you like leftovers.”

“I’ve never been treated like that! Watch your mouth!”

“If you want proof, I have it. Want me to show you?”

“…”

“And from now on, be a good daughter-in-law with your own money. Not just empty words.”

For the first time in a long while, Hyeonseo felt relieved. She wondered why she had endured everything for so long.

Juhyeok stared at her, stunned. He remembered that when he was younger, she had been like this—sharp and confident. Back then, he’d thought it was cool. Now, it only made him uncomfortable.

Trying to change the subject, he blurted out: