Chapter 27
Kang Yoon glanced around the quiet house before heading straight upstairs.
Ever since he had thrown his grandfather to the ground, Kang Moon had been keeping unusually low for several days.
“Yoon, you’re back.”
“Yes. I just got in.”
Jin Hyun-sook stepped out of Kang Moon’s room and looked up at Kang Yoon, hesitating for a moment.
“…Let’s talk.”
“Right now?”
“Yes. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Then come have a cup of tea in my room.”
Kang Yoon nodded slightly and followed her back down the stairs.
“How is the company?”
“Nothing special. I’m continuing preparations to leave for Dubai next month.”
“Good. I don’t have to worry about you. Thank you for holding things together at least.”
“It’s nothing. How is… my brother?”
Since the incident with Bora, he had never once called Kang Moon “brother,” but in front of his aunt, he had to be respectful.
At his question, Jin Hyun-sook gave a bitter smile and took a sip of tea.
“He keeps asking himself why he did it. But what he did was wrong. It’s his responsibility to ask for forgiveness.”
“I think alcohol is the problem. When he drinks, he can’t control himself.”
“Yes. He needs to quit. If he causes trouble outside, it’ll be disastrous.”
A brief silence followed.
Kang Yoon could barely remember ever sitting alone like this with Jin Hyun-sook.
As a child, he had wanted her affection. As a teenager, he had deliberately kept his distance. And now… seeing her worry endlessly over Kang Moon made her seem pitiful.
“Yoon.”
“Yes, Aunt.”
“I’ve never said this to you before, have I?”
“Which words?”
Kang Yoon set down his half-cooled teacup and met her eyes.
“…I’m sorry.”
“…Pardon?”
Caught off guard, Kang Yoon’s eyes widened.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t kinder to you. That I didn’t show you more affection. I lost my husband at a young age, and then I was suddenly faced with you… someone I had never imagined. I was clumsy.”
“Please don’t say that. You’ve treated me well enough.”
“Even so, I’m sorry. Lately, whenever I see you, I just feel sorry. I feel like Kang Moon going astray is all my fault… Maybe it’s menopause, but my emotions swing dozens of times a day.”
Kang Yoon didn’t know what to say. He simply rubbed the teacup in his hands.
A heavy silence settled between them.
“Bora… she’s truly admirable. Father brightened up so much after she moved into the house.”
“Yes. She has such bright energy. I always feel good when I’m with her.”
“You married very well. Take good care of each other. And like Father said, have a baby soon. How happy we’d be to hear a baby’s laughter in this house.”
“…Yes.”
Were those words sincere?
Kang Yoon had always found it difficult to tell whether Jin Hyun-sook’s kindness was genuine. She spoke warmly and gently, but after living for years with deep resentment in her heart, could her words truly be taken at face value?
As he left her room, feeling unsettled, he thought he might grab a can of beer.
Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw the caller ID: Mother-in-law.
“Hello, this is Han Kang Yoon.”
[Yes, son-in-law. Are you home?]
“Yes.”
[Is Bora there with you?]
“No, she’s at the hospital right now.”
[What? The hospital? Why?]
“Grandfather was admitted, and she insisted on staying by his side. I’m sorry we didn’t inform you earlier.”
[Oh! I thought Bora was the one who was sick. I have something to tell you. Could you come to our house right now?]
“Right now?”
[It’s important. It’s actually better since Bora isn’t there.]
Kang Yoon glanced at his watch.
8:33 p.m.
Not particularly early, but her house wasn’t far. It wouldn’t take long.
“Yes. I’ll head over now.”
[Good. See you soon.]
Click.
He stared at the darkened screen.
Her tone’s different from usual…
Bora’s mother was always bright and high-pitched—even when asking to borrow fifty million won. But this was the first time he’d heard her speak in such a low voice.
Did something happen?
Well, he’d find out when he got there.
He had only visited Bora’s house once after their honeymoon. Still, he couldn’t go empty-handed, so he stopped by a nearby flower shop to order a bouquet before heading out.
“I’m here.”
“Oh, come in. My goodness, you didn’t have to bring anything. I only asked you to stop by briefly.”
“I couldn’t come empty-handed. I chose the prettiest flowers—just like you, Mother.”
“Oh my. You can be quite smooth, can’t you? Sit on the sofa. I’ll bring some fruit.”
As Bora’s mother went into the kitchen, Kang Yoon sat down on the sofa covered in ornate upholstery.
On the coffee table sat a large document envelope.
What’s that? That must be why she called me. Did the company go bankrupt? I haven’t heard any news like that…
He received daily reports on Bitchan Co., Ltd.’s financial status and stock fluctuations. Ever since he had paid off the urgent interest that needed covering, there hadn’t been any major issues.
“I bought this at the department store today. It’s extremely sweet. Bora loves this. Take some home later.”
She handed him a fork with a large cube of melon. As he bit into it, the juicy sweetness burst in his mouth, and he nodded.
“It’s delicious.”
“Right?”
“Is Father-in-law not home?”
“No, he has a college alumni gathering tonight.”
“I see. But why did you ask me to come so suddenly?”
As he took another bite of melon, Bora’s mother opened the envelope and handed him several sheets of A4 paper.
“There’s something I want to ask. What exactly is this?”
“…What? This is… Ah…”
The moment he saw the bold title—Marriage Contract—his head spun.
“Why is this here…?”
“Don’t dodge the question. What is this? A contract? Are you telling me your marriage to Bora is a contract marriage?”
The melon in his throat suddenly felt like a stone.
Kang Yoon took a deep breath and moistened his dry lips.
“This happened because—”
“Answer yes or no. Is your marriage to Bora a contract marriage?”
Her face was grave, nothing like her usual cheerful expression. Kang Yoon exhaled and rubbed his face.
“For now… yes.”
“Ha…”
“But Mother, please listen to me—”
“Listen to me first, Mr. Han Kang Yoon.”
Her sharp voice cut him off, and he closed his mouth.
“Do you know how preciously I raised my Bora? My most beautiful, precious daughter. I send her off to marriage, and what? A contract marriage? What happens after three years?”
“Well… that’s what’s written in the contract, but it doesn’t have to be exactly three years—”
“So it could be one year? Six months? Even if it’s extended to five years, she’ll be in her thirties by then! If you divorce her then, how is my daughter supposed to live in Korea with her head held high?”
“Mother, please calm down—”
“How can I calm down?! My child’s entire life could be ruined over three billion won!”
Kang Yoon lowered his eyes, remaining silent as she shouted, her face flushed red.
He didn’t know how she had found the contract, but he did know how to calm her down.
“Mother. I’ll add one more clause to the contract.”
“What?”
“During the duration of this marriage contract, I will provide you with unlimited financial support whenever you need it.”
“…What? Unlimited support?”
“As you said, I made a very significant contract involving Bora’s life. I’ll also issue a card under your name. But please don’t tell Bora. If she finds out, she’ll absolutely refuse.”
“Ha… Son-in-law. I know you’re reasonable and easy to talk to. I’m just afraid that when the contract ends, Bora might end up more hurt than you. That’s a mother’s heart. You understand, right?”
“Yes. Of course I do.”
At his answer, Bora’s mother finally returned to her usual expression and whispered in her high-pitched voice,
“Then go on. Add that line here, my dear son-in-law.”
