WEHP 07

Chapter 07

2022.04.25.

“What?! Are you out of your mind?!”

At the same time, Youngsuk raised her right hand and swung it toward Hyunseo. In an instant, Hyunseo grabbed her wrist, twisted it, and flung it away.

“Was smashing things not enough, and now you’re trying to hit a person too?”

Rubbing her wrist, Youngsuk glared at her.

“You—are you crazy? Have you completely lost all respect for your elders?”

“What kind of elder tries to beat their daughter-in-law? If you want to be treated like an adult, then act like one.”

It was the first time in her life that the daughter-in-law who had never once talked back was staring straight at her mother-in-law with blazing eyes.

“H-How dare you speak like that to your mother-in-law! What kind of manners are those?!”

Youngsuk shouted, dumbfounded.

“Just because you lost your child and you’re suffering, does that give you the right to act like this?”

Hyunseo froze for a moment. No matter what, Han Youngsuk should never have brought up Seoha like that.

But her shameless mother-in-law, unable to contain her anger, continued pouring out her venom.

“A penniless thing like you should be bowing your head in gratitude for being taken in as a daughter-in-law! How dare you talk back! Do you want to get kicked out?”

“You don’t need to kick me out. I was planning to leave on my own anyway. I’m resigning from my position as your daughter-in-law.”

“What?! Resigning? What nonsense is that?”

“Don’t you know what resigning is? I’m quitting.”

Youngsuk let out a scoffing laugh.

“So you’re saying you’re leaving this house? Fine by me. But you think you can abandon a husband like Doha?”

“Yes. That’s right. Your oh-so-perfect son is about to get divorced. Because of you.”

With those words, Hyunseo turned sharply and walked up the stairs.

Youngsuk stared at the suddenly confident daughter-in-law, her mouth hanging open.

“Th-That little—what? Divorce? As if she could ever leave Doha! Talking big!”

Hyunseo shut herself in her room with a refreshed expression, leaving Youngsuk alone, red-faced and fuming.

That cheeky, sharp-tongued Lee Hyunseo—acting like a completely different person.

She wanted to rush upstairs and grab her by the hair, but fear of her eldest son, Doha, who was upstairs, kept her rooted in place. All she could do was point angrily at the air.

“She must’ve lost her mind. There’s no way she’d act like this if she were sane.”

Doha had postponed an important meeting and was alone in his office.

Since it wasn’t a house where only the two of them lived, Hyunseo had suggested meeting at his office during the day.

“…Ha.”

In all the years he had known Hyunseo, he had never once seen this side of her. It felt as though he was looking at a stranger rather than his wife.

He had sensed that something about her had changed lately. But he hadn’t expected her to drop a bomb like this.

It couldn’t be real. She must have just been extremely angry. Maybe when they talked again today, she would take back those words.

She had to. He wanted to believe that.

Throughout their marriage, Hyunseo had always been on his side.

The moment he heard the word “divorce” from her, a chill ran down his spine.

It felt as though the warmth at the center of his heart vanished in an instant, replaced by an inexplicable cold.

A shiver, as if icy blood were pumping through his heart.

It was different from when they lost their beloved daughter, Seoha. Just hearing the word “divorce” now made his entire body feel frozen.

Knock, knock.

Before he could respond, the door opened, and a familiar face entered.

Doha couldn’t take his eyes off his wife as she approached.

She wore a simple beige dress and low-heeled shoes. Somehow, she stood out.

Strangely enough, he thought—

Was she always this beautiful?

She had always been pretty, ever since they were young. He knew that. But today, she looked different.

Hyunseo spoke first as he stared at her blankly.

“Aren’t you busy?”

“I’m fine. Sit.”

He stood up from his desk and gestured for her to sit on the sofa.

The secretary who followed them in sensed the unusual atmosphere and cautiously asked,

“Shall I prepare some tea? We have coffee, black tea, and green tea.”

“Want coffee? We have Geisha—your favorite.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll have coffee later.”

“Just bring two glasses of water.”

After the secretary left, Doha walked over and sat across from Hyunseo.

Seeing her resolute expression, he felt strangely short of breath and loosened his tie.

“If you don’t want coffee, should we eat? It’s almost five. I could leave work early.”

He had never felt this anxious sitting across from his wife.

“Should we go to that place you liked last time? The JJ Hotel—you liked their pasta.”

“That was ages ago.”

Hyunseo smiled bitterly.

“That was our first wedding anniversary. My mom even gave us meal vouchers and told us to go together…”

“Was it really that long ago?”

“Yes. Years have passed already. Maybe for you, years feel like one because you’re always busy.”

He was often late even on anniversaries.

He never forgot them, though. He always sent extravagant bouquets and thoughtful gifts.

People envied her for having such a good husband, but the loneliness that never quite faded was something only Hyunseo knew.

What she needed wasn’t the gift—it was the person giving it.

Looking back, he had always been like this. Why had she expected anything else? Still clinging to faint hope now felt pitiful.

“It’s ironic. We couldn’t even sit down and talk properly for so long, yet now that we’re talking about divorce, we’re finally sitting face to face.”

“You know my father rushed the transfer of responsibilities, so I’ve been busier than ever. But from now on, I’ll try to come home early and spend time with you.”

Doha couldn’t shake the feeling that it might already be too late, but he searched for something—anything—he could still do.

Hyunseo wasn’t as strong as he’d thought. Why hadn’t he realized that? Where had he gone wrong?

“You don’t have to. This is an important time for you and your father. Don’t do it for me. I’ll be leaving soon anyway.”

The more they talked, the more despair crept in.

“The well-being of Jinseong Group isn’t something I’m worth trading for.”

“Don’t say things like that, Lee Hyunseo.”

Knock.

The secretary entered, placed the water down quietly, and bowed.

“Everyone go home early today,” Doha said. “You’ve all been working late every day. Rest well and let’s just push a little harder starting tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you. See you tomorrow.”

Once the secretary left, Doha spoke again.

“What happened? How serious is it? How serious does it have to be for you to say the word divorce?”

“….”

“Is it because of my mother?”

“She’s not the only reason.”

He waited for her to continue.

“I think… I just don’t love you anymore. I guess everything became too much to bear.”

She threw the words out and looked up at him.

She had thought he would remain composed—but he stared at her as though time had stopped.

“It’s my fault. I tried too hard at something I couldn’t change. I was arrogant.”

Her chest tightened painfully.

Oppa, I’m pregnant again.

If only she could say it.

The baby was precious to him too. She wanted to tell him everything.

But if he knew, he would never let her go. Neither would the chairman. They were waiting for a child.

I’m leaving you to protect this child. I’m sorry.

“…You don’t love me anymore…”

Doha repeated the words slowly.

“Why? Did you think I’d keep loving you unconditionally forever?”

She smiled faintly, though sorrow flooded her heart.

The truth was—she still loved him.

She had spent so many years loving only Chae Doha.

If feelings could end so easily, she would never have begun this marriage.

Her life had been a train headed toward him—boarding at age ten and never getting off until her late twenties.

But now, she had reached the point where she had to step down.

“I’ve made my decision. I won’t change my mind. I want this handled as quickly as possible.”

After a long silence, Doha finally spoke.

“Hyunseo… let’s take some time apart.”

She looked at him quietly.

The silence in the office felt suffocating.

“You know… you’ve been the only woman in my life.”

That was true. And yet—

“That doesn’t mean you loved me.”

Absurdly, she still wished he would say it—that he loved her, that he couldn’t live without her.

But Doha was a man who never spoke without certainty.

“The only woman I know in this world is you. That’s why I proposed.”

She knew—that was the best he could do.

“Oppa, you’re just used to me. That’s not love.”

That was the conclusion.

“If I’m not by your side, it’ll be inconvenient—but not unbearable. You’d get used to someone else and live just fine.”

His brow twitched.

“Lee Hyunseo. That’s too harsh.”

Someone else? The thought alone felt unpleasant.

Hyunseo met his gaze and laughed hollowly.

“Oppa. You know what kind of person I used to be, don’t you?”

“Of course. I’ve known you since you were a snot-nosed kid. Why?”

They had known each other for a very long time—since before Chae Doha became who he was.