Chapter 02
Your aunt and cousins used to tease Yang So-eun, saying she was marrying a monster.
But when they saw the groom’s face, they all fell silent.
That man—eight years older than her, having lived abroad for a long time—had always been difficult to approach.
Yet, whether it was three years ago or now, he still stood there, just as handsome and intense as ever.
His sharp, slightly upturned eyes held deep, dark pupils. His straight, high nose and full, slightly tanned lips added to his striking features.
He had a strong, muscular body, broad shoulders, and a towering height of 187 cm.
Wearing a perfectly fitted suit, he looked like a masterpiece crafted by the gods.
As the heir of GH Group, one of the top corporations in the country, he radiated an aura that made him seem untouchable.
Hyun-jun’s intense gaze locked onto So-eun’s face, making her feel frozen in place. Flustered, she quickly spoke up.
“The house is a bit messy because I had guests over yesterday! I’ll clean it up right away. But… why are you here so early?”
“Early?”
Hyun-jun narrowed his eyes.
With both hands in his pockets, he took slow steps forward, closing the distance between them.
“After three years apart, the first thing you say to your husband is, ‘Why are you here so early?’”
“Oh…”
Did she say something wrong?
His gaze shifted to the living room table, where an empty liquor bottle and an R-rated comic book lay discarded.
Noticing what he was looking at, So-eun’s face turned bright red.
“No matter how much this was a marriage of convenience that neither of us wanted, isn’t this a bit too cold for a reunion after three years?”
His deep, low voice carried a subtle edge.
“Even if you hate it, couldn’t you at least pretend to welcome me?”
“It’s not that! I just wasn’t expecting you this soon…”
So-eun stammered, caught off guard by his sudden return.
But Hyun-jun didn’t seem interested in her excuses. He casually looked around the apartment as if he owned the place.
His sharp eyes scanned the living room and kitchen before settling on the walls.
“There’s not a single wedding photo here. Someone might think you’re trying to hide the fact that you’re married. Do you have another man in your life?”
“What?! No! Of course not! That’s ridiculous!”
So-eun waved her hands frantically, completely flustered.
“The wedding photos are in the bedroom! You can check if you want.”
Muttering in a small voice, she watched as Hyun-jun briefly glanced at the bedroom door before turning away.
He walked through the living room with a sense of ease and authority, like someone who belonged there.
Why am I so nervous?
Just like three years ago, this man—her husband—still felt intimidating.
No, maybe it was just the fact that she still wasn’t used to the idea of actually having a husband after being apart for so long.
Then, Hyun-jun picked up the R-rated comic book, holding it between his fingers.
The explicit cover dangled in the air.
“Did your guests bring this? Or is it yours? Or… did you read it together?”
“Ah…!”
Because of her friends, Hye-in and Mi-in, today was turning into the most embarrassing day of her life.
If she had known Hyun-jun was coming back today, she would have cleaned everything up no matter what!
It must look like she had been partying in his absence while he was working hard overseas as a professor.
And with adult comics scattered around, the misunderstanding only got worse.
“A comic book, huh.”
“…”
“You are just a kid.”
Her cheeks burned even hotter.
She was already worried he wouldn’t see her as a woman because of their age gap. But hearing him say it so casually made her feel even smaller.
“It’s not mine! I swear!”
She lowered her head in embarrassment as Hyun-jun slowly walked closer.
He studied her for a moment before shifting his gaze to her left hand.
Unlike him, she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring.
Realizing where he was looking, So-eun quickly hid her hand behind her back, feeling guilty.
Before he could say anything, she rushed to explain.
“I… I don’t usually wear accessories. That’s why I keep it in my jewelry box on the dressing table. I only wore it during our honeymoon.”
Hyun-jun lifted his hand and gently tilted her chin up.
“Well, at least you didn’t throw it away.”
Throw it away?
That diamond ring was worth a fortune!
Even if it wasn’t something they chose themselves, it was still their wedding ring.
His grip on her chin tightened slightly.
“Yang So-eun.”
Her face was lifted higher, and his deep, unreadable eyes locked onto hers.
“You might have forgotten, but…”
His voice was smooth yet firm.
“During our one-week honeymoon before I left, I held you in my arms every single night.”
“…!”
Her eyes trembled.
“You married a stranger, spent a week in bed with him, then lived apart for three years. I get that this is overwhelming for you.”
Memories of that time rushed back—how he had touched her, how intense those nights had been.
“But this was a marriage arranged by our families. You knew what you were getting into.”
So-eun bit her lip and nodded slightly.
It wasn’t like she had much choice. Her family had pushed her into it.
‘I never wanted to get married so young. And especially not to someone people called a monster…’
But she knew he must have felt the same.
‘Would he have wanted to marry someone eight years younger, someone with no career yet? He probably hated it too.’
So-eun had come from a mid-sized family business, while GH Group was on an entirely different level. She had always felt inferior.
But there was nothing she could do.
Her relatives had forced this marriage upon her, and she had no power to resist.
As she got lost in thought, Hyun-jun finally let go of her chin and walked past her.
A subtle citrus scent lingered in the air.
It was the same scent she had smelled when he held her in bed.
That deep, masculine fragrance made her realize—he was back.
Hyun-jun stopped by the table, glancing at the stack of assignments and a backpack lying around.
“You’re in your final year, so you must be busy with graduation and assignments…”
He casually flipped through the A4 papers before continuing.
“And I’ve been dealing with work and writing my thesis, which is stressful.”
Then, looking straight at her, he added:
“So let’s help each other relieve some of that stress… as husband and wife.”
