Chapter 24
Divorce contract.
It was a strange term.
While prenuptial agreements were heard of before marriage, writing a contract for divorce was something Sua had never heard of before.
And now, she was writing that strange thing with her own hands.
<Cha Hyun-oh, Han Sua. The two parties hereby agree as follows:
First, ninety days from today, divorce negotiations will take place. In case either party wishes for a divorce, an amicable divorce will be arranged.
Second, when there are no work-related matters, spend time together. However, Sua's week-long trips are exempt.
Third, neither party refuses physical affection if desired. Spend time together as much as possible.
Fourth, no lying during the term of the contract.
Fifth, This contract shall remain confidential to all.
Regarding property distribution upon divorce, Sua, without looking at Hyun-oh, continued.
“What about property distribution when we divorce?”
Even if they divorced, she had no intention of taking any of his money. Typically, in marriages lasting less than a year, unless there were extenuating circumstances, dividing things equally seemed reasonable. But Hyun-oh was an unpredictable man.
Even now, she didn't know why he was trying to prevent the divorce.
Seeing Sua bring up property distribution at divorce, Hyun-oh furrowed his brow.
"There won't be any issues since we're not getting divorced."
"Hyun-oh, I…"
I really am considering it.
Seeing Sua's determined expression, Hyun-oh raised his hand, as if he couldn't handle it anymore.
"Fine."
He crossed his arms. His eyebrows furrowed, as if in a bad mood.
"As you wish regarding property."
He picked up the pen.
'In the event of divorce, property distribution will be as Han Sua desires.'
Hyun-oh wrote on the contract. Seeing that, Sua's eyes widened.
She didn't like ambiguity. Sua grabbed the end of the contract and shook her head.
"What if I decide to take all of Hyun-oh's property?"
"Then take it."
His laughter was unexpectedly gentle.
Did he have such confidence that Sua wouldn't covet his money? Or did he truly have no intention of divorcing?
"That's nonsense."
"You're the one talking nonsense."
Yes, this situation was indeed absurd. They were in the middle of a divorce contract. Trying to write such a ridiculous contract gave her a headache.
Sua reached for her temple.
"I'll only take what I brought into the marriage."
Hyun-oh looked at her without saying a word. His gaze was sharp. But Sua didn't waver. Facing him made her heart pound, but she couldn't back down on this issue.
"Quickly, write it down in the contract."
The property Sua brought from her parents' house when she got married wasn't much.
In reality, Sua didn't want his money, and she knew Hyun-oh understood that as well.
"Han Sua."
"Yes."
His smile had disappeared, and his voice had lowered.
"…This might hurt your pride, but I'm sorry."
"…?"
"You need money right now."
Sua bit her lip, deep in thought.
It was a harsh truth.
Riches can vanish in three years, they say, but the situation with Han Dong Group was precarious indeed.
Her mother had never faced hardships, having never worked once in her life. And being essentially a lady of a conglomerate family, she was used to a lavish lifestyle. Her brother Ji-heon was busy expanding the business due to business illness, but there was no substance. If they exhausted all their remaining money…
Her younger sister Jisoo hadn't even started working yet, and Sua was also unemployed. Even if she started working at Yoon Dam Publishing, she would only earn enough for her living expenses, nothing significant.
If they divorced, money would be necessary.
But despite the situation, she didn't want his money.
It was a pathetic pride, but that's just how she felt. She had no confidence in herself to use that money.
Seeing Sua sitting there, chewing on her lip, he spoke again.
"How much more are you going to sacrifice?"
"I'm not sacrificing anything."
"Then? Why refuse the money?"
"I just… I have enough with what I brought into the marriage."
Taking a deep breath to steel herself, she opened her mouth quickly. She lifted her chin.
"And also, if we're not going to divorce, as Hyun-oh said."
Just minutes ago, Hyun-oh had said that. His hands raised in defeat at Sua's bold statement.
"…That's right."
Sua reached out her hand and tapped the paper.
She meant to write it confidently. Hyun-oh, with an impressed expression, watched her. Then he wrote on the contract.
Sixth, each party shall take only the property brought into the marriage.
He wrote all the contract terms neatly on the paper.
—
Except for writing the divorce contract at the cafe, it was an ordinary date… probably.
In the car heading home, they reflected on the day while looking at the bright lights of the city.
After leaving the cafe, they had dinner at a restaurant and went shopping at a department store.
Sua had never been on a date before. She had never dated a man before. The only man she had met was Hyun-oh.
They had gotten married without a proper meeting, and they hadn’t spent time together since their honeymoon. So she didn’t know much about it, but honestly, she enjoyed the date with him.
Knowing this time had an end made her heart flutter like a fool. When they got out of the car, Hyun-oh naturally offered his hand.
“Don’t refuse.”
As if warning her to remember the contract, his voice sounded stern.
Ignoring the voice of reason that kept telling her not to like him more, Sua persuaded herself, ‘It’s because of the contract.’
Then she placed her hand on his firm fingers.
Hyun-oh’s touch always felt cool, whether in hot or cold places. Like a cold-blooded creature with icy blood running through its veins.
She had realized this six months into their marriage.
If, after getting married, he had shown affection sooner.
If he had treated her not just like a younger sister to be taken care of, but as a woman, would she still have suggested divorce?
Even if she thought her existence wouldn’t be of any help to Hyun-oh, would she have had the courage to stay by his side?
Even in enjoyable moments, she sometimes had such futile thoughts.
“Let’s not think about useless things.”
Sua shook her head to regain her composure. But whether those words unintentionally slipped out of Sua’s mouth or not, Hyun-oh, who was driving, looked at her.
“What were you thinking about?”
“Nothing at all.”
However, he still looked at her. Knowing she couldn’t just remain silent, she forced herself to speak.
“So… um… I was just… um…”
Her mind went blank.
If only you had held my hand sooner,
If only you had hugged me sooner,
If, by some chance, I had become pregnant…
If I had thought my worth to you was even the slightest bit,
If you hadn’t tried to stop the divorce, considering me pitifully.
Would I not have thought about divorce?
She couldn’t say she had thought that. But no suitable words came to mind. She just forced a bitter smile and shook her head.
—
Although they didn’t intend to buy anything, they ended up in a department store, and Hyun-oh ended up purchasing everything Sua glanced at. As they tidied up the items they bought when they arrived home, it was already late at night.
After Sua finished washing up and came out of the bathroom towards the living room, the house was quiet. Hyun-oh must have gone to take a shower. Or maybe he was in the study.
Sua hesitated for a moment before looking towards the bedroom.
Should I go to bed?
Since he came home early today, he’d probably sleep in the master bedroom instead of the guest room.
A sigh escaped her at the mix of anticipation and burden in her heart.
“Haah.”
Since they kissed, lying on the same bed as Hyun-oh seemed increasingly difficult than usual. So she pretended to go to bed first, as usual. She had to close her eyes before he came out again today.
Before Sua’s feet reached the bed.
Click.
The bathroom door opened, and a man emerged. He hadn’t finished drying his hair. Water droplets were falling onto his firm chest muscles.
“Hyun-oh.”
“Are you ready?”
“Ah, yes.”
And then he approached. He reached out, hesitating about what to do, and pulled Sua’s waist towards him, pressing her against his firm body.
“Ah…!”
“Are you ready for a kiss?”
This time, she couldn’t answer. When she remained silent, he lowered his head. His warm and fragrant breath tickled her face from the inside.
His temptation was so strong that her heart felt like it would burst. He lifted the corner of his attractive lips.
“If you don’t want it, you can say no.”
“I d-…”
“But, Sua.”
“…”
“If you lie, it’s a violation of the contract.”
If she violates the contract, the decision to continue the marriage will be left to the other party.
She couldn’t say anything. Just being close to him made her shiver, but she didn’t dislike it.
She had no choice but to endure his hot breath flowing down. Seeing Sua like that, Hyun-oh smiled triumphantly.
“Let’s go to bed.”
