Chapter 28
“You did well. Then, I’ll count on you starting from the 1st of next month.”
Just as Chaeyoung had said, Sua’s employment was decided more easily than she had thought.
Sua bowed her waist in response to Yoon Dam’s words.
“Thank you, sir. I’ll work hard.”
“You will, Han Sua.”
After receiving instructions on what to prepare and the information needed for her employment, Sua stood up from her seat. Yoon Dam also stood up and looked at her.
“Where are you headed now, Han Sua?”
“Oh, I’m going home now.”
“Then I’ll give you a ride.”
“Excuse me?”
At Sua’s surprise, Yoon Dam smiled. His gentle eyes curved into a big smile.
“I’m heading home after work and have a meeting on the way. Since you live near my place, I’ll drop you off.”
“Oh… I’m fine, really.”
At Sua’s gentle refusal, Yoon Dam tilted his head.
“Why? Is it uncomfortable for the CEO to give you a ride?”
“No, it’s not uncomfortable, but… I didn’t expect…”
“Anyway, get in.”
Before Sua could finish her thoughts, Yoon Dam interrupted her. Eventually, Sua couldn’t refuse any longer and got into Yoon Dam’s car. As she fastened her seatbelt, Yoon Dam chuckled.
“Am I that scary?”
“What?”
“We’re acquaintances. We all know each other at our company. But it seems you’re the only nervous employee here.”
“Oh… I just thought, as you are superior, I should be cautious from now on.”
“Don’t be too cautious. Just relax.”
“Yes. I’m relaxed, really.”
Sua half-lied as they conversed during the car ride. She couldn’t help but feel tense, especially when Yoon Dam tried to ease her nerves. While thinking she could do well and not cause trouble for Chaeyoung or Yoon Dam, the silence in the car weighed heavily on her. When they arrived at her home, Yoon Dam looked at her, trying to ease her tension.
“Han Sua, you’ll do well. So, don’t worry too much.”
“Yes. I’ll work hard. Thank you for the ride.”
Bowing slightly, Sua greeted him, and he smiled again.
“Sure. Go on in.”
As she got out of the car almost like jumping, Sua awkwardly waved her hand and bowed her head in gratitude to the man waving back from inside the car. After his car left, a sigh-like word escaped Sua’s lips.
“If you’re going to wave, just wave. If you’re going to bow, just bow. Why do both?”
Like a fool.
Her back hurt from the tension all day. Whenever Yoon Dam tried to ease her nerves, she felt even more tense…
As she muttered resentful words to herself, trying to enter her home, a low voice came from behind her.
“Who’s that man?”
Even without turning around, she knew whose low voice it was.
Her husband, Hyun-oh.
—
Sua widened her eyes at his sudden appearance.
“Mr. Hyun-oh, are you back from work?”
Without responding to Sua’s question, Hyun-oh frowned and glanced at the black car driving away. Even from a distance, he could tell it wasn’t her brother, Ji-heon.
He finally opened his lips.
“Who?”
Following Hyun-oh’s gaze, Sua turned her back and opened her mouth.
“Oh, it’s Yoon Dam… um…”
Sua’s smile faded as she spoke.
“Yoon Dam?”
“Yes. I told you about him. Han Yoon Dam, the CEO of Yoon Dam Publishing. He gave me a ride home after my interview today.”
The unusual sight of a CEO giving a ride to a new employee after an interview made Hyun-oh’s eyebrows furrow. It wasn’t something you saw every day, even in a small company. Perhaps because of Hyun-oh’s changing expression, Sua’s words became longer than usual, trying to explain herself.
“Yeah, I know Yoon-dam. We’re acquaintances. He’s Chaeyoung’s cousin, and since Chaeyoung and he grew up like siblings, I used to visit their house often. So, I’ve known him for a while.”
Despite Sua’s attempt to justify herself, her voice sounded different from usual in front of him, making Hyun-oh’s lips twist.
Why does Han Sua want a divorce?
Because we’re not a normal couple?
Because I feel guilty about Han Dong Group?
Because everything has become tiresome since meeting Mother?
I’ve had those thoughts before. But seeing her now, full of vitality, I have a different idea.
Maybe it’s just because she doesn’t like me anymore. Because she can finally escape from this tiresome marriage I forced upon her after meeting Father.
Hyun-oh pursed his lips and whispered softly.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“What?”
“It’s nothing.”
As Hyun-oh shook his head, Sua frowned slightly, as if asking what he meant, then spoke up.
“But still… now that you’re working at the company, it’s not good to keep such a distance. You should be careful.”
Hyun-oh’s lips twisted at Sua’s words.
“There are things you should be careful about as an employee, but until the divorce, don’t meet other men privately.”
After that, it’s up to you.
Surprised by his own childishness that slipped out unintentionally, Hyun-oh chuckled dryly.
Something bubbled up from his chest, rising to the tip of his throat.
A strange emotion. What is this?
The red heat brewing inside Hyun-oh was nothing but vile jealousy.
He had never thought there would be jealousy inside him.
Han Yoon Dam of Yoon Dam Publishing. He couldn’t know what kind of relationship he had with Sua. It could have been simply because he was a kind boss and gave her a ride. That wasn’t important.
The problem is…
Just seeing Sua with another man made Hyun-oh lose his composure. Hyun-oh reached out and grabbed Sua’s shoulder. Rounded, well-defined shoulders. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface, then held her hand, which was hanging down from her shoulder.
“Oh, you.”
“I forgot to put that in the contract. Even though we’re still legally married, I didn’t even think you would allow yourself to be close to another man.”
Hyun-oh’s fingers dug between Sua’s delicate fingers. Whether it was because their skin touched or because of unexpected jealousy from Hyun-oh, Sua’s cheeks flushed crimson. Her inexperienced lips trembled.
“It wasn’t like that.”
“Sure, I believe you.”
Hyun-oh’s lips twisted into a wry smile at Sua’s awkward defense.
“You wouldn’t already be meeting another man. Especially not someone other than me. But when you’re affectionate with another man in a car, people will misunderstand.”
His words trailed off. Sua nodded her head in agreement.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think of it that way. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
At her words, Hyun-oh opened his eyes wide and nodded slightly. His expression still didn’t lighten.
—
Today felt both long and short. Dinner time sitting across from Hyun-oh. Sua couldn’t eat properly.
Being in front of him now, before bringing up the divorce, felt more tense than before. Was it because of the three-month deadline, or because of the changed Hyun-oh? Or perhaps it was because sitting peacefully with him like this felt unfamiliar.
So, she needed some time to think.
After finishing the meal and putting down her utensils, Sua spoke up.
“I, um…”
Hyun-oh lifted his head as if asking what’s wrong.
“I decided to start working at the publishing company from the 1st.”
He looked up at Sua.
“Once I start working, I might be busy even on weekends, so I’m thinking of going on a trip before that.”
It was about the trip mentioned in their divorce agreement.
Actually, Sua didn’t have any desire to go on a trip. It was just something she blurted out when he asked why he wanted a divorce.
But now, thinking about it, it seemed like a good idea.
Just being in front of Hyun-oh made her feel irritated. She didn’t know how to react if he reached out and grabbed her wrist again. She wanted to escape from him for a while and calm her mind.
To calm her heart and figure out how to spend the next three months.
“A trip? Where to?”
“Not too far… I thought about going to Gangneung for about two nights and three days.”
There wasn’t any particular place she wanted to go. Anywhere would do as long as it helped her distance herself from Hyun-oh and regain control of her feelings.
So, she chose Gangneung, which was the backdrop of the books she was currently reading.
She wanted to walk around Gangneung city like the male protagonist in the book, stroll along the beach, climb the mountains… She wanted to forget about the man in front of her for a while. Even being this close, his scent permeated her entire body with every breath she took.
“It sounds good.”
To Sua’s surprise, he nodded his head calmly.
“I’ll let Kim know.”
“No, it’s okay. I heard that there’s a KTX to Gangneung now. I’ll just take that and stay wherever my feet take me.”
“It’s better to choose a safe place for accommodation since you’re traveling alone as a woman.”
She nodded at his words.
As Hyun-oh got up from his seat, he sighed as if he were speaking.
“This house will feel empty for two nights and three days.”
His words sounded as if he missed his own absence. Sua’s heart grew cold at his words.
During those two nights and three days apart from him, how would I change? Would he even think half as much about me as I do about him?
With a complicated heart, she headed to Gangneung.
