Chapter 50
Hyun-oh’s face showed no expression whatsoever. His cold and rigid features reflected back at him from the distant mirror.
What could he be thinking right now?
“Tell me your answer.”
At Hyun-oh’s words, Sua lowered her eyes and quietly organized her thoughts.
There was still time for us. But he wanted an answer, right now.
Despite everything that had happened, Sua’s feelings hadn’t changed. From beginning to end, she had enjoyed happy moments with him, but deep down in her heart, the thought of divorce lingered. She now understood that Hyun-oh’s reluctance wasn’t solely out of responsibility towards her, but even knowing his heart was opening, her decision had already solidified.
“I still…”
It wasn’t easy to spit out that her mind was made up.
“My thoughts about divorce haven’t changed.”
The words came out hesitantly. Hyun-oh furrowed his brow in response.
“Why?”
The first reason to part ways with him.
This marriage was a sham.
He must have thought that marrying into the Han Group would secure his future. But the influential in-laws he had hoped for crumbled within a few months of marriage.
Already being at a disadvantage due to his servant background in the corporate power struggles, he couldn’t afford to bring himself down further.
[Because I had to grow up and change. I didn’t have the luxury. Everyone was watching.]
She remembered his words from today. He was a man who had strived tirelessly within the PY Group. He couldn’t voice his desires, not even his tears, had to be swallowed down.
What could she burden such a man with?
The second reason to part ways with him.
Though Ji-heon hadn’t contacted Hyun-oh yet, it was only a matter of time. The same went for Jisoo. Initially, the amount wouldn’t have been a burden for Hyun-oh, but as it increased, and when it became burdensome enough for him to refuse, they couldn’t predict how Ji-heon would react.
But honestly, how would he react?
She looked at Hyun-oh, his brow furrowed deeply.
He probably wouldn’t care. He’d probably take responsibility.
Being a man of great responsibility, he would shoulder the burden brought by his own choices alone.
Sua didn’t want that.
“Hyun-oh.”
“…”
“After three months, regardless of the reason, you said you’d respect my opinion. It hasn’t been three months yet, but…”
You want an answer, so I have no choice.
“My answer remains the same.”
“Why?”
Hyun-oh stood up abruptly.
“Why the hell not?”
The usually calm man’s steps were hurried. After anxiously pacing around for a moment, he approached Sua.
“I don’t get it. I did everything you wanted.”
“…”
“You said it’s because our marriage isn’t normal, because we’re not like an ordinary couple. That’s why you want to break up, isn’t it?”
Finally, she understood.
Why Hyun-oh always emphasized normalcy.
Today was his birthday. But instead of visiting his parents’ house in Pyeongchang, which he had visited all his life, or doing something special, he suggested spending ordinary time together like other couples.
It was his consideration.
To bring up this conversation on his birthday.
“We still have time. Let’s stop this conversation today. I’ve prepared a gift. So…”
Sua tried to change the subject as she stood up. But Hyun-oh didn’t stop. He gently grabbed her delicate wrist as she moved away.
“I don’t need gifts.”
His composed face crumbled, and he bit down hard on his lower lip. Blood vessels stood out in his eyes. Sua felt the heat emanating from him as if it could engulf her at any moment.
“What’s the real reason for the divorce?”
“Hyun-oh…”
“Is it because of my mother?”
At Hyun-oh’s words, Sua’s movements halted.
Mrs. Cha, who had staked everything on her son’s future.
“Sua, are you trying to ruin Hyun-oh’s life? You’ve hidden the failing company and stayed in our house without any intention of leaving, haven’t you?”
She recalled the harsh words Mrs. Cha had spat out. But it wasn’t because of Mrs. Cha that she had decided on a divorce.
“No, it’s not because of your mother.”
“I heard you met her. I know my mother can be overly ambitious. I’ll make sure she doesn’t clash with you again.”
Sua shook her head. It was true that Mrs. Cha’s words had stuck with her, but that was because they were true, not because they were decisive.
“It’s not because of Mother. We did meet, but you don’t need to worry. She had no influence on my decision.”
“Then? What is it because of? Another man?”
“How could there be another man?”
Twenty-four hours a day, her head was filled with thoughts of Ji-heon. There was no time or space for anyone else.
“Then what is it?”
His hand trailed up Sua’s wrist. Despite the tense atmosphere, when he touched her, the thirst for him surged through her body.
Every time Hyun-oh brushed his fingers over the soft skin of her inner wrist, Sua felt short of breath. He closed the distance between them, pulling her into his embrace.
The same person who had gently caressed her flesh before now felt completely different. His touch was rougher, more urgent. He didn’t give Sua a chance to think, his hand gently lifted her chin, trying to delve deeper.
Instinctively, she tried to draw closer to him. The heat was too intense, too overwhelming, she couldn’t push him away.
“Ah, hah.”
Hyun-oh didn’t give Sua a moment to think. His lips touched her ear as he breathed out warmly, sending shivers down her spine.
“I’m not a fool.”
“…”
“Every time we kiss like this, you burn up and then talk about breaking up.”
He gave a plausible reason.
That’s how he reasoned things. His fingers gripped Sua’s shoulder tightly and gradually moved down to the hem of her skirt.
Slipping beneath her skirt, his hand touched her bare skin as she wasn’t wearing stockings in the summer. Despite only teasing the soft flesh of her thigh, Sua blushed from her cheeks down to her exposed chest.
Realizing that Sua didn’t reject him, Hyun-oh pulled her closer towards the nearby sofa. He gently laid her down on the black leather sofa. As Sua’s body lay on the soft sofa, Hyun-oh climbed on top of her.
“Even while being like this.”
“…”
“How could you think of breaking up?”
His voice was husky and deep. As Hyun-oh lifted Sua’s skirt, he delved into her, her body already moistened, welcoming his touch eagerly.
“You cried out at my touch like this.”
“Ah.”
“And moaned so sensually.”
Today’s Hyun-oh was different from usual. His usual kindness that melted her from head to toe was nowhere to be found; instead, he was rough and urgent, as if his only goal was to conquer her quickly.
“And yet, for two months, there hasn’t been a single change in your thoughts.”
You’ve always thought of divorce when I embraced you.
Sua stared blankly at him. His teeth must have clenched so hard in anger that they made a clicking sound. Veins bulged on his forehead.
“How could you? Was all of this just an act? Were all those moments, like when you said you loved me, just lies?”
Sua shook her head. Her already disheveled hair from the rough kiss reached its limit.
“It’s not like that…”
“Then why?”
As he spread Sua’s legs and firmly positioned himself, even in this urgent situation, Sua’s senses tingled as they connected. She instinctively wrapped her legs around him.
“Is it because the body and the heart are different?”
Once she said it, it would be over. If she said that she thought it might be a hindrance to him, he would never agree to a divorce. Conflicting desires to resolve misunderstandings and to leave for his sake clashed within Sua, and in the end, she couldn’t say anything and just bit her lips as Hyun-oh whispered to her, looking only at her lips.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“…”
“I won’t let you go. Take the divorce papers to the lawyer. I won’t agree to a divorce.”
You have to stay by my side forever.
As if casting a curse, he tightly embraced Sua.
“I can’t let you go.”
As he said that, Hyun-oh’s firmness pierced Sua all at once.
“Ah!”
