When The Dead Husband Knocks On The Door

Chapter 10

“Since I was planning to take a sabbatical anyway, it won’t affect my career as a pianist.”

Yuri’s continued words were meant to reassure Lee Seo, who was worried about what might happen if “Kang Yuri” were to make a public return.

He left no room for argument.

“I was a bit suspicious when you suddenly accepted the offer, but it’s definitely you. You always said you’d take a break no matter what next year. That’s why you even made me book tickets in advance…”

“Tickets.”

As soon as he said it, Jeong Soo’s face stiffened as if realizing his mistake.

Lee Seo tried to appear unfazed, even though she noticed Jeong Soo glancing at her nervously.

She had been so preoccupied lately that she had forgotten, but Kang Yuri once mentioned a woman he wanted to give a diamond ring to.
If it became known that Yuri was back, would she reach out? Would she come looking for him?

“If I take on the position while I’m not performing, it won’t interfere with my work when I return. Plus, the Seojin Foundation will likely receive more donations, which means we can increase support for students. That could give us hope for the competition scheduled in two years.”

Yuri explained smoothly and logically, his reasoning making sense.

The Seojin Foundation was indeed in need of change.
However, taking on the position of director seemed like a betrayal of Kang Yuri’s dream of breaking away from his family.

Was it okay to let him make that sacrifice?
Lee Seo’s only mission was to give Kang Yuri his freedom.

“If I take the position now, even if I resign later, Seojin won’t have grounds to complain.”

Yuri’s eyes met Lee Seo’s as he continued.

‘Of course, you’ve thought everything through.’
Faced with his resolve, Lee Seo could only concede.

“But if I do accept the position, I’ll need your help, Hong Lee Seo.”

“My help?”

“There will be many occasions where we’ll need to appear together in public. We’ll need to seem like a happy couple to silence the rumors stemming from the accident. It will also help promote the foundation.”

“…Fine.”

Lee Seo reluctantly agreed.

Jeong Soo, who had been silently listening, suddenly perked up and spoke with a glint in his eye.

“Before stepping into the public eye, it would be good to consult a professional. You know, all celebrities have someone managing their image. There’s a specialist I know who’s amazing—sharp and stunning—oh, that’s not the point. Anyway, her name is Kim Eunyoung. Even the famous actor Cha Seokwoo reportedly consulted her before attending Cannes.”

“…Image management?”

“Our CEO knows her personally. If I mention it’s for you, she’ll definitely make time. I’ve met her once or twice by chance—she’s incredible at what she does. And, well, with rumors of discord even before the accident…”

“That’s enough.”

Yuri cut Jeong Soo off, seemingly aware that continuing would only highlight how superficial his marriage to Lee Seo had been.

“Can we meet her today?”

“Today?”

“There’s no time to waste. We’ve already had an unwelcome guest.”

Lee Seo flinched.
She had been checking Yuri’s name online every thirty minutes, worried that information might have leaked to Hong Dayeong.

“Alright. I’ll arrange it. If it’s for you, of course I’ll help.”

Jeong Soo clenched his fist as if reaffirming his determination.
And like magic, two hours later, they were meeting Eunyoung.

This was the beginning of Hong Lee Seo’s trials.

—

“This is absurd…”
Lee Seo muttered to herself.

How did it come to this?

The car rattled as it climbed a steep hill, causing Lee Seo’s shoulder to repeatedly brush against Yuri’s before pulling away.
She felt nauseous and struggled to breathe, but she couldn’t show it.
Instead, she turned her head to stare out the window.

Why had they ended up on this deserted mountain road together?

—

The previous day.

Eunyoung arrived at Byeolujae, sharply dressed in a tailored suit. Her gaze swept over Yuri and Lee Seo in turn.

“So you’re really alive.”

“Yes.”

“My instincts never fail me. And they didn’t this time either. But there’s something odd about the two of you.”

‘Is she a publicist or a fortune-teller?’

Eunyoung, with her sharp eyes and tightly tied ponytail, stared particularly long at Lee Seo.

“The ‘husband-killer’ framing feels wasted on you.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Well, isn’t it obvious? You seem completely under his thumb now.”

“I’m not.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Yuri and Lee Seo both spoke at the same time.

Eunyoung, standing behind with her hands folded, asked Jeong Soo to bring her a glass of water.

“A glass of water is fine? There’s juice too….”

“Water.”

“Yes.”

While Jeong Soo quickly disappeared into the kitchen, Eunyoung approached Lee Seo.

She gently grabbed her shoulder, then tapped her back lightly.

“Ah!”

Startled by the unexpected gesture, Lee Seo instinctively flinched. Eunyoung immediately held her chin and supported her back.

“Always keep your head held high and your back straight. Confidence is the key. Whatever position you’re in, this posture is essential.”

“….”

“If you look even the slightest bit timid, the other person will seize the opportunity to tear you apart. We’ve seen your modest side. But you know you have the ability, so why are you shrinking?”

It felt like she had been slapped in the face.

Ever since childhood, Lee Seo had been shrinking away—whether it was from a discriminatory mother, a threatening younger sibling, or the oppressive weight of her family’s expectations.

She hadn’t done anything wrong.
She had simply tried her best to defend herself.

“Kim Eunyoung, this is too much for the first time…”

Yuri tried to step in, but Lee Seo raised her hand to signal him to stop.

“It’s fine. Please continue.”

Eunyoung’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

Finally sitting comfortably, Eunyoung told them that the most important thing was to appear as ‘real’ spouses.

“Do we really look like fake couples?”

“Exactly—more like a made-up couple. The reason is simple. Even the most loving couples have small differences and arguments. And after going through turmoil, couples tend to grow closer out of necessity rather than passion. Just like with objects, frequent use brings out flaws. Even if something is treated like a precious possession, it will inevitably show signs of wear over time.”

“So, you’re saying we lack that intimacy?”

“Exactly. You’re smart, Kang Yuri, as always.”

Despite her shock at the sudden use of such a formal word, Lee Seo remained quiet. Yuri continued,
“Then how can we create that sense of intimacy?”

“I’ll give you a mission. You’ll need to follow through with it.”

The mission list contained about thirty tasks, with a few underlined.

“Especially the underlined ones. If you present an awkward image in front of people, it might come off as a staged accident. Before stepping into a press conference, try something thrilling and risky together. Bonding through difficult experiences often brings out unexpected emotions.”

Lee Seo hesitated, but Yuri immediately agreed to the challenge.

Meanwhile, Jeong Soo hurried back into the room with a trembling hand, offering a glass of water to Eunyoung.

“The easiest thing we can do discreetly is paragliding…”

Please let it be something else. Not paragliding. How precisely did that get chosen?

“Is it too much?”

Yuri asked, and Lee Seo shook her head.

She didn’t want to spoil the plan like this.

Still,
no matter how well she planned…

“It feels higher than I expected.”

This was way too high.

For Lee Seo, who once froze up during a simple eleven-meter tightrope walk at a camp’s courage test, her fear of heights was overwhelming.

Why did she agree? Why did she accept it so easily?

Regret was always too late.

At the top of the hill, equipped with paragliding gear, a brief safety briefing took place.

“You’ll be jumping one by one, so don’t worry too much.”

The explanation didn’t quite register.

Lee Seo quietly rubbed her hands, trying to calm her stomach, which threatened to revolt at any moment.

Suddenly, Yuri looked at her attentively and approached her.

“Would you like to stop?”

“….”

‘Yes, I want to go down right now.’

Although her mind screamed the answer, her lips refused to move.

She couldn’t act like a child forever.

Since Yuri said there was more to this situation, Lee Seo had to see it through.

At least, she didn’t want to be a burden to their appearance as a ‘real couple.’

“No, it’s fine.”

After finally finding her voice to respond, Yuri seemed to pause for a moment before approaching the instructor.

“If I have a paragliding license, I can jump freely. I’ll take Hong Lee Seo with me.”