When The Dead Husband Knocks On The Door

Chapter 6

“Wait, I need a moment!”

Lee Seo needed time to process what was happening. Everything was unfolding so quickly.

Seeming to sense her distress, Yuri stepped aside, though not leaving the house they shared—Byeolujae.

Instead, she was gently pushed into his room, where silence reigned. After tidying up the simple meal they had, Lee Seo took a shower.

The events of last night weren’t a dream.

“How could this happen?”

Of course, it had already happened, so thinking about it wasn’t going to change anything.

Yet, the man claiming to be—or rather, acting like—Kang Yuri stood just beyond the door.

Was he here for Kang Yuri’s fame, wealth, status?

Regardless, she had a duty as his wife to protect what belonged to him.

“No way…”

Deep in thought, she mechanically washed her hair and body.

As she wiped the mist from the mirror, a red mark on her skin near her collarbone caught her attention.

In a panic, she quickly covered it with a towel.

‘Did you miss me?’

Yuri’s face floated in her mind, the shadowed eyes with long lashes casting a melancholic look and his delicate touch tracing her cheek.

‘It’s alright, just relax, lean in a bit more…’

Why did memories become clearer over time instead of fading?

Her flushed face refused to cool, even as her hair dried. Dressed in thick clothing unsuitable for the season, she stepped outside.

The sun slowly moved across the sky, its warmth undeniable.

What is taking so long to get some peace?

Lee Seo decided she needed clarity.

If he came for Yuri’s reputation, wealth, or position, she had a duty to protect it. For someone who didn’t understand love, duty seemed far more important.

Knocking softly on the door, a faint sound answered from within.

“Come in.”

Upon entering, Lee Seo noticed the room had been cleaned meticulously. The remnants of last night’s intimacy were gone, replaced with fresh sheets and a tidy space.

The only noticeable difference was Yuri sitting at the desk, engrossed in his tablet.

He seemed deeply focused, setting down his thin silver-rimmed glasses momentarily.

‘I didn’t expect him to look this handsome even with glasses.’

It was probably true what they said—love at first sight or attraction could strike even in the simplest moments.

Mentally scolding herself, Lee Seo sat upright deliberately, fixing her posture.

“About that prenuptial agreement…”

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes? Oh, the hangover…”

“Using muscles you’re not accustomed to can make you sore.”

Yuri’s gentle words made her ears flush again.

In reality, discomfort wasn’t entirely absent from her body—hips, thighs, even her back ached faintly.

‘Seems like you’ve done this before,’ she thought, as Yuri approached her, lowering his head to meet her gaze.

“Are you going to revise the prenuptial agreement?”

“Really?”

“You came here to talk about the prenuptial agreement, didn’t you?”

“…Yes. A prenuptial agreement is something that’s meant to be made between a couple. It’s not something for you, who isn’t even my husband, to unilaterally alter.”

“I see that you’re quite confident. That I’m not Kang Yuri.”

“Of course.”

“You make a wonderful wife, filled with a desire to protect your husband.”

Yuri slightly bowed his head.

As the distance between them shrank, Lee Seo instinctively moved backward, but her movements were limited due to her less flexible body. She managed by leaning slightly away, though it wasn’t entirely effective.

“I never knew you cared this much for your husband.”

“…It’s just a matter between a married couple.”

Of course, Kang Yuri and Hong Lee Seo weren’t exactly a loving, affectionate couple. That was something they couldn’t let others discover.

It was also best to keep hidden the fact that Kang Yuri planned to ask Lee Seo for a divorce.

Even if he weren’t truly Kang Yuri, there wouldn’t be much Lee Seo had to lose.

“That’s not—”

“Isn’t it?”

“Now that I’ve returned, the misunderstandings and rumors circulating will subside. Instead of going through a lengthy inheritance dispute, it would be easier for you to claim the things I’ve earned as Kang Yuri.”

“I don’t want anything of his.”

Finally, Lee Seo had an angle to push back.

Yuri proposed two additions to the prenuptial agreement:

First, that they spend every evening together, eating and sleeping.

Second, that Lee Seo wouldn’t be able to leave Kang Yuri until all his possessions were fully handed over.

Her plan was to nullify the second clause.

“…You don’t want anything?”

Yuri raised one eyebrow in disbelief.

Of course, who wouldn’t be tempted by it?

Excluding his position with the Seonjin Group, Kang Yuri was already a renowned pianist.

At a young age, he had won at one of the world’s top three piano competitions, cementing his name in global recognition. His career had been spotless, and orchestras and conductors continuously sought his collaborations. Tickets to his performances were in high demand, often fetching exorbitant prices.

Yet, all of that belonged to Kang Yuri.

Lee Seo believed she had already received everything he could give—having been freed from her suffocating family ties thanks to his decision to take her in. In fact, she felt indebted.

“You must’ve forgotten.”

“Forgotten what?”

“Where you came from.”

What does that even mean…?

Yuri reached out and gently cupped her cheek.

She inhaled sharply, her breath catching in surprise.

“I never thought of you as a foolish woman.”

Seeing her expression harden slightly, he continued with a cool yet measured voice.

“Shall I remind you of our first meeting?”

First meeting?

As confusion flickered across her eyes, Yuri drew her closer.

Her back naturally curved backward to maintain some space, but Yuri moved with her, closing the distance until their bodies touched.

“How we ended up getting married.”

It was the day of a charity event, hosted by Korea’s largest food company, Jeongan.

Lee Seo’s mother, Jeong Eunja, had been one of the five children of Jeongan’s chairman but was cast aside after defying the family’s disapproval of the marriage.

Of course, there was more to the story—the birth of Lee Seo had played a significant role.

Love had quickly faded.

Every day, hearing her parents argue, blaming her for everything, and enduring her mother’s resentment—who saw her as the cause—had made Lee Seo realize how useless love could be.

‘Because of you my life is being held back. You wretched woman.’

For her mother, the only hope was Lee Seo’s younger brother, Hong Dayeong.

Dayeong’s return to Jeongan, and regaining her position, became Eunja’s ultimate goal.

Lee Seo couldn’t endure it. She didn’t want to endure it.

At seventeen, with the money she had saved up over time, Lee Seo left home.

Balancing part-time jobs and studies, she worked tirelessly to gain admission to a prestigious university.

Writing film-related articles, which had been her solace since childhood, naturally led her to take on the task of reviewing new films for the school newspaper.

[Insightful, truly excellent review! Thank you, Hong Lee Seo!]

In her life, luck came twice.

The first came when that year’s film festival review, of a film that swept awards, was shared by the director on social media.

In an instant, a magazine offered her a position as a columnist.

That was enough.

This is how she could live.

Just as she thought that, a single invitation arrived for Lee Seo.

It was from her only kind and caring aunt.

‘This is my last charity event I’m hosting. Come alone, Lee Seo. I’m grateful for how well you’ve grown.’

Though she didn’t want to go, she felt a sense of loyalty toward her aunt and decided to attend.

Breaking her savings, she bought a formal suit for the event.

Upon arriving and entering, a wave of disapproving glances immediately followed her.

She could already imagine what was being whispered—

Why did she even come here? So brazen.

Just like her mother, always so stubborn.

Then it happened.

The clamor seemed to subside as a beautiful piano melody began to flow through the hall.

In an instant, people’s expressions brightened, and hurried footsteps were heard as they made their way toward the piano.

And finally, Lee Seo saw it.

For the first time, she witnessed the most beautiful face she had ever seen.