Chapter 8: Uninvited Guest
It’s rare to find siblings with genuine affection for each other.
But for Lee Seo, Hong Dayeong, who casts a shadow over her life, is someone who she wishes to distance herself from as much as possible.
From a young age, Dayeong was always seen as lacking compared to Lee Seo. However, due to his role as the heir to the family business, their parents doted on him excessively.
“Why is he here…?”
At a time like this.
Should I just pretend no one’s home?
“Open the door. I know you’re here.”
Ghost-like, Hong Dayeong’s voice echoed from the front door.
Lee Seo grasped Yuri’s shoulder tightly.
Then, as if guiding him, she pushed him toward the bedroom.
“Come in for now. I’ll send him away later. He’s relentless, so….”
“Faster than expected, and more bothersome.”
Yuri murmured in a low voice, his face unreadable, then took hold of Lee Seo’s hand that was pushing him.
What’s he trying to do?
Her heart trembled with unease.
Knock, knock.
The loud banging on the door continued.
“There’s no need to worry. I’ve returned.”
“What are you talking about? The reason I can’t open the door is because of you.”
“Isn’t it because of the inheritance issue?”
In that moment, Lee Seo had no words to say.
Yuri seemed to understand the situation. He knew how shameless her younger brother could be.
Dayeong, who rushed to claim his share of the inheritance without hesitation after hearing about his brother-in-law’s death, clearly had no interest in Lee Seo’s grief. A thug of the highest order.
It seemed like Dayeong was beginning to realize who Yuri was.
“So, show him. That you can’t touch me.”
Without hesitation, Yuri stepped forward toward the door.
“Wait a second, Kang Yuri. Yuri…!”
In a panic, Lee Seo tried to stop him, but it was too late.
The gloved, slender hand of Yuri moved steadily toward the door handle.
Before she knew it, the door swung open smoothly.
“What a talent for making busy people wait…”
As the door opened, Dayeong immediately prepared to launch into a tirade, but upon seeing Yuri standing there, his mouth shut abruptly. His expression looked stunned, as if he had seen a ghost.
A part of his face paled, reminiscent of seeing a ghost. It was a reaction similar to seeing a spirit. Lee Seo thought, This is it, we’re doomed.
At the same time, the news of Kang Yuri’s return spreading through the city would likely create a stir.
“What is this? Really?”
Dayeong seemed unsure whether to believe his own eyes, brushing his hands roughly over his face.
In contrast, Yuri’s small smile seemed to widen slightly, enjoying the moment.
“Brother-in-law, long time no see.”
“…What is this?”
“If you had contacted me beforehand, I would’ve prepared a meal. Come inside.”
The worst situation had unfolded.
Lee Seo had no intention of letting him inside.
“Hey, Hong Lee Seo. What is this?”
Dayeong, still frozen in place behind Yuri, directed the question at Lee Seo.
If only Lee Seo could explain this mess, but she was just as, if not more, bewildered than Dayeong.
Realizing that Lee Seo wanted to tell him to leave and make a call later, Yuri gently took her hand and spoke softly.
“Calling her ‘Hey’ isn’t exactly polite, don’t you think?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Come in. It’s a bit much for Lee Seo to entertain you today, but a cup of tea is more than welcome.”
With that, Yuri stepped back slightly, making way for Dayeong to enter.
Dayeong still had a blank, confused expression as he removed his shoes and stepped inside, holding his phone tightly in hand.
What’s he planning to do with that phone?
Yuri appeared calm, but seeing Yuri so composed made Lee Seo’s anxiety build.
Watching Dayeong sit down on the sofa, Lee Seo grabbed Yuri’s arm as he headed toward the kitchen.
“Just what do you plan to do?”
“We can’t hide it forever.”
“That’s true, but….”
It was the last thing Dayeong needed to hear.
“Do you mind being left alone for a moment?”
Glancing over.
Yuri’s gaze shifted towards the living room.
Oh, right.
If he contacts someone else now, it wouldn’t end well.
Quickly, Lee Seo moved to stand in front of Dayeong. He dropped his hand from his smartwatch.
One thing Dayeong had going for him was that, despite his quick temper and lack of caution, he managed to distinguish between what he could gain and what he would lose because of his greedy nature.
“When did you get here, brother-in-law?”
His tone had softened slightly.
Lee Seo knew she couldn’t get stucked into Dayeong’s web, so she sat up straight, trying to maintain her composure.
“Why?”
“Why? Everyone thought my brother-in-law was dead, and now you’re standing here perfectly fine. The police had no idea either. Besides, the car clearly went into the water, and it was an irreversible accident. They searched every inch, but they couldn’t find a body. So how are you here?”
“…”
“Then you come back? Think about it, sister—are you sure this person really is your husband?”
She might be falling for a trick.
Dayeong only called her “sister” when he had something to gain.
Avoiding his infuriating face, Lee Seo turned her gaze away, but she felt a strong pressure on her wrist.
Involuntarily, a soft sound almost escaped her lips, but she managed to swallow it down, her eyes focusing on Dayeong’s contorted face.
“Get your head straight. Do you have any proof that he’s really your husband?”
“…As if you’d wish he were dead.”
“It’s not that… but it just doesn’t make sense. You know how high that cliff was?”
“How do you know that?”
“Of course I know. I checked thoroughly. It was definitely certain. My grandfather and I had already planned to discuss everything soon—things you could take when you had the chance. But what the hell is this?”
That’s why Dayeong panicked so much.
Dayeong had a clear reason why Kang Yuri should not be alive.
“Let go of my hand and talk.”
A low voice cut through the tension between them.
Lee Seo lifted her head, and Yuri, carrying a tray with teacups, placed one in front of Dayeong. Next to it, he set his own and Lee Seo’s cup neatly beside each other.
“Ah… seeing my sister again made me worry so much, I got carried away.”
Dayeong said, releasing his grip on Lee Seo’s wrist.
Lee Seo sat firmly between Dayeong and Yuri, feeling uneasy at how calmly Yuri was handling the situation.
“Kind of tender, aren’t you, brother-in-law?”
“Our relationship has always been this tender, hasn’t it, brother-in-law?”
“…Really? I don’t remember it being like this.”
Yuri gave a small smile but didn’t respond to his jab.
The air in the living room grew tense.
Dayeong might lash out at any moment and expose Yuri’s true identity—or worse, threaten them.
“I know a lot about my sister. You know she doesn’t act kindly towards men like that. You know how stubborn she is, how proud she is—over the smallest things.”
“I’ve never thought of it as pride. Maybe self-esteem. I’ve achieved many things on my own, so I believe I’ve earned the right to act with a little confidence.”
Yuri skillfully countered Dayeong’s objections, each retort smooth and calculated.
This wasn’t the usual demeanor Yuri displayed.
Suspicion about their relationship wasn’t new. People often questioned their bond, jumping to conclusions too easily.
But what stopped them every time wasn’t Yuri’s clever tongue—it was his cold, unwavering gaze that spoke volumes.
“You really seem like a different person.”
Dayeong’s words hung in the air as he looked back and forth between Yuri and Lee Seo.
After a moment, he seemed lost in thought—whether it was the sight of the affection between siblings that disturbed him, or Yuri’s bold statement left him speechless, wasn’t clear.
“So from now on, everything I have will belong to Lee Seo.”
“…?”
“Because I love Hong Lee Seo. My wife.”
