A Marriage So Lethal (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13
As the main lights turned on, the dim dining room brightened.
“I should feed you first.”
Kang Woo pulled Se Ah’s hand and seated her. The scent of the shampoo they shared wafted from him as he straightened his posture.
The front of his robe had also loosened slightly. True to his dislike of untidiness, he had tightly retied the robe’s belt, so there was nothing truly revealing—only the thick curve of his neck and the firm, muscular expanse of his chest were faintly visible.
Yet, perhaps because she had grown so accustomed to his impeccably tailored formalwear, her cheeks flushed hotly.
“…I’ll go change clothes.”
When Se Ah averted her gaze and spoke, he lowered his head to inspect his own attire, as if only then realizing what she meant.
“How suddenly formal of you.”
His usual tone carried a hint of playful teasing. Se Ah maintained a calm expression before Kang Woo, who had curled his lips upward in amusement.
“I never looked closely before, even back then—it was too dark. Lately, since I’ve mostly seen you in shirts, this feels even more unfamiliar.”
Though she hadn’t said anything particularly funny, Kang Woo’s lips relaxed once more into a smile. Instead of asking why he kept grinning, Se Ah’s round eyes narrowed slightly.
“You make it easier this way.”
He’d intended to simply drop the matter if she brushed him off or refused. What else could he do? Yet, leaving behind only a faint, enigmatic smile, Kang Woo turned and headed toward the dressing room.
Lately, he seemed to smile more. His gaze and tone had grown notably gentler—though of course, compared to before; Cha Gang Woo remained Cha Gang Woo, after all.
A short while later, Kang Woo returned, now wearing a loose-fit white T-shirt and training pants.
Since he rarely stayed home on weekends, even this relaxed outfit felt unfamiliar to her.
Effortlessly, he rolled up his sleeves to avoid hindrance. Se Ah’s eyes unconsciously drifted to his forearms, where prominent blue veins stood out—just as their gazes met.
“Do I pass?”
“Pass what, suddenly?”
“I mean, do these clothes pass? If not, just say so. I can keep changing until they satisfy you.”
She was momentarily speechless, looking up at him with slightly parted lips.
“You finally look like Ji Se Ah. With those puppy-like eyes.”
“Puppy?”
“You probably don’t realize it, but you really do resemble one.”
Determined not to get swept away any further, Se Ah pressed her lips shut. After all, she’d sat here to hear his honesty—not to fall for his unfamiliar charm.
At the induction cooktop, Kang Woo heated an oiled pan. As he poured in the beaten eggs, a delicious sizzling sound filled the air.
This house featured high ceilings, countertops, and interior design elements. Though staff often struggled with the excessive height, it looked perfectly proportioned for his tall frame.
Watching his broad, unhurried back as he moved about, she suddenly recalled something.
Though not as freely as now, there had been rare moments in the past when Kang Woo had let his guard down—casually tossing out jokes with a deadpan expression, leaving her flustered and unsure whether he was serious.
After their marriage, even that disappeared; only the businessman Cha Gang Woo remained.
Though his sharp gaze occasionally softened, he only ever fully revealed his unfiltered emotions in bed—where he’d lose composure, becoming persistent and intense in ways uncharacteristic of him. That was when she’d sometimes wondered whether, at least then, he truly felt her as a woman.
No—perhaps even that had been merely perfunctory. After all, nights spent sleeping beside him were so rare they could be counted on one hand.
*Thud.* Her train of thought shattered as the scrambled eggs were set on the dining table. Once her thoughts turned to Kang Woo, they refused to quiet easily.
“Try some.”
“I’ll enjoy it.”
“Want something else? Something to go with it as a side dish?”
“No, this is enough.”
Kang Woo sat down across from Se Ah just as she raised a spoonful. Eating alone suddenly felt awkward.
“Aren’t you eating, Mr. Kang Woo?”
“I’m fine.”
Over time, she’d even tasted food he’d prepared himself. It wasn’t something she’d expected to experience.
His continual display of unexpected sides over just half a day left her mentally dazed—so much so she couldn’t even discern whether the seasoning was right.
And why did he keep staring so intently? Mid-bite, she nearly choked.
Truth be told, a glass of milk would’ve sufficed—but curiosity about what he might say next kept her from refusing.
Also… she felt genuinely touched. The effort he was making for her, despite being someone seemingly distant from cooking altogether.
Everything felt so wholly unfamiliar, almost undeservedly so.
“You said you had something to tell me. Go ahead.”
Outwardly composed, inwardly she wasn’t. She fretted he might forget what he truly meant to say if this continued.
“It’s about what you said while signing the contract earlier.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
Would he demand to know why she wanted a sham marriage? What if he firmly insisted that part was unacceptable?
If he did, her hard-won resolve might easily crumble.
“You said you wanted to get a job.”
Yet his words caught her completely off guard.
“And?”
“Where are you thinking of applying?”
“I’m still considering.”
“Planning to use your major?”
The more she heard, the stranger it felt. He was neither her thesis advisor nor an interviewer.
“Was that what you wanted to say?”
“Yeah.”
That single, brief syllable—*Yeah*—effortlessly dismantled her resolve.
What do I still expect from this man? Do I now long for a love that never existed before to suddenly become passionate and profound?
Though I know it’s unfair to demand compensation for years of one-sided affection, my desires for him only grow heavier with each passing day—like a creditor pressing for repayment.
In the past, merely sitting across from him like this would’ve made me endlessly happy. Now, my defenses collapsed entirely.
I wanted to demand why he didn’t love me as deeply as I loved him. If he felt that way, why not just let me go? Why insist on holding me for a whole year?
The previously bland egg rice now tasted bitter. Se Ah set her spoon down firmly on the table, her expression hardened.
“What is it? Are you going to get me a job or something, Mr. Kang Woo?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“It’s unexpected—someone as rational as you offering employment just because we’re family.”
“G-Comms lost several writers from the collaboration project, so we genuinely need more. The terms would be more satisfying than at most companies. Interested?”
“…”
“You’re my sham wife.”
Kang Woo’s brows suddenly furrowed deeply.
“No—I’m not hiring you just because you’re my public-facing wife. Given your track record of winning large-scale contests, it wouldn’t be a loss for the company.”
“I’ll handle my job search myself. Thank you for the meal.”
Se Ah pushed her chair back and stood. As she rose, Kang Woo followed suit and gently pulled her shoulder toward him. Before she knew it, she’d drawn closer.
“Set emotions aside and think logically. I’m just trying to help you secure your own future.”
Weary of his perpetually composed expression, she reached up and pulled his hand away from her neck.
“Thank you for the advice.”
★★★
*Bang.*
Back in the guest room, Kang Woo closed the door.
“Ha.”
A heavy, suppressed sigh escaped him.
Trying to calm his conflicted emotions, he picked up his phone, checked the alarm, and lay down on the bed.
Even though he’d left work on time, his earlier start meant his sleep time remained nearly unchanged. His eyes felt bloodshot and stung—but sleep still eluded him.
Especially after drinking, just in case this would happen.
That single drink had been foolishly wasted—making Ji Se Ah appear even more beautiful than she already was.
Hence, dangerous. When he’d gripped her neck with that cold gaze, he’d nearly kissed her on the spot.
*“Was she always this beautiful?”*
She’d always seemed pretty to him before, but he’d simply chalked it up to her being his wife.
Lately, however, Se Ah’s aura had shifted subtly—exuding a mature elegance, laced with quiet pride.
His primal male instincts stirred uneasily: *What if someone else snatches her away?*
She was the one who’d shattered even his stone-cold resolve—once stopping him dead in his tracks at a hotel room door with just a pitiful glance and a single touch.
The sudden memory twisted his brow instinctively.
“I’m going to lose my mind.”
The words burst out—laced thickly with irritation.
This was one reason he wanted to bring Se Ah into the company. Since theirs was a marriage in name only, devoid of real duty or responsibility, he needed a legitimate reason to keep her within his sight.
And since she actually had the qualifications, he could rationally frame the job offer as professional—everything neatly aligned.
Though now fully wide awake, he forced himself to try sleeping.
Tomorrow’s schedule was unusually packed: after the monthly idea meeting, he’d need to reschedule the product launch, attend external meetings, and visit Hyun Sook’s hospital too.
*“Thank you for the advice.”*
No matter how tightly he shut his eyes, her face—coldly pulling his hand away—only grew clearer in his mind.
★★★
Se Ah returned to Hanseong University Hospital to visit Hyun Sook.
She took the elevator from the underground parking lot straight up to the VIP ward. As she approached the room, guilt nagged her for arriving empty-handed.
She’d been so overwhelmed lately that she hadn’t properly contacted Hyun Sook for days, nor felt at ease leaving everything solely to the hired caregiver.
Remembering Hyun Sook’s love for bread, she decided to grab something from the bakery on the first floor.
As a large chain, it offered a wide variety—all golden-brown, freshly baked, and appetizing.
So many customers crowded the counters that staff barely had time to arrange displays neatly. Thick slabs of bread piled high on flat metal trays were swiftly replaced as soon as they emptied.
Her gaze drifted to one spot where hands reached most frequently.
*Is this their best item? It just looks like an ordinary croissant.*
She reached for the last croissant with her tongs—only for someone else to grab it at the exact same moment.
“You can take it.”
Growing up in the orphanage, the director had drilled excessive emphasis on yielding and consideration. Breaking that rule brought worse punishment than physical discipline: the warning that one might not be allowed to stay.
Out of long-ingrained habit, Se Ah smiled and withdrew her hand first.
The other woman, tucking her bobbed hair behind one ear, smiled in return.
She was truly beautiful—wearing a trench coat draped over one arm, a crisp white shirt, and black slacks. The delicate metal watch on her wrist gleamed as brilliantly as its owner.
A refined, intelligent beauty—clean-cut yet elegant.
“Are you sure? Thank you. I always buy this when I come here—the person I’m visiting loves croissants.”
“Yes.”
*Such a beautiful voice to match her looks,* Se Ah thought. They exchanged polite nods and turned away.
Holding the shopping bag with the bread, Se Ah headed back up to the VIP ward.
Walking down the long hallway and rounding the corner, she passed a group—doctors, nurses, and several others—outside a room. Then she spotted a familiar back: Kang Woo.
*Why’s he at the hospital at this hour? What about work?*
She still found it uncomfortable to see his face—last night’s emotions remained unsettled.
Still, she stepped forward—only to notice he seemed to be accompanied by someone else.
As Kang Woo shifted slightly aside, the figure behind him came into view: the woman from the bakery—the one whose face, voice, and smile had all been so lovely.
Instinctively, Se Ah ducked behind the wall—like a wife who’d just witnessed her husband’s infidelity.
*Who is she?*
At least she hadn’t attended the wedding; such a face was impossible to forget.
Given the small, private ceremony and Hyun Sook’s estrangement from her own affluent family, there were many people Se Ah wouldn’t recognize.
*I don’t know her. So what if I hide? Just walk past.*
With each step, she drew closer to them. Kang Woo faced away, so she couldn’t read his expression—but the woman facing him beamed brightly. Her heart lurched for no reason.
Sensing movement behind him, Kang Woo turned—just as
“Oh? It’s you—the person from the bakery, right?”
The woman addressed Se Ah first.
Kang Woo’s eyes lifted momentarily, then narrowed slightly as they settled on Se Ah.
“You’re here?”
His voice was gentle, his posture subtly leaning toward her—deliberately signaling an intimate connection.
Meeting the other woman’s widening, puzzled gaze, Se Ah gave a brief, terse “Yes.”
“The second daughter of G-Comms—Managing Director Lee Min Young.”
Her heart pounded even harder than before. So this was G-Comms’ second daughter—the woman Nam Tae was desperately pushing to become his new daughter-in-law. But why was she here?
Suppressing the tremor in her lips, Se Ah offered a light smile.
“And this is my—”
Kang Woo paused, his lips curving faintly. A dark, unreadable gaze locked onto Se Ah’s for a frozen moment—then dropped away.
“Wife.”
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
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