A Marriage So Lethal (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 15

The signature at the bottom of the contract was unmistakably my own.

Yet the content of the contract differed from what I had read and signed the last time.

Specifically, just one clause had been cunningly added right above my signature—something easily overlooked with a quick glance.

[Both contracts were voluntarily entered into by Ji Se Ah for practical reasons.]

Beneath it, Ji Se Ah’s signature sat boldly in place.

‘Please send me the contract later.’

That day, I coldly rebuked Nam Tae and stormed out.

Nothing like this had happened with the first contract, and above all, forging the document was unthinkable to someone like me who had always lived lawfully.

“I was far too careless.”

Sinking into self-loathing, Se Ah muttered to herself. I had been so absorbed in Kang Woo that I completely failed to grasp just how vicious Nam Tae truly was.

*Ding-dong.* A new message alert appeared—timely, it was from Director Lee.

[Madam, have you received the contract? Though the payment of 1 billion won was scheduled after the expiration of the second contract, I’ve gone ahead and deposited 100 million in advance. Also, I’ll be texting you details about the event planned for tomorrow’s luncheon party, as I assume you might be curious. Wishing you a peaceful weekend.]

Though his intention—sending 100 million without prior agreement—was obvious and almost laughable, Se Ah bit her lip hard at the mention of the luncheon party.

In other words: Kang Woo and Min Young together, happily laughing and chatting with the new daughter-in-law they were about to welcome.

It was sheer nonsense—his way of flaunting it in front of her.

True to his word, Kang Woo returned home early.

Hearing the front door open, Se Ah rose from the living room sofa. Unusually, she wasn’t in her bedroom but had come out—Kang Woo’s lips softened at the sight. He sensed her gaze lingering persistently on his hands.

Pretending not to notice, he switched into slippers and strode over to Se Ah.

“Were you waiting for me?”

He asked, though already knowing the answer—but unexpectedly,

“Yes.”

Surprised by her reply, Kang Woo’s eyes slowly narrowed, then he broke into open laughter.

Her wide, chestnut-brown eyes—bewildered by his reaction—looked adorably round.

“Even if it’s just polite talk, it’s nice to hear.”

He bent slightly at the waist to match her height. The strong line of his neck carried his familiar scent—deep, distinctive, and effortlessly chic.

“Give me your hand.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t just grab your hand carelessly—you have to hand it to me yourself.”

“Just say it plainly. Why are you doing this?”

Still cautious, Se Ah curled her fist tightly, as if that alone would keep him from taking hold.

Gently, Kang Woo pressed the bouquet against the small, curled back of her hand.

“Take it.”

He watched, smiling, as Se Ah sharply turned her head away.

“I already told you not to give me gifts. I won’t accept it.”

“This wasn’t prepared by Secretary Choi. I did it myself.”

He tugged lightly at her sleeve and placed the flowers into her arms.

“It’s not technically a violation, since they didn’t touch your body directly.”

“Stop bending the rules like this and sweeping things under the rug.”

“If I’ve already broken them, I might as well go further.”

Confused by his cryptic remark, Se Ah narrowed her eyes. Before she could grasp its meaning, Kang Woo lightly caught her wrist and lifted it.

From inside his jacket, he pulled out a small case—matching rings. He slipped the smaller one onto her slender ring finger.

“People don’t even wear wedding rings these days.”

Se Ah stood frozen before him, like a statue. Before she even fully registered that he was holding her hand, Kang Woo released it.

He was teetering on a precarious edge—fully aware he was gradually violating the contract, yet confident that, given Se Ah’s personality, she wouldn’t fiercely call him out on it.

A faint sneer flickered across his lips—at his own despicableness.

“I no longer have any obligation to do so.”

As if snapping back to her senses, Se Ah finally gave a cold reply.

“I bought it anew—to celebrate our becoming a contracted couple.”

“…”

“As I said earlier, we need to be clear: whenever we appear together in public, you must wear it without fail.”

“I’m not sure such situations will even arise. Whether or not I attend is my decision.”

“One never knows what may happen.”

The same phrase he’d used earlier slipped out again. His confidence was so baffling Se Ah was left speechless.

Before she got further entangled with him, she resolved to say what she’d intended. Se Ah sharply pointed toward the sofa.

“Please sit down. I have something to say.”

Without protest, he obediently sat. Se Ah sat across from him, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

“To get a job at your company—what should I do? I don’t want to parachute in. Only if I meet the necessary qualifications, perhaps.”

“Do you really think I’d hire someone incompetent just because we’re acquainted? I’d rather just give you money.”

“I suppose.”

Se Ah’s terse reply sounded dry. His chest tightened, and Kang Woo loosened his tie knot. The more he tried to hold onto her, the further she slipped away—anger flared within.

He grasped the champagne bottle resting on the coffee table with his large hand.

“Let’s eat cake. Or just pop the champagne.”

“What?”

“It means I want you to stay with me—don’t just retreat to the bedroom.”

His heated gaze boldly pierced into Se Ah—those arrogant, jet-black eyes, which had once made her tremble so intensely she couldn’t even meet them for long.

She wanted to declare she wouldn’t be swayed by him anymore—but her heart refused to obey.

Though she resented those proud, tightly closed lips, her heart still fluttered. She hated herself more—for wavering, for failing to reject him with cold resolve, far more than she hated his refusal to say ‘I love you.’

Se Ah handed Kang Woo a white envelope and stood up.

“I’m tired. I waited only to discuss the job issue. I’ve prepared my résumé—please review it.”

“Wait a moment.”

Kang Woo swiftly rose and headed to the dining room. Returning, he held the small dish Se Ah had brought as part of her dowry.

“You seemed to like this dish—I remembered seeing it last time.”

“…”

Se Ah silently watched, unsure what he was doing.

Kang Woo cut a generous slice of cake, placed it on the dish, and handed it to her. Gently, he took her hand—still dazed—and placed both the dish and fork into it. Only after confirming she held them securely did he let go.

“I’m not the type of gentleman who sticks meticulously to every rule. I simply don’t have the luxury.”

“…Kang Woo.”

“And yet, I’m not some reckless brute either—so try not to be so tense.”

Holding his discarded jacket, Kang Woo offered a smile. For a fleeting moment, Se Ah’s heart ached—it looked as if he were forcing himself to smile.

“Good night.”

After the sweet farewell, Kang Woo turned and walked away first.

Se Ah stood motionless, watching his broad back recede into the distance.

“Ugh.”

Groaning at his queasy stomach, Kang Woo barely opened his eyes. Sunlight flooded the room. Somehow, morning had already arrived.

His mouth felt parched. He lightly moistened his lips and sat up in bed.

His stomach burned like hell. He muttered under his breath as he checked the time.

For some reason, he’d slept relatively late—9 a.m. It was the latest he’d woken in the past three years.

After tossing and turning until midnight, he’d finally decided one strong glass of whiskey was better than lying awake all night.

He couldn’t possibly attend the luncheon with the G Group father and daughter looking bloodshot-eyed. A single drink, he’d thought, wouldn’t hurt—and would help him sleep deeply.

As expected, his stomach felt slightly unsettled, but his overall condition was good. The fatigue that had weighed him down to his jaw had noticeably lifted.

He got up and headed straight to the bathroom for a shower.

Walking bare across the living room would surely leave a terrible impression on Se Ah. Though heading straight to the dressing room in his current state would be easier, he chose to wear a bathrobe out of courtesy.

Exiting his room en route to the dressing room, his gaze naturally drifted toward the bedroom.

Still asleep?

He’d planned to speak with her before leaving—but today, just how coldly would she treat him again?

By now, he could easily picture it: those round, kitten-like eyes lifting in clear annoyance.

Just as he turned away from the bedroom, the door opened.

Even from a distance, Se Ah radiated brilliance.

An elegant black dress with a softly rounded neckline. A delicate pearl necklace rested gracefully against her slender neck—its pure, clean hue complementing her fair skin, and contrasting strikingly with the black dress to create an alluring elegance.

She looked beautiful—but dressed like this, where could she possibly be going on a weekend?

“Where are you off to, dressed like that?”

As he tightened the robe’s belt, Kang Woo asked casually—then stepped toward Se Ah, who stood just a step away, offering only a meaningful smile, refusing to close the distance.

“You’re even wearing earrings. A set with the necklace?”

“It’s the wedding gift you gave me. Oh—you weren’t there, so of course you wouldn’t know.”

Tilting her small face, Se Ah looked up at Kang Woo. Her haughty expression and sharp reply made him laugh despite himself.

“It suits you well.”

“…”

“Why didn’t you wear it sooner? It looks like the first time I’ve seen it.”

“I saved it. Because you gave it to me as a wedding gift.”

“I can buy you as many as you like, anytime.”

“Meaning matters more than money—to me.”

“Would it mean more if I bought it for you in person? Let’s go to the department store right now—I’ll buy you as much as you want.”

Se Ah exhaled deeply, saying nothing more—as if thinking, *What’s the point of talking to you?*

“So where are you going?”

He stubbornly stepped in front of her as she tried to brush past.

“I’m trying hard not to become the kind of husband who just interrogates his wife. Please cooperate.”

His low, gravelly voice rumbled faintly at the end of his sentence.

“You have a remarkable talent for making requests with such arrogance, Kang Woo.”

Se Ah tightened the belt of his bathrobe further. With that smooth, deliberate motion, a glint flashed on her ring finger—the couple ring he’d given her yesterday. Noticing it belatedly, Kang Woo softly chuckled. *Ha.*

“I’m going to the luncheon party—as Kang Woo’s wife.”

“You said there’d be no need for us to attend together. Why the change?”

“You said yourself—one never knows what may happen.”

She met his suspicious, piercing gaze with bold defiance.

“And I, too, have no further room to retreat.”

They arrived at the Cheongdam-dong main residence.

Before heading to the garage, Kang Woo let Se Ah out first. Standing before the gate, she steadied her nerves.

She pondered deeply: what expression should she wear first upon passing through that imposing gate?

Nam Tae surely hadn’t anticipated she’d show up here at all.

Walking in holding Kang Woo’s hand—instead of trembling at home—was a clear act of defiance.

The image of Nam Tae’s twisted, sinister expression flashing in her mind made her smirk.

“Let’s go in.”

Kang Woo, having silently approached her side, extended his hand. Taking it, they stepped together into the mansion—a veritable hell.

“President, Madam—you’ve arrived.”

Madam Yeong Cheon, waiting at the gate, bowed deeply. Following her guidance, Kang Woo and Se Ah walked toward the rear garden.

As they strolled hand in hand along the stone path, Kang Woo shortened his stride to match hers.

“Were you nervous?”

Sensing the dampness on her palm, the sharp-eyed man gently squeezed her hand as he asked.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve attended such an event—just a little.”

Even if it was just an act, hearing his gentle, low voice after so long felt strangely comforting. Naturally, the corners of Kang Woo’s eyes curved upward.

Finally, they reached the rear garden.

A vast expanse dotted with ancient maple trees ablaze in red, and across the way, an abundance of rare autumn blooms in full flourish.

At its center sat a single, large outdoor table draped in an opulent tablecloth—but what drew attention even more was:

“President Cha, Se Ah! We’ve been waiting just for you two. Father and I arrived far too early, and I felt quite embarrassed toward Congressman Cha.”

Min Young approached Kang Woo and her, beaming like a flower in bloom.

“…You’re here.”

And beside her, Nam Tae—his lips oddly twisted as he barely suppressed the flicker of malice in his gleaming eyes.