A Thrilling Divorce (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
So Myung had no appetite, but she tried her best to eat.
Do Ha picked up his spoon only after seeing her start her meal.
It seemed like it had been a long time since So Myung had a proper meal. She felt she’d kept receiving so much help from someone she barely knew.
At first glance, he appeared cold and aloof, but the more she looked, the warmer he seemed.
He wasn’t asking about what had happened earlier—just quietly focusing on eating his food. She realized even this was his way of caring for her. Pausing mid-bite of her seolleongtang, So Myung looked up at Do Ha and spoke.
“Thank you.”
At her words, Do Ha looked back at So Myung. He could see genuine sincerity in her eyes.
She was trying hard to appear composed, but her expression looked deeply sorrowful. Seeing her face, his heart ached. She hadn’t told him exactly how she felt, yet somehow, he understood.
“There’s a saying—‘neighbors are like cousins.’”
Do Ha couldn’t even look at So Myung as he spoke, awkwardly focusing on his seolleongtang.
“Hang in there.”
So Myung also had no appetite and couldn’t even taste her food, but hearing his words gave her strength, and she began eating earnestly.
After finishing their meal, Do Ha and So Myung headed home. Neither of them spoke.
Feeling the awkward silence, So Myung looked at Do Ha and finally broke it.
“What were you doing at the farm the other day?”
“Oh… Actually, I really like houseplants.”
Do Ha was surprised to realize So Myung was the first person he’d ever told about his love for houseplants. He just felt like he could tell her anything, and she’d understand without judgment.
Hearing this, So Myung brightened and asked excitedly,
“Oh my goodness—I love them too! Home gardening is my hobby.”
“Really?”
Do Ha was amazed to discover they shared the same hobby.
“You should come visit my place sometime to see my plants.”
“Your kids?”
“No, no—not kids. The houseplants.”
“Oh! Hahaha.”
Do Ha found himself laughing with her without even realizing it. So Myung, too, felt relieved—she’d momentarily forgotten about Ji Sung and could just laugh and chat with him.
As he drove, Do Ha turned to So Myung and asked,
“Could you show me your home garden today?”
“Huh?”
Surprised by his sudden request, So Myung looked at him questioningly.
“Oh—I’m sorry if this is awkward. You can show me another time. It’s just… I can’t stand not knowing when I’m curious. My apologies.”
“No, not at all. It’s not awkward. I’ll show you.”
Do Ha was surprised at himself for having made such a forward request, but he felt relieved that she didn’t seem offended.
He kept wondering why he kept treating her differently from everyone else. Still, Do Ha calmly gathered his thoughts.
‘It’s just empathy—because she’s gone through the same pain as me—and a simple human wish for her happiness.’
He’d been so consumed by his own wounds that he hadn’t paid attention to those around him. But if he could offer her even the smallest bit of positive support, he’d be glad.
When they reached the underground parking lot, they took the same elevator up to their apartments.
It felt strangely surreal to be riding the elevator together. Soon, they arrived at their floor, and Do Ha spoke to her.
A faint smile curved his lips as he spoke. His smile was so warm that So Myung’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I’ll just go change into something more comfortable first.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
They exchanged a brief nod and parted ways for the moment.
So Myung entered her apartment and changed into a comfortable T-shirt and pants before sitting on the sofa.
Without Ji Sung, the space felt overwhelmingly large. Alone, she found herself thinking of Ra Hee Chae.
Unconsciously, she clenched her fists tightly.
She didn’t know how to control the anger constantly welling up in her chest.
No matter how hard she tried to stay positive and keep from sinking into sadness, her emotions wouldn’t obey—and it frustrated her. Just then, the doorbell rang, and So Myung composed her expression before walking to the door.
Standing at the entrance was Do Ha, dressed simply in a T-shirt and sweatpants—a different image from when he wore a suit or even his usual attire. He looked surprisingly younger than she’d expected.
“Come in.”
Do Ha stepped inside, and So Myung led the way, turning on the light in the veranda.
He slowly walked toward her veranda, and as soon as he stepped in, a lush green world spread before his eyes.
Her gardening skills were impressive—her veranda garden was truly top-tier. He was so stunned that his mouth fell open without him even noticing.
Each plant radiated vibrant, healthy green—clear proof of her devotion.
“Oh, this is an olive tree?”
“You recognized it just by looking at the plants. Many people don’t even know what they are… I’m so glad you share the same hobby as me, Director.”
“And this is tamarind—there’s eucalyptus too. It’s all so beautiful and amazing. Your skills are incredible.”
Do Ha thought her garden was more stunning than any he’d ever seen.
“Please sit here.”
Two cozy-looking chairs sat beside the veranda.
“I like sitting here sometimes to enjoy tea—the view’s great.”
“Okay.”
Do Ha sat down and looked out at the scenery. Sitting in this beautiful garden lifted his mood.
It had been such a difficult day, yet thanks to So Myung, he felt warmly comforted. As he gazed outside, So Myung returned with a cup of warm tea.
“It’s rooibos—no caffeine, so I thought it’d be better.”
“Oh, thank you.”
They sat side by side in the chairs, sipping tea and looking out at the view. Without realizing it, Do Ha spoke to her.
“I went through something similar.”
“Huh?”
“I saw the woman I loved meeting another man—with my own two eyes. So… I understand how you feel better than anyone.”
“…”
Hearing he’d experienced the same pain and truly understood her, So Myung felt all the emotions she’d held back surge up from within. She let out a deep breath before breaking into quiet sobs.
“Huh-huh-huh…”
Tears streamed endlessly from her eyes.
“Go ahead and cry as loudly as you need. It’s natural to feel pain when you’re hurt—you don’t have to hold it in.”
So Myung began wailing as if releasing all the anger and pain she’d bottled up, and Do Ha watched her with sad eyes before speaking gently.
“And you must grow stronger. Only you can protect yourself. Don’t let yourself fall apart.”
“Th… Thank you.”
Her face streaked with tears, So Myung managed to say. Do Ha quickly went to the living room, grabbed tissues, and handed them to her.
After crying for a long while, So Myung finally calmed down. Do Ha looked at her and said,
“I may not be able to help much, but if you ever need anything, just ask.”
“Okay.”
“So Myung, will you be my friend?”
“Friends?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Let’s be friends.”
“Then give me your number.”
So Myung typed her number into the phone he offered and handed it back. Do Ha pressed the call button and said,
“Save my number.”
“Okay.”
Do Ha looked at So Myung and added,
“It’s especially important to stay sharp-minded at times like this.”
“Thank you.”
Though she could only manage to say “thank you,” his words comforted her deeply.
After finishing his tea, Do Ha left, and So Myung was once again alone in her large apartment.
But this time, her thoughts felt slightly different from yesterday’s. Do Ha’s words kept replaying in her mind. She quietly repeated them to herself.
“I have to become stronger. Only I can protect myself. Yes—I have to be strong.”
Alone in her bed in the pitch-black night, So Myung kept repeating those words over and over. Soon, her eyes gently closed, and she drifted off to sleep.
******
Meanwhile, the mood between the two who returned to Ra Hee Chae’s officetel was far from calm. As soon as she arrived, Ra Hee Chae stormed into her room and slammed the door shut.
Ji Sung tried to follow, turning the doorknob—but the door wouldn’t budge. Looking flustered, he knocked and called out,
“Ra Hee, open the door. Are you mad?”
“Oppa, is that even something you can say?”
“I’m sorry. It must’ve hurt a lot, right?”
“You should’ve helped me when your wife grabbed my hair like that! Did you sympathize with her just because she’s your wife? I’ve even tolerated being labeled as your mistress just because I love you—do you really enjoy seeing me humiliated like this?”
“Ra Hee… Do you even know how I feel right now? I’m so furious I feel like I’m going crazy.”
“What are you going to do now? I’m too angry to just let this go.”
“I’ll get the documents ready tomorrow and have the divorce finalized.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now open this door.”
“…”
“Ra Hee, come on.”
At Ji Sung’s earnest plea, Ra Hee reluctantly opened the door.
Seeing her disheveled hair, Ji Sung gently stroked her face.
Then, gazing at her sweetly and tenderly, he whispered,
“I’ll never let you go through something like this again. I love you.”
“Oppa… I want to be your only woman.”
“Yes. You’re all I have. No one else matters.”
At Ji Sung’s words, Ra Hee pulled him into a tight embrace. They held each other closely for a long time.
“But… you don’t think the director will try to harm us, do you?”
Suddenly remembering something, Ra Hee looked up at Ji Sung with anxious eyes.
“Couples getting divorced naturally fight—it’s normal. And if they try to stop me from working at the company just because I divorced, I won’t stand for it!”
Though Ji Sung reassured her like this, he, too, felt uneasy.
Do Ha’s furious expression kept flashing before his eyes.
He also couldn’t shake the nagging question—why had Do Ha stepped in for So Myung?
Director Do Ha Cha was famously cold, never showing smiles to any employee and never interfering in others’ affairs. So why?
Though he tried to convince himself—and others—that Do Ha was simply taking So Myung’s side in their public fight, he couldn’t ignore the subtle impression that Do Ha genuinely cared about her, which left him conflicted.
He didn’t want her for himself, yet hated the idea of giving her to someone else. He even wished that, even after divorcing him, she’d spend her whole life longing for him.
Ji Sung’s mind grew tangled with thoughts of So Myung.
Unaware of any of this, Ra Hee gazed at him with longing eyes, silently pleading for his love. Ji Sung looked at her face and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead.
******
The next morning, So Myung woke up alone in bed. Unlike yesterday, when she’d dreaded opening her eyes and just wanted to avoid the day, today felt different.
Perhaps because she’d finally gotten some proper sleep, she felt a bit better physically. As soon as she got up, she showered, styled her hair, put on her favorite dress, and began applying makeup.
Looking into the mirror, So Myung spoke aloud to herself, encouragingly.
“I need to love myself. I have to take care of myself. I can do this. So Myung Hong—hang in there.”
After finishing her makeup, So Myung left the house. She rolled down the car window as she drove, letting the cool breeze pleasantly brush against her face.
She pressed the accelerator, picking up speed. Soon, she arrived at a grand mansion.
Getting out of the car, she took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
“Who is it?”
“Mother, it’s me—So Myung.”
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Seriously, I’m shocked at how idiotic they are. Ra Hare really thought the protagonist was so nice.
She finally told her father the truth; he just needs to meet the protagonist to see how wonderful she is.
Seriously, I’m angry at this fake; I’m waiting for the mask to fall.