A Twisted Relationship (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 1
“Da Hyun.”
“I knew you’d come.”
I had suspected Min Hyuk had someone tailing me, and just as I expected, he came to my house.
I’d considered leaving without a word, but as a final act of consideration for the father of the child in my womb, I waited until he arrived.
I would simply tell him my memory had returned and end things decisively—no need to confront him or even hear his excuses.
His anxious face filled my vision.
His pupils trembled violently, as if struck by an earthquake. I didn’t miss how his clenched fists were shaking, either.
Min Hyuk had guessed that Da Hyun was planning to leave.
She knew—knew that he’d been lying to her all along.
“Mr. Min Hyuk.”
At her icy tone, Min Hyuk fell silent. Her eyes, which used to smile at him, were now unbearably cold.
He held his tongue, afraid that a careless word might confuse her further.
He needed to figure out first how she’d learned the truth. As he stood there without speaking, Da Hyun bit her lip and slowly rose from her seat.
Min Hyuk could only stand still like a stone statue as Da Hyun approached him.
The closer she got, the sharper her eyes became—filled with hatred and betrayal, lashing at him like clawed nails.
She lifted her chin high, gave a bitter smile, and stared at him with merciless eyes.
If you won’t speak up even now, then I have no choice but to say it myself.
I’d hoped we could at least part ways gently, saying goodbye without pain.
But even that seemed impossible now.
“My memory has returned.”
This time, I would sever cleanly what I couldn’t cut off neatly before.
Everything had been a lie—a scripted play. I’d merely been a pawn dancing on his stage.
Da Hyun bit her lower lip, bitterness rising in her throat.
Our relationship had been twisted, warped, and distorted from the start.
***
Da Hyun took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
The roughly 5-pyeong private dining room of Dodomun Restaurant—furnished with modern white wainscoting, an elegant chandelier, and a marble dining table—was the establishment’s signature VIP suite.
But Da Hyun hadn’t come here for a meal. She’d come in place of her younger sister Ji Yeon, and her face was stiff with tension.
“I’m only twenty-two. Marriage? Shouldn’t you, as the older sister, marry first? So you go in my place.”
“Father won’t let it go if he finds out.”
“Of all people, it’s HG Group—the very one you met for a blind date before! That makes it even worse. Did you really think I wouldn’t know just because I was studying abroad? I have no idea what Father’s thinking.”
“Ji Yeon.”
“But you were the eldest son! I’m just a love child! Why should someone like me—who lacks nothing—be matched with another love child?”
Rumors swirled that Kang Min Hyuk, the illegitimate son of HG Group, had a savage, beastly face—so fearsome he seemed more monster than man. Ji Yeon shuddered at the thought of marrying such a man.
“That’s why you have to go and reject him for me.”
“Ji Yeon, if Father finds out…”
“It’s not like I’m asking you to marry him in my place! Is that really so hard? If he finds out, I’ll handle Father myself!”
Ji Yeon, who usually only ever ignored her, was being oddly friendly.
Ji Yeon was the daughter of Young Sook—Da Hyun’s stepmother—and Su Cheol, making her Da Hyun’s half-sister.
Da Hyun’s mother, Yeon Sil, had fallen into a coma after an accident when Da Hyun was young. In that vulnerable state, Su Cheol brought Young Sook into the house. Once Young Sook became pregnant with Ji Yeon, Su Cheol fabricated evidence to claim Yeon Sil had been unfaithful and filed for divorce. The moment the divorce was finalized, he immediately remarried Young Sook.
“If you won’t do this favor for me, I’ll tell Father you’ve been secretly house-hunting lately. You know perfectly well he hates the idea of you moving out.”
Su Cheol detested the idea of either Da Hyun or Ji Yeon living independently. His rule was clear: no moving out unless married—and especially not for Da Hyun.
Ever since Ji Yeon discovered Da Hyun was looking for a place to live, she’d used it as leverage, threatening her whenever she needed something.
In the end, under Ji Yeon’s threats, Da Hyun took her sister’s place at this blind date.
Da Hyun loathed her home and desperately wanted to escape—free herself from Su Cheol’s grasp and live freely.
More than anything, she wanted to find Yeon Sil. Su Cheol refused to tell her which hospital Yeon Sil was in. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find out—Su Cheol had clearly pulled strings to erase all traces.
Da Hyun recalled the details of the person Ji Yeon was supposed to meet.
Kang Min Hyuk, illegitimate son of HG Group. Thirty-one years old. He’d lived abroad since childhood, making his face unknown to nearly everyone. He never appeared in media or public events, fueling public curiosity.
That was all the information Da Hyun had managed to gather in such a short time.
To avoid showing any sign of fluster, she straightened her spine.
But the agreed-upon time had already passed by twenty minutes. As dusk settled in, Da Hyun nervously bit her lip.
This blind date was a secret from her father, Su Cheol. If he found out, he’d fly into a hysterical rage, hurling whatever was within reach.
It was humiliating and infuriating—not being free despite no longer being a minor. She wasn’t a child; she wanted to stand on her own.
She thought bitterly of Su Cheol, strict only with her, and of Young Sook, who scorned her simply because she wasn’t her blood.
Su Cheol gave Ji Yeon endless allowances and support but treated Da Hyun with cold stinginess.
Even when Da Hyun begged to move out just to get away from their hateful faces, Su Cheol stubbornly refused.
His words—“You should be grateful just to have been raised and not abandoned”—had brainwashed her into submission. She hated herself for being so pathetic.
She didn’t know how long she’d have to live like this, but she refused to spend her whole life being ignored by her family.
Feeling down whenever thinking about family had become all too familiar.
Just then, her phone vibrated on the table. It was a message from Ji Yeon asking if she’d already rejected him.
Da Hyun picked up her phone to reply.
– He hasn’t even shown up yet.
After sending the reply and setting her phone down again, Da Hyun let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
A knock sounded, and the closed door opened as a staff member entered.
The staff member stepped aside as the door opened.
And then—
A man walked in, the complete opposite of the vicious, brutal beast described in the rumors.
With neatly slicked-back pomade hair, his small face featured large eyes with subtle double eyelids, a straight, high nose bridge, and lips more delicate than a woman’s. He resembled a masterfully crafted sculpture, harmoniously assembled. The man, who looked at least 187 cm tall, gazed down at Da Hyun with indifferent eyes.
Their eyes met, and Da Hyun gave a slight bow in greeting.
“Oh, hello.”
“Yes.”
He answered shortly and sat down without even apologizing for being late.
Da Hyun couldn’t tear her eyes away from his face, as if spellbound.
She hadn’t fully believed the rumors of a savage beast, but she’d at least expected someone big and intimidating like a bear. Everything about him was the opposite, leaving her inwardly stunned. Still, his eyes—those could genuinely be described as beastlike.
Yet within that fierce gaze, she saw an inexplicable tenderness—a gentleness that stirred something strange in her chest. Da Hyun tilted her head, puzzled by her own odd reaction.
Min Hyuk fought back a surge of emotion, swallowing hard. He wanted to pull her into his arms, tell her he’d missed her, that he’d never forgotten her—not for a single moment. But he couldn’t. To keep his turmoil hidden, he steeled himself, wiped all expression from his face, and spoke again in a flat tone.
“I was told Han Ji Yeon, the second daughter of Yusong Group, would be here. But someone else showed up.”
Da Hyun swallowed nervously at his deep, calm voice.
“I’m Kang Min Hyuk.”
His tone seemed indifferent, yet carried a hint of warmth.
He gave a faint smile as he observed Da Hyun, whose facial muscles were rigid with tension.
“I’m Han Da Hyun. Ji Yeon’s older sister.”
It would be polite to exchange introductions, so Da Hyun gave another slight bow.
For just an instant, his eyes wavered softly—then just as quickly steadied, vanishing as though they’d never trembled at all.
“Why did you come instead of Han Ji Yeon?”
His direct question, with no attempt at subtlety, left Da Hyun flustered. One wrong word, and Su Cheol might hear about it.
If that happened, she’d endure his furious tirade—humiliated twice over by HG Group, as he’d rage.
“Well… Ji Yeon had something come up.”
“I see.”
His casual acceptance of her substitution tilted Da Hyun’s head in confusion.
Why wasn’t he questioning her? Shouldn’t he be angry that she’d come instead?
His lack of reaction pricked her conscience like tiny needles.
Just then, another knock broke the silence. A staff member placed a plate of finely sliced bread on the table and left again.
Da Hyun felt relief at the brief pause in conversation—but as soon as the staff member left, cold sweat beaded on her back.
Min Hyuk watched her with interest, then spoke as if to ease her tension.
“You don’t need to be nervous. I’m not curious anyway. Let’s get to the point.”
He tilted his head slightly, speared a piece of bread with his knife, and placed it gently on the plate in front of her.
The round bread piece landed softly on the plate. Min Hyuk set down the knife, leaned back in his chair, folded his arms, and fixed his piercing gaze on her.
“So, when would be a good time to get married?”
Da Hyun’s eyes widened in shock at his explosive question, having been staring blankly at the bread just moments before.
“What? But I…”
She couldn’t finish her sentence—the words “I came here to reject this match on Ji Yeon’s behalf” stuck in her throat.
Min Hyuk seemed to understand what she was about to say and gave a faint, relaxed smile.
“Your sister’s opinion doesn’t matter.”
“…”
“I’m asking you, Han Da Hyun.”
“Me?”
Confused why he’d ask her opinion over the actual participant’s, Da Hyun furrowed her brow.
She’d only come here to reject the blind date on Ji Yeon’s behalf.
Moreover, how could they possibly set a wedding date without the actual party’s knowledge or consent?
Min Hyuk scolded her softly as she fumbled with her eyes, unable to hide her confusion.
“You’re overcomplicating it.”
That only made Da Hyun more flustered.
His shameless lack of apology for being late left her mind racing with questions she couldn’t answer.
“I was actually about to tell them to send your older sister instead if Han Ji Yeon showed up. So this actually saves time.”
“I… I don’t understand…”
“From the very beginning, I told Chairman Han firmly that I wanted Han Da Hyun. There was just a misunderstanding in the process.”
Min Hyuk sighed as he looked up and down at Da Hyun, whose self-worth seemed utterly absent, then stood up and walked toward her.
“Why are you acting like this? So lacking in self-respect. It’s not like you, Han Da Hyun.”
Da Hyun silently watched Min Hyuk approach, dressed impeccably in a black suit that somehow looked stylish rather than dull. Inwardly, she couldn’t help but marvel at him again.
Wait—when had he even seen me to say this isn’t like me?
How does he even know me?
Lost in thought, Da Hyun only belatedly noticed that he’d already placed one hand on her chair and leaned down toward her. She instinctively pulled her upper body back.
“Don’t you understand?”
She should have raised her voice and demanded why he was acting like this—but his sudden, unfamiliar breath so close to her face left her speechless.
“I wanted Han Da Hyun from the very start.”
She couldn’t look away from his captivating, lazy-eyed smile.
Soft classical music filled the space between them.
Da Hyun didn’t—or rather, couldn’t—avert her eyes from Min Hyuk’s intense gaze as his cologne tickled her nose. She curled the edge of her lip slightly.
His voice, gentle yet oddly kind, carried longing she didn’t understand.
Her eyes, barely concealing his emotions, ensnared her like a noose.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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