A Twisted Relationship (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5
At this rate, it was clear she’d completely lose the freedom she’d longed for so desperately and end up entirely at Kang Min Hyuk’s mercy.
Da Hyun had always avoided conflict. Pretending to be kind and magnanimous, she’d neatly sidestepped trouble whenever it arose, using her flexibility to slip away smoothly. But this time, she had no choice but to stand her ground and fight.
After racking her brain all night, she’d concluded one thing: no matter his motive, he wouldn’t let her go until he’d achieved it.
For the sake of her own freedom, she planned to play along with his little games for the time being—just long enough to uncover his true intentions.
She had to appease Kang Min Hyuk and find out exactly why he insisted on marrying her.
Da Hyun felt confident. After all, catering to others’ egos was something she’d done her entire life.
Yet, just five hours after steeling herself with resolve, Da Hyun could confirm only one thing: he truly was as mysterious as rumored.
When she came downstairs to the first floor, resolved and ready, he was already elegantly finishing breakfast prepared by the staff.
As if he’d been waiting only for her arrival, the moment she appeared, he finished eating and immediately told her to get ready to leave. Though reluctant, she nodded without complaint—she needed to understand what kind of person he really was.
Two hours ago, they’d arrived at the department store, and she’d been watching his black card swipe repeatedly, each time his hand gesturing toward another outfit.
Having trailed obediently behind Min Hyuk wherever he went, Da Hyun finally couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke up.
“Mr. Kang Min Hyuk, what exactly is this strategy of yours?”
Da Hyun couldn’t help but furrow her brow.
It was because everything he was buying consisted solely of women’s dresses and casual wear—clothes clearly not for himself, and yet each piece fit her size perfectly despite him never having asked.
“Strategy? I’m simply buying clothes for my wife. Can’t you just take it at face value—as a genuine gesture?”
He tilted his head, puzzled, one hand clutching several shopping bags adorned with luxury brand logos.
“No, I can’t accept it. Especially not when it comes to your actions, Kang Min Hyuk. One or two outfits would’ve been enough. Please return the rest.”
Warm one moment, cold the next, then frosty, then gentle again—he was like a man from an alien world.
Da Hyun sighed deeply. It had been a long time since she’d felt so exasperated she needed to let out a breath.
“What’s with that attitude? Like a chaebol heiress who’s never enjoyed even this much privilege in her life.”
Min Hyuk knew precisely why she was annoyed at having so many clothes bought for her, yet he pretended not to understand.
Da Hyun’s gaze inadvertently dropped to the floor. Though it lasted only a split second, Min Hyuk didn’t miss the fleeting dejection on her face.
He briefly wore a pitiful expression before quickly erasing it.
His words, though seemingly innocent, struck right at her core—but Da Hyun gathered her emotions and continued calmly.
“I simply don’t enjoy unnecessary spending.”
Privilege? That was something Ji Yeon, not her, had enjoyed all her life. Ever since her mother passed away and her stepmother and Ji Yeon moved in, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say her life had plummeted into hell.
But she didn’t want Min Hyuk to know any of that.
Nor did she wish to admit she’d spent years desperately playing a role just to fit into this miserable family structure.
Min Hyuk pretended not to notice how swiftly she’d concealed her melancholy.
“Then start enjoying spending. I’ll give you a card.”
Wait—why was the conversation going in that direction?
“I have my own card. Why would I use yours, Kang Min Hyuk?”
“We’re not strangers. What’s yours is mine. From now on, use my card.”
Legally married or not, they were still strangers in truth. Anyone watching might think they’d tied the knot out of love. Da Hyun glanced absentmindedly at the shopping bags densely packed in one of his hands.
“Mr. Kang Min Hyuk, are you rich?”
She knew full well that HG Group was a global powerhouse at the heart of Korea, yet Da Hyun blurted the question out without thinking—and only realized how foolish it sounded the moment it left her lips.
Clearly, sleep deprivation was taking its toll.
Rubbing her forehead, Da Hyun felt flustered by her uncharacteristically silly behavior.
“What’s wrong? Your husband here is self-made—he succeeded without any support from Chairman Kang. That’s precisely why Chairman Kang treats me like a son and calls me over.”
If I’d lived like a total delinquent, would he have even acknowledged me? Maybe because it hurts, blood really is thicker than water—he probably just wanted to see my face.
Min Hyuk spoke calmly and nonchalantly, as if it were an old, familiar story.
“B-bu—but you’re still his son. Surely he didn’t give you absolutely no support?”
“When I was four, my mother took me to the U.S., and I’ve only been back to Korea five times since. Except for two years ago, I never stayed long before heading back. Every time my mother went to demand something from Chairman Kang, she used me as leverage and dragged me along.”
Da Hyun stopped asking questions. She understood his situation now—his mother had used him as an excuse to extract money for their survival.
My life may have been a mess, but yours wasn’t exactly smooth sailing either.
Feeling an unexpected sense of kinship, Da Hyun looked at Min Hyuk with pity in her eyes.
As if disliking her gaze, he narrowed his brows slightly. Min Hyuk cast a quick sideways glance to his left.
Then, still holding the credit card in one hand, he deftly wrapped his arm around Da Hyun’s waist.
“I don’t mind my wife feeling sorry for me. But speaking of which, isn’t it about time you put your acting skills—your specialty—to good use?”
“Huh? What do you mean by…?”
Remembering his earlier comment about getting comfortable with physical affection, Da Hyun quietly made a mental note: Kang Min Hyuk was clearly an expert when it came to handling women.
Just then—
“Han Da Hyun?”
At the shrill, unwelcome voice from behind, she turned her head before she could even shake off his arm.
She knew exactly who it was without needing to look—but Da Hyun deliberately widened her eyes in feigned surprise and curved her lips into a smile.
“Ji Yeon.”
How had he known Han Ji Yeon was approaching?
Though she wanted to shrug off the strange sensation at her waist, the unexpected encounter with Ji Yeon left her unable to push his hand away. Instead, she tilted her head slightly and leaned deliberately into Min Hyuk’s arm—only to gasp in mock surprise and pull away a moment later.
Min Hyuk gave a low chuckle, clearly not minding her clingy act.
Ji Yeon scanned Da Hyun up and down with visible disdain before shifting her gaze to Min Hyuk.
“Oh my! I had a hunch—it really is you, brother-in-law. I recognized you from your silhouette even from afar.”
Treating Da Hyun as if she were invisible, Ji Yeon swayed an imaginary tail toward Min Hyuk, mimicking a cat’s flirtatious coquetry.
Da Hyun remembered how Ji Yeon had previously thrown a fit, claiming Min Hyuk had been “her man” before their marriage. Recalling how Ji Yeon had sobbed and caused a scene back then, Da Hyun couldn’t help but let out an unexpected laugh.
Ji Yeon glared at Da Hyun’s sudden laughter, then sneered as if they’d bumped into each other by pure coincidence.
“I heard you couldn’t even go on a honeymoon because you’re so busy—but maybe you just didn’t want to go with my sister?”
Ji Yeon’s mouth twisted bitterly. Truth was, she had no real desire to claim a man who was already married.
Even now, just thinking about letting such a handsome man slip through her fingers made her furious—but it was her own karma, so she had to accept it. Still, accepting it didn’t mean she had to cheer them on every time they met.
“After all, my sister’s always so quiet and boring.”
Which is exactly why you should’ve chosen me.
Unfazed by Ji Yeon’s resentful glare, Min Hyuk gave a polite but insincere smile.
“We wanted to plan our honeymoon together, just the two of us. And who says she’s quiet? She’s actually very fun. Maybe you just don’t know your sister as well as you think, little sister-in-law?”
From the start, Min Hyuk addressed Ji Yeon informally, subtly dismissing her.
He easily brushed aside her spiteful remark, recalling last night’s incident. He wasn’t the type to be rattled by childish taunts.
Ji Yeon bit her lower lip. No matter how much she thought about it, his choice made no sense.
“Why did you choose my sister, brother-in-law?”
She’d wanted to ask Min Hyuk this for a long time—why, out of all the women, did he pick Han Da Hyun and not her? But the opportunity had rarely presented itself.
Even after witnessing their marriage with her own eyes, Ji Yeon still couldn’t understand.
Was he blind? Despite his seemingly perfect exterior, she couldn’t fathom why he’d chosen Han Da Hyun over her—and the frustration bubbling inside her lately had driven her to relieve stress through shopping.
Unmoved by Ji Yeon’s provocation, Min Hyuk responded maturely—with an answer so absurd yet so convincing that no one could argue.
“Because the more I saw her, the more she caught my eye.”
“…”
“Was that too cliché an answer?”
Ji Yeon fell silent, unable to find words. Since when had he ever “kept seeing” her sister? Da Hyun knew it was a blatant lie, yet she felt oddly embarrassed.
Embarrassed? How ridiculous.
If Ji Yeon hadn’t been there, she would’ve begged him to stop using such cringeworthy lines.
“I-Is that so?”
Min Hyuk’s shamelessly casual reply left Ji Yeon speechless. Struggling to force a smile, she awkwardly lifted the corners of her mouth.
She honestly couldn’t understand what he possibly saw in Da Hyun.
While many couples in arranged marriages lived comfortably, just as many divorced quickly. Ji Yeon was certain Da Hyun would fall into the latter category.
Inside, Da Hyun sneered at Ji Yeon’s strained smile, her crimson lips stretched so wide they nearly touched her cheeks.
But the Han Da Hyun Ji Yeon knew was supposed to be playing the guilt-ridden sister who’d stolen her younger sister’s fiancé.
And yet—it felt satisfying. Watching Ji Yeon, who’d always acted as if she held the upper hand while yelling at her, now struggle to hide her embarrassment was utterly gratifying.
“Have you eaten? Brother-in-law, treat me to a meal.”
In the end, Ji Yeon changed the subject. Da Hyun wanted to refuse, but she had to maintain the act of a remorseful older sister—so she stayed silent.
As if sensing her inner conflict, Min Hyuk flatly rejected Ji Yeon’s invitation in a tone completely devoid of sympathy.
“Sorry, but Da Hyun and I already promised to enjoy a cozy meal alone at home. Little sister-in-law, I’ll invite you over another time.”
Ji Yeon’s face flushed red and then pale with humiliation at his polite yet firm refusal.
Wearing a gentleman’s mask, Min Hyuk passed by Ji Yeon, who trembled with shame, saying in a perfectly brotherly tone, “We’ll be off now. Enjoy your shopping, little sister-in-law.”
All the while, his hand remained firmly around Da Hyun’s waist, presenting the picture of an affectionate married couple.
Once inside the elevator, Min Hyuk withdrew his arm from her waist even before she could ask him to let go.
Just moments ago, she’d felt warmth against her side—but now the air cooled rapidly. Min Hyuk leaned his head back, checking his phone vibrating persistently in his jacket pocket.
“I think we’ve shopped enough for today. Head back home. I need to go to Chairman Kang’s hospital room. Driver Park should be waiting. Go on ahead.”
Apparently, the caller was Chairman Kang. Watching him refuse to take the call, Da Hyun nodded and held out her hand.
“Got it. Here, give me the shopping bags—I’ll carry them.”
“Forget it. I’ll pass them to Driver Park. For a second, I thought you were going to ask me to hold your hand again.”
Completely expressionless, Min Hyuk made the remark like a shameless flirt. Da Hyun was left speechless.
It had only been two days since they started married life, yet she already felt utterly drained by him.
She insisted on taking the bags, but Min Hyuk refused.
What a strange man.
She muttered inwardly—then fell silent.
Strangely, this whole scene felt oddly familiar, and before she realized it, Da Hyun was lost in thought.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
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