Constrained to Start (8 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 10
If it’s a garage, then it’s a garage—what’s this about an ownerless garage? Ra Jin wondered if this was just Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho’s usual joke, so she studied his expression.
“A while ago, my maternal grandfather had surgery, so he’s staying at my parents’ house.”
“Oh, so that’s why you visited him that day… Surely that empty house isn’t your grandfather’s?”
“There isn’t another place with better security than that.”
“What if your grandfather finds out?”
Was she really about to sneak into someone else’s house like a mouse scurrying into an abandoned warehouse? And of all places, Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho’s grandfather’s house?
Just as Ra Jin decided this didn’t seem quite right and was about to suggest a different location—
—he pulled out his phone as they entered the alleyway. After tapping it a few times, a low mechanical hum sounded from somewhere nearby.
She was certain she’d alternated between shouting “No!” and “Wait a moment!”—yet when Ra Jin came to her senses, she was already inside a garage overlooking a garden.
“Would you like to eat at the garden table?”
“No! I’ll just stay in the car.”
“Whatever’s comfortable for you.”
He rummaged through a shopping bag and handed her a small paper pouch and some napkins.
“Here, chicken nuggets and french fries.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.”
What on earth was this scene? She wasn’t an undercover detective, nor was she supposed to be secretly eating fries in the dark garage of his grandfather’s house.
Though utterly bewildered by the situation, Ra Jin’s mind went hazy from the savory scent of the fries.
She’d tasted them before, but it had been so long since she’d encountered this familiar flavor.
That crispy, salty taste stirred such intense craving that Ra Jin unconsciously smacked her lips.
“Here. Have some shake too.”
He personally inserted a straw and placed the paper cup on the center console. Ra Jin was momentarily spellbound by his attentiveness.
‘Has he always been this thoughtful? Or does he have a difficult request?’
Suspicious of his kindness yet unable to tear her eyes away from the cup of shake,
Ra Jin, as if entranced by the Pied Piper, hastily yanked off her mask.
Completely forgetting the drama press conference scheduled two days later, she gripped the calorie bomb of a paper cup in both hands—and eagerly sucked up the thick straw.
The perfectly balanced vanilla shake flooded her mouth with a cool dizziness, followed immediately by a sweet wave that danced on her tongue.
“Hmm.”
An involuntary sigh of bliss slipped out, betraying her reason.
“Dipping the fries in the shake makes it even tastier.”
“In the shake…?”
“I eat it like this sometimes—it’s actually pretty good.”
The attentive man demonstrated it himself. Curious whether it truly tasted good, Ra Jin glanced sideways, then discreetly followed his lead.
“!”
Like someone discovering a whole new world, Ra Jin steadily emptied the paper pouch of fries.
“You look so good eating—that’s nice to see.”
He crumpled the paper into a ball, having already finished his burger.
She’d never heard such praise for merely eating well. Momentarily embarrassed, Ra Jin covered her mouth and mumbled through her fingers.
“Well, to be honest, I hadn’t eaten dinner either.”
“Are you on a diet?”
“I guess I have to watch myself—but eating this after so long feels like heaven.”
Ra Jin chuckled softly, and the man’s eyes, previously as cold as midwinter, softened at the corners.
He didn’t offer the usual empty promise of treating her again next time—but instead silently smiled as he personally unwrapped the apple pie for her.
Warm apple pie, sweet with a sharp hint of cinnamon, and their quiet, trivial exchange of words—
The atmosphere felt strangely cozy, yet oddly intimate.
Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho listed the title of his favorite film; Ra Jin counted off, on her fingers, the songs she’d been listening to lately.
The man, who’d seemed reserved, soon revealed more of himself—and before they knew it, it was already midnight.
“Are you done eating?”
“Yes. I’d have regretted it if I hadn’t.”
As they gathered the empty wrappers together, Ra Jin spoke.
For a fleeting second, his expression wavered—something ambiguous, almost a smile, yet not quite.
“About the matter I was going to bring up earlier.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“I don’t mean to burden you, Ms. Park Ra Jin.”
Why start so seriously? His naturally low voice dropped even deeper.
“But I hope you’ll consider this matter earnestly.”
“What exactly… is this request?”
“It’s a difficult favor.”
He paused, as if catching his breath, gazing at the small lights illuminating the dark garden—then reached up and firmly pressed the interior dome light on the car ceiling.
Instantly, sharp shadows fell across his prominent nose—one side bright, the other deeply dark—like a lead actor standing center stage under theater lights.
“As you know, I’m handling the investigation into the insolvent fund.”
“Yes.”
“I’m specifically assigned to the Myeong Jin Group case.”
So that’s why he brought up the story about being with Kim Yu Jun—did he want something?
Back in the hospital parking lot, he’d unloaded every detail under the guise of explaining himself, making it impossible for her now to dismiss his serious request outright. She’d listen all the way through first, then decide later. Ra Jin fixed her gaze firmly into his eyes.
“This whole issue isn’t solely Myeong Jin’s fault. However…”
“…”
“It’s true that Myeong Jin caused the greatest damage.”
Ordinary victims by the dozens, suspicious circumstances surrounding a major corporation—
He explained the case simply, yet his words sank straight into her ears.
“I’m not asking you to bring me secret ledgers or anything like that.”
The more she listened, the more immense it all sounded. Outwardly composed, Ra Jin nodded calmly—but inside, her heart pounded fiercely.
“Since only evidence obtained through legal procedures will be admissible anyway, there’s no need for you to go out of your way.”
“Then what…?”
She left the rest of the sentence hanging.
It was true she’d known Kim Yu Jun for a long time, but anything related to work had always been outside her concern. What exactly did this man expect from her?
“I’d like to know about the transactions between Kim Yu Jun and your agency.”
“My agency?”
“I fully understand if this is difficult for you.”
Though he was her stepbrother, his words—“a family company”—hit Ra Jin right in the chest.
‘If the company gets into trouble, will I be in trouble too?’
Ever since becoming an actress, her work had always been with Oh Jong Hyuk. It was true that their once ramshackle agency had grown impressively reputable after meeting Kim Yu Jun.
But that success belonged to Oh Jong Hyuk—not to her.
And yet, under the hollow label of “family,” they kept taking an utterly unreasonable cut from her. A huge wave of emotion surged within Ra Jin.
“Information on the financial ties between Managing Director Kim Yu Jun and your agency would greatly assist our investigation.”
“…”
“Is this too much to ask?”
She’d never even considered this topic—had Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho not brought it up.
Whenever she visited her mother in the hospital and felt emptiness in her stomach, she’d sink into pessimism about her reality—yet why had she never truly resolved to break away from Oh Jong Hyuk? A hollow laugh nearly escaped through Ra Jin’s clenched teeth. There was a way after all.
But thoughts were thoughts—reality was reality.
Her mother’s frequent seizures, and Oh Jong Hyuk—the only person who could handle them. With her mother’s safety at stake, how could she recklessly act without considering the consequences? Ra Jin shook her head slightly.
“I don’t really know.”
“I understand this is sudden.”
“No, it’s just… I honestly don’t know what’s right anymore.”
Ra Jin’s vision went dark, as if she’d been struck hard on the back of the head.
“I’ll give you time to think it over.”
“How much time?”
“To be honest, not much.”
His words about the urgency felt like heavy stones pressing down on her shoulders.
Goodwill toward the victims—
That was something only possible for those who had a little breathing room in their hearts. With her ailing mother and a stepbrother hounding her like a debt collector, what more could she possibly do? Feeling helpless, Ra Jin lowered her head.
“I… I…”
She bit her lip tightly.
“I’m sorry. I’m afraid it’s just not possible.”
Ra Jin offered both an apology and a refusal.
Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho didn’t say he understood. He merely let a fleeting hint of disappointment flicker across his expressionless face before nodding quietly.
“I’ll act as if I never heard any of this today.”
Suppressing her churning emotions, Ra Jin took a small, quiet breath.
“Should we go now?”
“If you change your mind, anytime…”
“I’ll contact you.”
With a faint smile, Ra Jin gave the safest possible reply.
[This is the timeline separator]Private room at a high-end boutique in Cheongdam-dong.
A dark shadow fell over Ra Jin’s face as she stared into the mirror.
Ever since hearing Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho’s request, she hadn’t been able to sleep at all.
His promise to give her time to think replayed in her mind every night—until, unable to sleep, she’d compulsively searched news articles: insolvent funds, special prosecutors, and the victims’ heartbreaking stories.
Was it guilt? Or the disappointed look in his eyes? Her head throbbed a dozen times a day.
‘Just hearing Kim Yu Jun’s voice gives me chills. In my position, who am I to help anyone?’
Repeatedly muttering “I can’t! No way!” furrowed Ra Jin’s brow constantly—just as it was now.
“Don’t you like today’s wave hairstyle?”
“No, I just feel a bit dizzy.”
Whether she liked the styling or not didn’t matter.
Whether her hair was tied up or loose, her makeup flawless or not—it all looked the same to Ra Jin’s weary eyes.
“Shall I get you some headache medicine?”
“Yes, please. And could you also call our stylist?”
Since hair and makeup were already finished, one staff member nodded and quickly left.
Ra Jin wanted to send away every staffer surrounding her and escape this tormenting train of thought. Truthfully, if it weren’t for today’s drama press conference, she wouldn’t have stepped outside her house at all.
“Director.”
“Yes, actress.”
The staffer, tidying scattered brushes, bowed slightly.
“Could I trouble you for a warm cup of tea? I think I might be coming down with a cold.”
“Of course. I’ll bring it right away.”
Ra Jin smiled gently as she murmured her thanks.
Click—the moment the door shut, her reflection in the large mirror instantly hardened.
“Ugh. I just want to go home.”
Imagining blasting her favorite music and soaking in a warm bath, Ra Jin pressed firmly on her temples.
“Unnie.”
Ra Jin slowly turned—and Ha Eun, her stylist and close younger friend, walked in.
“You okay? You look pale.”
“You know how it is—it’s my chronic issue.”
“Don’t just endure the headache. Here, take this medicine.”
Feeling another wave of pain, Ra Jin swallowed the pill Ha Eun offered—dry—and only after taking a sip of the ginger tea did her vision finally clear.
“Since the staff just left, let’s change into your outfit first.”
Ha Eun approached the door and clicked the lock shut, then lifted a garment bag bearing a luxury logo from the rack.
Ziiip—the zipper slid down, and a shimmering, water-hued dress swayed under the lights.
Ra Jin removed her robe, loosely clutching it so as not to ruin her hair.
“Put your foot in here, unnie.”
Like an expensive gift wrapped delicately, Ra Jin carefully stepped into the sleeveless dress.
“They said it’s this season’s new release—it’s totally great.”
“Does it show my underwear?”
“Not at all.”
She held her breath as the zipper tightened around her body.
Was this lack of room due to the late-night snack with Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho two days ago? Even just that one slip-up had left her so tight. Yet even as she thought this, Ra Jin recalled the savory, sweet memory of that night.
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s fine now.”
Ra Jin exhaled heavily, relieving the tightness in her chest.
“Hey, unnie.”
“Hmm?”
“Today’s event venue… changed to Hotel HS.”
“What?”
The hotel where Kim Yu Jun’s fiancée—Director Jin Jae Yi of Haesung Group—worked. Overwhelmed, Ra Jin clutched her head in disbelief.
Ex-husband Wants Reconciliation
One-line summary: Chasing the wife to the crematorium (making an effort to attract someone who has become indifferent), the female lead doesn’t look back, the second male lead takes the position.
Intro:
To repay the kindness of the older generation, Su Mu crossed into a female-dominated world and became a live-in daughter-in-law of the Yan family, single-handedly saving the Yan family from fire and water.
But her husband, Yan Jiyue, the eldest son of the Yan family, treated her with sarcasm and never showed her a good face.
It wasn’t until after Su Mu’s death that this pampered and arrogant young master shed a few fake tears and pretended to want to die for love.
This life’s kindness was enough. If there was a next life, she would definitely kick Yan Jiyue away.
Who knew that the heavens would be so kind as to allow her to be reborn, returning to the time when she had just married into the Yan family.
Su Mu glanced at the Yan eldest son, who still spoke coldly to her, and threw a divorce letter in front of him.
“Let’s divorce!”
***
Yan Jiyue never imagined that he would be reborn. He happily went to find Su Mu, wanting to make up for the mistakes he had made in his ignorant youth.
Wasn’t the reason the heavens allowed him to be reborn to let him reconcile with Su Mu?
But when he pushed open the door to Su Mu’s room, the person lying on the bed was another man.
Su Mu’s personal attendant, Xie Yi.
Yan Jiyue hated him so much that his teeth itched. In front of Su Mu, Xie Yi was a gentle and considerate whisperer of sweet nothings, but in reality, he was vicious-hearted and deliberately sabotaged their husband and wife relationship.
In the previous life, it was he who secretly hid in Su Mu’s coffin and committed suicide, stealing a step ahead of him to be buried with Su Mu.
Yan Jiyue’s eyes were filled with hatred as he cursed, “What kind of thing are you? Your background is lowly, what right do you have to occupy Su Mu?”
Xie Yi looked at the sleeping Su Mu and no longer pretended to be a whisperer of sweet nothings.
He proudly stuck out his belly, “I have the right because my belly is capable of giving the Wife-master a daughter.”
***
Yan Jiyue was consumed with jealousy. He spread rumors that Xie Yi had once been branded with the mark of a “harlot” on his chest.
But on the night Xie Yi cut off the flesh bearing that mark, Su Mu suddenly realized something was amiss.
“How did you know the exact moment I was poisoned? And why did you show up a month early?”
Xie Yi remained silent, blood from his wound soaking through his robes. His sapphire eyes brimmed with anguish – or was it just a flawless act?
Between a once-arrogant husband now seeking redemption, and a gentle soul willing to die for her – who truly held the darkest secrets? And could it be that Su Mu and Yan Jiyue weren’t the only ones given a second chance at life…?
[Reading Guide]
1. True divorce, chasing the wife to the crematorium, the female lead doesn’t look back, the male lead is Xie Yi.
2. The ex-husband did not cheat, he just realized too late and didn’t realize that he liked the female lead.
_____
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