I'll Marry Your Brother (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12

My first day back at work. This route I’d commuted for years felt strangely unfamiliar.

“Going to work… it’s been so long.”

I recalled what the Head of Department had said—that there’d be good news for me.

What on earth was he thinking…? I walked straight past the main gate of KBC Broadcasting and headed directly for the Head’s office.

“Head of Department, I’ve come to report for duty.”

He’d just arrived and was tidying his desk when I offered a brief greeting.

As if he’d been waiting, the Head of Department spotted me and walked over to the central table.

“You’re here? Have a seat.”

“What’s this good news you mentioned?”

He handed me an approval file as I sat across from him.

Seeing my puzzled look, he gestured for me to open it.

‘Anchor audition?’

“As you know, anchor positions are typically filled through auditions. Announcer Yoon was selected that way originally too.”

“That’s right.”

Normally, the main anchor role was filled after preliminary interviews and tests.

My memory of being selected as the youngest-ever main anchor for News 9 before my regression felt as vivid as if it happened just yesterday.

“But this time, wasn’t Chae Seo Rin unusually appointed anchor directly…?”

I nodded at him and looked again at the internal audition notice for the anchor position.

There hadn’t been any mention of a separate audition.

“Originally, there was going to be an informal interview, but it’s been changed to an open audition like before.”

“Hmm. I suppose that’s fairer.”

“Exactly. So I recommended Announcer Yoon for that audition.”

I’d just set the file back on the table when I looked up, startled.

“But aren’t I unqualified?”

“There are no qualifications required for this audition. Besides, Announcer Yoon will officially return to the radio news team as of today.”

He picked the file back up and gave me an innocent-looking smile.

That smile seemed to say, “You understand, right? Even without me spelling it out.”

An audition, huh…

So this was the conclusion he’d reached after endless deliberation between me and Ji Han.

“Is my help sufficient like this?”

Just as he said—it was more than enough help.

“Of course. Only you could do this, Head of Department. Thank you.”

I smiled to myself, imagining the expression Seo Rin would make when she realized everything was already settled.

.

.

.

After leaving the Head’s office, I walked with him toward the announcer room.

As we strolled down the corridor, curiosity suddenly struck me—why had someone changed the anchor selection format so abruptly?

“Head of Department, why was it suddenly changed to an audition?”

He stopped at my unexpected question.

“Well… anchors are the face of the news, after all? And as Announcer Yoon pointed out, there might’ve been too much backlash otherwise.”

He chuckled lightly and resumed walking ahead.

From his subtly shifting expression, it seemed like he was hiding something. I followed closely behind and pressed on.

“If top management reversed their decision, there must be a significant reason.”

“You really are sharp.”

Just how big a secret was it if he wouldn’t even tell me?

At this point, he should’ve shared something, yet the Head of Department simply kept walking ahead without meeting my eyes.

“…You won’t tell me, will you?”

“Don’t worry—you’ll find out soon enough. We’re here.”

‘I’ll find out?’

The Head of Department, who’d been walking ahead, stopped at the announcer room door and turned toward me.

“Anyway, returning after a year must bring mixed feelings. Congratulations, Announcer Yoon.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Head of Department. Thank you.”

“Oh, nonsense.”

He gave me a warm smile, then turned the doorknob.

The previously noisy office fell silent as if someone had poured cold water over it at his sudden entrance.

“Alright, focus up.”

People gradually noticed me entering behind him, their eyes widening in surprise.

“This is Announcer Yoon Yeo Jin, returning today to the radio news team. You all know her, right?”

At the Head’s words, the frozen atmosphere in the announcer room began to thaw.

Once the announcers grasped the situation, congratulatory remarks started pouring in.

“Congratulations!”

“Senior Yeo Jin, long time no see! It’s been a year since your leave, right?”

“Welcome back! Where’s Seo Rin? Didn’t Chae Seo Rin used to be close with Junior Yoon?”

Seo Young Joon, the 9 o’clock news anchor, approached me with playful teasing, then glanced around looking for Seo Rin.

Just as everyone began scanning the room, the announcer room door opened.

“Why’s everyone gathered here?”

“There she is. Seo Rin, look over there—your senior’s back.”

Seo Rin, returning with both arms full of newspapers, looked puzzled at the sudden attention focused on her.

Slowly, her gaze drifted toward me.

—Clatter.

She dropped the newspapers the moment she spotted me standing beside the Head of Department.

“Long time no see, Seo Rin.”

Her jaw hung slack, trembling uncontrollably.

Her eyes, filled with shock, blinked rapidly before her finger slowly pointed at me.

Her slender finger shook violently, her face instantly frozen—exactly the reaction I’d expected.

Smiling inwardly at the delightful scenes I’d soon enjoy, I curled the corners of my mouth.

“I did say we’d meet again soon.”

★ ★ ★

Glancing at the clock on the monitor outside the studio, it was nearly time to wrap things up.

[Finally, the weather. Tonight and tomorrow, skies nationwide will be mostly cloudy. …]

It was the radio studio.

How many years had it been since I’d sat in this studio, aside from occasionally hosting weekend radio news?

[That concludes our news segment. This was Yoon Yeo Jin.]

I removed my headset after finishing the full news broadcast—from news reports to the weather forecast.

It was my first broadcast since returning after five years, and having completed it without mistakes, I finally allowed myself a relieved smile.

Gathering my script and belongings from the table, I left the studio.

Back in the announcer room, I was once again surrounded by senior and junior colleagues resting at their desks.

“Junior Yoon, but why radio broadcasting?”

The question came from Senior Young Joon, the main anchor who’d co-hosted News 9 with me.

I sat at my desk, set up next to his, and he asked with evident curiosity.

“Right? Someone like Senior Yeo Jin could’ve taken on a TV program role too.”

Radio news was quite demanding—you had to host five or six radio broadcasts, and since you conveyed news solely through voice, there was zero tolerance for errors.

“Not to mention it’s rare for someone who’s been a main news anchor to directly return as an announcer.”

Understanding why they reacted this way, I answered with a faint smile.

“It’s still delivering the news. Radio work is rewarding too—there’s just no camera.”

“That’s true, but it still feels like a waste of your talent.”

Seeing his genuinely regretful expression, I smiled more brightly, yet sensed an odd shift in the surrounding mood.

I realized that, to everyone else, I appeared pitiful.

“Thanks for worrying, senior.”

Knowing more storm-like questions would come if I stayed seated, I stood up.

My eyes then met Seo Rin’s.

Unlike her expression earlier that morning, she now looked at me with calm composure.

I rose from my seat and walked over to the duty schedule board to check the afternoon shift roster.

Since it was my first day back, I figured I could leave after finishing the afternoon news broadcast.

“I should go to the hospital after work.”

Just before my lunchtime radio broadcast, I’d received a call from Dr. Kim.

Hearing that my parents’ condition was worse than expected, I planned to head straight to the hospital afterward.

“Unnie.”

I was sitting alone in the break room when Seo Rin entered.

She crossed her arms and sat down opposite me.

“Congratulations on your return. I didn’t expect you’d come back so soon.”

“Thank you.”

Seo Rin gave a strange smile—impossible to tell if it was mockery or genuine amusement.

“I assumed you’d return as a news anchor, not to the radio team. You could’ve told me.”

“…”

“Still, you’ve got good connections—coming straight back after a career break like that.”

Her tone was intimate, mixing casual address with seemingly friendly congratulations, but her words carried a sharp edge.

It struck me as funny that she’d followed me all the way to the break room just to say this.

Was this really the best ammunition she could find against me?

If I’d actually intended to use my “connections,” my return wouldn’t have been this difficult.

“What’s so funny…?”

“Nothing. Seo Rin, shouldn’t you be preparing for your evening broadcast? It’s about time to write your script.”

My pointed remark instantly erased her smug smile, her brow furrowing sharply.

Just then, a missed call notification appeared on my phone screen.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

It was Chairman Seo Moo Jin.

Seo Rin’s eyes narrowed as she watched me abruptly end our conversation to take the call.

My return call to the Chairman connected almost immediately after just a few rings.

“Grandfather, you called?”

—Yes. Are you alright? I imagine you’re going through a lot right now. I was worried, so I called.

The Chairman had always been close friends with my grandfather, and since childhood, I’d treated him like my own grandfather.

His voice carried deep concern—from my wedding to everything I’d endured since.

Seo Rin, who’d started to stand upon hearing my call, froze in place.

Realizing who I meant by “Grandfather,” her expression subtly shifted.

“I’m fine, but… my parents aren’t doing well…”

—Actually, I just heard from Dr. Kim. Ji Young and her husband are in serious condition. They’ll surely recover, but if you need any help, don’t hesitate to call anytime.

“I will… Thank you.”

As we continued talking, the Chairman casually introduced another topic.

—By the way, Yeo Jin, I heard you’ve returned to work.

“Yes, I’ve resumed my duties.”

—Hmm… If it’s your decision, I suppose I can’t stop you. But don’t push yourself too hard—there’s a lot on your mind, I’m sure.

Even Ji Han, my former husband, had never shown such sincere concern.

For a moment, I nearly choked up, but I forced a calm smile.

—Also, come by Pyeongchang-dong once with Ji Han.

“Yes, I’ll coordinate a time with Mr. Ji Han, Grandfather.”

I deliberately emphasized “Ji Han.”

As I ended the call, my eyes met Seo Rin’s, who’d remained standing still.

“Sorry for cutting you off mid-sentence—it was a call from my in-laws.”

“…”

“Even though I said I was fine, they’re still very worried about their granddaughter-in-law and invited me over for dinner.”

‘Seo Rin, that’s the household you’ve longed for so desperately—the one you’ve yearned to enter.’

Recognizing that “in-laws” referred to Ji Han’s family—the Ho Jin Group—Seo Rin’s lips slowly downturned.

A deep, burning desire for what she couldn’t have simmered visibly in her eyes.

‘Covet my position a little more. And step right into hell, Chae Seo Rin.’

“You mentioned connections, didn’t you? You’re absolutely right. I hadn’t even thought of that—maybe I should ask the Chairman for a favor while I’m at it.”