My Husband Fell in Love - Chapter 12
Though he hated to admit it, Lee Seung Oh was rattled.
He’d run into Ryu Kyung Joon every time he went up to the CEO’s office, yet he’d never given him much thought. All he knew about Kyung Joon was that he was always expressionless and polite to everyone.
“Why aren’t you answering? Aren’t you even curious about why my phone was in that car—about what kind of relationship Yoon Seo Ha and I have?”
“What—what’s with you? Why are you talking like that?”
“Forget about my tone.”
Kyung Joon flashed another grin, straightened his back, and shoved both hands into his pockets.
“More importantly, Mr. Lee Seung Oh, how about we make a business deal?”
“A deal…?”
“Yes. I’m the son of the chairman of Tae Yang Group.”
Lee Seung Oh stared blankly at Kyung Joon for a moment, then suddenly burst into a nervous chuckle.
“Secretary Ryu, you’re more entertaining than I thought. Since we won’t be seeing each other much longer, did you just want to play a little prank?”
“My predecessor, Secretary Choi, came and left, didn’t they?”
Kyung Joon asked, still wearing that easygoing smile.
“My father gave them ten billion won upfront—on the condition that they’d secure this position for me and never approach again.”
Lee Seung Oh’s expression hardened once more.
“My father personally proposed the acquisition, but President Kang outright rejected it without even properly listening. How furious do you think that prideful man was? Until now, there hasn’t been a single company Tae Yang Group failed to acquire.”
“You’re writing a novel.”
“Exactly. And now, that novel-like twist has landed right in your lap.”
Kyung Joon glanced briefly past the curtain where Yoon Seo Ha lay and continued.
“Here’s my proposal: For now, you serve as interim CEO and run the company well. Then, at the right moment, I’ll make another acquisition offer through Tae Yang Group. When that time comes, you’ll reluctantly sign the papers and take either the money or a high-ranking position at Tae Yang Group, then walk away cleanly. What do you say?”
“…”
Could that actually be true?
Completely overwhelmed, Lee Seung Oh blinked at Ryu Kyung Joon.
It was true that Tae Yang Group had grown by absorbing smaller companies. It was also true that Kang Yoon Company was the only one Tae Yang hadn’t managed to acquire—and that the chairman of Tae Yang Group bore the surname Ryu.
“What proof do you have that what you’re saying is true?”
“Call Secretary Choi and ask. And if you still doubt me, call my father right now.”
Kyung Joon pulled up the contact labeled ‘Chairman Ryu’ on his phone, ready to press call at any second. But Lee Seung Oh simply didn’t have the nerve to speak directly to such a powerful figure.
“No, alright!”
Lee Seung Oh quickly waved his hands.
“Let’s assume you’re telling the truth. But why propose the acquisition later instead of right now, while President Kang is down?”
“The CEO is incapacitated. Her only daughter might as well be dead. If the son-in-law immediately sells the company under these circumstances, who do you think will take responsibility for Tae Yang Group’s reputation?”
When he thought about it, it made perfect sense—and was exactly the kind of reasoning Tae Yang Group would use.
This was an opportunity.
An incredible stroke of luck was right in front of him. Lee Seung Oh had to suppress a grin, struggling to contain the swelling excitement in his chest. Even Ryu Kyung Joon’s earlier rudeness now felt like the confident ease of someone born into privilege.
“Well… it doesn’t sound so bad, now that I hear it.”
He tried to act nonchalant, puffing himself up, unaware that he’d slipped back into formal, respectful speech.
“What do you want from me, Mr. Ryu Kyung Joon, while we prepare for this acquisition? You must have something you want in return.”
“If the acquisition goes through at the right time and under the right conditions, I don’t really want anything else.”
Kyung Joon grinned again.
“But I should probably stay on as Chief Secretary to make sure the company keeps growing responsibly—holding both this role and a directorship.”
It was a condition so simple it barely counted. If Secretary Choi confirmed these claims were lies, he’d have more than enough reason to fire Kyung Joon. And could there be a sweeter opportunity to trade this headache of a company for cash and prestige?
“Oh—and one more thing.”
Kyung Joon raised his index finger.
“Let’s keep all this between us. If word gets out, people might start opposing the acquisition, and that’ll just cause trouble.”
That, too, was a perfectly agreeable condition.
“Very well. I’ll leave the acquisition process in your capable hands.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
Lee Seung Oh extended his hand, and Ryu Kyung Joon clasped it firmly, giving it a single shake.
***
Three years had passed since Yoon Seo Ha’s tragic accident.
As planned, Lee Seung Oh took on the title of interim CEO and ran the company. Lee Ji Soo, who’d joined as a junior designer, earned a team leader title just three months in.
That promotion—so far beyond her experience and shockingly abrupt—prompted three highly skilled designers to resign.
As Chief Secretary and in-house director, Kyung Joon stayed glued to Lee Seung Oh’s side, watching every step of the process without missing a beat. Each time something Kang Hae Sun and Yoon Seo Ha had built and protected began to crumble, he swallowed the bitter ache in his chest.
His resolve to push the acquisition forward remained firm. Who in Korea could defy Chairman Ryu’s will?
But for now, he needed to buy time. He couldn’t bear to imagine Yoon Seo Ha waking up one day to find her company already sold.
It was better to fight her over the acquisition—to win or lose with her awake and present—than to steal it like a thief while President Kang and Yoon Seo Ha lay helpless.
“I’ll be right back. If you’re uncomfortable, feel free to leave early.”
Upon arriving at the hospital, Lee Seung Oh said politely—so much so that a stranger might mistake him for the secretary, not Ryu Kyung Joon.
“No, I’ll wait here comfortably.”
Kyung Joon, too, maintained surface-level courtesy.
As Lee Seung Oh walked toward the hospital entrance, Lee Ji Soo clung to his arm.
Kyung Joon watched them coldly, parked his car, and took the elevator up to the floor he’d visited dozens—if not hundreds—of times: Yoon Seo Ha’s hospital room.
“Don’t—don’t do that! What if the nurse comes back?”
“She went to get food. She won’t be back for at least an hour.”
“Still… Kyaaah!”
A nauseating conversation drifted through the closed door.
Kyung Joon clenched his fist, his nails digging into his soft palm, whitening his knuckles.
A doctor and nurse appeared with charts in hand. Relieved, Kyung Joon gave a slight bow in greeting and headed upstairs.
—Knock knock.
He rapped on the door. After a moment, a voice replied.
“Come in.”
Kang Hae Sun, sitting by the window in a patient’s gown, looked no different from before at first glance. Physically healthy and composed in posture.
“How are you feeling today?”
“Much better. But…”
Kang Hae Sun offered a faint, apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry, but who are you again?”
Three years had passed since Yoon Seo Ha’s accident.
Kang Hae Sun was no longer the woman who once single-handedly led the company and commanded her executives. Overwhelmed by unbearable trauma, she’d trapped herself in a distant memory—back when her precious daughter first took her wobbly steps, over twenty years ago.
“I’m Ryu Kyung Joon, your newly hired secretary. I look forward to working with you, President.”
Kyung Joon repeated the same greeting he’d given hundreds of times over the past three years.
“Oh! We’ve brought in young talent. The pleasure is mine, Secretary Ryu.”
Hae Sun smiled gently, then suddenly glanced at the wall clock and startled.
“Oh my—it’s this late already! Secretary Ryu, please tell Secretary Choi I’m leaving early. I promised I’d go home early today—it’s our daughter’s birthday.”
Her reasons for needing to see Seo Ha changed every day: it was her birthday, the weather was nice, it was raining, or she wanted to buy her ice cream.
“Miss Yoon Seo Ha went to ballet class. I’ll take care of her and bring her back later.”
But once again, Hae Sun wouldn’t get to see Seo Ha today.
“Then I have some time. What’s my next appointment?”
“You have a meeting in an hour. Please rest until then.”
“Thank you, Secretary Ryu.”
Kyung Joon bowed deeply and stepped out. In the hallway, Ok Soon, who’d been speaking with reporters, hurried over upon spotting him.
“Secretary Ryu! Where’s President Lee? The reporters have been waiting, but they can’t reach him.”
“He’s in Miss Yoon Seo Ha’s room.”
“Then I should… Wait—Ji Soo’s there too?”
“Yes.”
“I’d better go myself. Thanks!”
Not a single bodyguard was visible—not when they arrived, nor now. How was security even being managed?
“I’ll fire them all and hire new ones.”
Kyung Joon crossed his arms, standing firmly in front of the door. The reporters, who had been lingering near the room, quickly looked away under his sharp glare.
***
Everything was blinding white. Seo Ha slowly closed her eyes, then opened them again. With each blink, awareness gradually returned.
A hospital?
The white filling her vision was none other than the hospital ceiling. Quiet murmurs and footsteps echoed around her.
She wanted to move, but her body wouldn’t obey. Mind and body seemed disconnected.
“Ugh…”
A faint, unfamiliar voice escaped her barely moving lips. Still, it was enough to catch the nurse’s attention, who turned and met her eyes.
“Oh my!”
The nurse rushed over in surprise.
“Are you awake? Can you understand what I’m saying?”
Seo Ha weakly nodded. Immediately, about ten medical staff, including doctors, surrounded her bed. Only now did she notice the oxygen mask on her face—clearly, her condition had been serious.
“Why am I here?”
As soon as the medical team carefully removed her oxygen mask, Seo Ha asked.
“You were brought in after a traffic accident. You’ve been in a coma for over three years—but miraculously, you’ve awakened. Do you have any family or friends we should contact?”
“Family…?”
Family. Family.
Seo Ha repeated the word blankly. But only the dry text of the word echoed—nothing else surfaced in her mind.
“I can’t remember… family…”
“It’s common to experience temporary amnesia after a major accident or prolonged coma. In your case, Miss Jo Seo Ha, it’s especially pronounced.”
“Jo Seo Ha?”
“That’s your name. Does it sound familiar?”
It wasn’t vividly clear, but the name didn’t feel foreign. The syllables of ‘Seo Ha’ fit her like a well-tailored garment.
“I think… that’s my name. Seo Ha.”
Seo Ha.
As she spoke the name aloud, a faint, buzzing echo stirred in her mind.
—“The really scary thing would be if… just suddenly opened their eyes and sat straight up.”
—“And then said, ‘What about those divorce papers? Is the alimony ready?’”
—“That car was way too sturdy. How come it was perfectly fine after getting hit by a truck?”
“Aaah!”
A searing pain twisted through her brain, behind her eyes. Startled by her sudden scream, the medical staff grabbed her.
“Patient!”
Seo Ha clutched her head, breathing heavily. The headache vanished quickly—but a cold, unpleasant feeling lingered.
“What… was that?”
Was it a real memory? Or just an illusion fabricated by her brain? Nothing felt certain.
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.]
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