My Husband's Lover (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14

Do Ha and Do Hoon, unlike their youngest sibling Do Hee, weren’t far apart in age, yet the only thing they had in common was just one thing: their decent looks. Even that was incomparable—Do Ha, who maintained his “superior” appearance through steady workouts and self-care, versus Do Hoon, who had squandered the looks inherited from their parents by indulging in women and alcohol.

Apart from appearance, the brothers had nothing in common—not personality, tastes, or hobbies. Naturally, the two households that reflected their personalities were completely different.

If Do Ha’s home had a classic atmosphere, Do Hoon’s stood out with modern sensibility. Hae Yeon’s house felt warm and cozy, while Yoon Seo’s looked sophisticated but lacked warmth. It was because the temperament of the people living there had seeped into the space.

“Did you not forget about this week’s city hall event?”

At his wife’s words, Do Hoon deeply furrowed his brow. Yoon Seo didn’t care. There were no helpers around right now, so she didn’t have to bother managing her expression.

“What event now—”

Do Hoon dragged out his words in an annoying tone. The ridiculous part was that this wasn’t the first time she’d told him—she’d mentioned it a month ago, yet he was still like this. Yoon Seo ground her teeth.

A man over thirty acting like that. And he was still half-asleep, still not fully sober even though it was broad daylight.

“It’s the annual event hosted by Gil Myeong Je Dang and Seoul City. Don’t you remember it being held at the Food Home Center around this time?”

“Hmm. I think I remember… maybe.”

Do Hoon frowned and pretended to think. As if turning that stupid brain of his would help. Yoon Seo looked at her husband with a face full of disdain.

This event was a social contribution activity that the city and Gil Myeong Je Dang had been running for years. The company donated hundreds of millions worth of food supplies every year to manage its image, and although rival groups like Mibon Foods held similar events, none matched Gil Myeong Je Dang’s donation scale.

Chairwoman Yoon Myeong Gil wanted to improve the group’s image through social contributions, and the results were excellent—Gil Myeong Je Dang had risen from 3rd to 2nd place in the industry.

That was why this particular event was something Chairwoman Yoon paid especially close attention to.

Having already received a warning from her just a few days ago, Yoon Seo didn’t want to give her even the slightest reason to find fault. But for that to work, cooperation was needed. Instead of helping, this so-called husband of hers was only getting in the way.

‘Since when have I ever lived looking at this man? Hold it in, just hold it in.’

She knew it well—the reason Chairwoman Yoon had arranged her marriage to Cha Do Hoon.

A brain far removed from business, vulgar and promiscuous private life. No matter how much Chairwoman Yoon tried to stop it, scandals kept exploding one after another—and the main character of those messy incidents was always Cha Do Hoon. She herself had been placed there to clean up the image of Myeong Gil’s failed eldest son, her greatest flaw.

Unfortunately, this man caused trouble but never big enough to be completely cut off, and he always luckily slipped out of consequences, making him someone Chairwoman Yoon could neither discard nor fully keep.

‘How can everything he does be so pathetic?’

There was only one reason Han Yoon Seo had been chosen as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Cha family. Her father was a civil servant in education, her mother a university professor. Though their wealth couldn’t compare to her in-laws, they came from a famously upright family of educators—that’s how she became qualified to be the wife of Gil Myeong Group’s eldest son.

Perhaps because Myeong Gil knew her ambition and ability, she prevented Yoon Seo from getting involved in company affairs. Or maybe, since she had been brought in to rehabilitate Do Hoon’s image and act as his shackles, it was a warning to know her place and not do anything foolish. Just thinking about it left a bitter taste in Yoon Seo’s mouth.

“It’s the 5th anniversary, so quite a few VIPs will attend—the mayor, ministers, members of the National Assembly. This is the time to show your face.”

Of course, Cha Do Ha and his wife would be there too. She had stored Chairwoman Yoon’s warning in her mind, but she couldn’t just sit idly. For Yoon Seo, next week’s event was something she had to focus on completely.

Unlike Yoon Seo, Do Hoon let out a huge yawn and scratched his head at the breakfast table. Seeing his utterly slovenly appearance naturally killed her appetite, and Yoon Seo tried hard not to scowl.

“It’s already the 5th anniversary?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the big deal? Just tell me the date.”

Do Hoon spoke as if annoyed. She’d clearly told him the date earlier. Yoon Seo let out a short sigh, exercising patience.

“7 p.m. on the 17th. Since it’s the 5th anniversary, it’ll be an evening party format, so remember.”

Of course this man wouldn’t remember. That’s why she’d already told the executive office in advance—to remind Executive Director Cha Do Hoon every time they saw him.

“I heard my sister-in-law got a job.”

Feeling down, Yoon Seo pulled out an easy side dish, thinking she needed a change of topic.

“My sister-in-law is working?”

Do Hoon’s previously uninterested, bleary eyes suddenly lit up. Already annoyed by his picky eating, Yoon Seo dove into the topic.

“She officially joined Dali Coffee, apparently.”

Min Hae Yeon must have gotten in thanks to a friend’s connection. When she’d heard that the president of Dali Coffee was Hae Yeon’s friend’s father, she’d been dumbfounded. Who would have thought someone like Min Hae Yeon had that kind of connection among her mediocre network?

“Didn’t they say she had pretty good grades in college?”

Yoon Seo immediately regretted bringing it up. Seeing Do Hoon’s expression change strangely, what little appetite she had vanished completely. Was there any brother-in-law in the world who made that face while thinking about his sister-in-law?

“Ha. Pretty face, gentle personality, and good at studying.”

And good at cooking too. Do Hoon added, smacking his lips unpleasantly.

“How the hell is that bastard Do Ha so lucky to have a woman like that as his wife?”

Yoon Seo gripped her spoon tightly. How could he harbor that kind of desire for Min Hae Yeon and still hold back until now? Well, he wouldn’t admit it, but it was obviously because she was his feared younger brother’s wife. Yoon Seo sneered inwardly.

—Let me say it again: I won’t overlook it a second time.

Suddenly recalling that cold voice, Yoon Seo snapped back and let out her irritation.

“…Hurry up and wash up. You’re going to be late again today, aren’t you?”

“I got it, so stop nagging.”

Do Hoon growled. Feeling needlessly angry from the memory that surfaced, Yoon Seo regretted bringing up Min Hae Yeon at all. Without even glancing at Do Hoon as he trudged out under her pressure, she recalled Chairwoman Yoon’s words.

—I won’t tell you to help, but don’t get greedy and end up ruining yourself. Just stay still.

A dog raised wrong gets eaten if it makes a mistake.

Yoon Seo bit her lip and straightened her back.

Speaking of which, Min Hae Yeon.

To Yoon Seo, Min Hae Yeon was like chicken ribs—something she wanted gone from the Cha family, yet if that spot were filled by Lee Su Rin or another woman from a good family, that would also be problematic. But leaving Min Hae Yeon as is carried its own risks.

Her chest tightened and she frowned, when her phone vibrated briefly. Checking the message, Yoon Seo let out a hollow laugh.

“Looks like this woman isn’t exactly relaxed either.”

She said that, but her brow remained deeply furrowed. She’d never felt this unsettled seeing the three syllables of the name Lee Su Rin.

* * *

After finishing her bath, Hae Yeon stood on the balcony, letting the breeze hit her while gently shaking her glass. The clear ice cubes clinked coolly together. Sipping sparkling water to completely chase away her hangover, Hae Yeon smiled softly when her phone buzzed and she saw the name on the screen.

When on earth had she saved the contact like that instead of the real name? Smiling brightly, Hae Yeon accepted the call.

[Sister-in-laaaaw~]

The moment the call connected, spoiled little Do Hee poured on the aegyo dramatically. It was adorable to Hae Yeon, but apparently not to her friends—through the speaker, Hae Yeon could hear them booing. Hae Yeon was well aware that Do Hee’s friends always reacted this way whenever she acted cute.

Back when Do Hee still wore a school uniform and brought friends home, Hae Yeon used to make them tteokbokki and delicious snacks, and thanks to that, Do Hee’s already high popularity skyrocketed even more—she used to brag about it proudly.

Thinking of Do Hee, Hae Yeon’s face bloomed with a warm, paint-melted kind of smile.

If I had a younger sister, would it feel like this?

Hae Yeon, who had never once had a proper family, treated Joo Ah and Do Hee with genuine familial love.

‘I haven’t called her as often lately.’

When Do Hee was still a student, they talked almost every day. Especially as the CSAT approached, hysterical Do Hee would call to vent about everything, and Hae Yeon would soothe and comfort her every time. But lately her attention had been elsewhere, and she felt very sorry for growing distant from Do Hee.

“Our little miss~ I missed you.”

[Me too! By the way, sis! How could you do this to me!]

At this sudden scolding, Hae Yeon tilted her head.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Work!!!”

Ah. Only then did Hae Yeon realize why Do Hee had called. Yesterday afternoon after passing Dali Coffee, she’d been running around busy, and at night she’d been drinking, so she hadn’t said a word to Do Hee. Feeling sorry, Hae Yeon spoke cautiously.

“Miss, I’m sorry.”

[How could I have to hear the huge news that my sister-in-law got a job from Dad this morning!!]

Here’s what happened: Do Hee came home late last night, and this morning, while complaining about yesterday, she heard the whole story from Gi Jung, who was venting.

She’d been dying of curiosity about Hae Yeon getting a job, but held it in out of consideration and waited—only to call now.

Hae Yeon had a hard time calming Do Hee’s loving sulking about feeling neglected and love growing cold, and when Do Hee’s feelings still didn’t soften, Hae Yeon finally brought up what she wanted to hear.

“Then want to go shopping with me tonight?”

[Yes please!]

Do Hee instantly flipped, laughing brightly as if nothing had happened, and chattered to Hae Yeon about everything they’d do at the department store tonight.

[See you tonight then!]

“Yeah, see you later, miss.”

After receiving Do Hee’s cheerful goodbye and hanging up, Hae Yeon got up to get ready for the appointment.

Do Hee had called Hae Yeon while having lunch with friends.

“See you tonight then!”

[Yeah, see you later, miss.]

Hanging up with a huge grin, her friends shivered and rubbed their arms, saying it gave them goosebumps. Do Hee just grinned at their teasing and declared that no one should hold her back tonight.

“Even without you saying that, we wouldn’t hold you.”

“Hwee hwee, off you go, traitor.”

“Just go already—why not call Hae Yeon unnie instead?”

Ignoring her friends’ cold responses, Do Hee stood up to call someone else.

“I should tell oppa to come too.”

Convincing herself that if not now, when would the three of them meet, Do Hee called Do Ha. After a short ring, the moment it connected she reflexively turned on the aegyo.

“Oppaaa.”

[Talk.]

His blunt reply would normally intimidate anyone, but knowing how much Do Ha adored her, Do Hee bravely made her request.

“Can we make plans for tonight?”

[Why.]

“You have to buy me dinner.”

[Dinner?]

“Yeah. I already made plans with sister-in-law, so we just need you!”

She said it dramatically on purpose. She knew that as long as Hae Yeon was involved, Do Ha usually couldn’t easily refuse. Thinking about finally spending time with her little oppa and his wife after so long, Do Hee was already excited. But Do Ha poured cold water on her excitement.

[I have a prior engagement, can’t do it.]

“What? Really can’t?”

Even though Hae Yeon unnie is coming? Do Hee drooped her eyebrows like she was on video call, making a pitiful face.

[Not today. So let’s meet next time.]

“Okay…”

The call ended abruptly, and Do Hee deeply furrowed her brow. When she and Hae Yeon were involved, Do Ha usually gave in—but if he was this firm, it really was something important.

She had wanted to use shopping as an excuse to make sister-in-law and little oppa have dinner together. Of course it wasn’t completely selfless, but her feelings for them were genuine. Do Ha was so busy, so she wanted to treat the two of them to a meal out after a long time.

“Dang it! It’s ruined.”

Still, comforted by at least having plans with Hae Yeon, Do Hee put her phone back in her bag.

“Cha Do Hee, are you finally done with calls?”

A friend who’d been watching Do Hee make calls all this time glared and scolded her, so Do Hee quickly apologized.

“Sorry. But now I’m really done!”

Excited for her evening plans with Hae Yeon, Do Hee raised her voice and smiled widely.