“Mama and Daddy Dae-wang wore dresses and took pictures. Adults said they were a couple when they did that. Daddy Jeyun, a couple means they got married, right?”
“…”
“Then, couples should live together, right? Yes? Daddy Jeyun.”
“Why are you suddenly curious about that, Wooju?”
As Jeyun asked with affection, Wooju’s expression turned gloomy again. The small downturned corners of her mouth seemed somehow pitiful.
“…Mom and Daddy Dae-wang promised to live together for a long, long time. But they aren’t saying anything, not looking at each other, not laughing. They must have fought.”
Fought…
Jeyun couldn’t hide her bewildered expression at the unexpected story. Despite the wounds, Seolwon, who chose Chaeha so resolutely.
For some reason, Jeyun felt an uneasy feeling and decided to check for herself. She was well aware that she should keep her feelings in check, but that was based on the assumption that Seolwon was happy with Chaeha by her side.
“Wooju, did Mom say she’s coming to pick you up today?”
“Yes. Mom said she won’t go to the flower shop today. She’s coming to pick up Wooju.”
“I see. Alright, I’ll talk to Mom about it later.”
Even though Wooju nodded vigorously, feeling a bit bewildered for not getting the answer she desired, Jeyun did her best to ignore the child’s subtly expectant expression. What I was about to discuss was the opposite of what Wooju wished for.
“Seolwon!”
“…Jeyun?”
Awakening from her daze at the voice calling her name, Seolwon almost passed by the front of the kindergarten, deeply lost in thought.
“You’re early. We still have a long way to go.”
“Ah…”
Seolwon absentmindedly looked at the clock on the kindergarten roof, as Jeyun had said. It seemed she would have to wait another 20 minutes for Wooju to come out.
Feeling uncomfortable in the empty house, she had hurried more than usual, but she ended up arriving with plenty of time left before the end of the kindergarten hours.
Jeyun, who had been waving her hand, approached and smiled weakly.
“Well, it’s good for me. I wanted to see you and talk to you.”
Saying that, Jeyun took out something she had hidden behind her back—a small box with a ribbon.
“What’s this?”
“Birthday present. I couldn’t give it to you last time. Mom and Dad said they would give it to you when they come back to the island.”
“A present…”
That’s right. Not too long ago, she had spent a birthday like a dream. The day she was born was so happy that it was memorable.
Now, it felt melancholic to add one more painful memory.
What expression had she made?
Jeyun’s firm voice reached Seolwon’s ears.
“Seolwon, are you still not considering going back to the island?”
“…”
“Don’t force yourself if it’s hard. I told you, I don’t want to see you struggling. Your place with Wooju will always be there, so live peacefully on the island like before.”
“Jeyun…”
“And Wooju seems confused too. If we go back to the island, I’ll properly explain about the existence of a dad and make sure not to call me Dad. Let’s fix everything one by one. I’ll protect you and Wooju from anything painful. Okay, Seolwon?”
With sincere words, Jeyun stood there, and Seolwon remained motionless.
Could it really be like that? Could she live peacefully on the island?
Without encountering people who plotted against her, without causing confusion for Wooju, without her heart being torn apart.
Never seeing the man named Kwon Chaeha again, could she really live like that?
“I…”
Unable to contain her hesitation, Jeyun expressed her emotions.
“Seolwon. You’re suffering, aren’t you? Because of Kwon Chaeha! Do you know how much pain is reflected in your eyes right now? Seeing you like this, it’s too hard for me.”
“You’re still poking your nose into others’ affairs.”
“…!”
At the sudden low voice, both Seolwon and Jeyun turned their heads simultaneously.
Naturally, Kwon Chaeha was standing there.
It was highly unexpected as she didn’t expect him to come to greet Wooju today.
Without hiding her discomfort, Chaeha approached, penetrating the space between the two.
Then, his harsh voice was directed at Jeyun.
“I’m sure I warned you. Don’t cross the line.”
“Well, I doubt if you have the qualification to say that, Kwon Chaeha.”
“We need to make it clear that you don’t even have the qualification to mention qualifications.”
Tension tightened between the two men.
Chaeha’s words, “I warned you before,” made Seolwon realize that something had already happened between them.
Seolwon noticed a rare vein popping on Jeyun’s forehead.
Although she had seen Jeyun for several years, she had never witnessed him openly showing hostility toward someone.
Without a chance to say anything, Jeyun blocked Seolwon in front of Chaeha, as if trying to hide her existence from his view.
“What are you doing now?”
As if Chaeha’s actions greatly irritated him, his voice lowered in anger.
“I also clearly said it. I have no intention of handing Seolwon over to a man who hurts her.”
“Speaking as if it’s something definite.”
“I think it’s better than a husband in name only. If a husband can’t protect his wife and child, he’s still a husband if he can call himself that.”
“Choi Jeyun.”
“Stop, please.”
Seolwon put the brakes on the uncontrollable fight.
Wooju would come out soon, and she didn’t want to show such a scene to the already confused child.
However, the two men were staring at each other with eyes that clearly indicated they were ready to finish it.
Finally, Chaeha approached Jeyun threateningly, as if making a final warning.
“Step aside. I’ll take my wife and child with me.”
“No. I can’t let you. Kwon Chaeha, never.”
Jeyun also showed no signs of backing down.
Seolwon stared straight at Chaeha, conveying her strong will.
Stop, don’t do this.
But at the end of that gaze, Chaeha responded with an entirely different approach.
Approaching Seolwon as if threatening her, he growled from the depths of his throat.
“Min Seolwon, even if I have to die, I won’t let you go.”
An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
