Once More, Wife (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
That evening, as soon as Kwon Kang Ho, the chairman and head of Chae Woon Group, returned home, Heo Young Joo reluctantly called Seol Won over to join them for dinner.
Contrary to Seol Won’s worries, Chairman Kwon asked only a few basic questions and said little else.
Though he clearly disapproved of her, it was evident that he respected his son’s decision.
On the other hand, Heo Young Joo openly showed her displeasure.
She didn’t say a single word to Seol Won, completely ignoring her as if she weren’t even there.
Although Seol Won was accustomed to such treatment, it felt markedly different when coming from her mother-in-law.
Because of this, dinner passed in such discomfort that she couldn’t even tell whether food was going into her mouth or up her nose.
When she returned to her room, it was so pitch-black—thanks to the blackout curtains—that she couldn’t even tell what time it was.
Seol Won preferred sunlight, as she liked keeping potted plants in her room, but Chae Ha clearly preferred the exact opposite.
“Phew….”
With a sharp click, she turned on the light and finally let out the breath she’d been holding in.
Chae Ha had once hinted that it’d be best not to take on any work for now, just in case it stirred up unnecessary gossip.
He’d added reassuringly that she shouldn’t worry about money—that it was only natural to say so if money were the issue.
But a life confined solely to the house seemed no different from prison, even without seeing it firsthand.
Thinking she’d look for something soon—even if unofficial—once she’d adjusted a bit, Seol Won picked up the shopping bag placed in the corner.
Though she’d delicately explained that theirs wasn’t a marriage worth celebrating, Laura and James had still insisted on placing a wedding gift into her hands.
They were the only ones who’d recognized her purely for her own abilities, without caring about her education or connections.
It was only because of them that she’d managed to endure the relentless hostility.
If not for all this, they truly would’ve been wonderful people she’d have wanted to work with for a long time….
Pushing down the ache in her heart, Seol Won slowly began to unwrap the gift.
“Huh…?”
Her hands froze mid-tear in sheer bewilderment.
The moment she saw what was inside the pretty envelope, her cheeks flushed hotly.
It was unmistakably something that screamed “honeymoon.”
A blatantly sexy lace slip, with a rather daringly open cut in a very important area.
“G-Geez, President… seriously…!”
Though she hadn’t even bought it herself, Seol Won hastily crumpled the slip back up out of sheer embarrassment.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
“…!”
Had Chae Ha already come back?
Panicked, Seol Won quickly shoved the slip—still in its wrapping—into the storage cabinet.
Although it was technically their wedding night, there was absolutely no possibility of anything “marital” happening between them.
If he found out about this, she wouldn’t be able to look him straight in his perpetually icy face.
After practically tossing the item away, Seol Won forced a calm tone and replied,
“C-Come in.”
“You’re awfully slow to answer.”
Unexpectedly, it wasn’t her husband Kwon Chae Ha who entered—but Madam Heo Young Joo.
Caught off guard by this sudden one-on-one encounter with her mother-in-law, Seol Won tensed up immediately.
“Hmph….”
Heo Young Joo squinted as she scanned the room, then openly frowned at Seol Won.
Under that intruder-like gaze, Seol Won awkwardly hesitated.
Then the older woman immediately began grumbling,
“For someone who pushed through this marriage so recklessly, there’s not a single bit of honeymoon atmosphere. You didn’t even prepare a proper bridal suite—was this your idea?”
“Oh. Yes. I thought sharing this room would be enough.”
Though she’d meant it as a humble response, it only further provoked Heo Young Joo.
“This room? Chae Ha’s room? Do you really think it’s even remotely acceptable for you to be in here?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Listen carefully. I don’t know what’s gotten into Chae Ha, making him marry someone like you—but I never approved of this marriage.”
“…”
“I already have a daughter-in-law in mind. No matter how much you occupy this room, I’ll never accept you—not even on my deathbed.”
Having nothing meaningful to say in response, Seol Won simply stayed silent and listened.
She’d anticipated this kind of treatment anyway.
But hearing that there was another chosen bride-to-be stung her heart more sharply than she expected.
Had Kwon Chae Ha originally been meant to marry that woman?
Unsatisfied with Seol Won’s silence, Heo Young Joo stepped closer and glared up sharply.
Then, as if cursing the bride on her wedding night, she snapped,
“Listen well. Stay as invisible as possible—and live like you’re already dead.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And absolutely use contraception. You must not get pregnant!”
“Excuse me?”
Thinking she’d misheard, Seol Won reflexively repeated the question.
Heo Young Joo’s voice then turned even sharper and venomous as she hissed,
“If you dare carry our Chae Ha’s child, I’ll make sure you suffer in ways you can’t even imagine!”
“…Yes. Understood.”
Of course, pregnancy was the last thing to worry about—it simply wasn’t possible.
After all, they weren’t the kind of couple to ever have an intimate relationship.
On their very first night as a married couple, Chae Ha didn’t return home until well past midnight.
And then Seol Won finally understood why he’d readily let her into his room.
It was purely for appearances—he gave her the bed and slept in his study instead.
Although the two spaces were connected, a solid door clearly separated them into distinct areas.
They didn’t even share the same room, let alone the same bed—making Heo Young Joo’s concerns utterly pointless.
Chae Ha, having just been promoted to senior management, was insanely busy and devoted himself entirely to work.
To him, marriage was less significant than his usual overtime—just another meaningless business transaction.
The slip, nominally a wedding gift, gathered dust without ever being taken out.
Only the wedding ring had to be worn daily, per Chae Ha’s order—also purely for show.
Seol Won didn’t object to this requirement, though he himself never once wore his ring.
Feeling disappointed was a luxury she couldn’t afford, so whenever similar emotions threatened to surface, she deliberately pushed them away.
‘This marriage is just a contract. To me, it’s merely a transaction.’
Gradually, Seol Won grew accustomed to soothing herself with these thoughts.
She spent her days planting flowers in the small garden Chae Ha had arranged for her as a wedding gesture.
Flowers bloomed, flowers withered.
As season after season passed, the promised three years would surely slip away like a breeze.
Fortunately, Seol Won’s mother was able to continue her novel therapy without any financial worries.
Her condition hadn’t improved, but at least it wasn’t worsening—and she managed to get through each day.
The Chae Woon family’s personal physician cared for Seol Won’s mother as if she were his own.
Thanks to this, on better days, her mother could even take brief walks with just arm support—no cane needed.
That alone was enough for Seol Won.
Even though her nominal husband, Chae Ha, grew increasingly busy—making it hard to see him even once every few days—it didn’t matter.
Even though his warmth and scent gradually disappeared from his room—it was fine.
Even though she bore Heo Young Joo’s daily disregard and humiliation alone—it was bearable.
Because Seol Won had resolved to faithfully fulfill the role of the wife he’d chosen, even as loneliness bloomed like wild weeds in her heart.
Time flew by quickly.
Less than half a year remained until their contract ended.
Due to an unusually harsh winter cold snap, Seol Won lay bundled under thick blankets, reading late into the night.
“Is it snowing?”
She sensed soft snow falling beyond the window by her bedside.
Though she was especially sensitive to cold, she’d always loved snow—so Seol Won set her book aside and drew back the curtain.
“…Huh?”
Just then, she saw Chae Ha entering through the front door.
Glancing at the clock, she realized he was home even later than usual.
Since it wasn’t anything extraordinary, Seol Won quietly admired the snow falling beneath the orange streetlight—and closed the curtain again.
Chae Ha had even installed a separate door to his study, eliminating the need to pass through her room while she slept.
Because of this, her already rare chances of seeing him dwindled even further.
She couldn’t even recall how many days had passed since she’d last seen him.
Somehow unsettled by the glimpse she’d just caught of him below the window, Seol Won simply closed her book.
She decided it was best to sleep now.
Just as she finished tidying her blankets and reached to turn off the light—
She heard movement at the door, followed immediately by it swinging open.
“…!”
At the silhouette appearing through the gap, Seol Won instinctively sucked in a breath.
Kwon Chae Ha stood there, swaying slightly, his eyes bloodshot.
“…Mr. Chae Ha? Why are you here…?”
Before she could finish, he strode over and collapsed onto the bed.
A faint scent of alcohol brushed her nose—he was clearly drunk.
“Mr. Kwon Chae Ha. Please get up. You should go to your room to sleep.”
“…This is my room.”
Even drunk, his tone remained as flat and calm as ever.
Unable to argue against that logic, Seol Won said nothing as Chae Ha buried his face into the pillow she’d been using.
Why was it?
In that moment, he looked endlessly pitiful and fragile to her.
Kwon Chae Ha—the so-called “cold-blooded crown prince” of Chae Woon Group—suddenly seemed like a vulnerable herbivore desperately seeking something to lean on.
Without realizing it, Seol Won reached out toward his softly tousled, jet-black hair.
She felt him flinch at the touch on the back of his head.
But only for an instant—then Chae Ha abruptly lifted his head and turned sharply toward her.
“…”
Their eyes met with sudden intensity.
The moment Seol Won saw her own trembling reflection in Chae Ha’s eyes, he half-raised himself up.
His usual overpowering gaze now burned blackly toward her—filled with something dangerously close to desire.
“Go to sleep now, Mr. Kwon Chae Ha. Let me help you up…”
Her words were instantly swallowed by Chae Ha’s hot lips.
Though he’d clearly been drinking, his lips tasted dizzyingly sweet.
His breath, sweeping deep inside, was overwhelmingly intense.
This sensation—this kiss—was utterly unfamiliar to her.
It felt as if her lips, her whole body, might melt away entirely.
Unable to resist, Seol Won unconsciously parted her lips and welcomed him in.
At that, Chae Ha’s breathing grew even rougher.
The moment his large hand first touched her body, Seol Won switched off the bedside lamp.
Outside the window, the faint orange glow of the streetlight filtered in, illuminating their overlapping silhouettes.
The rustle of clothes slipping onto the floor sounded as pleasant as fresh snow softly settling to the ground.
At the same time, a gentle voice landed softly in Seol Won’s ear.
“Min Seol Won.”
His low, tender utterance of her name was so sweet that tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Just as tenderly, his hands and lips explored every part of her body.
She couldn’t deny—no matter how much she wished otherwise—that she’d wanted this touch.
Her heated body, stirred by his fervent movements, had already forgotten the winter chill completely.
When they finally became one, it almost felt like a dream—but the intensity of sensations, entirely new to her, reminded her this was very much real.
As Seol Won’s small hands flailed helplessly against him, Chae Ha firmly interlaced his fingers with hers and called her name again and again.
As if he’d been longing to say it all this time but never could.
Deep into the night, until the snow finally ceased to fall, they craved each other endlessly.
It was their first night together—in three years.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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