Postponing Divorce (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14

Chae Yoon hadn’t expected a call from Jae Oh at all, and for a moment she was flustered, staring blankly at his name on the screen.

The vibration lasted longer than she’d anticipated.

Finally snapping out of her daze at the persistent ringing, she carefully slipped out of the office and headed toward a quiet corner.

After confirming no one was nearby, she cautiously tapped the answer button—and the call connected.

Seeing the connected screen, Chae Yoon braced herself.

She expected his voice through the speaker to say something like, “Why’d you take so long to pick up?”

So she spoke first, her tone slightly cautious.

“Hello?”

What are you doing?

His voice sounded softer than she’d expected, and Chae Yoon’s wide eyes blinked rapidly.

‘What’s going on? Why does his voice sound like that?’

While she was still bewildered by his completely unexpected reaction, he spoke again.

I asked what you’re doing.

Chae Yoon finally came to her senses.

“Oh—work. I was working.”

Are you busy?

His voice, still gentle, brushed softly against her ear.

Her momentarily regained composure slipped away again, leaving her mind blank once more.

‘What is this? What’s going on?’

The man who had acted strangely even before work still hadn’t changed—and if anything, was acting even more oddly now. Chae Yoon concluded something serious must have happened to Jae Oh.

Otherwise, there was no way he’d ask such a trivial question, let alone in such a calm, quiet tone.

“No, I’m not… but, why did you call? Is something going on?”

What are you doing after work?

It was the first time she’d ever heard him say something like that. Her heart began to race uncontrollably.

She couldn’t understand it—her heartbeat, which had vanished along with her earlier resolve, now pounded louder and louder with no sign of settling down.

Why was he acting like this? He hadn’t even asked her on a date—just a simple, everyday question about her plans after work.

“…”

Helplessly watching her traitorous heart race against her will, Chae Yoon couldn’t bring herself to answer. The best she could do was try to calm it, so she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Hello?

“…”

Song Chae Yoon.

“…Yes.”

Why aren’t you answering? I asked what you’re doing after work.

Trying hard to ignore her racing heart, Chae Yoon asked in return.

“Why do you want to know?”

…Why do you think?

After all, this was the same man who’d never cared whether she went home on time or stayed out overnight. She couldn’t understand why he’d suddenly ask something like this.

Unable to gauge his intent, she stayed silent—until he added an explanation.

I’m asking if you want to have dinner together.

Chae Yoon’s eyes flew open.

‘Did he just… say what I think he said?’

Han Jae Oh asking her out for dinner—was that even possible?

She shook her head vigorously, wondering if she was dreaming—but the voice that followed was unmistakably real.

Do you have plans?

“…”

For a moment, Chae Yoon stared blankly into space before pulling the phone away from her ear to glance at the screen.

「Jae Oh Oppa」

It really was Han Jae Oh…

‘Why is he suddenly acting like this?’

Still too confused to respond, she stayed quiet—until a familiar, slightly impatient tone came through again.

Ah, why aren’t you talking again?

He finally sounded annoyed.

Don’t tell me you hung up?

Hearing his usual tone, Chae Yoon numbly brought the phone back to her ear.

“No, I didn’t hang up.”

Then why aren’t you answering?

“I was just… a little surprised.”

So do you have time or not?

Eun Ha had invited her to dinner, but that had only been a kind suggestion out of concern for her being alone—it wasn’t a firm commitment. So Chae Yoon quickly replied.

“I’m free.”

Then I’ll contact you later. Be ready to leave on time.

“…Okay. I will.”

Once she gave a clear answer, Jae Oh finally ended the call.

Dazed from the surreal conversation, Chae Yoon stood frozen for a long while.

The unexpected plan now threatened to unravel all the resolve she’d carefully gathered.

“Did Song Chae Yoon really say she can’t go out?”

“Yes.”

Ho Yeon’s expression crumpled in frustration.

“You’re absolutely sure it was Jae Oh who said that?”

The secretary nodded firmly in response to the repeated question. “Yes.”

Hearing the confirmation, Ho Yeon let out a sigh.

It wasn’t Ji Pil—it was Jae Oh. Han Jae Oh, who’d always been indifferent to whoever was around him and focused solely on his own work, had actually stopped Song Chae Yoon from leaving of his own accord.

The unbelievable news sent a chill down her spine. Sensing something ominous, Ho Yeon clenched her suddenly cold fingertips.

‘Why wouldn’t he let her go?’

To Jae Oh, Song Chae Yoon was a woman who was seeing someone else.

She was certain of this because of the information she’d received from the person she’d placed inside Jae Oh’s secretarial office.

[Yes. I couldn’t hear clearly, but she seemed to admit she’s seeing someone. Song Chae Yoon even came out crying.]

She’d even sent a photo confirming they lived in the same officetel—to seal the deal. So why on earth wouldn’t he let her leave?

As Ho Yeon tried to decipher Jae Oh’s intentions, her expression abruptly hardened.

‘Could it be… he has feelings for her?’

Nothing else made sense of the current situation.

‘No. It can’t be. Right. That’s impossible.’

She kept denying it inwardly, but the feeling in her gut was deeply unsettling.

Just then, the secretary standing before Ho Yeon spoke up.

“Oh, and Senior Manager Han canceled his dinner schedule for tonight as well.”

Ho Yeon’s eyes, lost in thought, suddenly gleamed like sharp, icy blades.

“Do you know why he canceled?”

“No. Right after he came in, he told everyone not to disturb him—and then just ordered his schedule canceled.”

Ho Yeon’s mind raced, connecting the dots between Jae Oh’s actions before and after canceling his plans.

‘He opposed Song Chae Yoon leaving… and suddenly canceled his evening schedule too…’

That could only mean one thing—he was very likely meeting Song Chae Yoon tonight.

Her expression twisted in dismay.

The mere thought of Jae Oh and Song Chae Yoon dining alone somewhere, cozy and intimate, made her head burn with frustration—probably because of the bad premonition gnawing at her.

‘No. Absolutely not.’

Ho Yeon couldn’t just sit back and watch this happen. She began thinking of a way to fix the situation right now.

With fiery determination in her eyes, she picked up her phone and dialed someone.

Hello?

Hearing Kyeong Hee’s voice, Ho Yeon’s lips parted with a gentle tone.

“It’s me, Madam.”

Oh, Ho Yeon. What’s the matter?

“Well… I heard something rather unpleasant…”

Unpleasant?

“Yes.”

Her voice was filled with worry and concern.

“I heard Song Chae Yoon said she was leaving home, but Jae Oh opposed it.”

Taken aback by the unexpected news, Kyeong Hee fell momentarily silent.

“And on top of that, he canceled his evening schedule too.”

…That does seem a bit strange.

“I know, right? So, about that…”

Her eyes gleamed darkly as she prepared to make a suggestion.

One hour before quitting time.

Vrrring.

Chae Yoon’s phone buzzed with an incoming call.

Still working, she glanced away from her monitor to check the caller ID.

「Aunt」

Confirming it was Kyeong Hee, Chae Yoon quickly stepped outside to answer.

“Yes, Aunt. Hello.”

Oh, Chae Yoon. Are you busy?

“No, I’m fine. What’s the call about?”

Well… um…

Kyeong Hee paused as if hesitant to speak.

Chae Yoon immediately sensed it.

Whatever Kyeong Hee wanted, it definitely wasn’t good news.

Bracing herself, Chae Yoon tightened her lips slightly.

“Please feel free to say it.”

Her gentle words broke Kyeong Hee’s silence.

I heard something unpleasant. I think we need to talk. Are you free after work?

At the words “unpleasant,” Chae Yoon’s heart dropped.

Her grip on the phone tightened.

“I do have plans… but, may I ask what you heard?”

It’s not really something to discuss over the phone. Are you not free?

The cool tone seemed to urge her to cancel her plans. Chae Yoon’s pale face grew troubled.

‘This was the first time Oppa ever asked me to dinner…’

As the saying went, if you’re doomed, even falling backward breaks your nose—why did the timing have to be so unlucky?

The constant misalignments left a bitter taste in her mouth. Feeling suffocated, Chae Yoon let out an unconscious sigh and bit gently on the inside of her lip.

At that moment, Kyeong Hee’s displeased voice drifted into her ear.

Judging by how quickly you didn’t answer, it must be an important appointment.

Tsk—the tongue-clicking tone was new to Chae Yoon, and it sounded distinctly cold. She quickly pulled herself together and replied.

“Oh, I’m meeting Jae Oh Oppa.”

Really? Then you can just reschedule it for another time.

Chae Yoon’s eyes widened slightly.

From what she’d seen before, Kyeong Hee had always been wary of Jae Oh—even though he hadn’t been particularly difficult.

For Kyeong Hee to speak like this now clearly meant she was in an exceptionally foul mood.

Don’t you want to?

“No, I’ll reschedule.”

Good. And don’t you dare say you’re canceling because of me. My head’s already pounding—if Jae Oh sides with you on top of that… you understand what I mean, right?

Knowing well what Jae Oh had done for Kyeong Hee in the past, Chae Yoon answered immediately.

Yes, I understand.

Satisfied with the response and the information she’d received, Kyeong Hee’s lips curved into a pleased smile.

The place Kyeong Hee chose was a restaurant they often visited. It wasn’t far from the office, so Chae Yoon arrived right on time.

Kyeong Hee was seated in the main dining area, not a private room. Slightly puzzled by this, Chae Yoon didn’t have time to dwell on it—Kyeong Hee immediately acknowledged her with a wave.

“You’re right on time. I ordered already, worried you might be hungry. Is that okay?”

Her warm, friendly smile carried none of the coldness Chae Yoon had sensed during their phone call.

Relieved, Chae Yoon finally exhaled some of the tension she’d carried the whole way here.

“Yes, that’s fine. Thank you.”

As she thanked her, Kyeong Hee gave Chae Yoon a quick, appraising glance.

‘She’s obedient and sweet—that part’s nice…’

The problem was that Ji Pil cared for her too much.

[He’s giving Chae Yoon more shares?] [Yeah. It’s not confirmed yet, but that’s the impression I’m getting.] [That’s ridiculous. Why would he do that?] [It’ll make Jae Oh’s position more solid.] [Even so—it’s not like he’s given anything to Soo Han yet… Ugh, Father really is too much.]

Remembering her conversation with Jung Woong as she looked at Chae Yoon’s face, Kyeong Hee reached for the wine bottle beside her and, without warning, poured wine into Chae Yoon’s glass.

Chae Yoon, who hadn’t even indicated she wanted to drink, hastily grasped the stem of her glass to accept the wine.

The glass filled to just the right level.

Watching with a faint smile, Kyeong Hee set down her own wine and asked,

“Chae Yoon, are you seeing another man besides Jae Oh?”

Chae Yoon’s hand, in the middle of setting down her glass, froze.