The door of the Korean restaurant’s private room opened and Seo Ha entered.
Seo Ha gritted her teeth to appear confident and not intimidated in front of Hyun Young. Although Hyun Young still had a strong presence, there was something slightly different about her.
Hyun Young stood up to greet Seo Ha. Seo Ha saw Hyun Young and greeted her politely.
“Hello?”
“Yes, come in. Please sit comfortably.”
“Thank you.”
As Hyun Young sat down, Seo Ha followed and sat demurely across from her.
Hyun Young’s lips were dry, perhaps due to unconscious nervousness.
Seo Ha also showed clear signs of nervousness.
A brief silence fell between the two. Hyun Young was the first to speak.
“It may not be comfortable, but please try to relax.”
“Yes.”
Hyun Young laughed at her own words.
How could one be relaxed in such a situation?
Hyun Young took a sip of water and looked directly at Seo Ha.
Seo Ha’s kind gaze touched Hyun Young’s heart.
“I’m impatient by nature, so I won’t beat around the bush. That would be better for you too, right?”
“Yes.”
“Are you thinking of marrying Tae Kyung?”
“…”
Seo Ha didn’t answer Hyun Young’s question.
Hyun Young rather wished Seo Ha would say she was going to marry Tae Kyung.
But Seo Ha remained silent.
Hyun Young’s mouth was parched, so she gulped down water. At that moment, staff entered to set up the food and left.
Neither of them touched the food in front of them.
Now, though it may be shameless, Hyun Young found herself hoping Seo Ha would marry Tae Kyung.
The succession plan for the HY Group was already focused on the eldest son, Tae Joo.
Seeing her eldest son Tae Joo worrying about not having children, she thought it would be good for Tae Kyung to live comfortably with his own son.
Hyun Young decided to take the first step towards Seo Ha.
Her son liked her so much, and they even had a child together – opposition would be futile.
She had no intention of opposing anyway. She just wanted Seo Ha to forgive her past mistakes.
“Seo Ha.”
“Yes.”
“Tae Kyung came asking for permission to marry you.”
“…”
“You may think I’m shameless, but I still felt I needed to ask for your forgiveness, so I asked to meet.”
“Pardon?”
Seo Ha was startled by Hyun Young’s words and raised her lowered head.
Hyun Young’s eyes were full of regret and earnestness. Seo Ha felt choked up. But she lowered her head, trying to suppress the pain in her throat.
“Truthfully, who am I to give or withhold permission? I was short-sighted and made things difficult for you two. I’m sorry.”
“…”
Seo Ha didn’t know how to interpret Hyun Young’s words.
“It wasn’t that I disliked you from the beginning. But 5 years ago, your mother came to see me. She demanded money using the child as leverage.”
“Mother did?”
“Yes. She demanded quite a large sum. At that time, I was worried about how much your mother would torment you two if you married Tae Kyung. Tae Kyung’s father was like that. He would come frequently demanding money, and I couldn’t refuse. I suffered for a long time. I was afraid Tae Kyung would live the same life as me. So I couldn’t give permission.”
Hyun Young made excuses tinged with remorse.
As Seo Ha listened, she could understand intellectually, but her heart didn’t want to. The accumulated wounds were too deep to easily accept.
Instead, sharp emotions poked out.
Seo Ha swallowed the tears she had been holding back, barely managing to speak one word at a time, suppressing her sorrow and resentment.
“Still, you went too far. I was really scared. Just as Tae Kyung is precious to you, my baby is incredibly precious to me. When I heard you gave money to my mother saying you didn’t want the child, I was shocked, scared, and resentful.”
Seo Ha could finally express the feelings she had been holding in. She had wanted to say this at least once. She hoped Tae Kyung and Hyun Young would understand how scared and hurt she had been.
“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”
Hyun Young’s face was full of remorse. Even that sight pained Seo Ha’s heart.
“My mother, I know she did many things wrong, but honestly, I was so angry at you, Madam.”
“I don’t expect your feelings to be resolved right away. Resent me as much as you want.”
“Sob… sob…”
Seo Ha couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. She hated her mother Seung Ae who only cared about money, but she also hated Hyun Young who had given money saying she didn’t want the child. She resented her.
“You must have struggled raising the child alone. Knowing that difficulty makes me even more sorry. Truly.”
Seo Ha was shocked by Hyun Young’s words and looked at her with a tear-stained face.
Hyun Young’s face looked very pained.
Seo Ha was more shocked by the content of the words than Hyun Young’s apologetic consolation.
But, Hyun Young knew? Did she know about Min Joon’s existence?
“Did you know? That I gave birth to a child and am raising him.”
“Yes. I knew.”
“That he’s Tae Kyung’s child too?”
“…”
Hyun Young nodded. Seo Ha was so shocked that she opened her mouth, her mind going blank. Hyun Young silently waited for Seo Ha.
“How long have you known?”
“For quite a while. I’ve known since 5 years ago.”
Seo Ha covered her mouth with her hand.
What on earth was going on?
She had tried so hard to avoid Hyun Young, but Hyun Young already knew?
She knew everything – that Seo Ha had given birth to Min Joon, that Min Joon was Tae Kyung’s child – and still left things as they were?
Did she keep Tae Kyung and Min Joon apart?
And then after 5 years, she told her not to meet Tae Kyung?
“If you knew Min Joon was his son, how could you…”
“It’s all my fault. This old woman was foolish. I’m truly sorry.”
“My heart aches for Min Joon’s 5 years, for Tae Kyung’s past 5 years. If I’m in this much pain, how much must he and the child be hurting.”
“…”
“My poor Min Joon who was sad without a father. You don’t know how sorry I felt towards Min Joon. You don’t know the sadness Min Joon felt being subtly ostracized. And I was also anxious about Min Joon being taken away, about something happening to him. Sob.”
Seo Ha couldn’t tell Hyun Young it was okay.
It felt like all the wounds accumulated over time were being ripped open.
The more she spoke, the more her emotions welled up. Seo Ha broke down and wept loudly.
Hyun Young looked extremely distressed, as if she thought everything was her karmic retribution and mistake.
Hyun Young’s face was full of regret.
Seo Ha couldn’t stop crying for a long time. Hyun Young waited for her without moving.
“Madam, I can’t forgive you yet. I don’t want to ease your mind so easily. I’m sorry, but I’ll leave first.”
“I understand. I know how you feel. Thank you for listening to me. I’ll wait until your heart is ready.”
Seo Ha stood up, bowed slightly, and left the room. She went to the bathroom and washed her face with cold water.
Her puffy face reflected in the mirror looked unsightly.
She was only confused about what to do now.
[This is the timeline separator]Seo Ha barely managed to collect herself and went home.
Min Joon was asleep. Myung Hoon, who was watching TV in the living room, was startled when he saw Seo Ha’s face and asked:
“Where did you go that your face is so puffy? Did something happen?”
“It’s nothing, Dad. Is Min Joon asleep?”
“Yeah. This kid seems to have grown up, saying he’s old enough to go to sleep alone. Then he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.”
“I see. I’ll go wash up.”
Seo Ha forced a smile. She couldn’t tell Myung Hoon what she had heard from Hyun Young.
That she had to break up with Tae Kyung and raise Min Joon alone because of her wretched mother Seung Ae.
Seo Ha couldn’t forgive Seung Ae more than Hyun Young.
Why did she have to have such a person as her mother?
She didn’t expect a good mother, but at least not a parent who would ruin her child’s life.
A mother who abandoned her child and then tried to extort money through her child, not caring about her child’s life.
She didn’t even want to call her “mother”.
Would she ever be able to escape from that mother?
Seo Ha burst into tears again in the bathroom. She let her sobs flow with the sound of the shower.
After a long while, she finished washing and went to lie down next to Min Joon in the room.
The child sleeping peacefully was truly an angel.
No matter what Seung Ae did, she would protect this child with her life.
Seo Ha stroked Min Joon’s head and kissed his cheek.
My child, more precious than my life, my treasure. I love you.
Looking at Min Joon, Seo Ha’s heart ached remembering the past 5 years.
Just then, she got a call from Chae Eun.
Seo Ha went to the living room, cleared her throat, and answered the phone.
– Seo Ha, have you been well?
“Chae Eun. It’s been a while. How is the director? I’m sorry I didn’t contact you first.”
– No need to be sorry. You must have been very busy, right? Mother is much better.
“I’m always the same. I’m glad she’s better.”
– Is CEO Han doing well?
“Yes. He’s doing well.”
– Um, Seo Ha. If you have time tomorrow, could you come to the hospital briefly? Mother says she has something to talk to you about.
“Yes. Alright.”
– Okay. Sorry for the sudden request. See you tomorrow.
It was unusual for Chae Eun to insist like this, so Seo Ha was puzzled.
After ending the call with Chae Eun, Seo Ha went to sleep with a heavy heart.
The next day, after work, Seo Ha left Min Joon with Tae Kyung and visited Yoon Hee’s hospital.
Yoon Hee smiled brightly when she saw her. Tears welled up in Seo Ha’s eyes when she saw Yoon Hee’s face.
She looked much thinner than before she collapsed.
“Ms. Kim, have you been well?”
“Yes, Director. I’m sorry I couldn’t come earlier.”
“Don’t say that. I’m sorry for calling you all the way here. As you can see, I’m not in a condition to go out.”
“No, Director. You were so good to me, I’m sorry.”
Seo Ha wiped her tears. Yoon Hee gestured for her to come closer.
When Seo Ha approached, Yoon Hee gently hugged her.
“Our Ms. Kim, how can you be so tearful?”
Seo Ha barely managed to hold back more tears at Yoon Hee’s comforting.
Yoon Hee took out a bottled drink from the bedside cabinet and handed it to Seo Ha.
Seo Ha sat down next to Yoon Hee’s bed.
“The reason I asked to see Ms. Kim is because of Chairwoman Park, Hyun Young.”
“Pardon?”
Seo Ha’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected words.
Not knowing any connection between Yoon Hee and Hyun Young, Seo Ha had no idea what this could be about.
“I thought you might be misunderstanding Hyun Young. For Min Joon’s sake too, it would be good to clear up any misunderstandings between you two. Hyun Young probably didn’t tell you everything.”
Seo Ha was bewildered by Yoon Hee’s familiar way of referring to Hyun Young.
Knowing Seo Ha’s confusion, Yoon Hee slowly sipped her drink and waited.
__________
Ex-husband Wants Reconciliation (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Chasing the wife to the crematorium (making an effort to attract someone who has become indifferent), the female lead doesn’t look back, the second male lead takes the position.
Synopsis:
To repay the kindness of the older generation, Su Mu crossed into a female-dominated world and became a live-in daughter-in-law of the Yan family, single-handedly saving the Yan family from fire and water.
But her husband, Yan Jiyue, the eldest son of the Yan family, treated her with sarcasm and never showed her a good face.
He even had his eyes on another woman.
It wasn’t until after Su Mu’s death that this pampered and arrogant young master shed a few fake tears and pretended to want to die for love.
Su Mu expressed her disdain.
This life’s kindness was enough. If there was a next life, she would definitely kick Yan Jiyue away.
She also wanted to embrace Xie Yi, who had silently stayed by her side in her previous life and committed suicide by taking poison after her death.
Who knew that the heavens would be so kind as to allow her to be reborn, returning to the time when she had just married into the Yan family.
Su Mu glanced at the Yan eldest son, who still spoke coldly to her, and threw a divorce letter in front of him.
“Let’s divorce!”
—–
Yan Jiyue never imagined that he would be reborn. He happily went to find Su Mu, wanting to make up for the mistakes he had made in his ignorant youth.
Wasn’t the reason the heavens allowed him to be reborn to let him reconcile with Su Mu?
But when he pushed open the door to Su Mu’s room, the person lying on the bed was another man.
Su Mu’s personal attendant, Xie Yi.
Yan Jiyue hated him so much that his teeth itched. In front of Su Mu, Xie Yi was a gentle and considerate whisperer of sweet nothings, but in reality, he was vicious-hearted and deliberately sabotaged their husband and wife relationship.
In the previous life, it was he who secretly hid in Su Mu’s coffin and committed suicide, stealing a step ahead of him to be buried with Su Mu.
Yan Jiyue’s eyes were filled with hatred as he cursed, “What kind of thing are you? Your background is lowly, what right do you have to occupy Su Mu?”
Xie Yi looked at the sleeping Su Mu and no longer pretended to be a whisperer of sweet nothings.
He proudly stuck out his belly, “I have the right because my belly is capable of giving the Wife-master a daughter.”
[Reading Guide]
1. True divorce, chasing the wife to the crematorium, the female lead doesn’t look back, the male lead is Xie Yi.
2. The ex-husband did not cheat, he just realized too late and didn’t realize that he liked the female lead.
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