Having matured earlier than her peers, she never showed it, but how envious she must have been of kids playing with their fathers.
“Se Kyung’s hesitation isn’t because she doesn’t trust you.”
Jung Ran didn’t want Se Kyung to miss out on love due to her own difficult experiences.
She hoped Se Kyung would, unlike her, build a happy, loving family.
“Perhaps Se Kyung’s hesitation about marrying you is because of me.”
Tae Jo’s eyes flickered slightly.
His look said he didn’t understand. The two seemed so well-suited to each other the day before.
“You look confused?”
“Yes.”
Jung Ran smiled faintly at Tae Jo’s honest response.
“Take what I’m about to say with a grain of salt. These are things Se Kyung wouldn’t say to you, just my ramblings.”
“I understand.”
Tae Jo nodded quietly, looking straight ahead.
“Where should I start? You see, I was in a situation similar to Se Kyung’s. I got married while pregnant.”
“…”
“The marriage didn’t end well. Perhaps because it was more out of responsibility than love. After Se Kyung’s father and I separated, I raised her alone. She saw me struggle, so it’s natural for her to be cautious about marriage.”
Despite the heavy topic, Jung Ran’s voice seemed somewhat relieved.
“Do you understand why I’m telling you this?”
“You’re saying that for marrying Se Kyung, responsibility alone isn’t enough; there needs to be love too, right?”
“Well, there’s that. And I also want you to understand Se Kyung’s heart. I don’t want her to miss out on someone she likes out of unfounded fear.”
This was something Jung Ran hadn’t even said in front of Se Kyung. She coughed awkwardly, scratching the tip of her nose.
“I’ve understood your words well. I’m not misunderstanding her. I realize she might be afraid.”
“That’s good then.”
“But, I have a question too.”
“What is it?”
Tae Jo changed lanes as the car approached Gimpo Airport.
“When did you know I was the father of the child?”
“Uh, well, that’s…”
Jung Ran turned her head towards the window, seeming hesitant to speak.
“I thought you were just looking after Se Kyung at first.”
“…”
“But I saw you two yesterday. Se Kyung hadn’t come in, so I looked, and… in front of the elevator…”
Kissing.
Jung Ran clicked her fingers together. A flustered Tae Jo covered his mouth with a cough.
“We don’t always do that…”
“Of course not. If you did, rumors would have spread by now.”
“…”
“It’s nice to see you two getting along well. But be careful not to get caught by others.”
Tae Jo smiled at Jung Ran’s advice-filled words.
“Yes. I’ll be careful.”
“Ah, and just drop me off here at the gate.”
“At the gate? It might be better to park in the parking lot…”
“You must be busy. Just drop me off here. That’s enough.”
Tae Jo hesitated, then pulled up at the entrance. Jung Ran, gathering her bag, looked at Tae Jo as if to remind him.
“Remember, what I said in the car today is a secret from Se Kyung. I’ll continue pretending I don’t know, and you should too.”
“I will.”
“I was worried about leaving Se Kyung alone. But I’m glad you’re there for her.”
Jung Ran smiled as she got out of the car. Tae Jo also got out to see her off.
“Don’t worry about Se Kyung. I’ll take good care of her. I’ll be in touch again soon.”
“Alright. Take care on your way back.”
After Jung Ran entered the gate, Tae Jo got back into the car.
She watched his car drive away, smiling contentedly.
‘He’s a good man. Kind, handsome, and caring.’
“Very good.”
With a satisfied nod, Jung Ran turned and walked into the building.
“Hmm.”
Se Kyung stared intently at her phone. She had just finished a call with Jung Ran, who had arrived in Jeju Island.
Tae Jo had driven Jung Ran to Gimpo Airport, and she had reported that her flight landed without any delays.
But…
“What’s going on?”
What could it be, this indescribable uneasy feeling?
Jung Ran, who had just arrived in Jeju, seemed to be in quite a good mood. It was almost embarrassing for Se Kyung, who had worried that her mother might cry after hearing about her pregnancy.
Moreover, Jung Ran hadn’t prodded much about Se Kyung’s boyfriend, even though she had said she would introduce him when the time was right. Usually, she would have asked at least once about what kind of person he was.
But the strangest thing was Jung Ran’s attitude during the call, constantly praising Tae Jo.
How handsome he looked from the front and the side, how polite and kind he was, suggesting he really seemed like a good person, and so on.
Half of the conversation had been about Tae Jo, making Se Kyung slightly suspicious.
Had CEO Jin casually mentioned to Jung Ran that he was the father of the child?
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang, and Se Kyung approached the intercom. Seeing Tae Jo’s face, she rushed to the door and opened it.
“You’re here.”
“Have you eaten?”
“I ate out. What about you?”
“I also had dinner with Woo Hyun.”
Tae Jo had arrived home later than usual due to a late start at work. He sat on the sofa and loosely pulled at his tie.
“Your mother arrived safely?”
“Yes. But did you tell her anything?”
“Tell her? What do you mean?”
“Like… that you’re the father of the child…”
Se Kyung trailed off, eyeing Tae Jo.
“No. I didn’t say anything.”
“…”
“Why? What did she say?”
Really?
Se Kyung narrowed her eyes, as if trying to gauge the truth behind his words.
“Well, Mom was praising you a lot.”
“I must have made a good impression. I’m not the type to be overlooked, am I?”
“…”
Se Kyung clamped her mouth shut.
It’s a valid point, but… where does all this confidence come from?
“She wanted to see the ultrasound photo of the baby, right? Wait here, I’ll bring it.”
Se Kyung shook her head and walked into the bedroom. Tae Jo sat on the sofa, smiling at her retreating figure.
“Testing the waters, huh.”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
