The Sin of Loving Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 15
Do Jun’s heart started racing wildly.
Though his large body was pressing down, his soul was already screaming.
He was certain that the lunatic Hae Joo had mentioned was none other than himself.
It felt as if scales were sprouting all over his body.
He’d assumed, of course, that Hae Joo wouldn’t know—but she was fully aware of the insane thing he’d done.
“Do you know that guy’s name?”
Hae Joo closed her eyes and let out a soft chuckle.
She stirred, lifted her head slowly, and gazed at Do Jun with a distant look.
Her clear, transparent eyes shone with calm light right before him.
Now, Hae Joo was so close he could reach out and touch her.
“Lunatic.”
“……!”
“That guy’s name—I only know that much.”
“……”
“I just tried showing off a bit because I felt like the only fool who’d lived like that.”
“But that means…”
“What man would I possibly have? I only even heard about him because my sister told me.”
Back then, Do Jun had been utterly obsessed with protecting Hae Joo—even as people called him a disgrace or a lunatic.
He’d genuinely believed that if he himself didn’t act this way, she might really die.
“So that’s how it was.”
When he’d heard Hae Joo had left, he’d thought he’d never see her again.
Though he’d insisted it was for the best and tried to comfort himself, forgetting her had been impossible.
The more he struggled, the deeper it cut.
He’d endlessly regretted not confessing back then. At the same time, he remembered praying desperately just for her to stay alive.
“You must’ve had it good, Do Jun—getting to experience love and all.”
After a few glasses of champagne, Hae Joo began dozing off, nodding her head sleepily. Even that looked small and fragile.
Do Jun quietly set his glass down and stood up. Gently cradling Hae Joo’s head, he carefully helped her lean back onto the sofa.
“I’ve always… been doing it. Love, I mean.”
Her soft, steady breathing tickled Do Jun’s ear. Just looking at her, her pale face flushed with color, made him feel as though he’d gained everything.
Hae Joo didn’t hear Do Jun’s quiet muttering.
Seemingly exhausted from her outing during the day, she’d already fallen into a deep sleep.
“I know it’s a foolish question, but I want to ask again.”
“……”
“If that lunatic had shown up in front of you back then… could you have liked him?”
It was a question with no answer.
Resigned, he poured the remaining champagne and drank it down.
As he was about to leave and tidy up, Hae Joo stirred.
Half-asleep, she mumbled something incoherent.
“If only you’d confessed…”
Just how desperate must he have been back then, for her to regard a lunatic whose face she didn’t even know as a hero?
No one had protected Hae Joo. The people who called themselves her family had exploited her, threatened her, and pushed her right to the edge of the cliff.
Only that lunatic had gone wild for her sake.
The settlement money President Park had paid because of Do Jun’s accident alone had been no small sum.
He didn’t care if he endured all kinds of insults—as long as Hae Joo stayed safe.
“Let’s never break up, Hae Joo.”
He was desperate.
He prayed again and again that he’d never drift apart from her again.
Divorce a year from now simply didn’t exist in Do Jun’s mind.
He anticipated difficult obstacles ahead, but compared to the bone-grinding wait he’d endured until now, they meant nothing.
“I’ll lay you down in your room.”
Do Jun lifted Hae Joo effortlessly into his arms.
Startled by the sudden lift, she squirmed. The more she struggled, the tighter he held her against his chest.
He climbed the stairs more slowly than ever before,
wishing this moment would pass as slowly as possible so Hae Joo wouldn’t be startled.
But soon, he faced a closed door. After turning the knob, he walked to the bed and slowly bent down.
“Sleep well.”
It was just past three in the afternoon. Do Jun was about to leave the room to rest before work tomorrow.
Hae Joo, who had barely opened her eyes, asked in a drowsy voice,
“Why did it take three whole years?”
“Hm?”
“You said you waited three years. I was just wondering why it had to be exactly three.”
It was a question Do Jun didn’t want to answer.
To reach his current position, he’d done plenty of unsavory things he wasn’t proud of.
Even now, many were watching hungrily, waiting for a chance to tear him down. If he let his guard down even slightly, all his hard-earned success could vanish overnight like morning dew.
“Because I wanted to become someone you wouldn’t be ashamed of.”
There had been a time when he’d rushed in with his fists first, claiming it was to protect Hae Joo. Since that was all he knew how to do, he’d ended up disgracing his father, President Park.
The only talent he’d ever had was with money.
He’d dabbled in stocks during his spare time, but President Park had flown into a rage, calling it gambling.
Because of that, in his younger, clueless days, he’d even considered his financial savvy an embarrassing skill.
“Huh…?”
Hae Joo, still intoxicated and half-asleep, seemed dazed.
She probably hadn’t fully understood Do Jun’s answer, yet she continued anyway.
“I just wanted to appear confidently in front of you. That’s all.”
Even now, whispers about him being the son of a loan shark circulated quietly. He was certain that without his current level of success, he wouldn’t have been able to help Hae Joo at all.
“Get some sleep now.”
After closing the door, Do Jun lay down on the sofa on the first floor.
As he gazed at the garden leaves swaying in the wind, his phone rang.
It was Manager Song.
“What is it?”
“—Sorry to bother you while you’re resting, but there’s an invitation you previously declined. I was hoping you might reconsider.”
“Aren’t there already loads of gatherings asking me to attend?”
“—This is one the CEO really should go to.”
With the phone still pressed to his ear, Do Jun splashed some cold water on his face. No matter which social event he attended, women always swarmed him—it had happened more than once.
The fact that Do Jun was married didn’t deter them in the slightest.
Times like these called for avoiding social gatherings altogether.
“Didn’t I already tell you I’m not going?”
“—Yes, but they contacted us again.”
“What’s so special about it?”
“—It’s L’s luxury brand charity fashion show. There’ll also be a party afterward.”
“Huh.”
“—It seems some very influential people have been invited.”
“……”
“—For example… Actress Lee Hae Joo?”
Do Jun sat bolt upright.
He suddenly remembered that after dinner today, Jin Han had used that fashion show as an excuse to take Hae Joo along.
“So Hae Joo is attending too.”
“—The organizers apparently want publicity, so they asked if you and Madam could come together as a couple.”
Online, gossip about Hae Joo and Do Jun was still in full swing.
Aside from skeptics, they were widely dubbed the “ultimate visual power couple.”
Do Jun’s profile photo posted on the Jinoh Group chairman page had certainly contributed to that image.
If two people like them received an official invitation to an event?
They could easily portray themselves as the most affectionate couple imaginable.
“Fine. I’ll attend.”
The fashion show was scheduled for Friday evening.
With renowned wealthy elites and fashion insiders gathering, it promised to be quite a spectacle.
After the call, Do Jun lay back down on the sofa.
Lost in thought, he drifted into a nap.
The moment he closed his eyes, the word “hero” that Hae Joo had murmured in her sleep swelled in his chest.
He wanted to scoff at it—but a half-ripened emotion stirred, tingling inside him.
Hae Joo was right beyond that wall, still holding onto a hero whose face she’d never seen.
Closing his eyes, he felt a breeze blow through his heart.
It was so warm, as if blooming soon, that he unknowingly fell asleep.
Some time later, when he opened his eyes again, evening had already fallen.
“Sir, I’ve prepared dinner.”
“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll clean up myself—go ahead.”
“Madam is vomiting right now.”
“Really?”
Do Jun hurried upstairs to the second floor.
Just as the housekeeper had said, Hae Joo was emptying her stomach in the bathroom.
“It’s me. Let me in.”
“Don’t come in!”
Hae Joo quickly flushed the toilet.
Her body rarely handled hangovers well—this small amount of alcohol had already overwhelmed her.
She’d drunk in frustration over Do Jun’s mention of another woman, and now this mess had happened.
“Are you okay?”
Do Jun entered the bathroom anyway.
He helped Hae Joo to her feet and checked her pale complexion.
“Don’t even think about drinking again.”
“I won’t.”
Hae Joo’s heart felt shut tight. Now that even the liquor bottle had surfaced, her sense of injustice piled up like a mountain.
“Ah, I’m dizzy.”
“Does your head hurt?”
“Not only hasn’t the alcohol worn off, but I’ve got a headache too.”
“I’ll go buy medicine—wait here.”
To reach the pharmacy from Do Jun’s house, he had to drive out for fifteen minutes.
Grabbing his car keys, he left the house while Hae Joo returned to her bed.
“I’m probably the only one who got drunk from champagne.”
Hae Joo was so sensitive to alcohol that she avoided drinking even at important events.
This had repeatedly caused awkward situations after she became an actress.
Each time, Jin Han had stepped in to protect her and help her through the crisis.
“This is bad. Min Hee will probably call you tomorrow about the costumes.”
Hae Joo only remembered telling Do Jun about that lunatic.
Her memory, weakened by alcohol and sleep, frustrated her.
Yet the more she thought about Do Jun’s mention of “another woman,” the more suffocated she felt.
“This is so annoying.”
How many women had passed through his life? Among them, surely there’d been some remarkable ones?
Had he truly loved any of them? Could he possibly still harbor feelings…?
“Never mind. From now on, I’ll go wild too—of course, only after one year.”
She was still in the prime of her twenties—most of which would soon be lost to marriage.
She knew she shouldn’t feel this way, yet couldn’t stop the gloom creeping in.
She kept sinking deeper into tangled thoughts.
Just as she drifted off, Do Jun returned, breathing heavily.
“Take your medicine.”
He abruptly lifted Hae Joo up.
Startled by his rough touch, she trembled faintly, still groggy from sleep.
“And you thought about drinking after that?”
“Who’s the one who cheated, anyway…?”
Do Jun silently opened the medicine bottle and tore open the packet of pills he’d bought. Handing her a glass of water first, he grumbled sternly, his eyes sharp.
“It was just something I said casually—don’t worry about it.”
For an explanation, it was painfully lacking in sincerity.
Yet objecting outright would only bruise her pride.
“Okay.”
“I’ve never done anything shameful like you’re imagining—trust me.”
She truly wanted to believe him—for both their sakes.
If his words were false, gossip about his private life would soon reach her ears.
“Thanks for the medicine.”
Hae Joo swallowed the pill. Even after sipping water, it felt stuck uncomfortably in her throat.
She couldn’t tell whether it was the pill lodged there—or her aching heart.
“What about food?”
“Not in the mood right now.”
“Then rest.”
After Do Jun left, Hae Joo quickly fell asleep again.
She heard someone trying to wake her midway through but couldn’t open her eyes.
When she finally awoke, the weekend night had already ended.
The lingering hangover left her body aching all over.
“Oh no, what am I going to do?”
Apparently, all the recent stress had weakened her stamina—and now, with alcohol added on top, she’d fallen ill.
She’d likely be bedridden all day.
“Lee Hae Joo, wake up.”
Do Jun, dressed in a sharp suit, entered Hae Joo’s room.
He sat her up gently—her face looked even more haggard after the night—and placed a tray he’d brought with him on her lap.
It was porridge.
“I’ll just handle urgent matters at work and come right back.”
“Don’t bother. It’s just a hangover.”
“Let’s go to the hospital later.”
Leaving those words behind, Do Jun headed off to work.
After eating a few spoonfuls, Hae Joo set the tray aside.
She had absolutely no appetite.
Just as she desperately wished to sleep again, Min Hee called.
“Yeah, Min Hee?”
“—Unnie, why does your voice sound like that?”
“I think I’m running a fever. I’m not feeling great.”
“—Oh my gosh, really? Should I send Hyun Sung over?”
“No, it’s fine. I just need rest.”
“—Then you probably can’t come to the office to try on costumes today. Should I handle it this afternoon?”
“Sorry, but unless it’s urgent, could we wait until tomorrow?”
“—I’ll let Director Lee know that.”
“Yeah, please do.”
The housekeeper took away the tray. Hae Joo burrowed back under the covers and stared out the window before drifting back to sleep.
Countless dreams drifted through Hae Joo’s consciousness.
After some time, she opened her eyes at a familiar voice.
“Hae Joo, can you see me?”
It was Jin Han.
Beside him stood Hyun Sung as well.
“How did you get here?”
“We came just in case—and luckily, the housekeeper opened the door for us.”
“You didn’t have to come.”
“When someone who rarely complains even when seriously ill is bedridden, that says it all. Let’s go to the hospital first.”
Jin Han and Hyun Sung helped Hae Joo up.
“It’s not serious enough for the hospital.”
“Take a look in the mirror—see what condition you’re in.”
Even slight touches made her muscles ache painfully. The fever had taken firm hold—she clearly needed medical attention.
“Do Jun will be back soon.”
“He’s already at work—when would he even get here?”
“But still…”
“What is this? Your body’s burning up!”
Waking up fully, she felt so dizzy she could barely keep her balance.
Even without that damned alcohol, Hae Joo’s body had already been fragile enough to fall ill.
“Get on my back.”
“No, I can walk.”
Hyun Sung brought a light outer jacket and draped it over Hae Joo’s shoulders.
As they supported her on both sides down the stairs, her legs suddenly gave out.
“This won’t do.”
Jin Han pulled Hae Joo into his arms.
Just as he tried to hold her sideways, Do Jun walked in.
“Get your hands off her.”
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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