Your Former Wife (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 1
My husband had always been a difficult person to Seo Yeon.
Whenever she stood before him, fear would seize her first, and her words would freeze in her throat.
Partly because he was the owner of HanKyoung Group, a massive corporation, and partly because of his shameless attitude—maintaining their marriage for years despite having a woman he loved.
He was always certain about the decisions he made.
He regarded his own infidelity as trivial and firmly believed Seo Yeon’s wounds would eventually heal.
“The paperwork would be best settled a month from now.”
A year ago, Seo Yeon had been invited to a meal by her mother-in-law.
Since the woman had thoroughly ignored her for years, treating her as if she didn’t exist, Seo Yeon arrived at the meeting place slightly anxious yet faintly excited.
Though she anticipated it would be difficult, she still held onto the hope that if she tried hard enough, her sincerity might get through, and perhaps her mother-in-law’s heart might soften.
Contrary to Seo Yeon’s expectations, however, her mother-in-law was not alone at the appointed location.
There sat the second daughter of Daewon Group—the woman rumored to have been meeting with her mother-in-law frequently as of late.
At that moment, Seo Yeon realized the true meaning of the gathering: her mother-in-law’s final notice for her to step aside.
Her husband, whom she had assumed would readily agree to divorce, rejected her request.
Seo Yeon understood it was because he valued his honor above all—he viewed divorce as a stain on his life.
Yet now, he seemed convinced that divorcing her would benefit the path he intended to tread.
Seeing how casually he uttered the word “divorce” with such an indifferent expression—
Perhaps his mother had finally succeeded in arranging a meeting between him and the second daughter of Daewon Group.
“Why a month from now?”
“I have an important schedule I can’t postpone.”
His voice was excessively cold and devoid of emotion—a man defined by rationality and composure.
Someone who wouldn’t even blink if she were to die before his eyes.
From the very beginning, she knew her husband was precisely this kind of man—detached, indifferent toward her—so why did a dull ache still linger somewhere in her heart?
She had believed, long ago, that any feelings she held for him had already been resolved. Could there still be some lingering attachment left?
Unable to find an answer, Seo Yeon quickly composed herself, nodded, and replied,
“I understand. Then let’s do it that way.”
“For the time being, it’ll be difficult to spare time as I did today. So if there’s anything you want, tell me now.”
Though unlike her husband, Seo Yeon was not someone who always felt certain about her own decisions, she held no desire to gain anything in return for enduring their marriage.
“All I want is to divorce you as soon as possible. I don’t need anything else.”
The moment those words left her lips, her husband’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
His gaze, lowered and piercing, slowly swept over her.
Meeting his eyes, she felt as if she were staring into an abyss, and answered,
“After our divorce, I hope you’ll find a woman worthy of Sung Jun. You’re impressive and capable—you’ll surely find a wise and beautiful woman soon.”
Before their marriage, Seo Yeon had occasionally received messages from the woman claiming to be her husband’s lover—
Mostly bitter complaints about how Seo Yeon had stolen Sung Jun away from her.
Now, she spoke those words with a mixture of hope that the woman might finally find happiness with him, and of quiet reproach for his infidelity.
Alternatively, it might even be a good plan for him to accept the second daughter of Daewon Group—whom his mother favored—as his new wife.
But his abruptly changed expression left her unable to continue.
“Han Seo Yeon.”
The deep furrow between his brows and the sharp intensity in his eyes made it immediately clear that his mood had soured.
“‘I need nothing, I only want a divorce. I genuinely hope you find a good woman soon.’ So divorce is truly that urgent for you—that desperate—that you’d utter such nonsense? Or perhaps you mistakenly believe it’s the key to resolving everything.”
Hearing Sung Jun’s sharp tone and seeing his piercing gaze, Seo Yeon felt her breath catch in her throat—
And so, she revealed a thought she’d never normally voice aloud.
“Was it so unacceptable for me to be the one who first asked for divorce? Is that why you’re reacting like this?”
At her question, Sung Jun chuckled, amused.
“Yes. My pride is wounded.”
Stunned into silence by his answer, Seo Yeon found herself speechless—just as Sung Jun, observing her keenly, asked,
“So if I refuse the divorce again—what will you do then?”
“I’d have to beg you once more.”
And, afraid of facing his reproachful gaze, she hurriedly added,
“I’ll leave first. See you in a month.”
In a month’s time, once that period passed, she and this man would become complete strangers.
She felt both relieved and strangely hollow.
At the very least, she’d no longer bear the burden of being seen as an obstacle in her husband’s life—that, at least, was a small comfort.
Time passed swiftly.
A month later, Seo Yeon, going about her days as usual, learned of her husband’s news through the media.
He had convened major shareholders and executives, pushing forward a merger and acquisition with Daewon Group.
With a weary sigh, Seo Yeon swallowed her disappointment.
‘Indeed, it’s significant enough to warrant postponing the divorce.’
Just as she’d once read in the news about his achievements within the group—steps that propelled him ever higher—she now wondered if, in the near future, she might also learn of his second marriage not from people, but from a news article.
Moreover, from now on, every piece of information about him would likely reach her only through the press.
It was the day their appointment had been set.
Seo Yeon recalled again the scene from a month ago—the last time she’d seen Sung Jun.
As she had turned to leave first, a lingering unease remained: *What if this truly is the last time? Is it really alright to part like this, after yet another argument?*
She didn’t want their final memory to be tainted by bitterness.
Still gripping the doorknob, unable to step outside or even turn back, she hesitated—
“When you divorce me, do you have any plans for how you’ll live afterward?”
Unexpectedly, her husband’s voice reached her.
Seo Yeon turned her head to look at Sung Jun.
He stood leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed steadily on her.
Startled—she’d never imagined his eyes would still linger on her—her expression shifted to one of flustered surprise.
“You said you wanted to quit everything. You must have made some plans to want a divorce. Have you formed any concrete ones? A place to stay?”
Her bewilderment only deepened under his barrage of questions.
She’d never expected her husband to care about her life after divorce.
Caught off guard, Seo Yeon found herself candidly revealing her plans without even realizing it.
“I’m thinking of applying my major. A senior from university recently contacted me, asking if I’d help out—it’s teaching children.”
“Piano?”
“Yes.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“I suppose so. It’ll probably take time to adjust. Still, I have to try something.”
Once again, a suffocating silence settled between them.
Before marriage, Seo Yeon had lived to meet her parents’ expectations, believing it her duty to live for them. After marriage, she had suppressed herself, living only to repay the guilt she felt toward her husband and his family.
Breaking the quiet, Seo Yeon spoke.
“No matter what I end up doing, from now on, I want to live not for others—but for myself.”
“……”
Sung Jun met her gaze deeply. It felt like the first time in ages she was looking straight into her husband’s eyes.
“That’s heartening to hear, unexpectedly.”
The next moment, his tightly sealed lips finally parted.
“Yes. Once we divorce, as you wished, this time don’t let others’ decisions sway you—live solely for yourself.”
Seo Yeon’s eyes widened slightly. His tone carried no trace of sarcasm.
His expression and gaze were so solemn—so earnest—that she could only interpret them as genuine.
Perhaps that was why, seized by the thought that this might truly be their final moment, she voiced what might be her first—and last—sincere confession.
“I really wanted to get along well with you.”
Sung Jun’s pitch-black eyes locked unwaveringly onto hers—
as if searching her face for confirmation. Staring back at him, motionless and rigid, Seo Yeon spoke again.
“I don’t want to part with you, my dear.”
“……”
“No—I didn’t want to.”
“……”
In a silence deeper than any before, their gazes intertwined.
After a long while, still holding her gaze with relentless intensity, Sung Jun finally answered,
“Yes. Me too.”
“……!”
“I didn’t want to.”
After a pause, still fixed on Seo Yeon, Sung Jun finally spoke again.
“Take care.”
That was the last conversation she ever had with her husband.
Throughout their marriage, he had been cold and indifferent toward her.
Yet that day alone, in his gaze as he looked at her, she detected neither resentment nor reproach—
instead, concern and worry shimmered within.
Was it because it was the end? Or did he still care, as her husband—even now? Or was it just pride?
She couldn’t fathom why that particular exchange suddenly resurfaced in her mind.
Would she manage even a brief conversation with him today?
No—since they were soon to divorce, perhaps avoiding conversation altogether would be better for both of them.
Just as Seo Yeon, lost in these thoughts, hoisted her bag onto her shoulder, her phone rang. The caller was her husband’s secretary.
“Hello? Secretary Kwon?”
—Y-yes, Madam… Ma… dam…!
His voice, usually composed, now trembled, breathless and broken.
—The CEO… the CEO… on his way to the meeting location… was… was in an accident…
Secretary Kwon, barely able to continue, finally burst into tears, urging her to come to the hospital at once.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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