Chapter 5

At the mention of Taeon Hotel, Hajun’s memory immediately brought up the face of a woman who looked as pretty and delicate as a doll.

The glances she kept sneaking at him.

Her red lips.

Her small hands moving busily.

He wasn’t some teenage boy, yet his blood rushed in an instant and he had to swallow back a dry laugh.

He had bluntly told her that he didn’t need marriage, so there was no way she would contact him first.

Even though he assumed she wasn’t dense enough to miss the meaning behind his words, thoughts of her refused to leave his mind.

“Why so quiet? Was her name Lee Eunjae?”

“Yes. We met and talked.”

“You know that’s not what I’m asking.”

Taeguk’s sharp gaze examined Hajun as though dissecting him.

Watching his son, who never revealed what he was truly thinking, Taeguk clicked his tongue.

“Taeon seemed very pleased. They were the ones who brought up the marriage alliance first, after all. Once Hahyuk’s wedding is over, let’s set your wedding date too.”

“…”

“You can tell Taeon is eager. That’s exactly when we gain the most. If the CEO treasures his daughter that much, she might receive more than even the eldest son.”

Taeguk nodded as though the thought alone satisfied him.

“If things go well, she might inherit more than Hahyuk’s wife. The Chairman will certainly like that.”

Hajun remained silent, lost in thought.

Unhappy with his son’s reaction when he should’ve been eager to secure his place among the heirs, Taeguk asked again.

“Don’t tell me you disliked her that much.”

“That’s not it.”

“Hmm. Right. You said she’s ten years younger than you.”

No matter how he looked at her, she felt like someone who had only just become an adult.

The naturally cute way she spoke and acted made her seem even younger.

“A ten-year age gap is nothing. Besides, she’s the one who likes you.”

“…Yes. I understand.”

“That’s good, then. I heard Hahyuk’s bride is thirty. The healthier and younger the mother is, the better for the next generation too, isn’t it? If our daughter-in-law gives us a big healthy grandson before Hahyuk’s wife does, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

“…”

“Then I’ll report to the Chairman that we’ll be setting a wedding date soon.”

A satisfied smile spread across Taeguk’s face for the first time in a while.

* * *

Korea University Hospital.

VVIP Inpatient Room.

After receiving an urgent call from Secretary Han, Eunjae rushed to the hospital.

She immediately dropped to her knees beside Seongchan’s bed.

“Dad… Are you okay? You’re okay, right? Hm?”

When she heard that Seongchan had suddenly lost consciousness during chemotherapy, her heart had nearly stopped.

His dry fingers gently wiped away the tears that wouldn’t stop flowing from her eyes.

“I’m okay, sweetheart… They say this sometimes happens during chemotherapy. I’ll get better soon…”

Seongchan’s voice was hoarse and rough.

But he continued speaking, trying to reassure his daughter.

“I need to get better quickly and make my daughter happy.”

Eunjae didn’t want to cry in front of her father.

But she couldn’t stop the tears.

As if he understood exactly how she felt, Seongchan gently stroked her long hair.

“Stop crying. I called you here because I wanted to tell you something that’ll make you happy.”

Seongchan took hold of Eunjae’s small hand.

“Seo Hajun, Executive Director of Kwonil Construction, says he’ll marry you.”

“…What?”

Hadn’t he acted as though marriage was the last thing on his mind when they parted yesterday?

No, forget marriage.

He had spoken as though he never intended to see her again.

She hadn’t allowed herself to hope at all.

“The CEO personally contacted Kwonil Construction. He said he hoped the marriage would proceed.”

“Dad did?”

Seongchan knew very well that he didn’t have much time left.

While he still could, he wanted to do everything he could for his daughter.

As her father, there was no way he hadn’t noticed how interested Eunjae always became whenever Seo Hajun of Kwonil Construction was mentioned.

Even if he couldn’t live to see her wedding, if he could at least help her find a partner, he might be able to close his eyes in peace.

“I really want to see my daughter wearing a wedding dress.”

“Dad, because of me… Thank you. You have to hold my hand when I’m wearing that dress too.”

“Of course.”

“When you’re feeling better, let’s practice walking together.”

“I’m nervous.”

“Don’t worry about anything. I’ll hold your hand tightly. Just like now.”

Eunjae squeezed Seongchan’s dry hand and rubbed her cheek against it.

* * *

Standing in front of a full-length mirror, Eunjae checked her appearance several times before picking up her bag with an excited smile.

Even after grabbing it, she turned left and right, inspecting herself one more time before letting out a small sigh.

“I’ll clean up when I get back.”

Her room was a disaster.

It looked as though she had emptied her entire wardrobe.

The bed and sofa were covered with clothes, and the floor was packed with bags she had tried matching with her outfit.

There wasn’t even space to step properly.

After checking the time, Eunjae realized she couldn’t delay any longer and hurried downstairs from her room on the second floor.

“Grandma! You don’t have to clean my room! It’s a mess, but I’ll take care of it when I get back!”

Startled by the sound of her running down the stairs, Mrs. Masan emerged from the dining room with wet hands.

Eunjae quickly said what she needed to say while opening the shoe cabinet.

She slipped on a pair of shoes that matched her pale yellow dress and checked her reflection in the full-length mirror again.

“Oh my goodness, you’re beautiful. You look like an angel.”

“Really? Do I look okay?”

In front of Mrs. Masan, who adored her, Eunjae smiled brightly and spun around once.

The hem of her dress flared beautifully, perfectly reflecting her mood.

“Doesn’t it look like I tried too hard? I was aiming for something natural…”

“You look very naturally beautiful, so don’t worry. Should I have a car prepared? If you’d told me earlier…”

“No! He said he’d send a car.”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Eunjae’s ears perked up like a rabbit’s.

“Miss, someone from Kwonil Construction is here.”

After confirming the visitor through the intercom, another housekeeper informed Eunjae, who was standing by the shoe cabinet.

Seeing Mrs. Masan’s eyes widen, Eunjae gave her a playful wink.

“I’m leaving! I might be home late! Don’t wait up!”

“Have fun on your date! Good luck, Miss!”

Mrs. Masan clenched both fists in encouragement.

As Eunjae stepped out through the front door, she rubbed her burning cheeks.

A date.

Just hearing the word made her heart flutter.

* * *

Inside the hotel restaurant overlooking both the Han River and Seoul’s night skyline, soft classical music filled the air, adding to the romantic atmosphere.

The very day Seongchan strongly expressed his desire for a political marriage, Kwonil had responded that they were willing to proceed.

After that, Hajun’s secretary contacted her, which led to today’s date.

Of course, Eunjae was happy.

But once again, she found herself nervous in front of Hajun.

“Does the food not suit your taste today either?”

Hajun set down his wine glass and wiped his lips with a napkin.

It was a simple action, yet somehow it looked elegant and refined.

Eunjae stared absentmindedly for a moment before snapping back to her senses.

“No! It’s delicious.”

Hajun quietly looked at her before shifting his gaze toward her plate, which still looked practically untouched.

“I’m sorry. Honestly, I’m just really nervous…”

Gathering a bit of courage, Eunjae confessed honestly.

Even if she couldn’t bring up their past yet because Hajun didn’t remember her, this much should be fine.

“If you become my wife, we’ll see each other much more often than this. What will you do if you can’t eat properly every time?”

The word wife rolled deeply from Hajun’s lips.

And once again, Eunjae’s heart pounded uncontrollably.

It was the first time anyone had ever called her that.

The title felt awkward, yet at the same time it made her feel as though Hajun had accepted her.

Her heart raced helplessly.

“Thank you for worrying about me. I’ll try harder from now on…”

Blushing, Eunjae was about to say that she would try to act more naturally once they became husband and wife.

But Hajun cut her off.

“The reason I asked to meet you today is to give you one last chance.”

“What kind of chance?”

“A chance to call off this marriage.”