Chapter 110
“That simple mistake generates countless interpretations. Is it truly just a mistake? Someone else’s deliberate act? Or… did you do this to yourself?”
“I wouldn’t—!”
“This is the world you inhabit now. Your changed position reflects that.”
Ga-eun’s words caught in her throat.
“Knowing your place means precisely understanding your situation and taking appropriate action.”
“…”
“I’m not telling you to live as the daughter of a wealthy trading company.”
She wished the orphanage had been just a bit further away. Then she would have arrived in Seoul later.
‘But I couldn’t have avoided this moment anyway.’
She had hoped to meet Si-heon’s gaze somewhere other than this charged space, but certainly not like this.
“Even a single glance, a single step carries multiple meanings.”
“…I understand.”
“If you were to give that child a ride in your car, what would people say? Would they praise your volunteer spirit? No, Ga-eun.”
Si-heon gripped her shoulder firmly, his touch both a warning and a connection.
“Who is that child? Why would you even ride in the same car? What connection do you have with the Hwanhee Group’s daughter-in-law? Or could it be an illegitimate child of someone within the group? I’m saying you could be seen as such a piece of trash.”
At his last words, Ga-eun bit the soft inner flesh of her lips.
Trash.
The word struck her chest like a thick spear.
“Haven’t you realized your position? Looking at where you live, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the employees who follow you?”
What does any of that matter?
You don’t receive genuine recognition or respect.
And nothing can fill that void.
…Ah. Am I sensing it instinctively?
That I’m the ‘trash’.
He’s always been exceptionally perceptive.
Ga-eun swallowed her breath and raised her head to look at Si-heon.
“Why do you hate children?”
“…What?”
“Both your mother and your reaction now—you’re angry not because I’ve damaged the group’s image, but because I’m involved with this child.”
His face contorted.
“I’ve never disobeyed you until now. I know I’m probably far from meeting your expectations, but I’m doing my best in my own way. Instead of suddenly getting angry, if you’d explain the reason, I could do better.”
He said nothing.
Yes, no matter what I say, he won’t hear a thing.
“Would you even dislike your own child?”
At those words, Si-heon’s expression crumpled in a way that was incomparable to moments before.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing special. Just…”
“Are you pregnant?”
Oh. Ga-eun sealed her lips.
Even if she combined all the arrow-like words Si-heon had shot at her, they wouldn’t hurt as much as his expression right now.
“I’m asking. Are you pregnant?”
The horrific disgust and despair in Kwon Si-heon’s eyes was almost more akin to terror.
“…You don’t need to be so shocked.”
“Ga-eun.”
“Don’t you know better than anyone that’s impossible?”
Absolute contraception.
After their encounters, she would turn away without hesitation and head to the bathroom within seconds, as if washing away dirty traces that might cling to her body.
“I was asking if you hate children so much that you’d find it disgusting even if it were your own child. But looking at your expression now, I already know the answer.”
Ga-eun laughed weakly.
“I’m sorry for overstepping. I just meant that I simply dropped off a child who was heading in the same direction. Nothing more.”
“…”
“Please don’t mention anything to Manager Noh Man-su . He was already uncomfortable, and I kind of insisted on giving the child a ride.”
I’ll go out first.
With those words, Ga-eun immediately turned and left the study.
Tak.
The sound of the door closing rang unusually loud.
“…”
Si-heon furrowed his brow.
His chest felt hollow.
It was as if… the sound of Ga-eun’s heart closing.
***
Ga-eun received another examination at Taesan Hospital, a subsidiary of Taesan Group with which Hwanhee Group had a partnership.
Fortunately, her condition wasn’t serious, but she would need to wear a cast for some time.
After leaving the examination, Ga-eun held her breath at the massive presence beside her.
It was unexpected.
Si-heon had come to the hospital with her.
Moreover, despite being so cold in his study yesterday, he had returned to her side by night.
“…I thought you’d be sleeping in a different room.”
“…”
“Should I leave?”
“No. Stay here.”
He didn’t hold her as usual, but she could feel him behind her.
He was lying down, facing her direction, trying to sleep.
This is why she kept misunderstanding.
That he didn’t completely hate her. That maybe… he still considered her his wife, that they were still a couple.
“You didn’t have to come with me. Are you okay with the time?”
Instead of answering, Si-heon opened the passenger seat door.
“Oh… thank you.”
Their gazes intertwined.
“Don’t say such things from now on.”
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