Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 111

Her heart trembled.

Still, it seemed he was somehow considering her as his wife, as family…

“Especially in front of others.”

Si-heon continued in an emotionless voice.

“Don’t give even the slightest opportunity to be put on the chopping block. We’re already drawing enough attention.”

… Right, just like that.

He meant not to do anything that would damage their image.

‘This too is a disease, a disease.’

She knew their conversations always ended in wounds, yet she always started by getting excited.

Now, she really needed to stop.

No one would cherish ‘trash’.

“I will.”

Ga-eun responded with the answer she was expected to give and got into the car.

Si-heon, who had closed her door, circled around the hood and sat in the driver’s seat.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

I’m fine. A response she always gave, but today it was particularly irritating.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes.”

An obedient answer. A distant gaze. Neatly folded hands. The cast wrapped around her left wrist.

Si-heon slowly scanned these details, then suddenly narrowed his brow.

Yesterday’s words from Ga-eun in the study kept resurfacing.

“I’m sorry for overstepping.”

It seemed Ga-eun was still shouting that apology through her silence.

By morning, she was back to her usual self—eyes lowered, responding gently—but instead of feeling reassured, he felt an ominous sensation.

It was the same at work. Throughout the day, Ga-eun seemed to be holding onto something, not letting go.

He wasn’t angry, just anxious.

He had a bad feeling.

A strange, peculiar sense that something within Ga-eun directed towards him was disappearing.

That premonition led his steps to the hospital where Ga-eun was receiving medical treatment during lunch hour.

“How did you… Oh. We have a gathering today.”

Ga-eun nodded with a faint look of resignation, answering before she even finished her question.

Kwon Si-heon had come to play the role of a tender husband visiting the hospital with his injured wife—providing conversational material for today’s gathering. He occasionally accompanied her to meetings to suppress potential scandals.

“You…”

Si-heon started to say something, then closed his mouth and started the engine.

As the engine sound filled the air, the sedan slowly moved forward.

The drive to the art museum felt unusually smooth today.

She briefly thought he was driving more carefully than usual, considering her condition.

‘…It’s probably just a delusion.’

She found herself pathetic and melancholic, unconsciously letting out a light sigh.

“What.”

Si-heon immediately responded.

“Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

“…No.”

“Tell me if you’re uncomfortable.”

“What would change if I told you?”

Her quiet voice, mixed with resignation and exhaustion, sharply stung Si-heon’s heart.

The veins on the back of his hand, gripping the steering wheel, bulged noticeably.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful not to make mistakes.”

Her words made the inside of his throat burn hotly.

They ultimately remained silent, staring straight ahead until they arrived at the art museum.

***

The evening gathering presented a tableau quite different from their daytime interactions.

“Be careful,” Si-heon murmured, his arm encircling Ga-eun’s shoulders and drawing her closer, his hand simultaneously offering her a delicate, non-alcoholic cocktail.

“…Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Why such formality? It’s nothing,” he replied, a subtle tension crackling between them. An electric, precarious atmosphere hung in the air—fragile as spun glass, yet invisible to the casual observer. To anyone else, they appeared nothing more than an intimately connected couple.

“Hello! This is our first meeting since the wedding. I’m Jin Wu-hyeon from Dongseong Distribution,” a jovial man introduced himself, his smile broad and disarming.

“…Gye Ga-eun,” she responded with measured grace.

“Wow, Si-heon has certainly changed! I never knew he could be so tender and attentive. Your sister-in-law is truly remarkable, isn’t she?” He turned to his companion. “Isn’t that right, Ju-seong?”

But Park Ju-seong remained silent, memories of the wedding lingering—where Kwon Si-heon’s watchful gaze had prevented him from truly observing the women present. Now, seeing Gye Ga-eun up close, she was far more breathtaking than he had imagined. From her hair to her toes, not a single detail seemed out of place.

“Ah, Ju-seong. Say hello,” Wu-hyeon prompted.

“…Oh, yes. Good evening. I’m Park Ju-seong, Director at PK Holdings,” he managed, his words slightly stilted.