Chapter 135
On the way back from the cafe.
Inside the moving car, Ga-eun spoke the words that would change everything.
“I want to separate. From you, Kwon Si-heon.”
The moment the words left her lips, Si-heon urgently pulled the car to the roadside. With his thick, solid arm, he instinctively shielded her body from lurching forward, his face contorting in an expression of pain.
It was an unexpected reaction.
She had anticipated he would feel relieved, even satisfied.
“Let’s stop living like this. Us.”
“…Why suddenly?”
“I heard it. Recently, the conversation you had with the chairman at Jungshimwon.”
Watching his eyes grow larger, she thought—perhaps there’s still a trace of remorse for her.
This made her heart ache a little less.
If not a single expression had changed on his face, it would have been too devastating.
So she could continue.
“Wasn’t it the condition? That we would terminate the contract once you achieved what you wanted?”
She had never studied Si-heon’s silent, penetrating gaze as intensely as she did in that moment.
“Let’s divorce, Kwon Si-heon.”
He offered no response to her declaration.
He simply turned the steering wheel again.
They arrived home, and he remained silent. From that day forward, Si-heon began sleeping in the guest room.
Even until today, when the bazaar was being held.
Ga-eun, realizing this was the third day they hadn’t exchanged a single word, was suddenly brought back to the present by Yang Ji-seon’s voice.
Just as the chairman said, she would give her all until the day they part.
For him.
“Oh, Ga-eun is here.”
At Yang Ji-seon’s words, the women around her turned to look at Ga-eun.
“My goodness. Our chief executive looks so elegant and refined today.”
“Absolutely. I’ve never seen Neptune clothing suit someone so perfectly in Korea.”
“Ga-eun, what did you bring? I might buy something from you.”
“Oh my, is it even possible to reserve in advance? How many items did you bring, Ga-eun?”
The group led by Yoon Ji-yeon, standing to the right of Yang Ji-seon, greeted Ga-eun with exaggerated enthusiasm. In contrast, Jung Yeo-jin’s group on the left examined her with sour expressions, scanning her from head to toe.
“Welcome. Is this your first bazaar?”
“Yes, Chairwoman.”
“I should have explained what a bazaar is. I’ve been so distracted by my son lately. Please understand. You’ll know what I mean when you have a child of your own.”
Ga-eun paused at the mention of children, then offered a faint smile and nodded.
“I’m so grateful that our members explained everything in your place. I’m overjoyed that everyone has welcomed me so warmly.”
Yang Ji-seon’s words were met with artificially polite laughter. Yet, beneath the smiles, their eyes were filled with hostility.
Jung Yeo-jin and Park Ju-yeon, in particular, were seething with barely contained anger. But Ga-eun remained as calm and clear as water on a tranquil day, and this only infuriated them more.
“Alright, everyone return to your places. We’ll toast after successfully concluding the bazaar.”
And so, amid this delicate psychological warfare, the bazaar truly began.
Each participant priced their expensive items even higher, establishing their social status and pride, before donating the proceeds to “those less fortunate.” But the real purpose of the gathering was the social interaction after the bazaar.
White-gloved servers quickly cleared the display stands and filled the empty tables with champagne and finger foods. The bazaar transformed into an elegant social venue in an instant.
“How was the bazaar, Ga-eun?”
“I’m grateful that everyone was kind and made me feel comfortable.”
“As the Chairwoman said, we’re practically family now, so please feel at ease, Ga-eun.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Oh my, your smile is so beautiful. No wonder Director Kwon couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
Ga-eun offered a bitter smile at Yoon Ji-yeon’s words.
What if they knew it was all an act?
“My goodness. Why do you look so exhausted? Is it because you’re tired of your husband only looking at you?”
“…No, it’s not like that.”
“The day Director Kwon looks like an ordinary man in love is coming,” Yoon Ji-yeon said, subtly glancing at Park Ju-yeon.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.