Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 144

“Ga-eun, are you feeling unwell?”

“Your face is pale, you don’t look good. Why don’t you rest for a while?”

Silently begging for forgiveness, Ga-eun carefully etched into her heart the image of Hee-sung and Yu-ae looking at her with concern.

“I’m sorry, but I should go soon because of my schedule.”

“If it can’t be helped…” Yu-ae’s eyes filled with disappointment, matched by Hee-sung’s expression.

“Oh! We should treat our Ga-eun to something delicious. When would be good? I was thinking of buying you another pretty handkerchief too.”

Fighting back the tightness in her throat, Ga-eun smiled even more brightly.

“Later… when it’s convenient for you, Mother, Father. Please contact me then.”

“Are you sure? Your father-in-law has been quietly looking forward to it. He’s been searching for restaurants since your first meeting, wanting to treat his daughter-in-law to something special.”

“…Darling.”

“Take note, Ga-eun. It’s rare to see him embarrassed like this. Hoho.”

Ga-eun smiled at their affectionate exchange, burying deep in her heart the dream of having such a relationship with Si-heon.

“I should go now. I’m sorry for taking up your time.”

“Stop that. Just knowing you thought of us makes us so happy.”

Yu-ae hesitated.

“Um…”

“Si-heon is doing well.”

At Ga-eun’s words, Yu-ae bit her lip, and Hee-sung took his wife’s hand.

“He recently went on a business trip to Hong Kong. It seems to have gone well. The Chairman was pleased too.”

Hee-sung’s eyes narrowed momentarily, but he remained silent.

“I see…”

“He’s sleeping well too.”

Her words caused Han Yu-ae and Kwon Hee-sung’s eyes to widen dramatically. The air between them seemed to crystallize with unspoken tension.

“He… he’s sleeping?” Hee-sung’s voice trembled, a fragile hope dancing on the edge of his words. “Truly?”

“Yes,” came the soft reply. “It seems his insomnia has finally relented.”

A cascade of emotions swept across Yu-ae’s face. “Oh, thank goodness. Thank goodness…” Her voice broke, thick with unshed tears. “It’s all because of Ga-eun. Because she was by Si-heon’s side, keeping him calm. I’m so grateful, so deeply grateful to you, Ga-eun.”

Ga-eun bit the tender inside of her lip, her conscience piercing her like a thousand needles. The weight of her secret pressed against her chest, threatening to shatter her carefully constructed facade.

“I’ll contact you immediately when I return to Seoul. Is that alright?” Hee-sung’s words hung in the air, a lifeline of connection.

Ga-eun could only manage a smile—delicate, practiced, concealing the storm brewing within her. Yu-ae, mistaking the smile for assent, wiped away a glistening tear, her relief painting her features with a fragile hope.

“You need to go soon,” Yu-ae said, her voice soft. “We’ve kept you too long. We’ll see you again soon, won’t we?”

As a staff member brought lavender tea, Yu-ae and Hee-sung rose to bid her farewell. Yu-ae hesitated, her vulnerability exposed in a tender moment. “May I… may I hug you?”

Ga-eun, startled, slowly nodded. Yu-ae’s embrace was soft, her hand gently caressing Ga-eun’s back. “Our Ga-eun,” she whispered, “we must feed you more. You’re much too thin.”

Turning to Hee-sung, Yu-ae’s voice carried a mixture of warmth and formality. “Will you also say goodbye to our daughter-in-law?”

“Are you alright, Ga-eun?” Hee-sung asked, his voice a careful blend of concern and tenderness.

“Yes, Father,” she responded, her voice a whisper of practiced composure.

Hee-sung embraced her gently, his hand patting her back with a father’s protective touch. “Thank you,” he murmured, “for coming to Si-heon… for coming to us.”

Their smiles—small, profound—threatened to undo her. Ga-eun felt tears welling, but she inhaled deeply, forcing them back.

“I’m grateful to you both,” she managed, “for your warmth.”

“Why such words?” Yu-ae dismissed. “It’s only natural.”

“Travel safely,” Hee-sung added.

Bowing her head, Ga-eun committed their image to memory before slowly turning away. She remembered her unseen watcher, forcibly restraining the hand that wished to cradle her lower abdomen.

‘At least,’ she thought, ‘I could feel the warmth of love from parents.’

Attempting nonchalance, she walked toward the black van in the parking lot.

Then, a deep voice called out. “Ga-eun.”

Her heart plummeted.