Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 156

Watching him, my thoughts drifted to Kwon Hee-sung and Han Yu-ae. They would probably love this child as their grandchild, wouldn’t they? They would likely rejoice, bless, and welcome this child’s arrival…

I shook my head firmly. ‘Stop thinking like this.’

I already knew well that yearning for impossible things only leads to deeper heartache.

‘I’ll just love you more. Enough to make up for grandmother, grandfather, and… father.’

So, my little one.

Don’t worry.

Mama will protect you. I’ll love you abundantly for a lifetime.

My gaze shifted to my aunt, contentedly enjoying her ice cream.

‘Come to think of it, Aunt will have a new family member too, besides me.’

The thought filled my heart with warmth.

“G-Ga-eun, y-you’re smiling.”

“I’m happy seeing you enjoy your ice cream.”

“R-really? Then, I w-want to eat m-mushrooms today.”

“Alright. Let’s have mushroom hot pot for dinner.”

“M-mushrooms!”

Watching my aunt’s delight, my eyes crinkled with joy.

Somehow, I felt hopeful that the three of us could build a good life together.

“Aunt. I have something to tell you over the mushroom hot pot.”

“S-something to tell me?”

“Yes. Something you’ll love.”

But Ga-eun, lost in her momentary happiness, had forgotten something crucial. She had forgotten how every spark of hope in her life had been brutally extinguished just as it began to flicker.

About a week later, she would encounter Si-heon again in the worst possible way.

***

The Yeonjun General Hospital was situated about 20 minutes by car or 40 minutes by bus from Byeolnaeri Village. Kim Hak-sun had specially arranged a car for Ga-eun, making it considerably more convenient for her and her aunt to travel.

This arrangement extended to her obstetric appointments as well. Few in Yeonjun hadn’t benefited from Kim Hak-sun’s assistance, and through his robust connections, Ga-eun managed to receive medical care without detection. She accessed the hospital through staff-only exits, and her records were meticulously managed to prevent any tracking.

Only Kim Hak-sun knew of these arrangements. Even his grandson, Kim Juhan, remained unaware – until he made an unannounced visit to see his grandfather in Yeonjun.

“How… how is this possible…” Juhan blinked repeatedly, bewildered.

His grandfather, typically unflappable, stared at him with wide eyes and an open mouth as if seeing a ghost. “J-Juhan, why are you here…?”

“You said you were going for a walk. You often come this way. But why… why is Ga-eun here?”

Juhan was well aware that the Executive Director Kwon Si-heon and his wife weren’t reporting to work. Though he had never been interested in gossip before, anything concerning Ga-eun now drew his attention involuntarily. While she had his contact information, he didn’t have hers, leaving him unable to reach out. He had assumed she was at home with her husband.

Just when I thought fate had brought us together again, learning not only that she was married, but that I couldn’t even exchange simple greetings with her – it was almost too much to bear.

My heart grew heavy, and before I knew it, I found myself returning to my family home. Coming to Yeonjun outside of holidays was an exceedingly rare occurrence. I had only meant to clear my head by reminiscing about the memories of playing with Ga-eun, but who could have imagined I would encounter her here?

“What exactly is going on?” I demanded.

“There are circumstances. Keep quiet about this. Pretend you never saw anything,”came the stern reply.

This was beyond mere surprise. How could I possibly pretend not to see Ga-eun, of all people, staying here with my grandfather in Yeonjun? My eyes weren’t deceiving me.

“How can you ask this of me, Grandfather?”
“For heaven’s sake, just do as I say! Why all these questions?”

That’s when Ga-eun, who had been standing quietly behind Kim Hak-sun, finally spoke.
“I’m staying with the elderly gentleman due to certain circumstances.”
“What circumstances”
‘I’m sorry. I can’t explain in detail, but I won’t be here long.”

Kim Hak-sun jumped at her words. “What nonsense! Where do you think you’ll go in your condition? I’ll take care of everything, so Ga-eun, please go back inside.”

“What condition? Ga-eun, are you unwell? Is that why you came to Yeonjun?”

Ga-eun bit her lower lip. The more people who knew about the child, the more disadvantageous her position would become. Kwon Soon-yeol’s eyes and ears would surely be watching her every move without rest. And so, she was about to confirm Kim Juhan’s assumption.