Chapter 152
Jeonghan was skilled at handling business counterparts with precision.
He would identify what the other party wanted, adjust his approach to their disposition, sometimes deliberately putting them on edge, or advancing directly without wasting time.
He had never failed, not even once.
In his judgment, the best course of action for now was to give Seol Suhyeon time until he returned from the business trip.
Judging by Seol Suhyeon’s personality and her hysterical reaction earlier, one wrong move could completely close her heart.
For now, giving her time was the better choice. Seol Suhyeon needed time to process and accept everything.
……Even though he knew all this, why?
Feeling as if he were being strangled, Jeonghan furrowed his brows fiercely and grabbed his tie, shaking it.
Frustration surged as he thought about how everything had unintentionally come to light for Seol Suhyeon at the worst possible moment.
Of all days, why did Seol Hee-nam have to show up today? Why did Seol Suhyeon have to overhear that conversation? And why did the space development project’s final contract trip have to be tomorrow? Damn it.
A bitter laugh and a curse escaped him at the same time.
They say that when coincidences pile up, it’s no longer just coincidence.
Why today, of all days?
Why couldn’t it wait until after his trip?
Then, he would’ve been able to explain everything. She would’ve heard everything she wanted to know.
Useless thoughts boiled up, suffocating him, and Jeonghan repeatedly ran his large hand over his dry face.
Thud.
Back at home, Suhyeon collapsed against the front door, sliding down to the floor.
Wandering aimlessly through the alleys, not knowing where she was going, she had hailed a taxi to come home, completely forgetting that she had taken the car earlier.
Tomorrow, she would have to go get her car, but by then, he would already be away on his business trip……
With a blank expression, Suhyeon thought about that.
The tears that had flowed endlessly had dried at some point.
Now, she understood everything.
Why he had tried to torment her throughout their marriage, yet suffered while still wanting her.
Why did he refuse to answer her no matter how much she asked……
Because I am the daughter of the man who murdered your parents. That’s why.
The unbelievable truth replayed in her mind, making her eyes tremble violently.
Her chest tightened so much it felt impossible to breathe.
Ah……
Clutching her chest, she opened her lips to breathe, but Do Jeonghan’s voice echoed in her mind.
‘I just needed a reason to keep living.’
‘……What?’
‘That’s probably the right answer. The reason I work.’
And the words she had said to him.
‘You’re saying I don’t want to know? I have some ideas. I know what kind of person Seol Hee-nam is……. Of course, I can’t help but know. Whether I like it or not, I’m his daughter.’
‘…….’
That face of Do Jeonghan back then.
The face that smiled painfully.
The eyes that, despite his efforts, couldn’t hide the agony within.
“Ah…….”
Clutching her chest, Suhyeon struggled to release the breath caught in her throat, her face contorted in anguish.
How could you smile at me like that, Do Jeonghan?
How could you hold me?
How could you…….
‘I love you.’
‘I love you, Seol Suhyeon.’
“How could you love me? How could you…….”
Stretching her hand as if to grip the floor of the entryway, Suhyeon broke into heart-wrenching sobs.
How could you possibly love me?
Why didn’t you just torment me like you wanted? Just torment me and hate me. That’s all…… that’s all you should’ve done.
“You weren’t supposed to love me. You can’t love me……. You just can’t.”
Suhyeon cried out, her face twisted with grief. Her vision blurred, the entryway floor dissolving into a foggy haze.
Her heart, filled with pain, felt as if it were being pierced by a sharp blade.
The agony was so intense that she couldn’t even breathe.
Overwhelmed by Do Jeonghan’s sincerity, which she had come to realize too late, and the unbearable reality, Suhyeon sobbed bitterly.
The memory of Do Jeonghan’s parents’ photo at the columbarium flashed in her mind, making her chest feel as though it were being torn apart.
The image of Do Jeonghan’s somber face as he stared at the photo merged with the hollow expression he had worn at Chairman Do’s funeral.
“Huuh…… ugh, huh, hngh…….”
Clutching her chest with one hand and gripping the floor with the other, Suhyeon wept in anguish.
* * * * *
The next day, Suhyeon went to work without having slept a wink. Her face looked terrible, but fortunately, makeup covered it to some extent.
She wasn’t in any condition to go to work.
However, she had no choice but to handle the tasks that had piled up during the absence caused by her business trip.
From the moment she stepped into the lobby, the gazes of others clung to her.
At first, Suhyeon didn’t notice.
She was so drained of energy that she couldn’t pay attention to anything.
But the blatantly glancing eyes and whispers were impossible to ignore.
Even in the elevator, glances were directed at her.
Two female employees in front of her exchanged looks and gave her side glances.
‘What’s going on……?’
Feeling puzzled, Suhyeon entered the office, and the once-busy atmosphere suddenly grew silent.
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