Chapter 12
The clock on the wall read 1:02 p.m. sharp.
The moment the conference room door clicked shut behind the last our legal executive, I leaned back in my chair, loosening the tight grip I had on the pen between my fingers. The meeting had gone exactly as planned—efficient, precise, and with the outcome leaning in our favor. But with Hwang Sera, you can never be too sure. I need to stay on guard.
Still, I wasn't satisfied.
I turned slightly. "Harin."
"Yes, Chairwoman?" she answered immediately, stepping closer with her usual poise.
I kept my gaze fixed on the window, watching as sunlight slid down the side of our building. "Do I need to attend the 2 p.m. meeting with Vice President?"
There was a pause—brief but telling.
"…Yes. He's presenting the quarterly restructuring report. You requested a detailed breakdown from all departments."
Of course I did.
I let out a slow breath, hiding the annoyance behind a carefully composed expression. "How long will it take?"
"About thirty to forty minutes," Harin replied. "I've asked him to be concise."
I nodded faintly. "Fine. Let's get it over with."
But inside, I was… irritated.
No. More than that—I was angry.
I'd already spent the entire weekend buried under paperwork, reviewing financial statements and revising restructuring plan myself because our strategy team had sent me half-baked nonsense. The very weekend I'd told myself—promised myself—I would spend with Haemin. Peacefully. Gently.
I even rescheduled my Sunday brunch meeting just to free up time.
But instead of waking up beside him and sipping tea on the terrace like some doting newlywed, I was trapped at my desk until midnight, red-penning reports like a madwoman.
And now this?
Another meeting?
At 2 p.m., when he's arriving?
I clenched my jaw.
That morning, I'd watched him sleeping quietly in bed while I slipped on my coat. A part of me—small, foolish, and uncharacteristically tender—had wanted to cancel everything and crawl back under the blanket beside him.
After everything I put him through last week… the way I lost my temper… slapped him… forced him to—
I cut off the memory before it could finish.
I'm not that woman. Not right now.
I was going to make things better. That was the plan. I wanted to be… softer. Kinder. Even just a little.
The way his face looked the other night—quiet and distant—wouldn't leave my mind. I hated that expression. I wanted to erase it.
This visit was supposed to be the beginning.
I wanted to greet him myself.
I wanted him to see me waiting at the entrance. I wanted him to feel like I was proud of him… like I was proud that he was here. With me.
But no.
Because I had a stupid meeting with the vice president.
Because being Chairwoman always came first.
Even now.
I forced myself to stand.
"Harin."
"Yes, Chairwoman?"
"When the university group arrives, make sure everything proceeds exactly as planned. Full hospitality. And…"
I paused, keeping my voice flat even as something heavy pushed at my chest.
"…Update me immediately if anything happens involving my husband."
"Understood."
I nodded, then turned toward the private lounge behind my office.
I needed five minutes to clear my head. To get this frustration under control before I lost it again.
Because when I saw him today, I didn't want to be cold.
I wanted to smile.
Even if just a little.
________
The moment Vice President stepped out of the meeting room, I loosened the top button of my blouse and sat back in my chair.
Thirty-seven minutes. It dragged longer than I wanted.
Still, I had to admit—his report was thorough. I gave a few directives, approved the revised plans, and dismissed him early. I wasn't interested in talking more.
Not when I finally had a free moment to breathe.
And see him.
I picked up my phone.
My thumb hovered for just a second before I opened my chat with Harin.
Yuna:
How's the university visit going?
I waited.
The reply came quickly.
Harin:
The students are still touring the executive floor. Everything is proceeding smoothly.
I stared at the screen, then typed again.
Yuna:
And my husband?
There was a longer pause.
Yuna:
Is he talking to another girl?
I frowned to myself as I hit send.
There it is again, I thought bitterly. That awful habit. Jealousy, sharp as a knife.
I had told myself I wouldn't do this today. That I'd be calm. Soft. That I'd act like a wife.
But the moment I pictured him standing in a hallway, smiling at some girl in a skirt and heels… the corner of my mouth twitched.
Even if it was just a classmate.
Even if it meant nothing.
I don't care. He's mine.
Whatever promises I'd made to myself this morning—I'd tear them up without hesitation if he was smiling at someone else.
But Harin's response came quickly.
Harin:
No, Chairwoman. He's only been speaking with one person the whole day. His classmate. A boy—his best friend. Hyunjae, I believe.
I exhaled.
Of course.
Hyunjae. I remembered that name well. I'd heard it several times.
He was harmless. Loyal, from what I could tell. Always around and close to Haemin. Never crossing lines.
I tapped my fingers slowly on the desk.
Hyunjae…
Maybe I should give him something. A little thank-you. A gift. Nothing too extravagant. But something that quietly says: Thank you for being a good friend to my husband.
Even I could admit—Haemin needed people like that. People who could make him laugh, distract him from the cold days I gave him.
I leaned back in my chair and typed again.
Yuna:
Tell my husband I'd like to see him.
Yuna:
Bring him to my private tea room. I'll be waiting.
There was no meeting scheduled now. No more guests to entertain. No foreign partners until dinner tonight.
I had time.
Not enough, maybe.
But enough to steal a moment with my husband.
———
A few hours passed before I finally received Harin's message.
Harin:
The tour just ended. I've already met Mr. Kim. We're heading up now.
I put my phone down gently, but I could feel a strange flutter in my chest. It wasn't nervousness. Not quite.
It was anticipation.
I stood slowly from the tea table, brushing my trouser with both hands as I walked to the mirror to check my appearance. My lipstick hadn't smudged. My hair still perfect. I looked as I always did.
But inside… I wasn't.
My husband was coming to see me.
And the thought made me… warm.
Then, just as quickly, my thoughts turned darker.
Harin met him first.
They must've walked together from the lounge. Probably side by side. Did they enter the elevator alone together? Did they talk?
I imagined him next to her, laughing softly, maybe asking about me. Harin is beautiful. Graceful. Smart. And she works closest to me, sees everything—my flaws and my weakness.
The jealousy rose so fast it burned my throat.
I bit the inside of my cheek and turned away from the mirror.
I'm the one who arranged this, I reminded myself. I asked Harin to escort him. I wanted him brought to me with care.
But even knowing that, it didn't make me feel any better.
My hands clenched slightly at my sides.
No matter how much I tried to be better, that ugly part of me still whispered: He's belongs to you. Don't let anyone near him.
I took a deep breath and sat back down at the tea table.
Smile, Yuna. Be soft. Don't ruin this moment.
Then, a knock interrupted my thoughts.
The doors opened quietly, and there he was.
My husband stepped in.
His eyes searched the room the moment he entered. I didn't look at him right away—I kept my gaze focused on the teacups before me, pretending to adjust the angle of the porcelain lid. Only when he spoke did I raise my eyes.
"You wanted to see me?"
My heart fluttered just slightly.
I lifted my chin and gestured toward the seat across from me. "Sit."
He obeyed quietly, and I watched as he tried to keep his expression steady. But I saw the way his eyes scanned the room and glanced at the tea I had prepared myself.
I poured his cup without saying anything.
The scent of jasmine and oolong rose between us in soft waves.
He took a careful sip, and for a moment, there was only silence.
"…It's been a while," he finally said. "Since I last stepped into this building."
I watched the way his hands held the cup. The way he lowered his gaze as he spoke.
"A lot has changed," I replied softly, my eyes drifting toward the window.
When he asked how I was doing, his voice held warmth. I told him about my full day—back-to-back meetings, nonstop reports. Then I added what I rarely said.
"I'm sorry I couldn't meet you when you arrived. I was in a meeting with the Vice Chairman. It ran longer than expected."
He looked surprised.
His face always softens when I say something unexpected. Like he's not sure whether he's imagining things. But I meant it.
I wanted to meet him personally the moment he arrived. I wanted to be the one waiting at the lobby. I wanted to show him, just once, that he mattered more than all the titles on my schedule.
We talked a bit more. His voice was gentle, almost casual, and yet I clung to every word like they were drops of water in a drought.
Then he thanked me.
"For inviting the university group to dinner."
I didn't even hesitate. "I did it because of you."
Not for them. Never for them.
Then I stood up. My voice calm.
"Come. There's something I want to show you."
He followed me without asking.
I led him through the corridor behind the tea lounge and opened the locked doors with my code. Cool air greeted us as the doors to my private rooftop garden slid open.
My sanctuary.
The space was bathed in soft golden light, glass walls on all sides reflecting the slow descent of evening. Rows of white lilies and blue hydrangeas swayed in the breeze. Camellias bloomed along the edge of the stone path, while the faint scent of roses curled in the air.
"This is your garden?" he asked.
I nodded. "My private space."
We walked together. Slowly. I didn't speak much—I didn't need to. He was beside me, and that was enough.
Then… I slipped my hand into his.
His fingers tensed for a second, surprised. But he didn't pull away. I didn't look at him. I just kept walking, letting our steps fall in rhythm.
We stopped beneath the old cherry blossom tree, its leaves whispering gently overhead.
There, we sat on the bench.
I didn't release his hand.
We didn't talk about anything serious—just silly things. Little things. The kind of things a normal couple might share over coffee or while walking in a park. I let myself smile once, very faintly, when he said something foolish. He noticed, I think. But he didn't make a big deal out of it.
Good.
I didn't want this moment to be fragile.
I wanted it to last.
As we walked again, hand in hand, I found myself wishing—Just this once. Let me keep him like this. Let me forget the world, the company, the blood in my name. Let me walk beside him like we were no one.
But reality wasn't kind.
We returned to the tea room, and time was already slipping away.
I heard the knock.
Harin's voice followed softly through the glass door. "Chairwoman, sir… dinner preparations are complete. The grand hall is ready."
I let go of his hand.
I didn't want to.
But I had to.
My fingers slipped away from his slowly, lingering just a second longer than necessary. I composed myself, standing tall.
"Thank you, Harin," I replied evenly.
Then I turned toward him.
"Let's go," I said quietly.
He nodded.
We walked out of the tea room, side by side once again—but with a small, invisible space between us now.
I told myself I'd see him again tonight at home. That this wasn't the last chance.
But deep down… I feared it.
Because once we're back home, I don't know if I can stop myself from becoming the woman I promised not to be.
And I'm afraid—one day—he might stop forgiving me.
And if that happens…
I might become the woman he fears the most.
And I won't hesitate.
I'll do whatever it takes to keep him.
And If I have to keep him by force—
Then I will.