CHAPTER 41

“What does you mean… that Gwihyeon knew… Professor Kim said…”

Siyeon held his hand. His trembling hand only caused more pain in her heart.

“Grandfather, you know better than I do that Gwihyeon isn’t someone to be swept away by the atmosphere or emotions. Even if he was shocked to hear that, he would never let it affect his mental state. He would have thought about how to calmly and rationally solve the problem.”

She wasn’t trying to defend Gwihyeon. Anyone who knew him well could relate to what she was saying.

“And that… it was just an unfortunate accident. Gwihyeon oppa hasn’t given up and is still fighting. So, Grandfather, please don’t give up either, and when Gwihyeon oppa wakes up, please welcome him in good health.”

“…”

He blinked his tear-filled eyes slowly. Gwihyeon’s grandfather, who was known as a charismatic chairman, was now just a vulnerable and anxious grandfather in the face of his grandson’s accident.

While watching him, Siyeon wished, regardless of her personal feelings, that Gwihyeon would wake up as soon as possible and reassure his family.

It was while Siyeon was comforting him when someone knocked on the door of the hospital room. As she turned to look, the visitor walked in.

“What brings you here?”

It was Ijun. When he met Siyeon’s eyes, he approached without a trace of smile on his face. His emotionless words sounded more like saying Siyeon shouldn’t be here anymore.

“I was just about to leave.”

Siyeon replied calmly and stood up from the chair next to the bed. When the grandfather didn’t release her hand, she placed her other hand on the back of his and gently lowered her head to reassure him.

“I’ll come again, Grandfather. When I see you again, you should be in good health.”

As if understanding, the grandfather nodded faintly. Siyeon smiled at him and turned away.

“Chairman, how are you feeling? Are you okay?”

But Ijun wasn’t alone. As Eunhye entered the hospital room with a soft voice, she noticed Siyeon and stopped in her tracks, surprised. Her pupils trembled with anxiety.

According of the Ichon-dong mother, Eunhye was supposedly dying in agony, but today, she had rosy cheeks. From her attire to her makeup and even her hairstyle, she was absolutely flawless.

The parents who raised her, torn between betrayal and longing, would cry several times a day, yet she appeared not just fine but even elated.

Siyeon sighed inwardly and then spoke up.

“Let’s talk. I’ll wait in the lounge.”

“What… talk about…?”

“About the Hannamdong parents. It won’t take long.”

“…Alright. Just wait a bit. I’ll be there soon.”

Eunhye spoke with a lifeless tone. There was no one around to overhear, yet she looked terrified. As Siyeon walked past her, gently nodding her head, Eunhye’s soft voice continued.

“Chairman, it’s me Eunhye. Kim Eunhye.”

She emphasized the ‘Kim’ in her last name with particular tone.

“…I see.”

“Ijun and I went to the Suwon factory and we came here for a visit on our way back from lunch. We wanted to greet you before heading into the office.”

“Ijun must be keeping you busy.”

“I’m not busy, I’m just pretending to be.”

When Ijun took a seat in the guardian chair, Eunhye gathered her hands in front of her and stood calmly by his side.

“There’s something I need to discuss with the chairman privately.”

“…Yes, Ijun.”

Eunhye wore a slightly hurt expression at Ijun’s words, but she quickly composed herself, respectfully greeted Chairman Jeong with a courteous bow, and quietly left the room.

* * *

“…”

Siyeon stood by the window, gazing outside the hospital.

“What’s going on?”

When she heard the cold voice, Siyeon slowly turned around and leaned against the wall. Eunhye tilted her head and stared at her with a sharp gaze, her arms crossed.

Eunhye’s chameleon-like transformations depending on the situation were no longer surprising. After a brief silence, Siyeon spoke up.

“…Your parents miss you a lot. Maybe sorting the paperwork won’t tidy up the love they have for you. They are struggling, and they long for you.”

“So what?”

“Don’t avoid their calls, and if possible, try to visit them too.”

“Why should I do that?”

” Because I’m looking out for you right now you. My lips aren’t sealed, and I can’t guarantee what words might slip out.”

Eunhye’s expression hardened at Siyeon’s words.

“Are you threatening me right now?”

“Yeah, it’s a threat. I was planning to ask you a favor originally, but judging by your actions, it seems like a threat would be more effective.”

“So now you’re not only stealing my life but also resorting to threats?”

“That’s the power of science. It’s amazing to see how brazen and shameless you can be. I guess genes really do play a role.”

Frustrated by Siyeon’s words, Eunhye’s temper flared, her voice rising.

“Are you done talking? Can’t you apologize right away?”

“Have you already forgotten? You have to pay to get an apology from me. But what should I do now? Unlike back then, I can’t apologize for such a small amount of money.”

“How much are we talking about, then?”

Suddenly, a low, menacing voice interjected into their conversation.

Startled, Eunhye turned around and, saw Ijun. She began sobbing, covering her face with both hands. Siyeon glanced at Eunhye briefly before meeting Ijun’s gaze beyond her.

“Choi Siyeon. I asked how much your apology would cost.”

“…”

He called her Choi Siyeon. In that moment, as she read a faint, distant contempt in his eyes, Siyeon thought about their relationship that had ended a long time ago.

“It’s none of your concern.”

“It does concern me. Eunhye’s important to me.”

“…”

And at that moment, Siyeon realized that she could no longer call him Ijun, ‘oppa’ anymore.

“So, I’m willing to pay for your apology, so cooperate a bit.”

“Ijun, I’m fine. You don’t have to do this.”

Eunhye looked up at Ijun with tear-filled eyes.

“As people age, most of them mature or become kinder, but some never change. Just like you right now.”

Ijun everted to his past self, the sharp-tongued critic, in front of her. His criticism hurt, but what hurt even more was that there was no trace of concern or worry in his words anymore.

“…Three million won.”

“…”

He seemed like someone who desperately wanted her to be exactly this way. Like someone who needed confirmation that breaking up with her, the pitiful and ruthless egoist, was the right thing to do.

“You asked how much my apology would cost. So give me three million won.”

Ijun tilted his head slightly, looking straight into Siyeon’s eyes.

“You call her important, but when it comes to giving, you hesitate?”

“…”

He looked straight into Siyeon’s eyes and pulled out three checks from his inner jacket pocket and handed them to her, who walked forward and took the checks as if she were fishing them out, then turned her body towards Eunhye, who couldn’t hide her delight. Siyeon began pouring out her apology to her.

“Kim Eunhye, I apologize for taking away your life as the great-granddaughter of famous Baekya Kim Donghan, and enjoying everything you were supposed to. I’m also sorry for mocking you for being as brazen and shameless as your grandmother and biological parents.”

Siyeon’s apology was far from over, but it seemed like Eunhye couldn’t bear to hear more. Her face turned beet red as if she couldn’t stand to hear any more.

“I prayed for your family to face the consequences of their actions, so I’m apologizing for that also…”

“Stop it! Just stop. I don’t want to hear anymore.”

“…I’m glad my apology was more than enough. There was still much left to say, though.”

Siyeon smiled then, after a quick glance to Ijun, who was glaring at her, she left the lounge.

From behind, the sound of Eunhye breaking into tears could be heard again.

* * *

She had offered a sincere apology, but it had come with a significant amount of three million won. After carefully placing the money into her wallet, Siyeon boarded the subway to head home. The train started moving with a jolt.

‘Choi Siyeon.’

Siyeon recalled Ijun’s voice that had call her a while ago. He called her by her name, but it felt like a final farewell. t was as if he was telling her, now that he knew she was a fake, to disappear.

‘It does concern me. Eunhye’s important to me.’

Ijun knew exactly how to hurt her. Perhaps in the way she looked at him, he found traces of her lingering attachment and longing that she couldn’t completely erase. He chose to hurt her to remind her that she meant nothing to him.

‘I’ll make more effort so you don’t hesitate.’

There was a time when Ijun’s affection alone had warmed her heart. There was a time when he was the only unchanging thing in her life.

Even when everyone turned away from her, Ijun, who had stayed by her side when she was left alone, eventually turned away as well. His cold departure, despite being the one to send her away, left a pang of sadness.

‘Don’t regret choosing me.’

When he was gone, she longed for him who was not in Korea anymore, and now that Ijun had returned, her longing for him had deepened even more. Siyeon still felt pathetic for not being able to stand firm on solid ground.

* * *

The air inside the car as they entered the company premises felt heavy. In the back seat, Ijun sat with a stern expression, while Eunhye explained about the afternoon meeting that was scheduled. Occasionally, the driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror, noticing her bloodshot eyes and lack of energy.

“We have a team leader meeting at 3 PM. Due to department restructuring, Deputy Manager Lee Kang-seok, who was the team leader of Sales Support Team 1, has been transferred to the China Business Department, and Deputy Manager Yoon Soo-gil, who was the team leader of Store Development Team 2, has been moved to Sales Support Team 1.”

“…”

Ijun continued to stare out the window, silently listening to Eunhye’s report. His demeanor was completely indifferent, in stark contrast to how he had regarded Eunhye as an important person just a little while ago.

“Next Monday at 10 AM, there will be a meeting presided over by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.”

“…”

“Ijun-sir.”

“I’m listening.”

When Eunhye addressed him, his response was flat.

“You don’t seem to be in good condition. If you’d like, I can postpone the meeting for about an hour.”

“No need for that.”

“…What are you thinking?”

“Three million won.”

“…”

“You’re insane.”

“…”

Eunhye cast an uneasy glance at the chilling profile of Ijun.