Dazzling Divorce - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Part 12

The more they conversed, the more incredulous Sung-hyun felt. His head throbbing, Sung-hyun pressed his temples to show his displeasure. Then he turned to face her and grinned wickedly.

“Then instead of harassing an innocent woman, you should discipline your own son.”

Myeong-hye chuckled in amusement at the blatant criticism.

According to her secretary, Sung-hyun’s personality was anything but ordinary. He was known to adamantly refuse any financial proposals.

But she never expected him to say this to her face.

Myeong-hye put down the teacup in her hand and crossed her arms leisurely.

“That’s why I’m looking for someone. I want to just sever this vexing bad relationship myself.”

Just what kind of married life did Yoon Seowoo have?

In the mere five minutes, the emotions he felt were beyond words, the worst imaginable.

That’s why her eyes had held such a sorrowful gaze.

The memory of Seowoo’s melancholic eyes briefly flashed before him.

“Try your best to woo her. Since she’s a divorcee, I’ll add more money to the deal. I’ll even promise to support whatever you do in the future. If you cause any trouble, I can cover it up as much as needed.”

Sung-hyun adjusted his jacket.

Feeling suffocated, he wanted to leave this place quickly.

“Alright, let’s see how it goes. How do I do this?”

Finally, Myeong-hye’s face brightened.

“It seems you’re curious. It’s not difficult… just get involved with Yoon Seowoo.”

“Do you mean to become a topic of gossip?”

“That would be fine, or genuinely falling in love and dating her would be good too.”

Her desire to see Seowoo caught in some sordid scandal was blatantly apparent. Sung-hyun’s expression vanished momentarily.

“That’s interesting. It’s also quite amusing.”

“What do you think about my proposal?”

“I’ll decline.”

His cold voice crossed the room. Myeong-hye’s mouth twisted slightly.

“It’s a simple task. Why would you refuse?”

“I don’t need this dirty money.”

If you think you can seduce me with that measly money, Myeong-hye, you’re terribly mistaken.

Yoon Seowoo. Even just the mention of her name made his heart swell with pain, and this was such a ridiculous proposal.

“Mr. Ki Sung-hyun, you seem to have feelings for Yoon Seowoo, so I’m especially giving you this opportunity. You’ve been meeting with her separately, haven’t you?”

“So you’ve been spying on me.”

“Well, doing a little background check is basic before making a proposal, isn’t it?”

Tired of listening any further, Sung-hyun stood up from his seat. Myung-hye’s gaze followed him upwards.

The negotiation had failed. Myeong-hye opened her mouth with a cynical smile.

“My offer, can you handle the consequences if you don’t accept it?”

“Yes, absolutely. Do as you please. I’ll be on my way now.”

Sung-hyun bowed his head formally, his gaze icy, and then left without looking back.

Thud.

As the door slammed shut, Myeong-hye let out a hollow laugh.

“None of them ever pleases me.”

Thud.

She irritably closed the open briefcase and took a deep breath.

She had thought she’d be able to get past his seemingly friendly demeanor, but his stubbornness infuriated her.

After a moment of contemplation, Myeong-hye picked up her cell phone and dialed a number.

“Journalist Pyo, this is Myeong-hye, it’s been a while. I was hoping you could publish an article for me.”

A sly smile curled at the corners of her mouth.

***

Seated in his car, Sung-hyun remained still, not ready to drive off just yet. The brief encounter had been exhausting, feeling more like an intense showdown than a mere 10-minute conversation.

“Phew.”

He took a deep breath and ruffled his hair. The back of his neck was stiff from listening to the ridiculousness of it all.

‘Mr. Ki Sung-hyun, you seem to have feelings for Yoon Seowoo, so I’m especially giving you this opportunity. You’ve been meeting with her separately, haven’t you?’

“What a ‘great opportunity’.”

He snorted at the thought of Myeong-hye’s words, mocking the absurdity of trying to entangle her former daughter-in-law in a scandal years after everything had been settled. It was incredibly petty.

He lowered his gaze to his wristwatch.

“Is it over yet?”

Seowoo was scheduled for an overnight shoot due to not being able to film for several days.

Tapping the steering wheel idly, he finally started the engine. He had come here in his own car to meet Myeong-hye, without a manager, specifically for this meeting.

“I miss her.”

The desire to see her was too strong to simply head home.

Even though they had just parted ways, her image lingered in his mind. Driven by the urge to see her, even if only for a moment, Sung-hyun gripped the steering wheel tighter and pressed on the accelerator.

***

“Ah!”

Seowoo stretched and yawned as she entered her dressing room. It was late into the night, the kind of hour that brought on involuntary yawns.

“Take a break. We have an hour.”

Maybe it was because it had been a while since she last filmed.

She was significantly tired. As Seowoo yawned again, stretching out, Jung-ah handed her a water bottle.

“Yawn, why am I so tired?”

“You’ve been filming all day, that’s why. Did you rest at all yesterday?”

“…Yeah.”

She had been with Jiwook, but it was somewhat restful.

Seowoo answered, rolling her eyes guiltily as she took a sip of water, feeling the cool sensation slide down her throat.

“Ah.”

Seowoo lay down on the sofa and picked up her script.

“Jung-ah, do you want to get something?”

“I’m fine.”

“What, why? I haven’t even asked you anything yet, and you’re already reacting like this?”

It was obvious.

Jung-ah knows that Seowoo’s only asking because it’s her birthday. Seowoo got up abruptly again, looking at Jung-ah who was busy arranging costumes for the next scene.

“Let’s try to match our schedules with Seung-min.”

“No.”

“…Why?”

“I got dumped.”

Jung-ah forced a smile, pulling at the corners of her mouth. Seeing her friend’s face, Seowoo’s expression hardened.

She had been too busy and entangled with Jiwook, failing to pay attention to Jung-ah, and it seemed something had happened in the meantime.

“When?”

“Not long ago. He said he was sorry.”

“Jung-ah.”

“It’s okay. I knew it, but I just… It felt like false hope. I brought it up to get my mind straight, but I got rejected outright. Maybe it’s for the best.”

Jung-ah bowed her head low and continued arranging the clothes. Seowoo got up and sat in front of her.

Unsure of what comfort to offer, she gently patted Jung-ah’s shoulder.

“I’ll try blind dates now, meet people who like me.”

“That’s right. Moon Seung-min isn’t the only man in the world.”

“But I don’t know why I keep getting all teary-eyed.”

Jung-ah hurriedly wiped her face. Seeing her friend trying so hard to hold back, Seowoo felt a pang of sadness as if looking at herself.

Moreover, knowing that Seung-min liked her, not Jung-ah, only added to her guilt.

“Do you mind if I go outside and get some fresh air?”

“Let’s go together.”

“I want to be alone for a bit. I’ll be quick!”

Jung-ah hurried out of the dressing room. Seowoo couldn’t bring herself to follow. She sighed softly and was just about to pick up the script again when her phone began to vibrate loudly.

“……Yes.”

Seowoo carefully picked up the phone and held it to her ear. No sound could be heard yet, but her heart was already racing. Seowoo held the phone a little closer to her ear.

You picked up quickly.

He sounded like he didn’t expect her to answer, which was understandable since he didn’t know her schedule.

“I just have a break now.”

Ah, break time.

His voice was heavy with fatigue. Seowoo felt a sudden warmth hearing his voice, which she hadn’t heard in half a day.

Without reason.

Seowoo hesitated before carefully broaching the conversation.

“I ate well.”

His low chuckle resounded in her ear. His laughter carried many unspoken meanings. Her palms inexplicably tingled.

Seowoo fiddled with the corner of the script and blushed.

Good. You drank the chocolate milk.

“I’m a good coffee drinker now.”

Then I’ll send you coffee next time.

“I didn’t mean that and……. But why suddenly…….”

She wondered why he had sent these things.

Without a word. Even though they had been together the entire night before, he hadn’t mentioned anything.

I haven’t done much for you lately. From now on, I’m going to start doing things one by one.

“……”

Regret filled his tone, and Seowoo’s gaze dropped.

You don’t eat well when you’re shooting, so I thought the rice would be a bit much, and just coffee seemed insufficient. I thought about it and settled on a snack since you like tteokbokki.

“……”