Chapter 57

They were the ones who had spent a lifetime pressing Yaein down under the name of family. The idea of Yaein turning the tables and having control over them was hard to imagine.

“Don’t forget. You’re the one in the position of power.”

“Because I’ve got Kwon Taeheon behind me?”

Yaein said teasingly, and Taeheon gave her a wide smile.

It was meant as a joke, but the way he smiled so handsomely took her breath away.

“Yeah. Because you have me.”

Hearing that made her feel like she could do anything. Even things she could never manage alone.

Taeheon opened the passenger side door and reached out to her. Yaein gladly took her seat.

***

“Thinking about seeing Lee Yaein’s face ruins my mood.”

Serin grumbled, checking her reflection in the mirror.

Her makeup didn’t look right today. Maybe it was because she’d been drinking all night—her skin looked rough.

Now that the long-absent Yaein couple had finally scheduled a dinner, the whole family gathered. Even her father, CEO Lee Geunho, who rarely came home because of work, cleared his schedule.

“When we go in, watch what you say. Don’t start anything in front of her husband.”

As they got out of the car, Sojeong gave her daughter a warning glance.

“Mom, I told you what she did at the exhibition!”

“I know, you brat. But Kwon Taeheon will be sitting next to her with fire in his eyes. Just act like you know how to read the room. She’s the kind who can’t say a word back anyway. You’ll get plenty of chances to rip her apart later.”

Even as the mother and daughter exchanged sharp words, Geunho remained indifferent. He didn’t care what happened to the second daughter.

When they arrived at the restaurant Taeheon had chosen, the staff didn’t even ask if they had a reservation before guiding them inside.

She thought it was strange that there wasn’t a single car in the parking lot—turns out, the entire restaurant had been reserved. What the hell. Serin clenched her teeth. So over the top.

If it had been a blind date partner who did this, she would’ve bragged to all her friends. But since it was Yaein showing off, she couldn’t be more irritated.

“You’re here?”

As they entered, Yaein approached with a smile and greeted them. Serin’s expression twisted at once.

Yaein looked elegant, like she was the true hostess of this luxurious hall. For a moment, it even felt like the lighting had changed. Maybe it was just the glow of the jewels around her neck.

Serin seethed as she stole glances at the sparkling gems. Figures—she’s the kind of girl who bagged a man with her face and body. Was she showing off her pregnancy now? The way she dressed so her swollen belly was clearly visible.

“Yaein, what kind of outfit is that for someone who’s pregnant?”

Serin opened with a jab, hoping her words would make Yaein feel self-conscious.

“I picked out the dress myself. I guess it’s not to your taste, sister-in-law.”

Taeheon appeared, wrapping his arm around Yaein’s shoulder.

Serin stared at him as if under a spell. His toned figure and chiseled features made her stomach tighten every time she saw him. Even his cold expression added to his appeal.

That man—he was the source of everything Yaein had.

Mom was right. Serin should’ve married Kwon Taeheon. After being forced to go on blind dates with loser after loser, her longing had only grown.

“That’s not what I meant. It just seems a little too tight for a pregnant woman.”

“That’s why I like it.”

Taeheon pressed a kiss to Yaein’s shoulder. Yaein, flustered, tried to stop him.

“Not in front of family, it’s embarrassing.”

The sweet affection between them made Serin’s cheek twitch.

Yaein had always been a thorn in her side, ever since they were kids. There was nothing she liked about her.

“Didn’t you two throw a fit about splitting up? Looks like you made up?”

Serin sneered.

Sojeong pinched Serin’s thigh under the table. Serin shook her leg away and shot her mother an annoyed glance.

“They say couples fight but can’t stay mad. You two look great together.”

Though her mother was forcing a smile, her eyes showed how annoyed she really was. She probably felt the same as Serin inside.

“I heard the Chairman is back at work. Does that mean Director Kwon will be stepping aside for a while?”

“Dear, why bring up work at a rare family dinner?”

Serin’s father, who had been indifferent even as Serin spoke, suddenly brought up business. Even as her mother tried to stop him, he stayed firm, clearly having waited for his chance to speak.

“You stay out of it. The Chairman’s in poor health but still working with so much passion. I think our son-in-law could handle the company just fine. Is there any way I can support you?”

Support, my as$—he’s broke. Serin stabbed an asparagus with her fork. She didn’t know much about rsisterng a business, but she knew her dad was a terrible businessman.

She also knew that her and her mom’s necks were basically in Yaein and Taeheon’s hands now.

That’s why she hated Lee Yaein even more.

That girl used to be a freeloader in our house, and now she stands beside her successful husband, looking down on Serin? Unforgivable.

“Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you today.”

“Oh? Of course. If it’s you asking, how could I say no?”

Geunho smacked his lips and rubbed his hands together. The movement reminded one of a fly settling on food. 

Kwon Taeheon asking someone as incompetent as my dad for a favor? Serin perked up her ears.

“Yaein’s been cooped up at home for too long, apparently,” Taeheon began.

As soon as Yaein was mentioned, the anticipation on Geunho’s face stiffened. Sojeong and Serin mirrored his reaction.

“I thought it might be good if she had a light position somewhere she could go to pass the time. What do you think?”

“Oh, come on, son-in-law. A job? Even pregnant women with regular jobs take maternity leave.”

Sojeong tried to stop him, sounding displeased. Then she turned her attention to Yaein, who had been quietly listening.

“You’ve probably never had a proper job, so you wouldn’t know, but working isn’t easy. If you’re feeling stuck at home, go for walks or join some mother’s groups. You like social gatherings, don’t you?”

Up until now, she had at least been pretending to be friendly. But now, her words toward Yaein had turned barbed. Serin hoped her mom would crush Yaein’s spirit a little while she was at it.

“You could just give me something easy.”

Yaein smiled sweetly. Serin, who had been watching while chewing on a perfectly seared scallop, paused mid-bite.

By now, Yaein should’ve put on a gloomy face and meekly agreed, but instead, she was acting all high and mighty—completely out of character.

“A position I can go to as a pastime would be enough. Something like a parachute role at your foundation, Mother.”

It kept getting worse. What the hell is wrong with her? Did she take something? Staring blankly, Serin was stunned when Yaein turned her head in her direction.

“Like Serin..”

Serin’s eyes widened. This b*tch.

“Hey! Why am I a parachute?”

“I’m not saying you are. It’s just that you don’t seem to be overworking yourself. I thought I could handle about that much until I give birth.”

Serin choked on her breath. She couldn’t believe those words had come out of Yaein’s mouth.

To be fair, Yaein wasn’t wrong.

On days she felt like slacking off, Serin ditched the company and her studio alike, spending her mornings nursing hangovers and showing up late in the afternoon. For her exhibitions, once she submitted sketches, others did most of the work. Serin rarely laid hands on the actual pieces.

Still, it pissed her off to hear Yaein say it. Why should I be talked down to by a girl like her? Serin shot to her feet.

“I create my own work, I plan exhibitions, I teach. I’m busy as hell!”

“Lee Serin. Sit down. You’re embarrassing your father. What are you doing right now?”

“She just called me a freeloading bum living off Mom’s foundation!”

And yet, Yaein showed no sign of flinching. She simply took a sip of water with her chin held high. Serin burned with fury.

“That’s enough. You’re not a freeloader,” Sojeong tried to calm Serin down. But the more she tried, the wilder Serin got.

A cold voice sliced through the chaos in an instant.

“Let’s all sit down and finish the meal.”

Serin turned her gaze to Taeheon, who had just spoken.

The expression on his face as he looked at her was cold—frighteningly so. There was even a trace of disdain in his gaze, and it intimidated her into silence.

“It’s time for dessert now. Since it’s a meal we’ve specially prepared, I’d appreciate it if you all stayed and enjoyed it.”

As Taeheon raised his hand slightly, the staff who had been waiting at a distance approached the table.

While the servers cleared the plates, Sojeong grabbed Serin’s arm and stood up. As soon as they entered the restroom, Sojeong’s calm expression flipped completely.

“Have you completely lost your mind?!”

She shoved Serin against the restroom wall and pointed a finger at her as if it were a dagger.

Startled, Serin flinched and hunched her shoulders. Harsh scolding continued to rain down.

“Thanks to you, now we’re going to have to coddle Lee Yaein!”

“Why should we have to cater to her?!”

Serin shouted back, her voice cracking.

“Keep your voice down! What if someone hears you?! Sure, she’s just a girl who lucked out in marriage, but her husband is no ordinary man. For now, I’ll just say we’ll look into it and end it there, so you keep your mouth shut!”

“But—”

Before Serin could protest, Sojeong raised her finger again. The gesture made it clear: shut up. Serin bit her tongue and returned to the table, fuming.

“Here, sister”

Yaein handed her a handkerchief as Serin sat back down.

“Your mascara is smudged. You should wipe it.”

That innocent face—like she was just being thoughtful—made Serin’s blood boil. In a fit of rage, Serin flipped her dessert plate onto Yaein.

Caramel syrup splattered across Yaein’s neck, and cream stained her dress. The dress being black only made the white cream more visible.

For a moment, Serin felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. That mess—*that* suited Yaein.

“Have you lost your mind?! Did your hand slip or what? Apologize to Yaein right now!”

Sojeong’s voice rang out in a shrill yell. Yaein calmly dabbed at the syrup in her hair. She didn’t shrink away or show any signs of shame—only composed detachment, which made Serin even angrier.

Back in middle school, when Serin dumped side dishes on her, Yaein would silently pick them up by hand. Hearing her quietly sob in the restroom had been deliciously satisfying.

“Why should I apologize? She used to crawl around picking up my leftovers—”

Serin didn’t get to finish her sentence.

A cold liquid poured down the top of her head.

A man, towering over her, was emptying a glass of wine onto her scalp.

The deep red wine soaked Serin’s hair, which she’d carefully styled before coming, now clumped together like seaweed. The sharp scent of alcohol filled her nose.

Serin gasped.

No one at the table dared to stop him.