“They say he has a year left at the most. He’s the only family I have left. My parents died a long time ago.”

Seol-ah was speechless. She couldn’t bring herself to shout at him or call him crazy, because it was she who had started all this in a drunken haze.

“It may sound like a lie, but listen to me.”

Hwi-gang began, his voice calm.

“I met my grandfather’s doctor last Saturday. He said that since there’s no more treatment, we should just let him live out his remaining days comfortably. Let him do what he wants, eat what he wants, and grant him any last wishes he might have.”

“Let me guess… your grandfather’s wish is for you to get married?”

“Exactly.”

Hwi-gang replied and Seol-ah let out a long sigh.

“I decided to fulfill his wish. And then, as if it were fate, you asked me to marry you. We had already slept together, and it wasn’t bad. Let me correct that – it was good. It was really good. You liked it too.”

“I don’t remember any of it…”

Seol-ah tried to protest.

“Don’t lie. I know you remember everything.”

Hwi-gang said, cutting her off, his gaze unwavering.

“…”

Seol-ah remained silent, knowing she couldn’t deny the truth any longer. The memories she had tried to bury kept coming back, making her face blush with embarrassment.

Seol-ah’s stomach churned at Hwi-gang’s words and she quickly closed her mouth.

“I have no time to waste,” he continued. “And I’m not interested in the usual blind dates. If you don’t like the idea, we can make it a contract marriage. Like you said, I have everything you need to get back at your ex. We both win – I get to fulfill my grandfather’s dying wish and you get your perfect revenge on the man who betrayed you. The contract will last until your revenge is complete, or until my grandfather dies. What do you think?”

“I need time to think about it.”

Seol-ah replied cautiously.

“I don’t have that luxury. Decide now or I’ll have to find another woman.”

Hwi-gang said, his tone calm but firm.

‘Another woman?’

Seol-ah’s eyebrows shot up.

‘Am I… jealous?’

She was suddenly startled by her own emotions, realizing how upsetting the thought of him marrying someone else was making her.

For some strange reason, she couldn’t bear the thought of Hwi-gang being with another woman. She didn’t fully understand what she was feeling, but it was undeniable.

“Wait, are you Jung-jae’s boss?” she asked, trying to change the subject.

Hwi-gang nodded firmly, his eyes intense with determination.

The sudden buzzing of Seol-ah’s phone interrupted their conversation – it was a KakaoTalk call from none other than Lee Jung-jae. He was supposed to be on his honeymoon, but here he was, calling his ex. If it wasn’t something urgent, why would he call his ex-girlfriend?

“Hold on a second.”

Seol-ah said and answered the call.

[Hey, Jin Seol-ah! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!]

Jung-jae’s voice exploded with anger, making Seol-ah frown.

“What are you talking about?”

[Don’t play dumb! Did you seduce that guy knowing that he’s about to join our company as an executive?! How did you get that information? No, wait, that’s not the point. Did you sell yourself out just to get back at me? When did it start? Have you been betraying me all this time?!]

The absurdity of Jung-jae’s accusations left Seol-ah speechless. His words were so ridiculous that she didn’t even feel the need to argue back. More than anything else, she had to process the fact that the man standing in front of her – Kang Hwi-gang – was actually the head of LJ Electronics, Jung-jae’s new workplace.

[What, you’re not going to answer me? How on earth did that guy become the CEO of LJ Electronics? It doesn’t make sense!]

“It doesn’t, does it?”

Seol-ah replied coolly.

“But you know what? I’ve got some more shocking news for you. Do you want to hear it?”

[W-what are you talking about?]

Jung-jae’s voice trembled with fear.

Seol-ah stared directly at Hwi-gang as she spoke.

“I’m marrying him.”

[W-what?!]

“Oh, and you should thank me for letting you know. It turns out I’ve found a man much better than you – just like you said. So don’t ever call me again, especially not to yell at me. You’re talking to someone who’s about to become your superior’s wife. Do you understand?”

[Wait, Seol-ah!]

“Hang up.”

Seol-ah said flatly and ended the call despite Jung-jae’s desperate screams.

The phone buzzed again, but Seol-ah turned it off without hesitation.

“All right, I’ll do it. I’ll marry you,” she said firmly, her decision made. “Let’s continue with the contract marriage.”

Hwi-gang’s lips twitched slightly, barely hiding his amusement. The truth was that he had deliberately made sure that news of his position would reach Jung-jae, even while he was on his honeymoon. He had discreetly instructed Jung-jae’s direct superior to send an email announcing the new executive’s arrival – complete with Hwi-gang’s photo attached.

As he had predicted, the news upset Jung-jae so much that he called Seol-ah in a panic.

“You made a good decision. How about we discuss the details of the arranged marriage over dinner?”

“Sounds good.”

Seol-ah replied without hesitation.

Satisfied with her answer, Hwi-gang got out of the car. The valet, who had been waiting patiently in front of the upscale traditional Korean restaurant, quickly bowed deeply in greeting as Hwi-gang approached.

* * *

Chodam was a Korean fine dining restaurant that someone on Seol-ah’s salary could only dream of visiting – unless she decided to splash out and spend half her monthly salary. For a family of four to enjoy a full meal there would easily cost half her salary – that was how expensive the place was.

The well-maintained wooden floors, the staff dressed in beautifully tailored modern hanbok, and the antique furnishings, each worth hundreds to thousands of dollars, made it clear that this was a place of luxury. Only those who had studied hospitality at university were allowed to work here as waiters, and rumor had it that the starting salary for staff was higher than Seol-ah’s current income, although this was never confirmed.

Led to a private dining room, Seol-ah tried not to look around too much, not wanting to reveal her lack of experience in such luxurious surroundings.

“We have prepared the course you mentioned over the phone earlier. Shall we start serving now?”

“Yes, please do. We’re both quite hungry.”

“Very well, we’ll bring out the appetizers shortly.”

“Thank you.”

Seol-ah said after the staff bowed politely and left the room.

At that moment, Hwi-gang pulled an envelope out of his jacket.

“What is this?”

“It’s the marriage contract.”

“You had it prepared already?”

“Yes.”

“What were you going to do if I said no?”

“But you didn’t say no.”

“!”

Seol-ah was speechless for a moment and bit her lip. Then she opened the envelope and pulled out the white sheet of paper.

“Take your time and read it. If there’s anything you want to add or remove, just let me know.”