Chapter 1.1 – Wedding Anniversary Gift

“I’ll take this one.”  

The woman’s hand, selecting a man’s tie in the private room of the department store, moved faster than anyone else’s.  

The personal shopper, assigned exclusively to her, couldn’t hide their admiration for her impeccable sense, as she instantly picked the most expensive and sophisticated product.  

“As expected, you have an exceptional eye.”  

She was truly a VVIP customer. Seo Moonkyeong, the first daughter-in-law of Kim Seokyeong, the head of the Leehan Group, was someone whose name anyone would recognize.  

However, few knew about her unfortunate past as an adoptee.  

The personal shopper, who catered exclusively to VVIPs, stayed close to her, lacing their voice with kindness.  

“There’s a new bag that just arrived. Would you like to see it?”  

Moonkyeong smiled kindly at the staff.  

“No, it’s fine. I’ll take a look next time.”  

“Understood. Then I’ll just process this payment.”  

At the personal shopper’s signal, the employees who had brought gift items from various stores all left with their items.  

Their actions were efficient yet respectful, reflecting their treatment of a VVIP customer.  

With elegant movements, Moonkyeong pulled out her wallet and completed the payment. She placed the elegantly wrapped tie into her bag.  

She had been contemplating this gift for a month, as it was for their first wedding anniversary. It was hard to decide what to give someone who already had everything.  

In August, on her birthday, her husband had gifted her a luxury car, one of only three in the country.  

Last Christmas, he had given her an unreleased bag from a famous designer, and earlier this year, on her mother’s birthday, he had handed over an entire villa in Gangwon Province.  

And here she was, giving him just a tie. But what else could she do? She wasn’t in a position to gift cars like her husband, nor did she have connections with famous designers or villas to give away. This would have to suffice.  

Moonkyeong neatly tied back her long black hair. Her husband liked this look.  

A modest outfit, neatly styled hair, minimal accessories to keep it simple—  

But still elegant. She dressed in a way that perfectly matched his ideal.  

She took her seat at the reserved restaurant. As always, he would arrive exactly on time.  

He was a man who valued punctuality, never arriving too early or too late.  

Moonkyeong checked the watch on her wrist. There were precisely 30 minutes left until their meeting time.  

She enjoyed this moment. It wasn’t about waiting for someone; it was about having a moment entirely to herself.  

“I feel shamelessly excited.”  

As if her heart was truly fluttering, she took a sip of water to soothe her dry throat.  

As she drank from the wine glass filled with water, she leisurely scanned the restaurant.  

Her husband, who despised having others present during their meals, had, as expected, reserved the entire restaurant.  

It felt strange to sit alone in a space that seemed well over 100 pyeong (approximately 330 square meters).  

Snow was falling outside the window.  

The morning radio had forecasted the possibility of the first snow in the afternoon.  

“Hmm.”  

The first snow on their wedding anniversary. How romantic. Moonkyeong’s eyes curved into a soft smile.  

At that moment, she felt her phone vibrate in her handbag.  

Seeing the familiar name, she answered in a calm voice.  

“Yes, Mom.”  

– Where are you? Have you met Mr. Kim yet?  

“Not yet. There are about 30 minutes left.”  

– This morning, Mr. Kim sent a bag to the house in Seongbuk-dong. It’s your wedding anniversary, but I’m the one benefiting from it.  

“That’s kind of him. I’ll thank him later.”  

– Make sure you do. And the baby? Not yet?  

“We’re trying.”  

– Try to have one as soon as possible. A child completes a marriage. Do you understand what I mean? 

“Of course.”  

– If you’re free this weekend, stop by Seongbuk-dong. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Wouldn’t it be nice to have tea together? 

“Sure, I’ll do that.”  

– Alright. Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary, my daughter.  

After repeatedly expressing her gratitude, she ended the call.  

While waiting for him, Moonkyeong checked her email on her phone.  

The fan messages she used to receive endlessly during her days as a ballerina had noticeably decreased. It was only natural.  

She had majored in ballet at a prestigious high school before going to Russia for early training.  

From a young age, she had built her career as a soloist in a Russian ballet company, establishing her reputation. Later, she became well-known even in Korea, boasting a dazzling resume.  

At what could have been considered the peak of her career, she quit ballet.  

When she was preparing for marriage, Moonkyeong’s mother couldn’t hide her regret.  

When her mother asked why she was quitting something she was so good at, Moonkyeong calmly explained.  

[After getting married, I want to focus solely on supporting Seojun, Mom.]  

The snowflakes outside the window had grown larger. It seemed like it would continue to snow.  

If it piled up, would he, for the first time in his life, be late?  

As she chuckled quietly at the thought, she pulled out her lipstick.  

As if she were a new bride again, she reapplied her makeup.  

In the meantime, Seojun’s secretary called. Moonkyeong reassured him that she had arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant.  

She also reminded him to drive carefully on the slippery roads.  

Soon, she would turn thirty. She didn’t feel her age.  

A few days ago, she joked with Seojun, who was three years older than her, asking what life in one’s thirties was like.  

Sitting in his study, looking at his tablet PC, he glanced up at her with cold eyes. His expression seemed to ask why she would ask such a thing.  

Still, Moonkyeong pressed him for an answer.  

[Come on, tell me. Isn’t it a little different?]  

[Not at all.]  

[Exactly the same?]  

[Do you wish it were different?]  

[Yes. Living the same way all the time is so boring.]  

[Sounds like you’re saying married life is incredibly boring.]  

[If that’s how it sounded, maybe you should try harder.]  

He tilted his chin slightly as he replied.  

[What more can I possibly do?]  

[I was joking. I was just curious. I wondered if life in your thirties felt different.]  

Maybe life had become a little more relaxed or a little freer. Or perhaps it had become twice as busy.  

She had hoped for some kind of conventional answer like that. But maybe she had expected too much from her reserved husband.  

Just then, she saw the silhouette of a man walking alone into the restaurant entrance.  

Moonkyeong checked the time. With five minutes to spare, he sat down with a leisurely demeanor.  

The tie she had personally tied for him that morning was still perfectly in place.  

The luxurious suit, befitting his 186 cm tall frame, seemed to come alive as if it had found its rightful owner.  

The black suit he loved. Once again, Moonkyeong praised herself for her excellent choice of tie.  

As Seojun arrived, the dishes he had reserved began to come out one by one.  

Of course, to be precise, they were dishes his secretary had reserved.  

Moonkyeong knew better than anyone that her husband, who was so busy he barely had enough hours in the day, wouldn’t have taken care of such details himself.  

She greeted Seojun warmly.  

“Welcome.”  

Seojun carefully looked her over, dressed in her white two-piece outfit.  

Whether at home or outside, she always looked the same. Poised, delicate, and elegant.  

She hadn’t deviated at all from the image of that day when she had performed so magnificently in Giselle.  

She had quit ballet and, even before the wedding, had started attending cooking classes as part of her bridal preparation. Over the past year, without missing a single day, she had personally prepared breakfast every morning.  

Even when her husband suggested she could rest on weekends, saying it was fine, she would wrinkle her nose and smile in her unique way, saying she enjoyed cooking.  

Seojun glanced at his watch out of habit.  

“You must be hungry. Next time, if you arrive early, feel free to order and start eating first.”  

“It tastes better when we eat together. What’s the point of eating alone?”  

“I’m just saying because you always come out so early. I sent a bag to Seongbuk-dong this morning.”  

Though his tone seemed indifferent, there was a hint of expectation, as if he wanted to be praised. Moonkyeong found that somewhat endearing.  

It was hard to believe that this man, who seemed fearless in the world, occasionally showed such innocent expressions.  

She had thought he was just a cold and arrogant man who would bring nothing but icy winds into their marriage.  

Moonkyeong smiled warmly.  

“I know. Mom told me about it. Thank you, as always. There probably isn’t another son-in-law who takes such good care of his in-laws.”  

“That’s all I need to hear.”  

“So, what’s my gift? Your gifts always exceed my expectations and make me not want to anticipate anything, yet I can’t help but look forward to it.”  

Before she could finish her sentence, he handed her a diamond necklace set.  

Moonkyeong beamed, clearly pleased with the gift, and didn’t forget to cover her mouth as she laughed gracefully.  

Seojun, momentarily caught by her smile, checked her empty water glass and raised his hand.  

An employee quickly approached, refilled her glass, and then disappeared from sight again.