Chapter 9.2

Drowsiness overwhelmed her. After the three thousand bows, Moonkyeong’s only thought was that. She didn’t blame or hate anyone. She just wanted to sleep.  

As Buddhism teaches, three thousand bows are meant to empty one’s mind and forget worldly worries. Moonkyeong had emptied her mind entirely.  

She had always been quick to let go. If it was something she had to do and couldn’t quit halfway, she endured it without hesitation. That was her strength. It was also why she succeeded in ballet.  

Of course, she knew today was different. She could have said no or quit halfway. But she didn’t want to lose. Not to Shin Jueun, not to Heejin. Perhaps it was all for one person.  

During those three thousand bows, Moonkyeong wished only for Seojun’s happiness. For the man who would remain lonely in the Leehan Group after she left someday, she wished for his peace.  

She prayed for his serene daily life, the respect and love he deserved one day.  

After descending from the temple, Moonkyeong headed to Do Hyowon. She desperately wanted to sleep, but Shin Jueun didn’t allow even a moment of rest.  

When Moonkyeong was passing through the central building on her way to the annex, Heejin suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly.  

“Impressive. I thought you’d collapse halfway.”  

“……”  

“Hey, Seo Moonkyeong! Are you going to keep ignoring me?”  

Moonkyeong lightly brushed off her wrist.  

“If you want to talk to me, show some respect.”  

“What respect!”  

“Should I teach you again?”  

“You—!”  

As Heejin screamed, Nam Leehyun, who was passing through the central building, stopped abruptly. She glared sharply at Heejin.  

“What are you doing?”  

Startled by Nam Leehyun’s commanding voice, Heejin couldn’t hide her flustered expression.  

“Pardon? It’s not what it looks like.”  

“Follow me immediately.”  

Nam Leehyun took Heejin and Moonkyeong to Shin Jueun in the annex.  

Shin Jueun, who had been plotting how to torment Moonkyeong further, ran over in surprise at Nam Leehyun’s sudden arrival.  

“Madam, what brings you here?”  

Nam Leehyun took a deep breath. She could clearly see that Shin Jueun was constantly summoning the two girls to harass them.  

Although she also disliked Moonkyeong, she couldn’t tolerate the disruption of hierarchy. Moreover, Moonkyeong was now someone who needed to bear the Leehan family’s heir. She had to conceive as soon as possible to continue the family line.  

Nam Leehyun scolded Shin Jueun.

“How dare the daughter-in-law of a concubine act so arrogantly toward the daughter-in-law of the main wife? Is that what I taught you?”  

“Pardon?”  

“There’s no sense of hierarchy here. Should I reestablish the family order for you? Do you want me to show you how it’s done?”  

Nam Leehyun glared at Lee Heejin, causing Shin Jueun to look flustered. Though her teeth clenched in frustration at Nam Leehyun scolding her in front of the two girls, Shin Jueun knew she could never challenge Nam Leehyun.  

Just thinking about how Nam Leehyun had despised and tormented her because she was a concubine made her blood boil. However, family hierarchy in Leehan Group always trumped even the Chairman’s favor.  

Despite buying her everything she wanted and even building her an annex, the Chairman had always sided with Nam Leehyun whenever conflicts arose. Knowing this, Shin Jueun lowered her head humbly.  

“I’ll make sure to educate them better.”  

Nam Leehyun’s eyes swept over Moonkyeong’s body. She had been limping noticeably since earlier, and it was irritating to watch.  

“Where have the three of you been?”  

Fearing that Moonkyeong might tell the truth, both Shin Jueun and Lee Heejin anxiously watched her. Shin Jueun shot Moonkyeong a warning look, silently threatening her with dire consequences if she dared to speak.  

Moonkyeong clasped her hands together neatly.  

“We went to the temple.”  

“The temple? What did you do there?”  

Moonkyeong didn’t lie. She had no intention of enduring everything in silence like the female protagonists in dramas. Knowing that Nam Leehyun disliked her and that Shin Jueun hated her even more, she decided to use their feelings against them.  

Even if she had to endure, she would teach them a lesson in etiquette. Fixing her cold gaze on Lee Heejin, she spoke calmly.  

“We performed three thousand bows.”  

“What?”  

Nam Leehyun, who had been holding a cup brought by Jinju, snatched it and splashed the water onto Shin Jueun’s face. Shin Jueun screamed in shock, and Lee Heejin grabbed her wrist.  

“Ack!”  

“Mother!”  

Nam Leehyun ordered Jinju, 

“Bring another cup.”  

Jinju, trembling, ran to the kitchen. The tense atmosphere in Do Hyowon felt suffocating. When Jinju returned with a cup filled with water, Nam Leehyun turned her gaze to Lee Heejin.  

Though Heejin looked as if she might burst into tears, Nam Leehyun showed no mercy and poured the water on her as well.  

The humiliation of being drenched in front of Moonkyeong was unbearable for Heejin. She considered running home to complain, but no matter how much she thought about it, she doubted her parents would take her side.  

After all, the recent harmony between Leehan Group and Jeesung Group wouldn’t be jeopardized over this.  

Nam Leehyun, who had so far refrained from intervening in Moonkyeong’s affairs, issued a stern warning this time. She then turned her gaze to Moonkyeong.  

“From now on, even if the annex calls for you, do not set foot here for the time being. Do you understand me?”  

Moonkyeong exaggerated her innocent expression and nodded.  

“Yes, Mother.”  

“Let’s leave.”  

Turning her back on Shin Jueun and Lee Heejin, who glared daggers at her, Moonkyeong followed Nam Leehyun.  

Both places were suffocating, but still, she found a small sense of satisfaction.  

Back home, Moonkyeong fell into a deep sleep from early evening. Without even changing clothes, she collapsed onto the living room sofa. Her legs were swollen, and her ankles ached, but she didn’t have the energy to care.  

Sleep washed over her like a tidal wave. The night spent in the hotel in Vietnam felt like a fleeting dream.  

So sweet, so desirable.  

She wished she could dream of running back to that time. Even if the same moment came again, she wanted to hold him and spend the night intertwined.  

She hadn’t been able to utter the simple words, “I like you.” Maybe in her dream, she could say them.  

‘I like you.’  

As she drifted into sleep, a faint smile curved on Moonkyeong’s lips.  

By the time Seojun, who had belatedly grasped the situation, rushed home, Moonkyeong was still in a deep sleep. The company, which he had left unattended for days, was overflowing with tasks.  

Without even having time to monitor Moonkyeong, Seojun had only just learned about her day, and it made him want to destroy everything.  

He wanted to get Seo Moonkyeong out of this h*ll as soon as possible.  

If only Shin Jueun hadn’t chosen her as a bride, she wouldn’t have been brought into Leehan in the first place.  

Seojun knelt beside the sleeping Moonkyeong and gently stroked her forehead. Her smooth, shiny forehead, swollen and protruding, was brushed by his hand, which then moved down her nose to her lips before pulling away.  

“Sigh.”  

He regretted it. He shouldn’t have shown any weakness that would allow her to escape him sooner.  

Why had I been so greedy?  

Surely, Seo Moonkyeong had noticed the affectionate gaze he directed at her more and more as time passed.  

As he rose, the sleeping Moonkyeong suddenly opened her eyes and grabbed his wrist.  

“You’re here?”  

“……”  

“You must’ve had a hard day. You went to work early without any rest—it must’ve been exhausting.”  

“……”  

“Aren’t you hungry? Should we eat?”  

His heart, unable to push her away coldly, wavered amidst her warm comfort.  

Seojun nodded silently, and Moonkyeong, dragging her weary body, went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for him.  

It was a very late dinner. A proper table was set with steaming rice and savory soybean paste stew.  

Seojun asked Moonkyeong about her day. Though he knew she wouldn’t tell him, he still wanted to ask.  

“Where did you go?”  

Moonkyeong, who had been eating busily, paused for a moment. Forcing a smile, she wiped her mouth.  

“Oh, I just stopped by Do Hyowon.”  

Pretending to be indifferent, he took a sip of soup.  

“Why?”  

“Why else? We had tea. Everyone there loves tea. When women gather, we chat endlessly, losing track of time. It’s surprisingly fun. It’s different from the men’s world, so I think it’s nice.”  

He hated Moonkyeong for hiding things from him that she openly shared with Nam Leehyun.  

Seojun lowered his gaze.  

“Stop wandering around unnecessarily.”  

“Yes.”  

“Have you decided where you’ll go after the divorce?”  

“……”  

“Think quickly. Even without you, I’ll be fine.”  

So don’t waver. Go your way. Leave me without regret. 

That’s what Seojun was shouting inside.  

Moonkyeong bit into the tofu in the stew. She thought it would crumble softly in her mouth, but it lingered stubbornly.  

What should she say to the man who constantly reminded her not to forget their initial divorce agreement?  

Don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll disappear on my own. Would that be the right answer?  

Moonkyeong quietly placed a piece of fish onto his bowl.  

“You worked hard today.”  

Her calm words of comfort left Seojun speechless.  

The pitiful woman who likely had a harder day than he did, struggling to offer him even this small comfort—it broke his heart.