CHAPTER 1

*

June. The smell of spring lingered in the air. The house, built on a high ground where the sun and scenery harmoniously intertwined, was beautiful and looked like something out of a fairy tale.

Yeonseo had been working as a resident caregiver in this villa for six months. She had been caring for Mrs. Kang, the wife of the late Chairman Woo, the former first lady of Sewon Group.

After having a late lunch, Mrs. Kang peacefully dozed off, her serene face was as warm as the afternoon sunlight. Yeonseo stepped away from the bedside and quietly slipped out of Mrs. Kang’s bedroom.

The front yard was filled with lush green grass. On both sides, dense trees stood, plains spread out in open view, with mountains visible in the distance.

The sight of the vast plain meeting the clear air and blue sky was a view one couldn’t see in Seoul. It was a wonderful place for Mrs. Kang to live out her days. When the mind is at ease, the body’s ailments are eased.

Yeonseo slipped out through the side door, leading to the kitchen, and headed towards the backyard.

The clearing overlooking the parking lot at the back of the house served as Yeonseo’s lounge area. She walked passed by the wooden bench and sat on the swing, which was said to be a favorite of Chairman Woo’s grandchildren.

The gentle breeze playfully tousled Yeonseo’s bangs. Looking up at the blue sky, she felt her worries melt away.

Yeonseo tilted her head back, hummed, and swayed on the swing, immersing herself in a carefree world. She didn’t realize that she was gradually becoming enchanted by the peace of this place. The misfortune of inheriting her father’s debts seemed to fade into a haze.

It was eight months ago. The loan sharks who had been chasing her father all his life had found their way to the hospital where Yeonseo was working. They wreaked havoc, caused a scene that ultimately led to Yeonseo’s unemployment.

Afterwards, at the suggestion of Mrs. Kang’s first son, Managing Director Woo Jang-hyeok, she ended up working here in the villa. The loan shark didn’t dare to enter the residence of Mrs. Kang, the madam of Sewon Group.

“Sigh…”

Yeonseo sighed bitterly as se recalled the week when Mrs. Kang’s health check results had taken a turn for the worse. Mrs. Kang, who turned eighty-two this year, had been experiencing deteriorating health day by day.

Having first met Mrs. Kang at the hospital where she used to work, it had been three years counting since then. Yeonseo was grateful for Mrs. Kang’s kindness, compassion, and warm affection that often brought tears to her eyes.

But her heart was heavy as she realized that the day would soon come when she would have to prepare to say goodbye. Yeonseo tilted her head toward the sky and prayed.

“If only she could live a little longer. If only she were healthy.”

How much time had passed?

While she was engrossed in watching the passing clouds, she heard the sound of someone coming up the stairs.

Who could it be? There shouldn’t be anyone coming this way.

It couldn’t be guests or families staying briefly. Most of them used the parking lot in front. The sound of the footsteps grew closer.

Aunt Bok-hee was busy preparing ingredients, and Aunt Yeong-ryeol had gone out to visit her son for a while. The guards stood still near the garden and the main gate, so it couldn’t be them.

No one had mentioned that someone was coming… 

The moment Yeonseo got off the swing and stood up, she locked eyes with the man coming up the stairs.

Black hair, sharp eyebrows, and emotionless eyes. He resembled a younger version of Chairman Woo. He didn’t look surprised to see Yeonseo and walked up the stairs at a steady pace. His broad shoulders approached without any hesitation.

It was definitely him, the grandson that Mrs. Kang had shown me in the photo album one day, Woo Taeheon.

And I ran into him for a second…….

Mrs. Kang had two sons and two daughters with her relationship with Chairman Woo, and she also had several grandchildren. Among them, Taeheon carried the blood of her second son. Yeonseo was told that Taeheon was in the United States, so perhaps he had returned.

As if sensing Yeonseo’s thorough scrutiny, Taeheon glanced at the rope in her hands. The slender shape of the man observing Yeonseo had a cold and icy demeanor.

Oops. I was staring too much.

Yeonseo gently let go of the rope. Flustered like a child playing in the sand, she stumbled back in surprise, but she didn’t forget to greet him.

“Welcome. You must be Mr. Woo Taeheon?”

“I don’t recognize your face. Who are you?”

Taeheon’s voice was monotonous, but it carried a deep and overwhelming resonance. His sunken gaze seemed to express both displeasure and indifference.

Quickly, Yeonseo lowered her head, skillfully adjusting to his mood.

“I’m sorry. My name is Han Yeonseo.”

Yeonseo bowed deeply, as she was greeting the bloodline of Chairman Woo who was visiting this house. However, instead of acknowledging the greeting, Taeheon turned his back and headed inside the house.

“Where’s grandmother?”

“She’s resting. If it’s alright, could you wait for about an hour?”

As Yeonseo tried to follow him with quick steps, Taeheon stopped and slowly turned around.

“So, what’s your role over here?”

“Pardon?”

“You seem too young to be a housekeeper.”

“I’m a resident caregiver.”

“A caregiver, huh.”

Taeheon’s low voice, pondering over his words, felt oddly piercing. Observing Taeheon’s demeanor, Yeonseo replied.

“…Yes.”

“Who recommended you for this position?”

“Managing Director Woo Jang-hyeok offered me the position.”

He had an expression that seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

Why is he acting like that?

“There must be a reason why Managing Director Woo put you here, Han Yeonseo.”

“What?”

“You don’t know?”

His words held an incomprehensible meaning. The reprimanding tone stiffened her shoulders.

Could it be that he doesn’t approve of me as a caregiver?

After a moment of silence, Yeonseo stammered out her words.

“I apologize.”

“You must have done something to be sorry for.”

“……”

“Or are you just dumb?”

Why the hell was he angry. No. Let’s not try to understand.

Yeonseo clenched her cold lips tightly. She knew how terrifying people like him could be. Among the people Yeonseo met, the Sewon Group family was the highest class among them.

People like them didn’t show off in a vulgar way. They quietly trampled others. With just a gesture from Taeheon, Yeonseo’s life could be thrown into the gutter and be reduced to shambles.

However, Yeonseo was already wandering at the bottom, and there was no further misery she could experience. The best she could do was to not provoke his mood and stay as obedient as possible.

“I apologize, sir. I’ll do my best not to go against your wishes while you’re here.”

“Are you the only new person in this house?”

“…Yes.”

Yeonseo’s eyes rolled a beat late as she answered, and Taeheon tilted his head abruptly. Once again, he started walking with brisk strides.

Yeonseo followed closely behind.

“Sir, the Madam had just fallen asleep. Could you please wait a little longer?”

“I’m in a bad mood right now.”

“Pardon?”

“Do I have to say it twice? Han Yeonseo, do you have trouble understanding what people say?”

“…”

“I guess you’re not educated on what not to do.”

As Taeheon spoke relentlessly, the blue sky appeared behind him. He filled Yeonseo’s field of vision like a dark cloud. Under his pressure, Yeonseo swallowed her breath.

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

A cold sweat trickled down at the back of Yeonseo’s thin t-shirt.

“…I apologize. The Madam’s bedroom is this way.”

She stood firm and took the lead. A restless tension was building up like the eve of a storm.

*

Darkness crept in through the large windows in the dining room of the house. A few rays of sunlight lingered in the evening sky. The colors were peculiar yet beautiful.

There was a long, large dining table with a picturesque view of the landscape, and it was filled with neat, hearty food. Aunt Bok-hee, who was in charge of the kitchen, showed off her long time skills.

“Since my Taeheon has a picky palate, it’s better to focus on the main dishes rather than preparing many side dishes.”

Mrs. Kang gave special instructions for the table setting. Many people from the Sewon group had passed through the villa’s gates, but this was the first time Mrs. Kang personally sought Aunt Bok-hee’s help.

Even when Managing Director Woo, the eldest son of Mrs. Kang, or when her second son and daughters visited, such hospitality was not seen.

Mrs. Kang seemed to have a special affection for him, often mentioning Taeheon to Yeonseo and showing her his pictures.

Mrs. Kang’s wheelchair stopped in front of the dining table. She looked around the well-prepared table with satisfaction.

“You did a good job.”

“Thank you. Please enjoy the meal.”

Aunt Bok-hee bowed her head and retreated out of sight. Taeheon, pushing the wheelchair, moved forward. He seated Mrs. Kang at the head table and took his place on her right side.

Since it was originally Yeonseo’s duty to push the wheelchair, she had to stand awkwardly behind, having her task taken away.

“Yeonseo, you should sit down too.”

At Mrs. Kang’s urging, Yeonseo cautiously glanced at Taeheon’s reaction and hesitantly spoke.

“You two should have a quiet meal alone together. I’ll wait in my room.”

“If I tell you to sit, you should sit. Don’t let the old woman’s throat get tired.”

Mrs. Kang said sternly. Yeonseo was about to decline but her words was left only at the tip of her tongue.

They should have a long over-due conversation now that her grandson has returned home.

On the other hand, part of her wanted to avoid eating with Taeheon. Since earlier, Taeheon had been treating Yeonseo as if she didn’t exist. No matter how good she was at socializing, this blatant disregard was just honestly painful.

“Mr. Taeheon.”

Yeonseo called him with a soft smile, infused with playfulness. It meant that she wanted to excuse herself from the dining table.

“Sit down, at least out of respect, for Grandma. What are we going to do with all this food if only the two of us eat it anyways?”

However, this time it didn’t work. Yeonseo wasn’t the stubborn type of person and so, she laughed awkwardly.

“Even refusing should be done with some moderation.”

Taeheon’s voice interjected. She thought that he would find it unpleasant to share a meal together, but it was unexpected.

“I thought I would be a bother.”

“Your hesitation is more bothersome.”

“…If you don’t mind, then.”

Realizing that she no longer had an excuse to refuse, Yeonseo pulled out a chair across from Taeheon. As she sat up straight, she felt the warm gaze of Mrs. Kang.

“Don’t you want to dine with Grandma, Yeonseo?”

“Don’t say that. It’s always nice to spend time with you.”

Mrs. Kang nodded her head slightly.

“Well then, let’s eat.”

Mrs. Kang picked up her spoon.