Chapter 7 – Conditions Until the Divorce

The wedding was held on Saturday, October 1st, moved up half a month from the original date. Some argued that if the weather got colder, the outdoor wedding at the guesthouse might be disrupted, but the main reason was that the auspicious date had been chosen by the fortune-teller frequented by the First Lady, lawmakers’ wives, and generations of VIPs.

The sky was blue and the temperature was as warm as September, as if blessing the marriage. The private wedding went smoothly, hosting three hundred carefully selected VVIP guests. After the traditional Korean ceremony, everyone moved to the reception, and Choi Hyunjin was quietly amazed.

“Wow. Seriously. Even if it’s their own hotel, taking over both floors of the guesthouse like this…”

She felt that the rich—no, the chaebol—were truly on another level. She’d thought the small number of guests would make it a modest affair, but it was actually grander than ever, dazzling and extravagant. Hyunjin’s own family had judges, doctors, professors, and even ministers, but she felt keenly that it was nothing compared to the chaebol.

“And yet, I can’t get near her at all. If this goes on, I won’t even see her before she leaves for the airport.”

Traffic had kept her from entering the bridal waiting room, and now she was anxious that she wouldn’t even see Sejeong’s face. Ignoring her group’s calls, Hyunjin headed toward the garden, which seated six hundred. Under the clear autumn sky, the beautifully arranged garden seemed to embody the bride herself.

“Oh, over there…”

Instead of the bride, Hyunjin saw someone else’s back. In the pavilion overlooking the garden, someone was standing, faint cigarette smoke curling around him. He was one of today’s main figures.

The groom, in a black tailcoat and with perfectly styled hair, was on the phone, unaware of Hyunjin’s presence. Judging by the scattered words, it sounded like a business call. Hyunjin quietly waited for the call to finish, thinking he might know where the bride was. At some point, the conversation shifted from business to personal.

“There’s no honeymoon. The performance ends with the wedding.”

Hyunjin was startled, doubting her ears. Performance? What performance?

“No. We separate at the Dubai stopover. Father, your daughter-in-law can eat and play on the island, and I’ll look around Dubai while I’m nearby, then we’ll meet again at the airport on the return date.”

Father? Is he talking to Chairman Yeo? Now? He’s so impatient that, not seeing the groom right away, he must have called him directly.

“I did as you wanted and got married, didn’t I? From now on, I’ll handle things myself, so leave me alone. As you always say, whatever happens inside the fence, I’ll make sure nothing leaks outside. I can control things at my level, so don’t worry. She’s a woman who works with her body, so I doubt she’s that smart. See you in a bit.”

The groom ended the call coldly and turned around. Hyunjin, unable to hide, let out a surprised groan. Yeo Un-rok, holding something ambiguous—cigar or cigarette—approached her slowly, as if amused. Hyunjin was so intimidated she couldn’t move, wearing a strange expression that was neither a smile nor a cry.

“Haha, I… I was just looking for Sejeong… haha.”

“Miss Choi Hyunjin. Is Woojin doing well? I haven’t seen him active lately.”

“What? Oh… yes. My brother’s fine, haha… He’s been studying conducting lately, but honestly I’m not sure it was the right choice.”

Hyunjin realized she’d spoken too candidly and pressed her lips together. Her younger brother Choi Woojin was Yeo Un-rok’s classmate at the international high school and also played piano. He hadn’t retired like Yeo Un-rok, but he wasn’t famous enough to hold concerts under his own name, so he wasn’t really active. The difference in talent was so great they couldn’t even be compared.

But how did he know me, when we’ve never met? Oh, right… He must have thoroughly checked the guest list.

Hyunjin swallowed nervously. As Sejeong’s high school classmate and closest friend, an active flutist with a more recognized name than her brother Woojin, he must have known everything.

“I see. Give Woojin my regards. And…….”

Yeo Un-rok turned to leave, then looked back. His deep gaze was so beautiful that Hyunjin’s heart dropped. She knew she shouldn’t feel anything for her friend’s husband, but his pale, slender face was so captivating that she couldn’t calm her racing heart. It felt like running into Korea’s most handsome top star by chance on the street.

Wait, this isn’t the issue right now! What was that phone call about earlier? Going on separate honeymoons? And… that last comment about women who use their bodies not being smart—what did he mean? Did I hear wrong?

“You can tell Miss Eun Sejeong what you just heard.”

Yeo Un-rok spoke calmly, as if reading her thoughts. Hyunjin’s face stiffened. He seemed not to mind her telling Sejeong, almost as if he wanted her to. As crazy as it sounded, it felt real.

“Just tell her directly. With your reputation, Miss Choi Hyunjin, I trust you won’t gossip about it elsewhere.”

With a gentle smile, Yeo Un-rok disappeared beneath the pavilion. Hyunjin stood dazed, shaking her head to clear it.

Is he insane? He’s nothing but a lunatic…

Maybe something broke in his mind after the accident? No, he hurt his hand, not his brain.

Suddenly, Hyunjin grew angry. Did he seriously mean that studying Food and Nutrition counted as “works with her body”? How could he use such an ignorant expression?

“He’s really crazy, isn’t he? I only went into food and nutrition because my family pushed me to attend a famous women’s university instead of music therapy…”

If it weren’t for Seri, I would have graduated by now. Just because it’s in the arts, he calls food and nutrition “working with her body”? Why does he think like that? He’s so unpleasant.

Hyunjin stomped her foot in frustration, but the object of her anger was already long gone.

***

After more than a day’s flight, Sejeong found herself alone in the St. Regis Villa, a six-star resort pool villa on Mauritius Island. Manager Kim was in a side room downstairs, but the groom was nowhere to be found.

He had said he had business in Dubai during the layover. Sejeong naturally thought she would follow him to Dubai and then return to Mauritius.

But while she was in the bathroom with Manager Kim, Yeo Un-rok and Lee Secretary went to immigration and disappeared. She was so shocked she couldn’t even be angry.

“Manager Kim, will Un-rok come to Mauritius later after finishing business in Dubai?”

Sejeong asked Kim Piljeong, who was checking her phone. Kim Piljeong, a ten-year veteran of Seogwang Group, tried to hide her discomfort and spoke calmly, though it was clear she had just learned about it herself.

“Yes, that’s the plan. His Dubai schedule seems to have come up suddenly. Actually, this happens often even during family vacations, so please don’t be too upset… Let’s head to the gate now.”

Back in reality, Sejeong lay lightly on the bed decorated with rose petals like artwork. Through the blue glass, she saw two colors of water. Far off, the Indian Ocean blended coral and emerald hues, and right outside was a huge pool. As expected of a luxury resort costing ten thousand dollars a night, the villa was like a palace.

Suddenly, she remembered Hyunjin hugging her tightly in a hanbok before boarding the airport limousine and whispering in her ear.

‘Sejeong. Call me anytime, regardless of the time zone, okay? We can video chat. I don’t care if we talk for hours. And… let’s talk when you get back.’

She hadn’t answered properly, caught up in boarding the car. Who chats with a friend for hours on their honeymoon? Had she had the time, she would have asked.

Now, Hyunjin’s words made sense. She couldn’t have known about the sudden Dubai trip, but like Manager Kim said, such things were common for executives in the group.

She didn’t know when he’d return, but during the honeymoon, she wanted to talk openly with him. Of course, he wouldn’t respond, but she had to try. At least to find out why he disliked her so much, or if there was some misunderstanding she didn’t know about.

***

Five days passed slowly. On the last day of the six-day honeymoon, brunch was served buffet-style in the dining room. Sejeong avoided shashlik, steak, and seafood, eating only a little African-style couscous, fruit, and salad.

“Young Madam, you should eat more since you’ll be taking the evening flight.”

Manager Kim’s worried gaze made Sejeong force a faint smile.

“A… it’s all right. Actually, my stomach feels bloated during flights, so it’s better to only fill it minimally.”

She drank the local Mauritian rum and quietly added,

“The Director… didn’t come until the end, did he?”

“Yes. As expected… it seems things got complicated on the Dubai side.”

She now knew that Manager Kim’s words of comfort were a well-intentioned lie. No matter how oblivious or foolish one might be, it was impossible not to notice. Sejeong finished her simple meal, gazing at the blue sea she hadn’t even dipped her toes in.

She and Manager Kim were scheduled to fly on an evening flight to Hong Kong, then transfer to another flight bound for Incheon. She was supposed to meet her groom on board.

It was common enough not to be free from work even during vacation, but no matter how she thought about it, this honeymoon was anything but normal. The bride had been alone from start to finish.