Episode 19

At the mention of 'divorce,' the garden plunged into an abrupt silence. Hyun's eyes shook immensely.

“What… did you just say?”

“...”

“Divorce?”

“Yes, divorce.”

So-jung's response remained resolute, sealing the matter with finality. Hyun's lips quivered.

Divorce.

In truth, the thought had previously crossed Hyun's mind. Hadn't he initially intended to seek a divorce? Rather, it would be more convenient and comfortable if the other party initiated it. Yet, despite this, words of agreement couldn’t easily escape his lips. Instead, he was engulfed in confusion. Meanwhile, So-jung continued.

“It was a political marriage, but in reality, the disparity between our families was too great. You and I were wed without any special intention, merely to follow the will of our elders.”

The marriage had been more a product of their fathers' friendship than a union of their families. Both Hyun and So-jung had accepted such a fact without complaint.

“I understand how much you care for Han Soo-ah. Perhaps even after marrying me… you still harbored feelings for that woman.”

“...”

“Even after my family went bankrupt, and our fathers could no longer maintain their relationship, I am grateful you continued this marriage. So if you want a divorce now, let's proceed with it.”

The weight of her words was immense, but So-jung's face remained impassive. Or rather, she was pretending to be. Nevertheless, if Hyun genuinely desired a divorce, she wanted to grant his wish.

As So-jung concluded her statement, Hyun's mouth opened.

“Fine. Let’s do that.”

“...”

“If you can mention divorce so easily, it means you didn't have much affection for me either. I have no desire to hold on to someone who wants to leave.”

Hyun's face turned icy cole, mirroring his expression when he first awoke in the hospital. However, this time, his tightly clenched fist trembled out of sight. He masked his agitation with a highly agitated voice.

“I mean, whatever. This works out. We’ll get divorced cleanly. No issues about property, right? And hey, it’s even better since we don’t have children.”

"..."

At the mention of children, So-jung's eyes shook uncontrollably. Whether Hyun noticed this, he continued.

“As you said, I’ll try to get back with Han Soo-ah. Don’t even think about any misguided pity.”

“...”

“And once we’re divorced, we'd be strangers, so there's no need for you to come here anymore.”

Despite Hyun's hurtful words, So-jung remained silent. In the suddenly altered atmosphere, Hyun paused speaking.

“...Let me ask you one thing.”

“...”

“If, only possibly... you and I had a child, what would you have done?”

So-jung spoke steadily in an attempt to conceal her trembling. However, Hyun's expression did not change. His voice only grew colder.

“Why are you asking such pointless questions now?”

“...”

“I don’t care. About any of it.”

Hyun's words contained not an ounce of curiosity, interest, or concern for a child that could've possibly existed. So-jung finally realized. To this person, a child would be less significant than a stranger.

Indeed, although he had lost his memory, this man never once asked about having children, as if it was the most natural thing. So, even if he were to find out...

“Alright. Let’s divorce.”

“...”

“I’ll contact you when the necessary documents are ready. You prepare on your end too. We probably won’t have any other reason to contact each other. Of course, I no longer have an obligation to visit the villa anymore.”

So-jung's statement ended there. She slowly turned to walk away, and Hyun didn’t stop her. He just called out to her slowly retreating figure.

“Hey.”

“...”

“So, what was your request? What did you want me to do?”

So-jung's steps halted but she didn’t turn back.

“That? It was nothing much.”

“...”

“I was going to ask for more alimony since that way we would be able to divorce cleanly, just as you said. That’s all.”

With that, there was no further conversation. So-jung's pace quickened, and Hyun continued watching her back.

The moon was completely covered by clouds, and underneath such a shadow, neither of their faces was visible. They both thought it to be a relief. It was the only way to hide their current uneasy and precarious feelings.

---

“May I come in?”

“Yes, enter.”

The night of the ceremony, Hoon's room remained lit. His secretary accounted his presence and entered.

“I apologize for disturbing your rest.”

“It's alright. So, what’s the update?”

“I looked into what you mentioned.”

The secretary reported quietly.

“It seems that the reporter eventually handed over the photos. Apparently, a significant amount of money was offered, and they eventually agreed.”

“...I suspected they were money-driven, but I didn’t expect such a backstab.”

“I apologize. I should have looked into it more thoroughly…”

“It’s fine. I didn’t expect much from those photos anyway.”

Even if the article had been published, it wouldn’t have lasted long. The reporter was only hired to leave evidence if something happened, not to target Hyun.

But this was unexpected.

Hyun, who was said to have post-accident after-effects, appeared healthier than anyone and even openly expressed his anger? Hoon was surprised by this change.

“Ah, and I also looked into that kindergarten matter.”

“And?”

“It’s generally difficult to enter such a district mid-term. But the child has recently been accepted.”

While speaking, the secretary closely inspected Hoon’s reaction. It was only natural, considering that child was his daughter. However, Hoon nonchalantly reviewed the documents.

“So, that child entered?”

“Yes. It seems someone’s influence was involved. And that person is...”

No Mi-ae.

Hoon didn’t need the secretary to say it. He chuckled. Mi-ae’s efforts in making Soo-ah her daughter-in-law were blatantly obvious.

When the parents at the kindergarten found out, it would cause a stir.

Mi-ae likely anticipated this. The kindergarten parents each represented their independent companies, and once this rumor spread, it would ripple out like wildfire.

The one who would suffer most would be So-jung. With Mi-ae blatantly favoring Soo-ah, So-jung's position in the kindergarten would become unstable. Perhaps her daughter’s as well.

But why now?

It had been years since he and Soo-ah divorced. Why make such a move now?

Hoon’s eyes widened as he reviewed the documents again.

"...Wait."

“Yes.”

“Han Soo-ah grew closer to Choi Hyun after his accident, right?”

“Yes.”

“And the child entered the kindergarten after the accident as well?”

“Yes.”

The timing matched perfectly, and Hoon’s mind started working.

Yes, the sudden outburst at the company also happened after the accident...

Speech, attitude, personality. Actions.

It seemed excessive to attribute all these changes to a simple after-effect of an accident. There were too many discrepancies. Besides, Hoon had known Hyun since their early years. No matter how he thought about it, the current Hyun was different from before.

Could it be?

A suspicion began to form in Hoon's mind, one that he couldn’t easily dismiss. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together in an unsettling way.

A hypothesis soon arose. His next step was clear.

“Forget the kindergarten matter for now. We need to investigate something else.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“Look into Choi Hyun's accident records and his actions afterward. Investigate thoroughly.”

“Understood.”

The secretary greeted Hoon and left the office. Once the room was quiet, Hoon stood up slowly and gazed at the towering building through the window. It was Kyungmoon Group.

〈Choi Hoon. Always remember. Kyungmoon Group, that company, is supposed to be ours.〉

His father’s voice, filled with decades of resentment, echoed in Hoon’s ears. He reached out toward the building as if to grasp it and clenched his fist tightly. Then, lost in thought, he murmured.

“If it’s really amnesia...”

If Hoon’s hunch was correct, and it was exposed, the situation would turn greatly in his favor.

Realizing this, Hoon’s lips curled into a smile.

---

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