Impossible Romance - Chapter 59

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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59.

“A second wife? How could you? I never even considered it! How could Mom and my brother do this to me? I could marry the Executive Director!”
Thick tears streamed down Jun-hee’s pale cheeks. Her legs nearly buckled beneath her, and she barely managed to stay upright, trembling.
“You seem too worked up. Why would the Executive Director marry you? Get a grip, Jun-hee.”
Ahn Jun-young pointed this out to the weeping Jun-hee as though he were the rational one. His expression was one of pity.
“When did I ever ask for your help? Did I ever say I’d live as a second wife?”
Jun-hee’s voice was laced with unmistakable anger.
“We did it thinking of you. We were going to take that money, multiply it, and give it to you, but we got swindled by a con artist and lost everything. So…”
Ahn Jun-young offered an excuse that made no sense.
“So you came to borrow money from the Executive Director again? Using me as an excuse? If this fails too, will you borrow again?”
Jun-hee’s face, glistening with tears, was already a mess.
“Well, yes, but if we just invest properly this time, I’ll multiply it several times over and take care of your retirement.”
Ahn Jun-young thrust his shameless face forward and even managed a smile.
“Retirement? Did you just say my retirement?”
“Yes. This business venture is certain. Don’t worry about that.”
Ahn Jun-young glanced around the alley, wondering if Kwon Seok-ha might appear.
“What about me? Am I invisible to Mom and my brother?”
Jun-hee’s lips twisted as she spoke through tears. Her trembling hands barely managed to wipe away her tears, but fresh ones welled up immediately.
“Jun-hee, we did it all for you…”
“Don’t lie. What Mom and my brother just did—you sold me for money. Do you understand? How could family do this? How?”
From crying so hard, everything Jun-hee saw blurred and wavered. Being betrayed by the family she had devoted herself to for so long hurt more deeply than ever before.
In that moment, Kwon Seok-ha came to mind. He understood my heart and had hidden and covered everything for me—I was so grateful for him, so in love with him. Yet at the same time, I was too ashamed to face him.
Why did it have to be Kwon Seok-ha, of all people?
I had barely overcome the thought that our relationship was unbalanced, and I had struggled to confess my feelings. He had incomparably more money, but aside from that, I had hoped I was someone worthy of him. I had even allowed myself foolish dreams of building a family together.
And now they had borrowed money.
As the price of a second wife.
“How much more do I have to fall apart? Huh?”
“What are you talking about? Why would you fall apart?”
…
What could I say to a brother who didn’t understand what I meant?
Jun-hee’s chest tightened.
“Anyway, this is a secret from the Executive Director. You understand?”
Ahn Jun-young was only concerned about what Kwon Seok-ha had told him not to reveal. His only thought was that if Kwon Seok-ha found out, the money would stop flowing entirely.
“I won’t tell.”
“Thank you. You really are my good sister.”
Ahn Jun-young patted Jun-hee’s shoulder.
“Why are you making me feel so miserable?”
Jun-hee swatted away Ahn Jun-young’s hand from her shoulder.
“Pathetic? I did all of this for your own good….”
“If you had any conscience, you wouldn’t open your mouth.”
Jun-hee turned slowly, her face brimming with tears. She barely managed to keep her trembling body upright, forcing her legs to move as she began to walk.
“Jun-hee….”
Ahn Jun-young called out to her, but she didn’t look back.

After parting ways with Ahn Jun-young, I simply walked. I had no destination in mind, but my feet instinctively carried me down a different path than the one I’d come. I walked in the opposite direction, terrified I might run into Kwon Seok-ha as he emerged with my mother.
I didn’t know how to face him without any preparation. If I encountered him coming out with my mother, I might not want to live anymore.
The pain was unbearable.
This was different from being slapped by Han Seon-young. That would have been better. Han Seon-young’s logic was at least clear—twisted maternal love though it might be, she was protecting her son.
But my mother and my older brother sold me to fill their own bellies. They valued me and discarded me to the ground so they could survive. It was a pain of an entirely different magnitude than a slap.
“I’m sick of this.”
The words tumbled from my lips, laced with despair.
This wouldn’t be the first time I’d borrowed money from Kwon Seok-ha under the pretense of my family’s needs, nor would it be the last.
I had been walking forward mindlessly when I suddenly stopped.
This couldn’t continue.
I didn’t want to cause him any more suffering.
Because he was the first and only person I would ever love.
Coming to my senses, I found another cafe and ordered immediately. While my coffee was being prepared, I asked the staff’s permission and went to the restroom to wash my face with cold water.
I called Hwang Manager to say that a small accident had delayed me, but I was returning right away. I even added a lie about losing my wallet and searching for it briefly.
What mattered was surviving this day without incident. I didn’t want to cause Kwon Seok-ha any unnecessary worry or concern. He had already suffered enough because of me—more than enough.

***

Beep, beep, beep, beep.
At the sound of the Entrance Door opening, I stepped forward. I’d seen Kwon Seok-ha at the Company before, but seeing him here at my Apartment felt different—precious.
“Have you eaten?”
Kwon Seok-ha, who’d come home later than me again today, patted my back the moment he stepped inside.
“Yes.”
I answered brightly and nodded. Watching funny videos before he arrived had helped. Even now, I pushed all negative thoughts aside and resolved to hold only good ones in my mind.
“I brought ice cream. Let’s have some.”
Kwon Seok-ha shook the plastic bag he was holding. Like Pavlov’s dog responding to the sight of ice cream, I found myself thinking of his kiss and laughed shyly.
Kwon Seok-ha walked toward the Living Room with his arm wrapped around my waist. He set down the ice cream container and removed his coat, draping it over a Dining Table chair.
I picked it up and carried it to the Dressing Room. As I placed it in the garment care machine, I checked my own expression in the mirror. I left the Room, reminding myself that I couldn’t let even a hint of sadness show.
Kwon Seok-ha sat at the Dining Table eating ice cream, then gestured for me to come closer. On the Table lay an apple he’d peeled. His skill had improved so much that it now looked almost elegant.
“You really did peel it beautifully.”
I praised him and picked up a slice of apple with a fork, eating it.
“Right? Even if I marry you, I won’t struggle with humble living, will I?”
Kwon Seok-ha came up behind me and embraced me, teasing.
“Mm-hmm.”
I nodded. I was grateful he was holding me from behind. I didn’t want him to see my face today. I stood quietly, feeling his warmth as he rested his chin on my shoulder.
‘He looks cold and composed, but he’s actually so warm that I feel like I’m melting.’
My eyes grew moist without intention.
Just this morning, I’d dreamed of a bright future with Kwon Seok-ha. It had been so radiant and beautiful that I’d forgotten reality and felt happy for a moment.
‘Among countless misfortunes, meeting you was such tremendous luck for me. When I think of it that way, I’m truly a happy person. Because I met you.’
My eyes kept filling with tears. This was dangerous. I didn’t want him to know about anything concerning me—he suffered more than I did over such things.
I turned around and wrapped my arms around Kwon Seok-ha’s neck, kissing him abruptly. Intoxicated by the ice cream’s sweetness, I kissed him greedily, clinging to his lips with hunger.
Today, I wanted him to know that I desired only him.
Since it was the truth, perhaps I didn’t even need to act.
I clung to Kwon Seok-ha naturally and boldly.
“I love you. You know that, right?”
I pulled my lips away and buried my face in his chest as I spoke.
“I know. You love only me, desperately.”
Kwon Seok-ha laughed happily and lifted me into his arms. Cradled in his embrace, I walked into the Bedroom as though treading on clouds.
Each moment felt so precious that even his breath seemed too valuable to let slip away. I understood why a person could miss someone even when they were close.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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