The Textbook of a Lover - Chapter 58

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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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58.
“I mean, how could it be me, specifically, in a situation like that? You caused such a scene in the lobby, nearly ruined the entire contract—”
That very disturbance in the lobby had been the decisive moment that caught the shaman’s eye.
But there was no need to confess that his grandmother’s and mother’s attention and affection stemmed entirely from a single word spoken by that shaman.
“You had no leverage over me. I thought it would be more useful to have a woman I could control as I pleased.”
“God, that’s awful. I was so worried about being sued I couldn’t sleep.”
“And besides… acting alongside my ideal type would feel more natural.”
“Don’t lie. I remember exactly how you looked at me the first time we met. Like you were looking at some insect!”
“That’s all in the past now.”
“People who threw the punch forget it, but people who took the blow never do.”
“You’re right. I was wrong. I promise you won’t see me look at you that way ever again.”
Seong Do-ah looked up at Cha Kyung with a stubborn pout.
“Fine. I’ll trust you.”
That adorable defiance made Cha Kyung laugh despite himself.
* * *
They stepped out of the café into the brilliant noon sun pouring down like molten gold.
Cha Kyung naturally drew close to Seong Do-ah, draping an arm around her shoulders to shield her from the cool breeze.
“We’re full—want to walk for a bit before heading back?”
Seong Do-ah nodded.
The Walking Path was quiet. Autumn’s approach brought its own particular beauty.
As they walked through fallen leaves scattered across the path, she suddenly noticed his large hand beside her, matching her stride.
The moment she recalled those hands moving across her skin last night, heat crept up her face.
Just then, his hand settled over hers.
Fingers, roughened and thick-jointed, gently parted hers and wove together with perfect interlocking.
Though she had held this hand many times before, her heart stumbled as if it were the first.
The reality of being Cha Kyung’s real lover suddenly felt vivid and new.
That was when silence shattered with vibration.
Cha Kyung frowned slightly, pulled out his Mobile Phone, and the moment he saw the name on the screen, his expression shifted.
“Yes, Mother.”
As he listened to the voice through the phone, tension crept into his grip.
Seong Do-ah felt the tautness transmit through their interlocked hands.
“Understood. I’ll clear my schedule.”
Seong Do-ah looked at him with questioning eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
He turned his head slowly and spoke.
“They’ve set a date for my grandmother’s surgery.”
Suddenly the kind eyes of Kyung-jun flashed in her mind, and her chest plummeted.
“S-surgery?”
“Do-ah!”
Cha Kyung quickly caught Seong Do-ah’s waist as she swayed and nearly fell.
“Y-Your grandmother will have surgery…”
As Seong Do-ah spiraled into panic, Cha Kyung clicked his tongue softly and soothed her.
“Don’t make my grandmother’s condition sound like something grave.”
“But it’s surgery… I was so shocked. Is something wrong with her health?”
“Thyroid Cancer. She had her regular checkup today, and her attending physician suggested she undergo surgery soon.”
Seong Do-ah’s expression hardened again in an instant.
“What? So her condition got suddenly worse?”
Cha Kyung shook his head.
“It’s early stage with slow progression. They decided to do it when she’s in good condition on purpose.”
His tone was matter-of-fact, yet tears were already glistening in Seong Do-ah’s eyes.
“But it’s cancer… she has to have surgery…”
Even her own grandson was taking it calmly—why was she falling apart like this?
‘She’s been so kind to me.’
She remembered the day at the department store. She had chosen clothes for her, saying she looked beautiful again and again.
When she visited home, even when she mentioned her stomach wasn’t settling well, his grandmother had brought her soft foods and urged her to eat.
If I had a grandmother, would it have felt like this? The thought made her worry all the more, her chest aching with it.
“I’m sorry. You must be the one truly worried. I’ve been making a fuss.”
Cha Kyung looked down at Seong Do-ah, his voice softening.
“If you’re all right, shall we visit her in the hospital?”
“Yes! Of course we should! I’ll bring fruit and flowers!”
Before she could even finish speaking, his hand came to her hair, stroking it slowly, as if handling precious jewels.
“Then, let’s do that.”
The two made their promise and began walking side by side once more.
* * *
A few days later, Monday morning.
As Seong Do-ah entered the Office, Su-bin from the design team’s eyes widened.
“You’ve gotten so pretty lately, unnie! Could it be… are you dating?”
Seong Do-ah quickly shook her head.
“No way. I’m just sleeping better.”
“Please, that’s not the kind of glow that comes from good sleep.”
Hye-jung from the next desk chimed in.
“She’s right, Do-ah. Your whole energy has changed. Love really is something else.”
“It’s nothing like that.”
As the compliments poured in, Seong Do-ah’s cheeks flushed deeper. The more they said, the more embarrassed she felt.
Then Na-hee, who had been listening from her seat, set down her pen with a sharp tap.
“Aren’t you all saying some pretty hollow things this early in the morning? If you ask me, nothing’s changed about her. Or are you all just hoping something will rub off on you if you flatter Do-ah?”
Hye-jung turned directly to Na-hee and countered.
“What, you want someone to tell you you’re pretty too? Sorry, but you look too bitter today for that.”
“I-I never said I wanted to be called pretty!”
Seong Do-ah let out a soft laugh and turned on her computer. These little barbs no longer pricked her.
At ten o’clock, the Conference Room door opened and Kyung-jun entered alongside another senior manager.
It was the final wrap-up meeting for the two-month project.
“Do-ah, thank you for your hard work during all this time.”
Kyung-jun spoke first. Goosebumps rose along Seong Do-ah’s spine.
Rather than something sharp like Na-hee, those words from Kyung-jun were far worse to bear.
“Yes. Thank you as well.”
Seong Do-ah replied curtly and turned to leave, but Kyung-jun caught her.
“If you don’t mind, why don’t we grab a meal today to celebrate wrapping up the project?”
“No, thank you. I’m taking Half-day Leave today, and I have an appointment this afternoon.”
She refused flatly.
She did have plans, but even if she didn’t, sharing a meal with Kyung-jun was absolutely out of the question.
At two o’clock, a message appeared on Seong Do-ah’s Mobile Phone.
[Cha Kyung, Executive Director: I’m in front of your building. Come down.]
It was Cha Kyung. Seong Do-ah quickly gathered her bag and stood up.
“I’ll head out early.”
She slipped through the Building Lobby and into view came a Black Sedan.
Cha Kyung stepped out from the driver’s seat and opened the passenger door for her, and Seong Do-ah climbed in with a light smile.
“Thank you, Cha Kyung.”
“Did you have to rush getting ready in time?”
“No, the timing is perfect.”
The car pulled smoothly out into traffic. Kyung-jun, passing through the Parking Lot at that very moment, witnessed the entire scene.
“Hah, Seong Do-ah. So you turned me down, and it was to see him?”
A nameless emotion churned in his chest.
This was not the first time Seong Do-ah had cut him off so coldly. Every time, fire ignited inside him.
‘When did she ever cling to me like that?’
Strangely, Kyung-jun’s resentment toward Seong Do-ah’s change of heart far outweighed his bitterness over Na-hee’s betrayal.
Na-hee had always felt like an unattainable woman he’d managed to grasp, but Seong Do-ah accepting a man superior to himself—that he could not abide.
“If only she’d found someone more suited to her station.”
Then perhaps he would not be burning with rage like this.
The fact that a woman he had discarded was now with a man like Cha Kyung wounded his pride deeply.
‘Either she comes back to me, or she breaks up with that bastard.’
That was the only scenario his self-respect would permit.
Kyung-jun stood there for a long while, then turned away, his jaw clenched.

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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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