To My Brother’s Friend - Chapter 14

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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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Chapter 14
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Stepping out of the executive elevator into the Underground Parking Lot, Hee-jo released the sigh she’d been holding the moment she settled into her car.
“Sigh…”
She pressed her forehead against the back of her hand resting on the steering wheel, her eyes squeezing shut.
“Honestly, you have a remarkable talent for tearing apart a perfectly intact family.”
“…I apologize, Madam.”
“Sigh, truly, even if luck were against you, I’ve never seen someone so unlucky… I’m realizing through you that being too kind is also a problem. I accepted you with a generous heart, and all I get in return is this? My precious son taking someone like you as his wife…”
Before leaving the Director’s Office.
Jin Seo-ryeong, who had no more objects to hurl and no strength left to shout, had glared at me with bloodshot eyes and spoken those words.
The moment those words reached Hee-jo’s ears, blood seemed to pour from her chest.
Perhaps Jin Seo-ryeong was right—perhaps I was an unlucky wretch born under a curse to tear apart intact families.
From the year I was born as the youngest child, the family’s fortunes had declined, expenses had multiplied, and eventually my struggling mother turned outward while my father fled into alcohol.
My brother, who had stayed by my side until the very end… was caught in a senseless accident and left this world in vain.
Ironically, thinking this way made it seem possible to leave Kwon Yeol’s side without hesitation someday.
If I stayed any longer, he too would become unhappy.
“…Sigh.”
Hee-jo exhaled deeply, lifted her head, and began arranging her hair with her hands.
‘My teacher will be worried.’
Han Young-sook, her mentor, was someone who understood well that Jin Seo-ryeong paraded Hee-jo around as a ‘trophy proving she was a member of the social elite practicing noblesse oblige.’
That was why she had actively encouraged Hee-jo to go down to her Hometown together.
Seeing the wound on her face, she might even become angry.
Anger… yes, there are people in this world who become angry for my sake.
Even after my brother left this world.
Moreover, I’m getting married to someone I’ve harbored feelings for all this time.
It’s only been a year, but regardless, we call each other wife and husband, and we can introduce ourselves to the world as a married couple.
‘So I can endure this.’
This much is nothing.
…Though the wounds do sting.
Just as Hee-jo was steadying her breathing with these thoughts.
Buzz— buzz—
Her phone vibrated.
[Kwon Yeol]
“…”
Hee-jo stared at that name for a moment before answering the call on speakerphone.
“Yes, hello.”
-You went to see Mother, I hear.
Ah. The news had already spread. Well, what couldn’t the heir to the Beom Ho Group accomplish if he set his mind to it?
“Yes.”
At her matter-of-fact response, Kwon Yeol released a hollow breath.
-I distinctly told you that if you were going to see my mother, you’d go with me. That we need to move together from now on.
“Yes, I remember.”
-Then why.
“I thought it was only right to tell her myself. Not to hide behind you.”
A brief silence fell between them.
Hee-jo pulled out a tissue from the car’s compartment and gently pressed it against her cheek. Blood seeped out in a thin line.
‘I need to stop by the pharmacy.’
I’d have to buy ointment and bandages to cover it up.
Once the wound was hidden, I thought I could still smile as I always did.
-There’s one condition to this contract. You do nothing without my permission.
“….”
-All independent action is forbidden from now on.
His voice was glacial, freezing everything down to the depths of my chest.
Right. This was Beom Gwon-yeol.
The kindness he’d shown me until now was only because he was my brother’s friend.
But that was different now.
I’d become a partner with no reason for leniency—or rather, one who needed far more rigorous surveillance.
“…I’m sorry.”
Just as I had apologized to Jin Seo-ryeong, I bowed my head.
As if Kwon Yeol were standing right before me.
-Ha….
At the sound of his low sigh through the speaker, I bit the tender flesh inside my lip.
I’d have to be more careful from now on.
Otherwise, Kwon Yeol might change his mind about me.
Then he’d break the contract with me and propose it to someone else instead….
Knock knock—
The cascade of spiraling thoughts was cut short by a knock on the car window.
Startled, I drew in a sharp breath and looked up, only to see Kwon Yeol standing there.
-Yoon Hee-jo.
Sensing something was amiss, he called her name in a sharp tone.
“Oh, that’s…”
…No, wait.
The man tapping on the window wasn’t Kwon Yeol, but a man who bore a striking resemblance to him.
‘W-h-a-t-a-r-e-y-o-u-d-o-i-n-g.’
The man mouthing words was Beom Jae-yeol, Kwon Yeol’s youngest brother.
“Jae-yeol came by.”
-…Beom Jae-yeol? At this hour?
Knock knock knock knock knock—
Jae-yeol rapped on the window more urgently. The sound must have reached Kwon Yeol as well.
-Ignore him.
“…How could you do that?”
—Whether I ignore it or not, he’ll just spout nonsense anyway—
Just then, the secretary’s voice calling out to Kwon Yeol echoed from a distance.
“I think you should hang up now. You seem busy.”
Kwon Yeol didn’t answer immediately. Something seemed to displease him.
—The trophy he mentioned to me before—
Then he fell silent.
“Kwon Yeol?”
—…No, never mind. Handle them appropriately and send them away. Don’t waste time.
Click.
The call ended just like that.
Hee-jo stared blankly at the screen displaying his name, blinking her large eyes.
‘…What was that?’
Something seemed off about him.
Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock—
At the frantic knocking, Hee-jo quickly opened the door and stepped out of the car.
“Hello, Beom Jae-yeol.”
Despite his striking resemblance to Kwon Yeol, his demeanor was entirely different.
While Kwon Yeol was cold, dry, and restrained, Beom Jae-yeol’s eyes gleamed with a lazy warmth and vibrant brilliance that flickered like flames.
“Hey there.”
Upon seeing Hee-jo’s face, he tilted his head slightly with a soft hum.
“That’s strange. My brother would never let you roam around freely. If it were me, maybe.”
“Surely not.”
“Surely you’ll freeze to death.”
Beom Jae-yeol chuckled as he spoke.
“I just heard my brother’s voice.”
“Ah…”
“You weren’t eavesdropping, were you? You’re the one who put it on speakerphone.”
Beom Jae-yeol crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.
At his expression, Hee-jo flinched involuntarily and bit her lower lip, and he smiled softly again before speaking.
“What? Because he’s the same as my brother?”
“…How did you know?”
“You only look your age when this happens.”
Beom Jae-yeol closed his eyes and laughed aloud.
“Only when my brother comes up.”
Hee-jo couldn’t tear her gaze away from that face.
‘Would Kwon Yeol smile like that too…?’
I couldn’t say for certain.
Because in front of me, he only ever gives a small chuckle.
Of course, I’m well aware that I should be grateful even for that…
‘Has my brother ever laughed out loud?’
Hee-jae often said it.
He’d never heard Kwon Yeol’s laughter.
“I hear him laugh like a deflated balloon all the time—all those little chuckles. But a real belly laugh? Never.”
“I can’t even imagine Kwon Yeol laughing like you do, Hee-jae.”
“Huh? Hee-jo, what does that even mean? You’re acting weird right now. What’s going on?”
“Aaah, stop it, you’re tickling me! Hahaha.”
“Look at you.”
It was then that Hee-jo suddenly snapped back to attention at the sound of a voice.
“Your mind’s wandering while someone’s standing right in front of you.”
Typical of Beom Gwon-yeol, really.
Beom Jae-yeol clicked his tongue in mock irritation.
“I… I’m sorry.”
“Like I said, you only act your age when my brother’s name comes up. And—”
Beom Jae-yeol shrugged and continued.
“My brother gets weird too.”
Hee-jo’s eyes widened suddenly.
“Kwon Yeol… does?”
“I almost threw up hearing him talk to you just now. I didn’t know that guy could make such a creepy voice.”
Creepy…?
“Every time I see it, I’m amazed all over again. That he can actually become so soft.”
Kwon Yeol’s voice was the same as always.
Just as indifferent and dry as ever.
But where exactly had he sounded creepy and soft?
“My brother must really care about you.”
Hee-jo hesitated at those words, then offered an awkward smile, lifting the corners of her mouth slightly.
…Perhaps that had been true not long ago, but it wasn’t anymore.
Deliberately turning away from that reality, Hee-jo asked Beom Jae-yeol.
“But what brings you here at this hour? It’s only four in the afternoon. You shouldn’t be off work yet.”
“That’s what I should be asking you. Why are you here looking like that? Mother mentioned the Knot-tying Class only meets in the mornings.”
Only then did Hee-jo realize her appearance, and she turned away, covering her face with the back of her hand.
“You’re already caught red-handed, and now you’re trying to hide?”
“Well, that’s…”
As Hee-jo, who usually spoke with composed precision, trailed off and averted her gaze, curiosity sparked in Beom Jae-yeol’s eyes.

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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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