To My Brother’s Friend - Chapter 28

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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 28
“Ugh….”
The moment my feet touched the floor, a groan escaped my lips unbidden.
My entire body ached as though it had been thoroughly beaten.
Particularly the dull throb radiating from my lower back and inner thighs—a persistent ache that bore unmistakable testimony to the intensity of last night’s passion.
Gritting my teeth, I barely made it to the mirror in the bathroom, and nearly cried out at the sight of my reflection.
“What… what on earth….”
I looked absolutely wrecked.
My body was covered in bruises of varying sizes—there wasn’t a single unmarked spot—and I could even see bite marks on the inside of my ankle.
“Sigh.”
I exhaled heavily.
Thank goodness it was still cold season; otherwise, this would have been terribly inconvenient.
I would have needed to wrap myself up completely.
“…Said he’d be gentle, and yet.”
But I didn’t hate it.
If anything, that was precisely the problem.
Moreover, before he left for work, the warmth that settled on my forehead and the words that accompanied it sent my heart into a frantic tumult.
“Let’s visit Yoon Hee-jae this weekend.”
“Ah….”
“We should pay our respects. As husband and wife.”
This coming weekend was Hee-jae’s death anniversary.
I’d tried to go together whenever possible, but our schedules often conflicted, so I’d ended up going alone more often than not.
Kwon Yeol always made time for my birthday no matter what, but he’d never done the same for Hee-jae’s death anniversary—which led me to vaguely suspect he wanted to have a private conversation with my brother.
But this year, we’re going together.
To pay our respects as a married couple.
Suddenly, an image of what would come after—a year from now, when this relationship ended—flashed through my mind.
Would we perhaps run into each other occasionally at my brother’s memorial hall?
In my eyes, a bittersweet anticipation and an inexplicable sense of emptiness wavered and swirled.
“I should wash up.”
I needed to go to the Transmission Hall and discuss future plans with my Master.
I closed my eyes beneath the cascade of water.
As if this torrent could somehow wash away all these dizzying, tangled thoughts.
But even after I finished and made my way to the Transmission Hall, Kwon Yeol remained vivid in my mind the entire journey.
‘I already miss him.’
* * *
The feeling was entirely mutual for Kwon Yeol.
“So regarding this quarter’s key project for Beomho Construction—the Seoul Metropolitan Area redevelopment contract acquisition—um, Executive Director?”
Kang from the Planning and Coordination Division, who had been delivering the strategic briefing, trailed off.
Kwon Yeol sat motionless, his pen frozen mid-air, his gaze fixed straight ahead without the slightest flicker of movement.
When the meticulous and exacting Executive Director Beom Gwon-yeol displayed such a reaction, it typically signified one of two things.
Either fine or absolutely terrible.
‘Did I make some kind of mistake?’
Kang’s lips were parched as he gauged Kwon Yeol’s reaction.
The longer the silence stretched, the heavier the air in the conference room became.
“Continue. I’m listening.”
“Ah, yes.”
Kang hurriedly flipped to the next page.
But Kwon Yeol’s gaze had settled back onto the documents.
“Ah, a wife, you say….”
“Then have a good— Keep up the good work today.”
“Is that… all for now?”
Whether during meals or meetings.
Hee-jo’s face kept surfacing unbidden, and my hands would falter.
This had been happening all week.
As a result, it was the secretaries and staff who were suffering.
When someone as cold and meticulous as him fell silent and stared fixedly, it usually meant massive project overhauls or personnel purges were coming.
The employees, never suspecting it was because of a single woman, held their breath in tense anticipation.
‘Tomorrow, perhaps.’
I hadn’t been able to visit Hee-jo lately because of the mountain of matters demanding my attention.
I needed to clear my schedule in advance to visit Bonganndang with Hee-jo over the weekend.
Even as I pushed myself relentlessly to fill the gap of several days, my nerves—unlike before—weren’t wound taut and sharp, because—
[I’ll be in the basement at 9 AM tomorrow. Keep up the good work today.]
Looking at the message from Hee-jo, I let out a quiet laugh.
After I’d scolded her for not staying in touch, she’d been sending me a message once a day without fail.
When I replied, a pale pink rabbit emoticon would arrive some time later, cheering “Fighting!”
I could feel how carefully she’d chosen it, and I found myself smiling without realizing it.
She only sends things like that.
She’s always been obedient since childhood. So much so that Yoon Hee-jae worries about it.
Perhaps, a year from now.
If I asked her not to leave, what would Hee-jo do?
Being an obedient child, would she comply then as well, or….
Would she distance herself from me, saying she’d finally begun to live by her own will?
The smile faded from my face at the thought that suddenly struck me.
…Why am I even thinking such useless things?
That’s right. This is utterly pointless.
We must eventually part ways.
Only then can she live in peace.
As long as she remains by my side, Hee-jo will forever live under the family’s scrutiny.
To escape that shadow, she provoked me three times to marry, then accepted my outrageous proposal of just one year—
Even degrading herself with lies about wanting a trophy.
“….”
Kwon Yeol flipped his phone screen over and returned his attention to the documents.
There were still mountains of preparations needed to send Hee-jo off properly.
* * *
The next morning at 8:50 AM.
As I descended into the basement, I spotted Kwon Yeol’s car already waiting.
Hee-jo quickened her pace.
The car door opened and Kwon Yeol emerged.
“You came down early.”
“But you arrived even earlier.”
Kwon Yeol raised his eyebrows slightly and naturally took what Hee-jo was holding from her hands.
“Thank you.”
“What’s with the formality?”
At his expression suggesting it was unnecessary, Hee-jo bit her lip.
She had always accepted his consideration as a matter of course, but Master Han Young-sook’s words had awakened her to the truth.
This was not something to be taken for granted.
“I was honestly surprised watching you fillet fish. You’re so practiced at it. Opening and closing chairs is just the basics—I’ve never once seen you carrying anything heavy.”
“Oh, that’s just… I suppose it became a habit from when I was young and you took care of me.”
“Even so, it’s not easy for someone who’s risen to the rank of executive director at Beomho Construction. From what I can see, Kwon Yeol really treasures you. Not just as a sister, but as a woman too.”
“…That can’t be.”
Even as she said this, her heart pounded as Kwon Yeol opened the passenger door and escorted her with such natural ease.
Perhaps it was because we’d spent so much time together.
Despite my efforts to maintain distance from him, I’d grown accustomed to his overprotectiveness without realizing it.
“Get in.”
“From now on, I’ll open it myself.”
He tilted his head slightly, gazing at Hee-jo intently.
“Only until we’re married?”
“Ah….”
Hee-jo’s words caught in her throat, her lips moving soundlessly.
Kwon Yeol leaned forward slightly while holding the car door, closing the distance between them.
His cool yet intense fragrance washed over her.
“Shouldn’t I be carrying you inside instead of just opening the door?”
We’re married, after all.
At his whispered words, Hee-jo’s face flushed delicately.
“Y-yes, well, then I’ll be in your care.”
Without thinking, her words even stammered as she hurriedly buried herself in the seat out of embarrassment.
A soft laugh escaped him as the car door shut with a click.
‘What do I do? He might hear my heartbeat.’
Whether he knew of her worries or not, the car smoothly exited the parking lot.
Just as Hee-jo was evening out her breathing, Kwon Yeol glanced at the rearview mirror and asked.
“What did you bring? It felt quite heavy.”
“Oh, that.”
Hee-jo seized the opportunity to change the subject, answering quickly.
“It’s preserved Japanese apricot syrup. When I was younger, my Teacher would occasionally send some through me, and Hee-jae really loved it back then.”
Han Young-sook had become Hee-jo’s mentor through teaching an after-school class at the elementary school she attended.
Charmed by how Hee-jo showed talent in knot-tying and followed me around so eagerly, I would occasionally prepare small portions of various foods to send along with her.
“I’ve heard about it. Yoon Hee-jae wouldn’t stop bragging about it all day.”
“Is that so….”
The fact that she could share a memory of her brother brought a small light to Hee-jo’s face.
“Would you like to try one?”
Hee-jo lifted the bag she’d brought from the back seat onto her lap.
“Once the car stops, I’ll have one….”
“Will you feed me?”

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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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