MCMRH 10

Chapter 10….

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Since Sojin usually called before coming over, her sudden visit was unexpected. And unlike her usual self, her face was unusually serious.

“…Where’s Harim?”

“Harim’s asleep right now. Why?”

“Really? Then… let’s talk for a bit, unni.”

Casting a glance at the housekeeper in the living room, Sojin grabbed Sojung’s arm and pulled her toward a room. Seeing that it wasn’t a conversation to be had lightly, Sojung silently followed her inside.

“What’s going on with you?”

“…Unni, you know…”

The hesitation—so rare for normally cheerful Sojin—made Sojung’s expression grow equally grave.

“Okay. Tell me.”

“…”

“Is it really that hard to say?”

“Unni, is hyung-bu really sick?”

At the mention of Hyun, Sojung’s eyes widened in surprise. But Sojin continued, unaware—or uncaring—of her reaction.

“I saw him at a bar a few days ago. He was with his secretary.”

“…”

“His clothes, even his hairstyle, were so different that I wasn’t sure at first. But it was definitely him. And when he saw me, he pretended not to recognize me.”

So she saw him.

Hyun’s memory loss must have been a huge shock to Sojin. And Sojung no longer wanted to hide the truth from her sister.

“Sojin, listen carefully. I need to tell you something about that.”

“Yeah, unni. Honestly, I think I already know what you’re going to say. I’ve been thinking a lot about it these past few days.”

The two sisters looked at each other, then spoke at the same time.

“He lost his memory.”

“You two are cheating on each other, right?”

…Huh?

Different answers collided, leaving an awkward silence in the room. Sojin was the first to break it.

“What do you mean? Lost his memory? I thought you and hyung-bu were both cheating.”

“Cheating? That doesn’t even make sense. How did you even reach that conclusion?”

“Well, hyung-bu’s whole vibe is completely different now, and you even asked me recently about clothes for men in their twenties. So I figured, after the accident, your relationship soured and you both started seeing other people!”

Sojin had practically written a full soap opera in her head. Only after unloading all her suspicions did she circle back to Sojung’s words.

“So what do you mean? He lost his memory?”

“…More precisely, he lost about the past ten years of his memory. He thinks he’s twenty right now.”

Sojung briefly explained what had happened. With each detail, Sojin’s expression shifted rapidly.

“So he’s at the villa by himself now? Harim’s existence is being kept secret? And that woman is stuck right by his side?”

“That’s right.”

“And you’re just letting it happen? You’re his wife!”

When Su-ah’s name came up, Sojin’s anger peaked.

“This is insane. That woman clearly has ulterior motives for hyung-bu. Otherwise, why would she cling to him so shamelessly?”

“…”

“Unni, what if hyung-bu’s memory never comes back and he stays with her? What if he even says he wants a divorce?”

At the word “divorce,” Sojung flinched slightly, but that was all.

“Harim makes things a bit complicated… but if he really says that, I don’t think I’d resist much.”

Her tone was shockingly calm for someone talking about divorcing her husband. But Sojin knew better. No matter if it was a political marriage, those two were never the type to discuss divorce.

“Fine, I get it. Hyung-bu ended up like this protecting you, so of course that’s where your weakness lies. And sure… if I suddenly woke up ten years in the future with a husband, I’d be overwhelmed too. But that woman is the problem. If she really wants to help him recover, she can meet him in a café or somewhere—not at a villa where he’s living alone!”

That was Sojin’s conclusion after hearing everything. Her fists clenched tightly, as if ready to punch Su-ah on sight. Sojung quickly stopped her.

“You know you can’t actually do that, right?”

“Of course I know I’d end up at the police station if I did… But unni, you’ve really mellowed. If someone hit on my man? The old you would’ve already socked them in the face…”

“Enough. What’s the point in bringing up the past? If you’ve said your piece, let’s go. I think Harim’s awake.”

Indeed, through the door came the sound of Harim calling for Sojung after waking from sleep. Rising with her, Sojin asked one more question.

“Oh, unni—what about hyung-bu’s cousin? Is he still overseas?”

“No, he said he’d be coming to Korea soon.”

“Really? When?”

“I’m not sure. With the commemoration ceremony coming up, he’ll probably arrive soon. Honestly, the relatives don’t get along very well, so we don’t keep in touch.”

Come to think of it, this would be the first time they’d all gathered together since the marriage.

Thinking of her husband’s family assembling in one place, Sojung stepped outside.

* * *

Incheon Airport bustled with people, each dragging heavy suitcases, rushing about for their travels, work, or other reasons. Among them was a group who had just set foot on Korean soil.

“Really, making just the two of us come first… how busy must he be?”

A man and woman wearing sunglasses emerged from the exit. The woman spoke first.

“If I’d known this, I would’ve stayed longer in Guam. More shopping, more fun.”

In front of them, a line of men in black suits was waiting. The woman casually handed over her suitcase. Her name was Choi Byeol.

“What? This is all the welcoming party?”

Beside her, her younger brother Choi Woon grumbled, ignoring whatever his sister said.

“I haven’t been to Korea in years. Shouldn’t there be a bigger crowd?”

“I’m sorry, young master. We weren’t notified of your arrival in time… Next time we’ll prepare more thoroughly.”

“Obviously. Now hurry up and bring the car.”

Pulling out his phone, Woon began snapping selfies, then nodded in satisfaction after checking them.

“As expected, still handsome today.”

While Byeol ignored him and looked away, Woon basked in his own reflection, unfazed by the stares. Their arrival alone had stirred up a commotion in the corner of the airport.

“Still as classless as ever.”

A cold voice cut in as two more figures approached—Choi Hoon and his younger sister Choi Yeon. Unlike the flashy Byeol and Woon, they wore neat formal suits.

“Sharing a flight with them was exhausting enough, and now they’re noisy even at the entrance.”

“We couldn’t help it, unni. People kept asking them for autographs.”

A tense current ran between Byeol and Yeon. Meanwhile, Hoon’s low voice spoke.

“Yeon.”

“…”

“Let’s go. Don’t waste your energy on them.”

Clearly unwilling to even exchange words, Hoon climbed into the waiting car. Watching this, Woon sneered, lips curling.

“Confident, aren’t you?”

“…”

“But too bad. Things won’t go the way you want.”

The successor of Kyungmun Group.

Though unspoken, everyone knew why they had returned to Korea. The upcoming commemoration ceremony was just an excuse—the real purpose was to contest the precarious seat left open in their family.

“…”

Hoon ignored Woon’s provocation, simply looking down at him with icy disdain as his car pulled ahead and drove off.

“Even after all this time, he hasn’t changed.”

A reunion with cousins after years apart, yet far from warm. Byeol just shrugged and got into her car.

“I’m heading to the department store first.”

“Go ahead.”

Woon barely reacted to his sister’s words, instead grinning as he admired the Korean scenery outside.

“Don’t you think this will be fun?”

“What will?”

“The commemoration ceremony. With all of us gathered, I can’t wait to see how he reacts.”

Whether his position had weakened without their father’s presence—they’d soon find out. Woon shrugged.

“Of course, this is just one stepping stone on my way to becoming chairman.”