Chapter 13
“Oppa, what kind of joke is this? What are you doing?”
Jaehee, who had run over quickly, looked at the jewelry box in front of her. She could tell at a glance that it was something special, and her face lit up with hope and curiosity.
“Wait… Is this for me?”
Taeyoon, who had never even given Jaehee a proper glance before, looked up. He smirked at her coldly.
“Jaehee, don’t fool yourself.”
“Huh?”
“Why would I give this to you? It’s for Seorin.”
“Seorin?”
Jaehee’s face twisted at his words.
“Did you just say it’s for your lover?”
“You heard me the first time, so don’t make me repeat it.”
Jaehee’s mouth opened in shock. She stared at Taeyoon, speechless, but he no longer even looked her way.
“Oppa, look at me!”
Jaehee forcefully grabbed his arm to make him face her. His annoyed gaze finally met hers.
“Are you really going to treat me like this?”
“Like what? I don’t see what the problem is.”
Jaehee hit her chest with her palm.
“We’re about to get married! The woman who’ll be by your side in the future is me, not Seorin! And yet you’re here buying her a gift?”
Taeyoon laughed bitterly.
“Who said I’m marrying you?”
“Oppa!”
“Before and now — the only woman I’ll ever marry is Ohn Seorin.”
It couldn’t be clearer than that. Jaehee’s face turned red with rage. Meanwhile, the store clerk returned with the receipt and a shopping bag.
“Sir, here’s your card and purchase.”
Taeyoon nodded, took the items, and walked out without even glancing at Jaehee. She stood there, abandoned, clenching her teeth.
“Ugh, so frustrating! I’m so mad!!”
Jaehee flopped onto her bed and kicked her legs in frustration. The blanket puffed up and dust scattered everywhere.
Even though time had passed since she last saw Taeyoon, her anger hadn’t subsided. Why did he always only have eyes for Seorin since they were kids?
“He never even gave me a chance! Why is it always Seorin?!”
Jaehee had fallen for Taeyoon at first sight during a childhood gathering. He was different from the other immature boys—so composed, confident, and impressive.
No matter how much she poured her heart out to him, he never once looked her way. From childhood to adulthood, the only one he looked at was Ohn Seorin.
That drove her mad. Even though she tormented Seorin out of jealousy, Seorin never reacted. She always stayed calm and indifferent. That only made things worse.
After kicking and flailing, Jaehee finally stopped, exhausted. She buried her face in her hands and cried.
“How long must I chase after someone who will never look at me? Will Oppa ever see me if I keep waiting?”
Just then, the door burst open.
“Who’s there?”
Jaehee lifted her head. It was her stepbrother, Yoo Minhyuk.
He saw her lying on the bed and sighed, clicking his tongue.
“Let me guess. It’s because of Taeyoon again?”
Jaehee asked suspiciously, “How did you know?”
He sat beside her with a thud.
“Isn’t it always about him? Who else could make you like this?”
She had to admit he was right. There was no one else who could make her this upset. Jaehee stayed silent. Minhyuk shook his head.
“You guys already decided to get married, so why are you still upset?”
“It’s just words! There’s no engagement, no ring—nothing official. You think Taeyoon Oppa takes that seriously?”
Minhyuk lifted his chin.
“Then stop waiting and push for the wedding. Don’t just sit here crying.”
“Wedding?”
“If that’s the issue, then have a public wedding. After that, even Taeyoon can’t pretend nothing happened.”
Jaehee thought about it. It made sense. Taeyoon may act cold and detached, but he had an old-fashioned side. If they were officially married, he couldn’t treat her like this anymore.
“Alright!”
Determined, Jaehee jumped off the bed and ran straight to her father, Yoo Hyungcheol, the vice chairman of Ohsung Group.
But her plea to have a quick engagement ceremony was quickly shut down.
“No.”
“Why not, Dad? Wouldn’t it be good for at least one of your children to settle down early?”
Her father looked at her coldly.
“Because I gave in to your demands, you’re marrying before your older sister. And now you want to rush the wedding? That’s nonsense.”
Jaehee shouted with a teary face, “So I’m just supposed to sit and watch?”
“What exactly are you in such a rush for?”
Jaehee clenched her fists in frustration. She wanted to scream that Seorin was living in Taeyoon’s house, but she held back. If she said that, her father might cancel the marriage altogether.
‘He’s going to be my husband anyway. I can’t risk losing Dad’s approval.’
“It’s nothing.”
Jaehee turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. From inside, her father shouted, “What a rude girl!” but she didn’t care.
She was fuming.
Not only could she not marry when she wanted, but she had to keep watching Taeyoon and Seorin together. Her blood boiled.
“Damn it! What should I do about Ohn Seorin?”
No matter what she did, she always ended up chasing after Seorin. It was like this in high school, and now even as a maid in someone else’s house.
Biting her nails, Jaehee picked up the phone and made a call.
Meanwhile, Yeongsook was in her room putting on a face mask when her phone rang. The caller ID said “Yoo Jaehee.”
She quickly ripped off the mask and picked up the call.
“Hello, Jaehee? What’s going on?”
—“Mother, how have you been?”
Jaehee’s voice came sweetly through the receiver.
“I’m good. The scarf you sent me last time was just lovely.”
(Even though she didn’t like it that much, Yeongsook still praised her sincerely.)
Then Jaehee cut straight to the point.
—“I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor? Of course. I’d do anything for you, Jaehee.”
—“There’s a high school reunion coming up.”
“A reunion?”
Yeongsook thought for a moment. Jaehee’s school, Jeonghyeon Arts High, was known for its elite students. Why was she bringing this up?
“Yes, and?”
—“Could you please send Taeyoon Oppa there with me?”
“Taeyoon?”
Yeongsook hesitated. Even as his mother, Taeyoon wasn’t someone easy to convince.
—“We’re getting married soon, right? I’d like to introduce him to my friends.”
“Well, I suppose that makes sense…”
—“Please, Mother?”
There was subtle pressure in her sweet tone.
“…Alright. I guess it’s fine.”
Yeongsook reluctantly agreed. It wasn’t a big deal, and maybe Taeyoon would listen if she asked directly.
But Jaehee wasn’t finished.
—“And one more thing. If possible… could you send Seorin with him too?”
