Episode 4
“The doctor said the prognosis isn’t good.”
“Yeah, relapses are usually more dangerous. And in Jaewoo’s case, the location of the recurrence isn’t ideal. I heard surgery might be difficult.”
“But… there might still be a way.”
“If we use our company’s new drug, Jaewoo might be saved.”
Han Gangsik looked at her with confident eyes.
“Isn’t that why you came to see me this early in the morning?”
Just as he said, when Seoeun first heard about Jaewoo’s relapse, Han Gangsik was the first person she thought of.
Because that was the only way she could save Jaewoo.
But she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
Their relationship wasn’t that of a typical father and daughter. Whenever Seoeun asked Han Gangsik for something, he demanded a price—often far higher than fair.
Memories from childhood flashed through her mind.
Her stepmother’s cold eyes, blatant discrimination from her half-siblings, and the silent complicity of Han Gangsik.
> “There’s no place in this house for garbage like you! All you’re good for is eating and breathing—you’re useless!”
On those nights, she would hide in a corner holding young Jaewoo tightly, protecting him from the verbal abuse.
> ‘That’s when I knew… I was the only one who could protect Jaewoo.’
But three years ago, her world collapsed when Jaewoo was diagnosed with childhood cancer.
> “Unnie… I don’t want to die. I’m scared.”
Hearing that, Seoeun felt like her heart was being torn apart.
> “No… You’re not going to die. I’ll save you. I promise.”
Holding back tears, she held Jaewoo’s hand tightly. If it meant saving him, she felt she could do anything.
That’s when Han Gangsik made his proposal:
> “If you seduce that man, I’ll arrange the best medical team to operate on Jaewoo.”
Using her brother’s life as leverage, he gave her a disgusting task.
> “Tonight, at the hotel lounge, seduce the man in this photo and take him to bed. Drug him, sleep with him—do whatever it takes. Just spend one night with him.”
Seoeun felt as if she had reached rock bottom.
But all she could see was Jaewoo’s pale face.
> “If it’s for Jaewoo… I’ll do it.”
She followed Han Gangsik’s instructions.
She approached the man by chance, shared drinks, exchanged laughs, and got closer and closer.
In the elevator heading to the suite, she already knew this was a point of no return.
That night, in the man’s arms, Seoeun silently begged for forgiveness. His warm touch brought her an unexpected comfort, but it also filled her with guilt.
What shocked her more was the strange attraction she felt toward him.
The next morning, she left the hotel in a hurry.
But Han Gangsik’s plan didn’t stop there.
At a board meeting at Seowon Group, Han Gangsik grabbed Seoeun’s arm tightly and brought her in front of the chairman. She tried to break free, but her body wouldn’t move.
> “Chairman, my daughter spent the night with your grandson.”
The chairman’s face turned cold. Seoeun lowered her head, trying to hold back tears.
> “What nonsense is this?”
> “Whether I’m lying or not, you can judge by the photos. They clearly show the two of them entering a hotel room. Thanks to this, my daughter’s engagement was broken. Who will marry her now?”
> “More importantly, my daughter is pregnant. Isn’t that something your family should take responsibility for?”
Pregnant? It was a complete lie.
The chairman glared at Seoeun with anger. She wanted to avoid his eyes but had no choice but to meet them.
> “Is this true?”
She couldn’t lie. But telling the truth terrified her—for Jaewoo’s sake.
That’s when Han Gangsik gripped her shoulder tightly.
> “Tell the truth, Seoeun.”
His words felt like a threat.
Tears welled in her eyes.
> “I’m sorry… I’m truly sorry…”
At that time, Hansung Bio was on the brink of bankruptcy due to overinvestment in new drug development. But by linking himself to Seowon Group through Seoeun, Han Gangsik revived the company almost overnight. The stock price skyrocketed, and Han Gangsik got everything he wanted.
> “Because of me… Jaehyun became just another tool for my father’s ambition.”
Throughout their marriage, Jaehyun had always been cold to Seoeun.
His cold eyes, indifferent attitude, and occasional glimmers of suppressed passion all pained her deeply.
What hurt even more was that her feelings for Jaehyun had only grown over time.
> “I realized I had fallen for him.”
Loving a man who hated her was the most painful thing in the world.
> “I’m sorry, Jaehyun. I’m really sorry…”
She repeated those words in her heart many times, but never found the courage to say them aloud.
She feared it would only humiliate him further.
Every moment, she regretted that night. She often wanted to confess everything to him, but always hesitated—what would change now?
> “Even if I was forced into it… it was still my choice. And Jaewoo was saved because of it.”
That’s why she always felt sorry to Jaehyun.
To atone even slightly, she tried to be the perfect wife.
But eventually, she realized her effort only made him more uncomfortable.
And that’s when she decided to file for divorce.
> “Because I thought it was the best thing… for Jaehyun.”
Then Han Gangsik’s next words brought her crashing back to reality.
> “This time, have the child of CEO Cha.”
> “What… did you say?”
She understood, but it was too absurd to believe.
Han Gangsik’s expression was cold.
> “Once a man and woman divorce, that’s usually the end. But if there’s a child involved, things are different.”
> “That’s why you must bear his child. Even if you get divorced, your child—Seowon Group’s grandchild—will serve as powerful insurance.”
His inhuman logic filled Seoeun with rage.
> “I can’t do that.”
> “Then what about Jaewoo?”
> “Seoeun, think carefully. You were going to divorce him anyway. This just delays it a little.”
It was absurd. No one could take pregnancy so lightly.
> “If you bear his child, their family will take care of it. And since heirs are rare in such a powerful family, they’ll treat the child well. Even after the divorce, they’ll likely compensate you handsomely.”
Han Gangsik’s eyes gleamed with ambition.
> “And more importantly—we’ll become the maternal family of Seowon Group’s next heir. Do you know what that means? Our family status will skyrocket.”
Seoeun wondered… had he seen Jaewoo’s relapse as a business opportunity?
He was definitely capable of it.
> “Seduce CEO Cha and have his child. Then I’ll begin Jaewoo’s treatment with our new drug.”
After leaving Hansung Bio, Seoeun got into her car.
The bustling night streets outside the window seemed to reflect her turmoil.
> “Seduce CEO Cha… and have his child.”
Han Gangsik’s words echoed in her mind.
> “Then we’ll begin Jaewoo’s treatment.”
Once again, her little brother’s life depended on her choices.
She could hardly breathe.
> “But… to deceive Jaehyun again…”
It crushed her to think of using him again.
And if by some chance she did have his child—what fault would that child have?
> “What if they found out they were born from such manipulation?”
Imagining the face of the unborn child made her heart shatter.
> “No… I can’t do this.”
Then she remembered Jaewoo’s faint smile.
As the car sped down the road, her heart grew heavier.
Buzz—
Suddenly, her phone rang. Seeing the name on the screen, her heart nearly stopped.
> “Jaewoo?”
> “Unnie! I have good news! They said I can receive the new drug treatment!”
> “What…?”
