Episode 7
“What do I do? I don’t know….”
Tears welled up in her eyes as Seoeun struggled to clean the crabs. The sight was almost grotesque.
She finally managed to get the crabs into the pot, but while pouring in the broth, some spilled onto her clothes.
Startled, Sion tried to wipe her shirt but accidentally grabbed the knife the wrong way.
“Ouch!”
With a sharp sting, blood gushed from her index finger. Reflexively, she brought it to her mouth and tasted the salty flavor on her tongue.
She quickly washed the wound and rushed to the living room to find a bandage.
Her hands trembled as she barely managed to apply the bandage and head back to the kitchen.
“Hmm… What’s that smell…?”
A burning odor pierced her nose, and her face turned pale.
She hurriedly lifted the frying pan, but the anchovies were already burnt black.
“Ha… If only Mrs. Suwon was here….”
But she couldn’t give up now. At this point, a sense of stubborn determination welled up—she had to succeed.
How much time had passed?
The kitchen became more chaotic as time went on, but Seoeun’s hands moved with growing confidence. The sweat beading on her forehead revealed her earnest effort.
At first, it had all been to win Jaehyun’s heart, but slowly, she became engrossed in the cooking itself. Immersing herself in something helped her forget everything else.
She took a deep breath and calmed herself. The ticking of the kitchen clock sounded louder than ever.
Lifting the pot, Seoeun took a whiff. The savory aroma of the broth was starting to rise.
“Could this be the flavor Jaehyun liked?”
Her lips trembled nervously.
“But I did my best.”
“Everything has to be perfect. This is my chance to open Jaehyun’s heart.”
But the moment was short-lived. A sound from the entrance made her heart drop.
“Already? I’m not done yet….”
He was earlier than expected.
While flustered Sion busied herself, Jaehyun entered the living room and wrinkled his nose.
“What’s that smell?”
His low voice sent a chill down Seoeun’s spine.
“Ah… I… I tried cooking today.”
His eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. His gaze then slowly moved to her face.
Jaehyun’s eyes lingered on her sweaty forehead and flushed cheeks longer than usual.
Feeling awkward, Sion touched her cheek and said,
“It’s not completely ready yet… But Mrs. Suwon prepared some side dishes, so I’ll use those too.”
“Is it crab stew?”
Startled, Seoeun nodded.
“Let me try some.”
His tone was as if he was doing her a favor.
“R-really?”
“Should I not?”
“N-no, it’s just that… It’s not ready yet.”
“Can’t let it go to waste, right?”
“Right. I’ll get it ready while you freshen up.”
Jaehyun’s gaze paused on her excited face. A strange emotion flashed in his eyes, but when he turned around, his usual blank expression returned.
A bit later, freshly washed, Jaehyun sat at the table.
Seoeun carefully brought the crab stew with her bare hands.
But to her dismay, the stew looked terrible. The broth was murky, and the crab meat was overcooked and mushy.
“I thought simmering longer would make the broth better…”
Her face flushed with embarrassment and disappointment.
“I left it too long… What do I do now…”
She lowered her head and muttered,
“Sorry… I’m not good at cooking…”
Jaehyun stared at her silently, then spoke gently.
“Don’t worry about it too much.”
Seoeun lifted her head and widened her eyes as he picked up a spoon.
“Is he… really going to eat it?”
As he took a spoonful of stew, his face slightly twisted.
“It’s not bad.”
It sounded like a lie, which made it more heartbreaking. Seoeun could only stare at him, unsure of what to say.
Then something unexpected happened.
A small smile appeared on Jaehyun’s lips. He tried to suppress it with a cough, but a faint chuckle escaped.
“This is like having a blood feud with crab stew.”
Even with his sarcastic jab, Seoeun stood frozen.
It was her first time seeing Jaehyun smile. His expression was softer, warmer than usual.
But only for a moment. As if he realized something, his smile quickly faded.
He looked confused by his own laughter.
“Did I just laugh? No, it was just too ridiculous. I’ve never eaten something like this before.”
That warm feeling stirred something unfamiliar inside him. At the same time, a sense of unease rose.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean for it to turn out like this.”
Seoeun’s cheeks flushed deeper. Whether it was from embarrassment or something else, she couldn’t tell.
“Well, it’s a unique taste… Not terrible.”
“Really? If it’s not terrible, then I guess it’s not a total failure, right?”
“Is that what makes you happy?”
“It’s my first time making crab stew. Not being the worst is something, right?”
“I can’t tell if you’re being optimistic or just naïve.”
Jaehyun said it incredulously, but Seoeun beamed with a bright smile.
That smile tugged at Jaehyun’s chest.
“I think I need to see a doctor.”
Something felt off.
“Jaehyun?”
He coughed and quickly changed the subject.
“Was I like this before the memory loss? Cooking and all?”
“Ah… no. Mrs. Suwon did most of the housework. I rarely had to do anything, aside from cooking for my younger sibling when I was little.”
“Is Mrs. Suwon off today? You could’ve asked her.”
“I just… wanted to try it myself.”
“Why?”
Sion hesitated.
Should I tell him I want to win his heart?
But she gave a vague reply.
“Just… you’ve been working nonstop since the accident, and I wanted to cook something nourishing for you.”
Jaehyun didn’t ask any more questions.
After finishing the meal, Seoeun stood up to clean up, but Jaehyun remained seated.
Feeling awkward, she said,
“I’ll clean up. You should rest.”
“Next time.”
“Yes?”
Jaehyun frowned slightly before speaking indifferently.
“Next time, leave it to Mrs. Suwon. I don’t want to see the kitchen in ruins.”
“Ah…”
His words were still cold, but his gaze briefly landed on her fingers.
Her burned and bandaged hand caught his lingering eyes.
That made Seoeun’s heart feel strange.
“Is he… worried about me?”
But Jaehyun’s expression revealed nothing.
“Okay, I will.”
After hearing her answer, he finally turned and went to his study. The sound of the door closing made Seoeun let out a deep sigh of relief.
Back in her room, Seoeun changed into pajamas after washing up.
The tension of the day was slowly fading away.
But not for long—her phone buzzed.
Seeing the screen, Seoeun’s face froze.
It was a call from Han Gangsik.
She didn’t want to answer, but she couldn’t ignore it. If she missed his call, he might threaten her again.
Seoeun let out a deep sigh and answered.
“Yes, Father.”
–What’s going on with CEO Cha?
The abrupt question made her pause.
“I’m handling it.”
A click of the tongue came through the phone.
–Just as I thought. You’re still being indecisive. Use your body. The only thing you inherited from your mother is that pretty face. Not using what you have is just stupid.
His vile words stabbed at her ears.
Seoeun closed her eyes tightly, trying to compose herself.
“Jaehyun isn’t the kind of man to fall for seduction. I’ll handle it my way…”
–Your way? When has that ever worked?
His mocking laughter tightened her grip on the phone.
–You got the package I sent this afternoon, right? That should be enough. One drop of that drug can turn even a stone into putty.
“What… are you talking about…?”
–Time is running out. The first stage of the experimental drug trial begins tomorrow. If there’s no progress with CEO Cha by then, there won’t be a second treatment. You know what that means for Jaewoo.
“Father!”
