Chapter 3. Terminal
The atmosphere between the two young people, who seemed to know each other, brightened Chairman Joo and Boksoon’s faces instantly.
It didn’t seem to matter how they knew each other—or even spark any curiosity.
The two elders, having worried endlessly over forcing this sudden marriage, were clearly relieved that the pair weren’t strangers.
Now knowing they were at least familiar with each other, it felt as if a heavy stone that had weighed on their hearts was suddenly lifted.
Unlike the two elderly people spinning happy fantasies, Hayeong and Taeseong’s faces were stiff and soured.
Taeseong, who had been glaring at Hayeong with narrowed eyes, turned toward Chairman Joo.
“…This is the girl I’m supposed to marry?”
“Of course! Come, sit here. You two should get to know each other.”
Chairman Joo patted the seat next to him like there was nothing more to discuss.
Taeseong quietly sat beside the chairman, biting his lower lip. He had already made a deal with his grandfather—he had no choice but to comply.
Meanwhile, Hayeong whispered urgently to Boksoon.
“Grandma, I’m not marrying him. No way!”
“What’s this girl saying…”
Boksoon, flustered, tightly gripped Hayeong’s hand and pulled it under the table.
The strength in that grip was a clear message: keep your mouth shut.
Hayeong widened her eyes and mouthed silent protests, but in the end, she said nothing.
She couldn’t just blurt out to Chairman Joo’s face, “I don’t want to marry your grandson.”
She decided to spend the meal thinking of a way to break off this engagement.
Just then, conveniently, a staff member entered with the food.
As the dishes were being set, Hayeong glanced at Taeseong, signaling with her eyes.
Please cause a scene. Come on, do something.
But Taeseong avoided her gaze.
As the food arrangements neared completion, Taeseong stood up.
“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
“M-me too!”
Not wanting to miss her chance, Hayeong hurried after him.
A short while later, after following Taeseong some distance from the room, Hayeong called out.
“Hey!”
[…]
“Hey! You vanilla-flavored prince complex jerk!”
That finally got his attention. Taeseong stopped and turned at the “prince complex” insult.
Hayeong rushed to him and quickly asked, “You’re not really going to marry me, are you? Come on, cause a scene or something—”
“I am. I’m going through with it,” Taeseong cut her off coldly.
“Wha—what?”
Caught off guard, Hayeong stumbled over her words.
“Why?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Without another word, he turned and walked off again.
“Hey! Hey!” Hayeong trailed close behind.
Soon, they reached the men’s restroom, and Taeseong entered.
“You’re insane!” Hayeong shouted, following him inside.
Taeseong spun around and barked, “Are you crazy?!”
Hayeong shot back fiercely, “Wouldn’t you go insane? You expect me to marry a prince-complex jerk like you?”
“Even if you are crazy, this is the men’s room—! You’re a girl, what the hell are you doing?”
Taeseong glanced around, saw it was empty, and let out a sigh of relief.
After pushing her out, he shut the door and cornered her against the hallway wall.
With his face close, he spoke with a flat tone:
“If you want to break this off, you do it. Don’t think about using me.”
The sheer presence of him—easily twice her size—made Hayeong shrink back slightly.
“I have no intention of backing out,” he added, then turned and disappeared back into the men’s restroom.
The door locked with a metallic click—a sound that screamed Do not enter.
Staring blankly at the blue male symbol on the door, Hayeong slowly turned away.
She realized she wouldn’t be able to break this marriage by using that insufferable prince-complex jerk.
After returning from the restroom, the meal continued smoothly.
It felt like Hayeong was the only one who didn’t want this marriage, and that made her feel increasingly anxious.
Married, in senior year of high school?
I haven’t even dated, and they want me to marry?
And with him of all people?
And why me, anyway?
A thousand questions pricked at her heart like embroidery needles.
Above all, she wanted to know the fundamental reason behind this marriage.
Why is Grandma doing this to me?
While Hayeong sat troubled, Chairman Joo and Boksoon continued their discussion about the marriage.
“She’s only nineteen. A simple ceremony and marriage registration now, and the formal wedding can wait until after university.”
“Yes, I agree.”
“But by then…”
Chairman Joo started to say something but stopped himself and changed the subject.
“Then after the ceremony, Hayeong should move to Seoul right away.”
“I’m moving to Seoul…?”
“Yes, dear. Once you’re married, you’re no longer part of this household—you’ll be living with Chairman Joo’s family.”
“Grandma!”
Hayeong finally couldn’t take it anymore and raised her voice.
“What the—!”
Her outburst froze the room.
“I don’t care if it’s Grandpa’s dying wish! Why hasn’t anyone asked what I want?”
She cried out, nearly pleading.
“I don’t want this! I don’t want to get married!”
Boksoon studied her, then calmly spoke in a low voice.
“When have I ever made you do something that wasn’t for your own good?”
“That’s not the point!”
“It is for your good, Hayeong. So don’t be disrespectful in front of Chairman Joo.”
Her grandmother’s icily rational tone finally made Hayeong snap.
“You’re not just trying to sell me off to some rich family, are you?”
SMACK—
Boksoon slapped her across the face.
“No…”
Shocked by her own action, Boksoon looked down at her hand in disbelief.
“Hayeong… Grandma didn’t mean…”
With tears welling in her eyes, Hayeong stood up.
She wiped the tears from her flushed cheek without a word and stormed out.
The door slammed behind her, and Boksoon—her expression completely broken—turned and bowed her head to Chairman Joo.
“I’m so sorry, sir.”
“No, no. Let me go talk to her.”
Chairman Joo gently comforted Boksoon, then quietly followed Hayeong.
Taeseong, as if it had nothing to do with him, sat silently, face unreadable.
“Uwaaah—!”
Hayeong wept as she stormed through the garden—sobbing like a seven-year-old.
People looked, but she didn’t care.
Embarrassment was nothing compared to the emotional shock of being slapped by her grandmother for the first time.
With each step, the hurt piled higher—Boksoon’s coercive demand for marriage, her talk of sending her off to Seoul, and her total disregard for Hayeong’s opinion.
Hayeong never expected much tenderness from her strong-willed grandmother.
But forcing such a life-altering decision—that wasn’t like her at all.
And on top of it all, her cheek still stung.
Hayeong clutched her face and cried harder.
Then, in the distance, Chairman Joo’s voice called out:
“Hayeong!”
“Uwaaah—!”
“Hayeong!”
Hearing his voice so urgently call her name, Hayeong came to a stop and turned around with her tear-streaked face.
Chairman Joo, having chased her as best he could on his old knees, was out of breath.
“Haah… Let this old man talk with you for a moment.”
“I don’t…”
I have nothing to say.
But she didn’t finish her sentence—just looked up at him blankly.
Chairman Joo stepped closer and gently held her hand.
“This old man… is begging you, just this once.”
Reluctantly, Hayeong nodded.
The traditional restaurant “Yehyang” also had a café, and Chairman Joo brought her there.
He ordered a warm cocoa and even asked the staff for an ice pack.
“Here, put this on your cheek. It’ll help.”
“Thank you…”
Unlike Taeseong, Chairman Joo’s kindness softened her like a docile puppy.
By the time the drinks arrived, her cheek had mostly calmed.
“Drink up.”
“Yes.”
She set down the ice pack and took a sip of cocoa.
Warm, sweet chocolate filled her mouth and, surprisingly, eased her heart.
Once Hayeong was calm, Chairman Joo gently asked:
“Hayeong, do you know why your grandmother is pushing for this marriage?”
“…No.”
She looked away and shook her head.
That question had haunted her from the start—why her grandmother suddenly wanted her to marry.
Chairman Joo clearly knew the answer.
But before he could speak, Hayeong asked first.
“Why does she want me to marry? Please, be honest with me, sir.”
Her voice was steady—ready to accept any answer.
After a moment’s hesitation, Chairman Joo finally said,
“Hayeong,”
“Yes?”
“Your grandmother… she’s been diagnosed as terminally ill.”
“…What?”
“That’s the reason for this arranged marriage.”
