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AIM 23

AIM

Chapter 23. Doubt and Denial

Eventually, Haeyeong, who had wasted her time trying to study, got on the bus.

She recalled the conversation she had with Gijun.


“It was just a joke, really.”

“Oh…”

“But shouldn’t you first figure out whether you actually like that person?”

“……”

“At that age, people often mistake feelings of friendship for affection.”


Following Gijun’s advice, Haeyeong decided to go back to square one and retrace her feelings.

At first, she didn’t like Joo Taeseong.

But he turned out to be unexpectedly warm, and surprisingly kind.

Yes, most of the times her heart reacted were moments like those.

But… could that be proof that she liked him?

She couldn’t easily answer that question.

And more than anything, what weighed heavily on her mind was—

“I knew. I already knew that Joo Taeseong liked someone else.”

She knew everything from the beginning.

“That’s why I agreed to the divorce…”

Trailing off, Haeyeong paused for a moment before nodding her head.

Strongly, as if she had firmly made up her mind.

“Why would I like someone who has liked another person for so long?”

As if she could dictate where her heart should go, her tone was arrogant.

“There’s no way I’d do something that stupid, right?”

Haeyeong stubbornly refused to acknowledge her heart leaning in one direction.

A week later, the weekend returned.

After denying her suspicious feelings, Haeyeong tried her best to avoid Taeseong to nip them in the bud.

Using studying as an excuse, she went to school early and hurried home after school without waiting.

Spending a weekday without seeing Taeseong brought her peace of mind.

“I knew it. I was just mistaken.”

Sitting at her desk, Haeyeong let out a breath and patted her chest.

“I just got a little weird because I came to a new city.”

Yeah, there’s no way I’d do something that foolish.

“Ugh, seriously.”

With a resolute expression, Haeyeong scoffed.

Then, her phone vibrated on the desk.

“Huh?”

She looked down and checked the message.

Haeyeong, sorry, but I don’t think I can make it to today’s class. I’ve got a pretty bad cold.

It was a message from Gijun.

“Is it the change of seasons or something…”

Murmuring with concern, Haeyeong typed a reply.

It’s okay, rest well and let’s do the class next week! ^-^

Thinking the message might be too stiff, she added an emoticon and hit send.

Thirty minutes later, after studying a bit, Haeyeong went down to the kitchen because she felt a bit hungry. She walked over to Jincheon-daek.

“Wow, it smells so good!”

“Oh my, the young madam is here?”

“What are you making?”

“Chairman said he felt a bit hungry, so I’m making some noodles. I’ll feed Gijun too when he comes for class.”

Jincheon-daek gestured to the generous pile of boiled noodles.

“Ah, Gijun oppa said he can’t come today.”

“Why?”

“He said he’s really sick with a cold. Just texted me.”

“Oh dear…”

A sigh slipped through Jincheon-daek’s teeth.

It seemed like an overly dramatic reaction for just a cold, but before Haeyeong could ask, Jincheon-daek opened her mouth again.

“He lives alone, and he doesn’t see his family much. I wonder if he’s eating properly or taking medicine.”

“Why doesn’t he keep in touch with his family?”

“Well… that’s…”

Jincheon-daek pursed her lips, as if she’d said too much, but eventually continued.

After all, Haeyeong was family now, so it wasn’t really something that needed to be kept secret.

“You’ve heard that Gijun is the grandson of KH Group’s chairman, right?”

“Yes.”

Haeyeong nodded with innocent eyes.


“He’s an illegitimate child. That’s why he lives separately now.”

“Oh…”

“He got close to our chairman because when he was young and came along to social gatherings, he didn’t fit in with the other family members. The chairman used to secretly take care of him.”

“I had no idea…”


Surprised by the unexpected story, Haeyeong trailed off.

It was hard to believe someone like Gijun, who always seemed so kind and calm, had such a background.

“Chairman might be down-to-earth, but the people in this world aren’t like that. Depending on the situation or their mood, it’s nothing for them to treat someone like they’re not even human.”

Jincheon-daek clicked her tongue, recalling all she had seen and heard over the years.


“Anyway, I feel sorry for him. Gijun’s a good kid.”


As Jincheon-daek shared her thoughts, Haeyeong, who had been lost in thought, suddenly spoke.

“Ma’am, can I ask you for a favor?”

“What is it?”

“Can you pack some porridge and side dishes?”

“To take to Gijun?”

“Yes. I owe him for the time I got on the wrong bus, and… he’s my teacher!”

And because it made her sad to think he had no contact with his family.

“I’ll be back soon!”

Haeyeong smiled brightly as she added that.

Haeyeong, carrying the packed porridge and side dishes in both hands, got out of the car that Chairman Joo had sent.


“Thank you, driver. I’ll take the bus back since I don’t have any luggage.”

“Yes, young madam.”

“Th-thank you…”


The driver gave a polite bow, and Haeyeong returned an awkward nod.

She still couldn’t believe she was being called “young madam” at nineteen.

It suddenly hit her again—just who she had married.

“Sigh, just hang in there for a bit longer.”

This unfamiliar life would be over in a year.

With that thought, Haeyeong headed toward the entrance of Gijun’s officetel.

“Room 1807, right?”

She walked down the hallway, doors lined in a row, recalling the room number.

“This must be it.”

She muttered softly and pressed the doorbell.

The chime sounded like birdsong, and after a while, a hoarse voice came through.

“…Haeyeong?”

“Yes, it’s me!”

After confirming her face through the video intercom, Gijun opened the door to greet her.

“What brings you here?”

“Oppa, your face looks terrible!”

Startled by how pale he looked, Haeyeong gasped, and Gijun gave a weak smile and shook his head.

“I’ll be fine after some rest. But how did you…?”

“You live alone, so I brought you some porridge and side dishes.”

Haeyeong stepped inside as she explained.

She took off her shoes naturally, put on the guest slippers, and entered the home. Gijun silently watched her from behind.

Now that he thought about it, this was the first time anyone had visited his place.

Lost in thought for a moment, he followed her.

In the kitchen, Haeyeong began unpacking the bundle Jincheon-daek had packed while chatting cheerfully.

“As soon as the driver dropped me off, someone entered the building, so I followed them in.”

She took out the porridge, the side dishes, and even some medicine from a pharmacy bag. Her hands moved naturally.

“I figured you might not have medicine, so I bought some—”

“You didn’t have to…”

Gijun cut her off with a faint smile.

It was a smile drawn with a boundary.

A sign that this kind of kindness made him uncomfortable.

But the nineteen-year-old girl didn’t seem to notice the implication.

“Come on, how could I just do nothing when you’re my teacher?”

She responded playfully with a cheerful tone.

“I even told Grandpa, and he said it’s only proper to take care of your teacher.”

When she smiled, showing her neat teeth, Gijun let out a bitter smile.

His own blood relatives didn’t care whether he lived or died—some probably wished he’d just die.

But a stranger cared for him so kindly. It felt hollow somehow.

Yet he didn’t dislike it.

As if he had longed for warmth.

“Judging by your condition, I knew you hadn’t taken any medicine.”

“…How did you know?”

“I had a classmate back home who was often sick. I used to take care of her a lot.”

“I see.”

“That’s how I became a bit of an expert.”

Naturally, Haeyeong pulled out dishes and started setting the table.

Soon, the island table was neatly set. She spread her hands.

“Go ahead.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Make sure to take the medicine after you eat, okay?”

At her firm tone, Gijun chuckled and nodded.

“Okay.”

As he sat down, Haeyeong took the seat across from him.

“Eating alone feels lonely, so I’ll stay until you finish, teacher.”

“Why are you calling me teacher all of a sudden?”

“Just thought I’d say it so you’d get better faster and teach me again.”

At the end of her sentence, a clear laugh floated out.

Gijun didn’t respond and simply smiled faintly before starting to eat.

A little while later, he finished his meal and took the medicine.

Whether it was the porridge or the concern he felt from others, his chest felt warm.

Looking visibly better, Gijun spoke up.


“Thanks, Haeyeong. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have eaten anything.”

“Oh no, it was all Jincheon-daek, really.”


Haeyeong waved her hands.


“I saw you take the medicine, so I’ll be heading out now. The adults get worried if I’m late.”

“Right, and Taeseong will worry too.”

“Ah—”


As she stood up, Haeyeong suddenly froze.


“H-he doesn’t wait for me or anything.”

“…You should go.”


At her awkward explanation, Gijun quickly wrapped up the conversation with a soft voice.

He felt embarrassed for asking such a childish question—very unlike himself.


“Then I’ll go now. Don’t come out!”


Haeyeong grabbed her bag and left. Gijun sat back down in his chair.

For a long while, he just stared blankly at the seat where Haeyeong had been.

For the first time, the place called home felt warm.


“You brat, stop pacing!”

After dinner, Jincheon-daek brought out some fruit and walked into a ridiculous scene.

Taeseong was pacing the living room like a dog that needed to poop, and Chairman Joo was scolding him.

It was a scene never seen before.

And clearly, the reason for the strange new wind blowing through the house was—


“Seriously, why did you send Cha Haeyeong there?!”


 

The young madam.

At Novelish Universe, we deeply respect the hard work of original authors and publishers. Our platform exists to share stories with global readers, and we are open and ready to partner with rights holders to ensure creators are supported and fairly recognized. All of our translations are done by professional translators at the request of our readers, and the majority of revenue goes directly to supporting these translators for their dedication and commitment to quality.
An Inevitable Marriage

An Inevitable Marriage

어쩔 수 없는, 결혼
Score 9.8
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Artist: Released: 2025 Native Language: korean

Summary

At nineteen, both he and I entered into a marriage we couldn’t avoid.

“I don’t like you.”
“You think I like you?”

And then I found out—
His first love was still ongoing.

So I made him a promise:
If his confession at twenty went as planned, I’d agree to a divorce.

As we raced toward turning twenty, something unexpected happened.
I started to fall for him.

Joo Tae-seong was prickly but kind.
Rude, but warm-hearted.
His words were sharp, but the way he looked at me was always gentle.

But Joo Tae-seong didn’t love me.
So we divorced.
And I swore to erase my ex-husband from my life.

“Of course I couldn’t find you—you were hiding so well.”

I never imagined we’d meet again ten years later.

“I like you.”

Or that we’d become tangled up all over again.

“You’re the only one I ever wanted to do this with. Now or back then.”

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