Chapter 25
As the time to visit Pilsun’s house approached, Iseo’s heart began to beat faster.
It wasn’t even the first time she was meeting them, but the nervousness and anxiety were worse than the first time.
She remembered Pilsun’s cold stare and frosty words.
If not for the contract, they were people she never would have wanted to meet in her lifetime.
The thought of it all made her feel breathless, like something was pressing against her throat.
Even as she got in the car and fastened her seatbelt, she stayed silent—until a quiet sigh escaped her lips. Taeseok, who had been watching her, spoke in a low voice.
“You saw what it was like last time. Today won’t be any different.”
“I understand. I mean, her precious grandson suddenly announces he’s getting married—to a woman she probably thinks is ridiculous and not good enough. It’s no wonder she’s upset.”
“I thought you were full of self-love.”
“I’m not putting myself down. It’s just… that family is so overwhelmingly impressive.”
The car began to move slowly.
Familiar sights from before passed by outside the window.
It was early summer, and the tree-lined streets were painted in a deep green. When Iseo rolled the window down halfway, the breeze blew her hair gently.
“Mr. Han Taeseok, do you prefer the mountains or the sea?”
“Why?”
“I was just thinking… We’re getting married soon, and yet we barely know anything about each other. Just names, ages, schools, family backgrounds—that’s about it.”
“So you’re finally curious.”
Iseo glanced at his profile as he spoke. Smooth skin, sharp nose, soft lips—Taeseok had a strong, magnetic presence that drew the eye.
The air was slightly warm and humid. Unidentified feelings tickled her heart.
“What about you?”
“I’m not sure why, but I’ve liked the sea since I was little. I once went to the beach with my mom and grandma when I was very young. That memory is still so vivid in my mind, like it happened yesterday.”
Taeseok recalled the day he visited Iseo’s small one-room apartment. The framed photo on the old desk—the three of them smiling brightly—flashed through his mind.
“So, more of a sea person than a mountain person, huh?”
“What’s your favorite season?”
“Autumn.”
“I like spring.”
“Favorite food?”
“Cream pasta.”
“Pasta? Really? I thought you’d be a hardcore meat eater.”
As they chatted, the car arrived at Pilsun’s house before they knew it.
“Are you going to be okay?”
“You said I’m your man, right? If I’ve got my man with me, of course I’ll be okay.”
Her playful tone made a faint smile flicker across Taeseok’s lips.
“You’re here.”
Just then, a housekeeper tending to the garden bowed as they approached.
Despite it being early summer, there was a chilly air around Pilsun’s house that seemed to seep into their bones.
“CEO Han, come in.”
Hyejeong greeted them, seated next to Pilsun and Jitae.
Taeseok frowned deeply as he looked at the three of them.
Jitae’s half-curved lips settled into a smirk as his gaze stopped on Iseo.
“Spring seems to be getting shorter every year.”
Trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere, Hyejeong turned to Iseo.
“Which is a shame. Spring’s my favorite season.”
“Oh my, same here. This is my son.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Jitae.”
The word “nice to meet you” rolled off his tongue so casually, but Taeseok’s eyes turned cold.
“Why did you call us here today?”
Pilsun, who had been pressing her lips tightly together, now glared at Iseo like she wanted to burn a hole through her.
“I’m wondering the same. Why did Mother call us here?”
Pilsun finally opened her mouth.
“You won’t break up just because I tell you to.”
“Correct. We have no reason to.”
“That’s why I called you.”
She pulled an envelope from the small table beside her.
“If you’re that determined, go ahead. Get married.”
For a moment, the room fell silent at the word “marriage.”
“Mother, are you really giving your blessing for their marriage?” Hyejeong asked, eyes fixed on Pilsun.
“But there’s a condition.”
Pilsun had succeeded her late son as chairman, and her natural business sense and cold judgment made even younger executives wary of her.
Hyejeong’s gaze flicked between Taeseok and Iseo.
“And that condition is…?”
“Move in here.”
“Excuse me?”
“If I’m allowing the marriage, then you must live in this house for a year.”
Taeseok’s lips twisted into a crooked line, and Iseo’s face clearly showed she hadn’t seen this coming.
“Have you forgotten why I left this house in the first place? I don’t want her to spend even one hour—no, one minute—here.”
“So you’re saying you won’t go along with it?”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that just now.”
“Fine. In that case, I absolutely do not give my blessing for this marriage.”
“We’ll still get married—even without your blessing.”
Tension rippled between Taeseok and Pilsun like electricity. Off to the side, Jitae watched with a vague, unreadable smile.
“Choose: give up the marriage, or get married and live here for a year.”
“Why are you doing this? You oppose the marriage, yet you want us to move in? What are you really after?”
“What’s the big deal? It’s just one year. This house has more rooms than we know what to do with. What’s the problem?”
The veins on the back of Taeseok’s hand bulged like they might burst at any moment.
“Calm down, CEO Han. Mother, you too. Let’s not make this worse,” Hyejeong said. At her signal, a maid brought a glass of lukewarm water and placed it in front of Pilsun.
This house was full of childhood memories—but none of them beautiful anymore.
The memories scattered throughout the house brought back the day his mother had been mercilessly cast out. Even now, deep inside, a fiery rage stirred.
“We can’t even look at each other, so if we don’t live together, how can we grow any affection? It’s up to you. If you last the year, I’ll hand over the company presidency when you move out.”
Hyejeong seemed to understand Pilsun’s true intentions and suppressed a smile.
That year wasn’t about accepting Iseo into the family. It was Pilsun’s plan to drive them to divorce.
“If you agree, sign here.”
“I can’t possibly—”
Before Taeseok could finish, Iseo gently pressed his arm.
“I’ll do it.”
“What?”
“I’ll do it. Just like she said. I’ll live here for a year.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“Choi Iseo…”
“Taeseok, I know the proposal surprised you, but they’re family. It’s not like I’m moving in with strangers. I don’t think it’s worth opposing this hard.”
Pilsun’s brow twitched as she looked at Iseo.
“It’s not even a difficult request. I grew up alone, without siblings, so I always dreamed of living in a big family. Honestly, I’m grateful. And I wouldn’t feel right forcing a marriage she doesn’t approve of.”
“Well thought. Better than a certain someone who’s completely stubborn.”
Pilsun muttered, her eyes twitching continuously.
Taeseok, momentarily taken aback by Iseo’s response, slowly spoke in a low voice.
“But you know… if we get married, it’ll be our honeymoon.”
“So?”
“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
“What are you saying?”
“I love her desperately. Just a moment apart feels unbearable. I don’t want anyone ruining our newlywed time… but if you insist, I suppose we have no choice.”
“Oh my, CEO Han. Is there anything you can’t say?”
You’re completely lovesick, huh.
Pilsun looked clearly annoyed, while Hyejeong tried to hide her laughter, and Jitae watched the couple intently.
“So now I should call you sister-in-law?” Jitae said with a sly grin.
Once they were outside—
“Why did you do that?” Taeseok asked.
“What?”
“Do you really plan to live in that house for a year?”
“Like I said—it’s family. Of course I do.”
“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
“Honestly, I’ve always felt like I got too much from you. So this kind of evens things out. I’m going to give it my all for a year—as your wife and as a daughter-in-law.”
Taeseok stopped her by the shoulders.
“Can you really do it?”
“Of course.”
Ever since their contract, she’d carried a heavy heart. But now that things were set, she was filled with determination.
“So all that’s left now is… our wedding.”
Iseo’s gaze lingered on Taeseok’s profile as he murmured in a low voice.
“Madam Jang Pilsun—she’s going to regret asking us to move in. Just wait.”
“What? Regret? What do you mean?”
“I’m going to have a very hot honeymoon.”
As he stepped closer, a rich and languid scent from Taeseok enveloped Iseo completely.
