ANI 38

ANI

Posted by Ali, Released on July 17, 2025

Chapter 38

The car carrying Iseo began to drive off somewhere.

Taeseok’s hair ruffled in the wind blowing through the half-open window.

Just getting away from Pilsoon’s house seemed to ease the suffocating feeling that had risen up to his throat.

“Where are we going?”

“I told you—let’s start by dating.”

A faint smile played on Taeseok’s lips as he spoke.

“How are you feeling?”

She hadn’t said anything, but her whole body was sore from what had happened the night before—it had been far too intense.

“Why would you ask something like that…”

Iseo looked at him shyly, and Taeseok let out a soft laugh.

“If it were up to me, we’d just stay in bed all day. But right now, what you need is a drive, a light walk, some healing.”

Just hearing the word bed brought back vivid memories of the previous night, and her face turned red without her even realizing.

The car sped along. Iseo turned her gaze to the window.

Unlike her complicated feelings, the weather was bright and sunny, and the streets bathed in sunlight were dazzlingly beautiful.

“You knew this would happen. So why did you even agree to move in with me?”

“You said you needed to be married for your plan to work. If I hadn’t accepted the conditions, the Chairman would’ve kept opposing our marriage to the end. It’s not like there was another option at the time.”

Thinking about how she must’ve made that decision for his sake made his chest ache.

“Just go ahead with the design I sent you before.”

[Yes, CEO.]

“And be sure to install the lighting and props exactly as I mentioned—no mistakes.”

[We’ll get started right away.]

After inspecting the space he’d be sharing with Iseo, Taeseok immediately contacted the interior design company affiliated with his business. As per his instructions, remodeling began at a rapid pace.

The house undergoing the third-floor renovation was now full of noise and dust.

As if her mood wasn’t already bad enough, the construction only made things worse. Pilsoon felt like her insides were boiling.

“Mother, it’s been a while since you’ve visited the art center. Would you like to go and have lunch together?”

Despite Hyejeong’s suggestion, Pilsoon sat frozen, her face stiff with displeasure.

“Jitae and Hyemi said they’d meet us there, so let’s go together. They say it’ll take at least three days to finish, and the noise is giving me a headache. It’s better to step out.”

Reluctantly, Pilsoon grabbed the coat beside her and headed outside.

Not long after, the car carrying the two women arrived at a luxury Korean restaurant in Yeoksam-dong.

“You’re here.”

Hyemi, who had arrived early, walked over to greet Pilsoon.

“You look even better than the last time I saw you.”

“Do I? You’re just as lovely as ever, dear.”

Pilsoon stared at Hyemi as she linked arms and smiled brightly.

Every time the thought passed through her mind—If only she had married Taeseok instead—her simmering anger surged to the top of her head.

“Since it’s summer and the wedding must have taken a toll, I ordered some croaker set menus. Is that alright?”

At the mention of the wedding, Pilsoon’s brow twitched.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. I had a prior commitment that day.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it.”

The long table was covered with various dishes—croaker sashimi, pancakes, steamed dishes, grilled fish, and more. Hyemi carefully plated some food for Pilsoon.

“This is one of my parents’ favorite places. The food is clean and delicious. I think you’ll like it too. Please try some.”

“Thank you, dear.”

“Our Hyemi is always so bright and pretty. I suppose that’s because she was raised with so much love from her parents.”

Hyejeong beamed, and even Jitae, sitting next to her, had a mysterious smile on his face.

It felt like Hyemi was a blessing that had walked through their door on its own. Everything about her pleased Hyejeong immensely.

“You know that CEO Han and I were once set up on a blind date, right?”

Even now, just thinking about that day made Pilsoon seethe, but she forced a calm smile and swallowed the words rising in her throat.

Sensing the tension, Hyejeong quickly changed the subject.

“We were so shocked, honestly. He’d never even shown interest in women before, and then all of a sudden he said he was getting married. Still, thanks to that, Hyemi ended up meeting our Jitae, so I’m actually quite happy about it. Though I suppose you might feel a little disappointed, Mother.”

“Hmph.”

Pilsoon’s face contorted as she let out a short cough.

“Why would I be disappointed? They’re both my grandchildren.”

Her brusque tone made it clear she wasn’t enjoying this lunch. Pilsoon set down her chopsticks.

“Mother, I think the summer heat’s getting to you. You’ve had no appetite lately. I actually prepared this for your health, so please try to eat at least a little.”

“I’m fine.”

“Hyemi, you eat plenty too.”

Other than Pilsoon, the atmosphere among the three remained cheerful and warm.

In the car, during a brief stop, Taeseok glanced over at Iseo’s profile.

“Should we stay at a hotel until the remodeling is finished?”

“W-what are you saying?”

“We’ll be eating separately anyway, so what does it matter if we stay in the guesthouse or at a hotel?”

“You already overslept once. And didn’t you hear earlier? We have to prepare Grandmother’s car tomorrow morning, and also…”

Iseo glanced around nervously, then lowered her voice.

“Um, about the remodeling—what if we just get two beds? The room’s really big anyway.”

“Do you really think that’s possible?”

Taeseok chuckled at the idea.

“A newlywed couple sleeping in separate beds? People will start suspecting something. There are too many eyes watching us. Besides, I have zero intention of doing that.”

“But there’s only one bathroom, one dressing room… and we both have work. Won’t it be inconvenient?”

“Not at all.”

Just then, the car stopped at a green, tree-filled park. The area was full of couples and families out for a walk.

As they stepped out, the smell of grass and the warm summer air washed over them.

“This is nice.”

Seeing Iseo smile gently, Taeseok found himself staring at her. Her face was completely different from how she looked at Pilsoon’s house.

“How did you find this place?”

“It’s my first time here, too. But it’s better than I expected.”

As he spoke, Taeseok took her hand, and his warmth passed directly into hers.

Despite his usually cold demeanor and sharp gaze, when he was with her, it felt like he became a completely different person.

Bathed in golden sunlight, Taeseok standing there with a soft smile seemed like something out of a dreamy summer night.

As Iseo kept urging him, they made it back to Pilsoon’s house before dinner.

“There was an outdoor concert tonight I wanted us to see. Why the rush?”

“We need to make up for oversleeping. I don’t want anyone nitpicking over small things. You go ahead and shower and rest.”

“Do we really need to go this far?”

“Yes, because I want to. So go rest, now.”

Practically pushing him toward the guesthouse, Iseo hurried to the dining room. A young maid gave her a small nod in greeting.

“Are the elders out?”

“I only received a message saying they went out for dinner.”

For a brief second, Iseo wondered if they were avoiding her on purpose, but she shook the thought away and picked up an apron.

“I want to help. Where should I start?”

“The madam plans to make seafood chicken soup for breakfast. She asked you to prepare the seafood when you arrive. I need to finish cleaning before they return—may I leave now?”

“Of course.”

The maid left, and Iseo turned her eyes to the ingredients laid out on the table.

Chicken, abalone, octopus, shrimp, scallops.

The table was packed, not a single spot left empty.

Once outside, the maid pulled a phone from her apron pocket.

“She’s here, Madam.”

[What about the CEO?]

“He seems to have gone to the guesthouse.”

[You relayed the message as I asked, right?]

“Of course. I told her to prepare all the seafood.”

[Good. Buy some snacks for the Chairman and be gone for about an hour.]

“Understood.”