Chapter 53
News of the accident on set quickly spread throughout the NY Group. A breathless executive burst into the hospital room, flinging the door open.
“What on earth happened?”
Unlike the flustered executive, Haemi appeared perfectly composed.
“How could this happen?”
“There’s no need to make a fuss.”
“Shouldn’t you at least get a thorough examination just in case?”
“It’s just a few minor scratches. Don’t contact the Chairman.”
“But if the Chairman finds out…”
“I said don’t contact him because he’ll be shocked if he hears.”
Haemi, buttoning up her sleeve, stood up from her seat.
“Where are you going in that condition?”
It had all happened in an instant.
She had seen a large object falling toward her, then her view went dark and screams erupted all around.
The burning smell, the deafening noise. Amid the chaos and dust, she could just make out a familiar face—Lee Seo, covering her with his body.
Upon hearing from the doctor that she had shown signs of a concussion and was moved to a hospital room after treatment, Haemi headed toward where Lee Seo was.
As she reached the room and turned the doorknob—
“She’s my wife.”
A deep, heavy voice echoed in her ear through the half-open door. The familiar voice pierced her foggy mind, and only one person came to mind.
She wondered if she’d come to the wrong room—but then saw Jian standing beside Taeseok, his face frozen stiff.
It was hard to believe, even with her own eyes. Haemi’s hand on the doorknob began to tremble.
Startled, she instinctively stepped back. Her heart pounded, her thoughts scrambled.
She had just enough time to hide at the sound of approaching footsteps.
A secretary and several doctors hurried inside, and soon after, a medical bed was wheeled out of the room.
Lee Seo’s peaceful, sleeping face came into view. Following behind was Taeseok, his figure burned clearly into Haemi’s eyes.
The suspicion she had tried to dismiss turned out to be true.
Haemi’s eyes burned red, and her jaw clenched tightly.
Even after being transferred to a specialized hospital, Lee Seo remained unconscious for quite some time.
Secretary Min quietly approached Taeseok, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her sleeping face.
“The doctor said there’s no serious issue. She’ll wake up soon.”
Taeseok’s expression was a swirl of emotions: worry, anxiety, and something deeper.
Even though Secretary Min had known him for years, Taeseok seemed like a completely different person today.
A man like Han Taeseok—shaken by one woman.
In that moment, Secretary Min realized that the only person who could affect him this way was Choi Lee Seo.
“I can stay for a while. Why don’t you get something to eat?”
“……”
“You don’t look well, sir.”
“You’ve done enough today, Secretary Min. You may go now.”
“It’s nothing. I’d like to stay until ma’am wakes up.”
“I’ll see you at the office.”
With Taeseok’s firm tone, Secretary Min had no choice but to turn and leave. Still, his gaze lingered on the side of Taeseok’s face. He might be pretending to be okay, but his eyes were trembling with fear—
Just like the day he lost his mother, long ago.
How much time had passed?
As Lee Seo’s blurry vision gradually cleared, a ringing filled her ears, and pain shot through her head.
She pressed a hand to her temple and slowly sat up—only to see Taeseok asleep beside her.
Then, like puzzle pieces fitting together, memories from the accident started returning.
“Taeseok.”
Awakened by her voice, he immediately pulled her into his arms.
“You’re suffocating me.”
Feeling her warm body and familiar scent, the ice around his heart began to melt.
His large hand cradled her head, but it trembled slightly.
“I’m okay.”
Despite her words, she had multiple visible bruises and scrapes.
“You really…”
Pushing him away, Lee Seo asked quickly,
“What happened? Is the CEO alright?”
“That’s what you’re worried about? You nearly died! What were you thinking—”
His voice trembled and faded. Lee Seo gently took his hand.
His eyes wavered as he looked at her. For some reason, it made her nose sting with emotion.
“You came after getting the call? It wasn’t a big deal, but I guess you were shocked.”
“If this wasn’t a big deal, what is?”
When he’d heard the news over the phone, his mind went completely blank.
More than anger—it had been terror. Helpless despair had consumed him.
He couldn’t lose someone precious again.
Letting someone go while being powerless to stop it had happened once. That was enough.
This time, he silently prayed that his plea would reach the heavens, that he would never again curse the sky.
“How’s the CEO?”
“Thanks to someone, he’s fine—just some scrapes. Nothing serious.”
“That’s a relief.”
Even now, she was worried about someone else. Watching her, Taeseok’s brows furrowed.
“You have a concussion. The symptoms are mild, but there could be aftereffects. You need rest.”
“How can I? It was an important shoot… I should at least call the company.”
“I already took care of it. Don’t worry about it.”
Taeseok took her phone and ended the call immediately.
“From now until you’re fully recovered, don’t even think about doing anything.”
“What about work? Our group debut is right around the corner.”
His eyes narrowed at her.
He regretted not telling her to quit sooner out of respect for her career.
“Do you still not understand what matters most?”
Lee Seo glanced at him and said softly,
“Then let’s go home.”
He stared at her cheerful face, unaware of the fire burning inside her.
“Didn’t you hear me? You need to rest.”
“I can rest at home too. See? I’m fine, and being in the hospital is uncomfortable.”
Then, she suddenly remembered that Ji Tae’s fiancée was supposed to visit the house that evening. Her heart beat faster.
She didn’t want to be the reason an important meeting was ruined. Anxiety churned in her chest.
She remained stubborn. Eventually, Taeseok gave in and took her home—based on the doctor’s judgment.
“Fine. But in exchange, you follow my rules.”
As the car moved slowly, Taeseok covered the back of her hand with his own.
His warmth, his presence—it comforted her deeply.
With this man beside her, she felt like she could endure anything.
After Haemi canceled their dinner due to Lee Seo’s condition, a chilly silence filled the house.
Haemi had messaged to say something urgent had come up—but all blame fell on Lee Seo.
“Bringing in the wrong person really ruins everything.”
Pilsun and Hyejeong wore dark expressions.
“Why today, of all days?”
“If you’re married, you should stay home quietly. Why go out and cause such a scene?”
Hyejeong, eyes narrowed at Pilsun, continued in a low voice,
“Mother, maybe it’s time we made our daughter-in-law quit her job. We can’t keep deceiving the media and public. The day it gets out that the daughter-in-law of Ganghwa Group works in entertainment, people will dig into her background, and it’ll all be gossip fodder.”
Ji Tae, standing nearby, spoke up.
“Haemi couldn’t come due to an emergency. We can just reschedule.”
Hyejeong raised an eyebrow and stared at him.
“You’re too kind. Do you really think she had a work emergency? When Director Han said he couldn’t come, Haemi probably thought it’d be rude to come alone and delayed it.”
Ji Tae remained silent.
“She’s more thoughtful than she looks. She’s not trying to sabotage the marriage—just didn’t want today to be ruined.”
Hyejeong bit her lip, then turned toward the door.
“Isn’t that Director Han?”
“Looks like it.”
“Unbelievable.”
Taeseok walked in, carrying Lee Seo in his arms. Her face turned red from embarrassment.
She struggled to be put down, but it was no use. He had no intention of letting her go.
“What do you think you’re doing? Do we look like ghosts to you?”
Pilsun’s voice rang sharply, her face flushed with anger.
“Shouldn’t you be asking if she’s hurt before anything else?”
“Director Han, do you not know what day it is?”
“I’m aware. But nothing matters more than my wife.”
“I’m sorry, Grandmother, Mother. Please let me down.”
“You were the one who insisted on coming home. Don’t forget—you’re still recovering.”
Ignoring the commotion, Taeseok headed upstairs. Aesook emerged from the dining room.
“Director, the bath is ready. Let me assist her.”
“Thank you, ma’am, but I’ll take care of it myself.”
“W-What?”
Both Pilsun and Hyejeong stared in disbelief as the two ascended the stairs, their icy glares piercing through them.
