Chapter 02
“Go and Make Me a Grandchild”
Lee Yeon reluctantly accepted her stubborn boss’s proposal.
After all, it wasn’t a thug’s demand; it felt more like a lifesaver’s offer.
“Haaam.”
How long had it been since she’d woken up like this?
No alarm on a weekend morning was truly the best.
Lee Yeon sluggishly pulled her body from the bed, still reluctant to move.
“Where did I put the coffee beans…”
She stepped out of a room at least twice the size of a normal apartment’s master bedroom and brewed an Americano from the espresso machine.
Yeah, if not now, then when would she ever live in such a luxury penthouse?
The place Lee Yeon was staying in was originally Do-hyun’s home.
A two-story penthouse, with a little garden on each floor, even a kitchen upstairs, so she didn’t have to go down for food.
Thanks to the perfect division of space, Do-hyun stayed on the first floor, Lee Yeon on the second, and they never crossed paths.
The clear separation ensured their privacy was strictly protected.
Even though they worked at the same office, they left separately.
They were truly just business partners in a fake marriage.
Because of that, Lee Yeon could comfortably roam the house after work without worrying about Do-hyun’s watchful eyes.
Sometimes, she felt a little guilty for not paying more attention to him.
“Ah… my stomach.”
It was the second day of her period, the worst pain day.
Clutching her stabbing belly, Lee Yeon went back into her room and rifled through a drawer.
She popped two painkillers into her mouth.
And that’s when she saw it neatly tucked away in the drawer.
A single sheet of paper.
Marriage Contract
“We’ve worked together for three years. No point talking about our views on marriage, it’s just a waste of breath.
What the elders want is a marriage tied to a system, but we pretend to be bound and, in return, gain freedom.
That’s the marriage life I want with Secretary Lee.
Of course, I think it’s no bad deal for her either.”
A marriage contract, thinking back to how they even drafted such a thing, was ridiculous and funny all at once.
Lee Yeon set down the water she’d been drinking on the vanity and picked up the paper.
“No invading each other’s privacy.”
There were a few clauses:
Maintain the appearance of a married couple in front of the family.
Respect shared living manners.
But two lines stood out more than any:
“No romantic or harbouring ill intentions toward each other.”
Contract term: 2 years, early divorce allowed if a valid reason is presented.
Though this fake marriage started at Do-hyun’s suggestion, one thing was clear:
Lee Yeon quite liked the freedom it gave her.
To reassure family and gain freedom at least, for her, it was the best choice where no one got hurt.
She folded the paper and tucked it back into the drawer.
“Where is he…?”
Today was the day they were supposed to have dinner at Do-hyun’s family home.
But despite saying he had plans, Do-hyun still hadn’t come home even past five o’clock.
She could almost hear the booming nagging of Grandpa Gap-soo in her ears.
Click
Luckily, Do-hyun arrived not too late, opening the front door.
“Welcome back.”
“Mm.”
Lee Yeon greeted him as she descended the spiral staircase.
Do-hyeon answered flatly as he walked past her and into the dressing room.
She almost bowed and said, “Please, go ahead,” out of habit.
Damn this work disease.
Sometimes, when Lee Yeon ran into Do-hyun at home and they talked, it felt like working overtime.
Do-hyun said she could relax around him, but she never knew exactly how far that comfort extended.
He told her to be at ease, yet to him, she was always “Secretary Lee.”
When he said, “Let’s live together,” he had been so reckless, but before she knew it, he was drawing clear boundaries again.
.
.
.
“You’ll be late.”
“Should I let the chairman know you’ll be late?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Do-hyun changed into comfortable sweatpants and a short-sleeve shirt, clutching his trench coat as he hurried across the living room.
Lee Yeon quickly followed behind him toward the front door.
“Ah!”
In her rush, she hastily slipped on her heels, lost her balance, and instinctively threw herself toward Do-hyun.
“Ah!”
Do-hyun instinctively dodged as she stumbled toward him.
Of course.
She didn’t even expect him to catch her anymore.
Her knees were going to be destroyed.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Wait, what was this?
Do-hyun grabbed her waist just before she hit the floor.
Thanks to that, Lee Yeon ended up flailing awkwardly as he held onto her clothes.
Thud
“Oh, thank you, Vice President.”
As Do-hyun’s hand let go, she quickly straightened herself.
Anyway, she was grateful he hadn’t just left her to fall.
She smiled warmly, lifting the corners of her mouth.
“Why are you so clumsy? That’s not like you, Secretary Lee.”
“I’m just worried the chairman will scold me again for being late.”
Lee Yeon tidied her dishevelled outfit as she spoke.
“Even if you get scolded, it’ll be me who listens. Don’t panic.”
So, he was saying he’d be her shield?
Though he sounded prickly, interpreting it that way made her feel good.
“I don’t get him.”
That man.
He could be so sharp, yet sometimes, it seemed like kindness was just barely trying to break through.
As Do-hyun turned and stepped out the front door, his broad shoulders suddenly looked so wide.
“Didn’t I tell you to be here by six?”
No sooner had he parked in the garage and come upstairs than the sharp rebuke came down.
Gap-soo sat on the sofa, bathed in beige-toned light, scolding without even looking up. His eyes remained fixed on the newspaper.
“I was late because I had an external appointment.”
Do-hyun replied calmly.
“I’ve told you countless times that managing time well is essential to leading a company.
Punctuality is a must.”
“You must be tired from coming all this way.
It’s hard enough to make time on weekends. You’ve worked hard.”
Deok-ho, sitting opposite Gap-soo, suddenly stood up to greet the two.
He was Do-hyun’s father and Vice Chairman of Wuseong Electronics, leading the company after Chairman Ahn Gap-soo.
Deok-ho lightly tapped Do-hyun’s arm and gave him a warm, friendly smile.
The fine lines fanning out from Deok-ho’s eyes like little streams made his smile all the more gentle as he welcomed them.
“Come, have a seat. You must be hungry.
My dear daughter-in-law seemed to enjoy the braised short ribs last time, so I asked the housekeeper to make them again.”
His warmth was nothing like Gap-soo’s sternness, and it stirred something in Lee Yeon’s chest.
Though she hadn’t met Deok-ho many times, he always treated her like a true daughter-in-law with sincerity.
“I was craving her short ribs… Thank you, Father.”
Deok-ho was a man of quiet thoughtfulness and kindness.
That someone this kind had lost his wife early in life… Lee Yeon always felt a pang in her heart whenever she saw him, thinking of Do-hyun’s late mother.
“Let’s sit and eat.”
Gap-soo was already in his seat at the head of the table.
Do-hyun pulled out the chair next to him and looked at Lee Yeon.
Was he… telling her to sit?
“Thank you.”
They say even a school dog learns poetry in three years.
After marrying into the family, Lee Yeon realised that Do-hyun, too, had moments when he mirrored Deok-ho’s gentleness.
He pushed the chair in as she sat down and took the seat beside her.
With Gap-soo’s subtle signal, a heavy, tension-laden dinner officially began.
“So, when are you going to give me news of a grandchild?
“It’s already been four months since you two got married.”
They had barely lifted their spoons.
“Didn’t you come running here after registering the marriage on your own, swearing up and down you had no intention of marrying anyone but Secretary Lee?
Didn’t you say you’d give me a grandchild just the way I wanted?”
Gap-soo still referred to Lee Yeon as “Secretary Lee.”
An indirect way of saying he hadn’t yet accepted her as part of the family.
“We’re working on it. Every night.”
Cough
Lee Yeon choked on her food, coughing uncontrollably.
Do-hyun calmly reached for her water and passed the cup to her.
“Eat slowly.”
No, the “every night” part was the reason she was choking.
How could he lie so smoothly, without blinking?
Lee Yeon was genuinely in awe of his acting skills.
“If I keep pushing her, she might not survive.”
Do-hyun’s smirk was almost charming.
Lee Yeon’s cheeks flushed deep red.
Now she wasn’t sure if it was from choking or embarrassment.
“Ahem.”
Even Gap-soo seemed slightly flustered, clearing his throat loudly.
“Like I said before, until you give me a grandchild, make sure to keep the marriage quiet outside the family.”
“Yes, sir.”
That was what both of them wanted.
There was no need for a wedding when the entire relationship was meant to be dissolved in two years.
They had gone straight to the marriage registration, informing Gap-soo afterwards, just as Do-hyun predicted, skipping the ceremony altogether.
“I’ll have Chief Kim prepare some herbal tonics for both of you.
Secretary Lee, you should also get some clothes that fit.
Go to the dermatologist, take care of your skin.
Visit some shops while you’re at it.”
“No, it’s fine! Really.”
“Elegance comes from maintenance.
Some level of care is necessary.”
It was a direct jab, saying she lacked elegance.
Lee Yeon didn’t know where to look, overwhelmed by embarrassment.
“Father, I’m sure she knows what to do.
Daughter-in-law, come here for a moment.
I have something to give you.”
“Yes, Father.”
Like a saviour, Deok-ho rescued her from the awkward table.
When Lee Yeon followed him into the study, he gently closed the door with a press of his palm.
“The men in this family… they can be a little rough around the edges, can’t they?
I hope you’ll be patient with them.”
“Rough around the edges?”
Lee Yeon offered a faint smile.
Truth be told, blood didn’t lie. Gap-soo was harsh, but Do-hyun wasn’t any easier.
If only he’d taken after Deok-ho, even just a little…
“It’s just how our family is,” Deok-ho said gently.
“We’ve all been through some wounds, some deeper than others.
That’s why we come off a little rough.
Especially my father… since Do-hyun is his only son, he meddles a lot.
But if things ever get tough, don’t forget your father-in-law’s always on your side.”
At his kind smile, Lee Yeon couldn’t help but return one of her own.
It wasn’t until they’d finished dessert and fruit that they were finally able to leave Do-hyun’s family home.
“Good job today, Secretary Lee.”
“Yes, thank you”
Before she could finish, Do-hyun disappeared into his room without another word.
Whenever they got home after family duties, he never stuck around long enough to hear her goodbye.
Of course.
Typical.
Dragging her tired body upstairs, Lee Yeon sighed deeply.
“God, I’m exhausted.”
It wasn’t that Gap-soo or Deok-ho scared her.
It wasn’t even that they were uncomfortable.
It was just… with this whole fake marriage, she never knew what kind of question might catch her off guard.
The constant tension drained her.
She flung her bag onto the bed and sat at her vanity, staring into the mirror.
“So… the
freckles bothered him, huh?”
She let out a soft, bitter laugh.
Thank god. No one noticed.
Another day, she made it through without being exposed.
She didn’t want anyone to see it—not the real her.
Not even Do-hyun.
Raising her hand, Lee Yeon rubbed at the freckles clustered along her cheekbones.
And just like that—like magic—they vanished beneath her fingertips.
