WAK 01

Chapter 1

Under a clear blue sky without a single cloud, a cool breeze carried the scent of spring.

**Kang Hana** was running along the Han River in a dark blue tracksuit, taking long strides. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and sparkled in the sunlight.

She had been running for about thirty minutes, so her heart and lungs felt like they might burst, but her mood was refreshingly light.

As the turning point came into view, Hana slowly reduced her speed.

She entered Han River Citizens’ Park, steadied her breathing, and stretched to loosen her tired muscles. Her long, slim body moved smoothly and flexibly.

*How long has it been since I last went for a run like this?*

Work had been so busy that she hadn’t enjoyed a proper day off in a long time.

Just as she finished warming down and was about to run home, a ringtone rang from the luxury bag strapped around her waist.

Hana wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and took out her phone.

“…Who is it?”

It was a number she didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

> [Kang Hana?]

It was a low, attractive male voice—one she had never heard before.

Hana checked her phone screen again with a puzzled look. The number was still unfamiliar.

“Yes, who is this?”

> [This is Ryu Jeonghan.]

There was a brief pause on the line, as if he were silently asking, *Do you remember who I am?*

*Ryu Jeonghan… Don’t tell me it’s that senior from college?*

The Ryu Jeonghan she remembered was a senior in her department, two years ahead of her.

*How does he have my number?*

They were from the same department, but they barely knew each other. Hana had spent her college years extremely busy, majoring in Business Administration while double-majoring in Law.

A sudden call from a senior she wasn’t close to?

Then that meant…

*Is he getting a divorce?*

It seemed like a reasonable guess.

Hana narrowed her brows, then smiled brightly and raised her voice into a professional, polite tone.

“Ah, hello, senior.”

It wasn’t a strange assumption. Hana was a well-known divorce lawyer in the industry, and when acquaintances—or friends of friends—suddenly contacted her, it was usually about divorce.

> [I was wondering if we could meet for a moment. Are you free?]

There was obvious urgency in his sudden request.

Hana became convinced this was about a divorce consultation.

“Of course. When would be convenient for you?”

She quickly scanned her memory for information about Ryu Jeonghan.

She couldn’t remember much, except that he was tall and handsome—and that he was the son of someone from **Daehan Financial Group**.

*Wait a second. If it’s Daehan Financial Group, his assets must be huge. I could charge a higher fee. Even alimony alone would be massive.*

Her lips curved upward without her realizing it.

> [Now.]

It was a firm answer.

“What?”

No matter how urgent it was, meeting right now was difficult. She couldn’t face a potential client while soaked in sweat.

She always believed a lawyer should look confident and composed at all times.

> [I’m in a real hurry.]

“Oh, I understand.”

First, reassure the client…

“Then how about this afternoon?”

No one understood the desperation of people seeking divorce better than Hana.

> [Can’t we do it right now?]

“I’m a bit busy at the moment… I’m outside.”

Usually, that was enough for people to back off. But Ryu Jeonghan was different.

> [Where are you? I’ll come to you.]

“I was exercising, so I’m pretty sweaty.”

Hana explained honestly, but his response showed he truly didn’t care.

> [That’s fine.]

Hana let out a dry laugh and scratched her forehead awkwardly.

She was annoyed, but she couldn’t afford to lose someone who might become a major client.

Setting aside dignity for a moment and offering sincere service—that was what a capable lawyer did.

Checking her watch, she spoke.

“Alright. Come to Mapo Station.”

> [Mapo Station? Hmm… I think I can get there in about thirty minutes.]

“There’s a café near Mapo Station called ‘Coffee Factory.’ Let’s meet there.”

> [Okay.]

Hana put her phone back into her small waist bag and hurried off.

—

Twenty-five minutes later, Hana arrived at the café first. She ordered two iced coffees and rushed into the restroom.

She tied up her sweat-soaked, messy hair neatly into a tight bun. Then she wiped the sweat from her forehead with a paper towel and washed her hands.

She had no makeup on, but thanks to exercising under the spring sun, her complexion was bright and peachy.

When the pager buzzed, she quickly fixed her appearance and went to pick up the drinks.

“Two iced Americanos are ready.”

“Thank you.”

As she turned around with a gentle smile, the café door slid open and a tall man in a suit walked in. For a moment, everyone’s eyes in the café turned toward him.

Hana unconsciously looked over—and flinched in surprise.

She had met many wealthy people before, but this was the first time she truly felt someone had an untouchable aura of elegance and power.

*He wasn’t this overwhelming back in college… though he did stand out even then.*

Jeonghan scanned the room and quickly recognized Hana.

The moment their eyes met, she flinched again. A strong, intimidating presence radiated from him. Behind his handsome face was a sharp, dangerous edge to his personality.

*No. I can’t be pushed back from the start. Calm, gentle, and without him noticing—I’ll lead and take control. I’m the lawyer.*

Hana walked up to him with a professional smile.

“Senior Ryu Jeonghan?”

“Kang Hana?”

“Yes. I’m Kang Hana. Nice to meet you.”

She reached out her hand for a handshake, greeting him almost like a stranger.

“Oops, I’m holding coffee. Let’s shake hands after we talk.”

“Fine.”

Jeonghan naturally took the tray from her.

“Shall we sit?”

Unlike Hana, who looked toward the window filled with sunlight, he pointed to a secluded corner.

“That spot looks good.”

There was no one nearby. People seeking divorce consultations almost always preferred places away from prying eyes.

Sitting across from him, Hana briefly wondered why someone so young was already divorcing—but quickly erased the thought.

*Stay indifferent to the client’s private life.*

That was her professional rule.

She exchanged a few meaningless pleasantries and waited for Jeonghan to bring up the divorce topic first.

But before the usual “How have you been?” could even come out, Jeonghan said something completely unexpected.

> “I want you to have my child.”

He casually dropped this shocking line in a lazy, decadent voice, like asking, *Want a drink?*

*Did I overdo my workout today?*

*Or did I suddenly develop hearing problems at a young age?*

Hana tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing.

“…What did you just say?”

*I must have heard wrong. There’s no way an educated man would say something like that.*

> “I’ll be direct. Have my child.”

He completely shattered her hope.

Without any context, asking her to have his child—wasn’t that something she had every right to be offended by?

Hana’s expression twisted.

Seeing her reaction, he continued.

> “You don’t want marriage, but you want a child, right?”

What kind of nonsense was this?

> “It’s a well-known rumor.”

*Marriage: NO. Child: YES.*

She did say that all the time—to friends and family. It usually earned her a smack on the back from her mother.

But that was just talk. How did he hear that—and why was he taking it seriously?

Hana spoke with a frustrated expression.

“Well, that’s—”

> “Perfect. I’m the same.”

Jeonghan cut her off.

Hana stared at him with her mouth wide open, completely stunned.

> “In return, I’ll provide excellent genes and a wealthy life.”

His confidence was unbelievable, almost laughable.

“So right now…”

She pointed back and forth between him and herself.

“You’re saying *we* should have a child together?”

> “You’re quick to understand. Must be because you’re a lawyer.”

She waved both hands.

“No. I don’t understand at all.”

Jeonghan frowned, as if *he* couldn’t understand her reaction.

“What’s so hard to understand?”

Ask any woman in Korea if this makes sense.

> “If you give birth to my child, I’ll make sure you live better than anyone else—for life.”

Wait. If this isn’t a proposal, then what is it?

Hana frowned deeply.

“I don’t do marriage.”

Her sharp resistance was met with a light scoff and open mockery.

> “Who said anything about marriage?”

Seeing Hana still suspicious, Jeonghan sat up straighter and spoke seriously.

> “Just have the child. That’s all.”

No matter how much Hana loved children, this was too sudden to process.

> “No interference in your private life. If you want, I won’t even get involved in childcare. No marriage, so no in-law problems either. But in return…”

Without realizing it, Hana was being drawn into his words. He had a way of captivating people.

> “When I die, everything I own will go to the child you give birth to. What do you think?”

Hana’s eyes widened.

There was even a saying that all money in Korea passed through **Daehan** at some point. Daehan Financial Group was solid in both assets and performance.

Imagining a chaebol inheritance going to a child she might give birth to made her feel dizzy for a moment.

“All of that money…?”

She quickly covered her open mouth with her hand.

Jeonghan leaned back comfortably against the sofa, wearing a confident smile.

> “Every last bit. Even land in the most remote regions.”

At his irresistible offer, Hana’s pupils shook wildly—like leaves trembling in a strong wind.