WAK 05

Chapter 5

On the second-floor balcony of a mansion overlooking a garden of over 200 pyeong, a middle-aged woman in a wheelchair appeared.

She was **Jung Suyeon**, the wife of Ryu Juncheol, chairman of Daehan Financial Group, and former chairwoman herself.

Her dyed hair was neatly styled, and her makeup was bright, making her look younger than her age. Yet, years of bedridden illness had left her eyes and expression devoid of vitality.

Today was Chairman Ryu’s birthday party.

She looked bitterly at the garden below. Families were gathered, enjoying a warm and cheerful celebration.

She saw her husband, Chairman Ryu, leaning back in laughter while chatting with his youngest son, Hyunsu.

Jung Suyeon had only one child, her only son, yet her husband had **three sons**. Her son was the eldest, which was infuriating.

Next to the youngest son’s biological mother, Nam Mihee, she saw her smiling.

*“So this is the day a concubine walks into my house.”*

Her clenched fists trembled.

Once a formidable woman who controlled the empire, years of illness had eroded her commanding presence. Her pride, however, remained intact.

While the tiger was away, the fox had entered the den, boldly taking over the territory.

*“No matter what, I will sort them all out before I die.”*

By “them,” she included her husband, Chairman Ryu.

A mixture of deep affection and resentment passed over her eyes.

Once, he had been a man she loved more than life itself. He had confessed his passionate love to her.

And yet, this was the price of trusting that love. Life felt bitter indeed.

“Madam, the vice chairman is here.”

At the voice of Secretary Kim, a small smile appeared on her lips. Her only true heir, the rightful successor to Daehan Financial Group, was **Jeonghan**.

“Mother.”

At Jeonghan’s greeting, Secretary Kim turned the wheelchair.

“You’ve come?”

Her voice was tender, filled with warmth.

“Why are you out here in this chilly weather?”

Jung Suyeon maneuvered the wheelchair herself, casting her gaze over the balcony. Secretary Kim discreetly went to prepare tea.

Jeonghan stood beside his mother, looking down at the garden. He observed his half-siblings, his father, and grandmother in turn.

“A rather proper family, isn’t it?”

“Perhaps.”

Jeonghan’s eyes lingered on Nam Mihee, who kept glancing up, and on Chairman Ryu, who seemed genuinely happy.

“I hope you marry soon.”

“I won’t marry.”

Her son’s firm words made her smile with worry.

“I expected you’d say that. It’s been your mantra since you were little…”

Without a legitimate heir, all the family fortune could go to the sons of concubines. That thought alone was worse than death for her.

“Don’t worry, Mother.”

“Hm?”

She tilted her head, unsure.

“Daehan Financial Group is a company I raised from my side of the family, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Jung Suyeon had chosen her husband’s modest family, small-time moneylenders, while Daehan was the daughter of the head of Daehan Bank.

When she first met Ryu Juncheol in college, she had fallen at first sight. He had been striking in his youth, just like Jeonghan.

Passionately, she had given everything she had. At the time, Ryu Juncheol had little besides his looks and good academic record.

Naturally, Jeonghan’s maternal grandfather opposed the marriage. Jung Suyeon had persuaded him and succeeded in marrying Ryu Juncheol.

“Do you think I would hand over the family fortune to someone else?”

“But you said you wouldn’t marry…”

“I never said I wouldn’t have children.”

“What do you mean…”

Jeonghan placed a hand on his mother’s shoulder. His warmth passed through her thin clothes.

“You must have a child.”

“…!”

“One child to inherit everything we have.”

He thought of **Hana**.

After a long search, he had finally found the perfect person—someone who didn’t want to marry but **desperately wanted a child**.

Thinking back to Hana from last weekend, a faint smile appeared on Jeonghan’s lips.

Smart yet quirky, innocent yet ambitious, her face lingered in his mind.

Jung Suyeon looked at her son with a complicated expression.

“May I ask just one thing?”

“Of course.”

She hesitated before speaking. After a long pause, she finally asked:

“Why do you say you dislike marriage so much?”

Perhaps she feared asking would expose her own failure to show a happy marriage.

Jeonghan casually looked down at the garden.

“Because I don’t trust myself.”

Unexpected.

“Why?”

In her eyes, he was a perfect son. Smarter than his father, skilled in business, good with money. His looks were like his father’s, but fortunately, his talents mirrored hers.

“Look.”

She frowned and gazed at the garden, finally understanding.

The extramarital children, the concubines, the sons and daughters of her father-in-law…

Jung Suyeon and her mother-in-law had only truly cared for **one child**, her grandson. Yet the garden was crowded with step-siblings, uncles, and aunts.

“Generations of women in this family… how extravagant their affairs are.”

“Jeonghan, that’s…”

“Do you think I’m any different?”

His cynical words struck her heart like a blade.

Meticulous and fastidious, Jeonghan knew the misfortune his father and grandfather had caused. He feared giving his future spouse the same hell.

“That’s why I don’t trust myself.”

Her heart ached.

“I never know when I might go mad and become a libertine.”

He chuckled, hands in pockets.

Though marriage could be happy, he had closed his heart from the start. His mother’s sympathy was clear.

“Don’t see it that way.”

Jeonghan thought of Hana. Lately, he found her constantly on his mind.

“The world has changed.”

Family structures have changed, too.

If Hana accepted his proposal and bore his child, he would do his utmost for that child. Love, indifference—he would give or withhold accordingly. And for his son or daughter, he would be a father to be proud of.

“No one else will touch what’s mine.”

He scanned the garden, observing his half-brothers and the children of concubines.

“I’ve always been greedy. I hate it when anyone touches what’s mine.”

Seeing this, Jung Suyeon thought of her late father. Though outwardly strict and miserly, he had been soft-hearted inside.

“I’m on your side, no matter what you do.”

“I know.”

Jeonghan’s phone vibrated.

-This may sound strange, but…

After a week, Hana finally contacted him.

Had she made up her mind so soon? His heart raced.

-Excuse me for asking…

-What request?

He replied. He was ready to fulfill whatever she asked.

After agonizingly long silence, her message came just as he thought he might suffocate.

-Could you send a few more childhood photos?

Jeonghan furrowed his brow. He remembered sending one photo a week ago.

He laughed wryly at the irony.

-Did you look at my photos all week?

No reply.

-I see… You did.

A smile spread across his face as he typed.

-Who said I was this cute? Annoying.

Seeing her react with mock frustration made him laugh.

“Who’s this?”

Jung Suyeon asked curiously. He shrugged, uninterested in her opinion.

“A junior.”

“A junior?”

“Yes.”

He sealed his lips, refusing to explain further.

He typed a message for Hana, deleted it multiple times, then finally pressed send:

-Meet now?

-Really, on-site exchange?

“Mother, I should be going now.”

“Alright, be careful.”

“Yes.”

As he turned, he sent another message:

-If I give the photos, what will you give me?

-You’re very meticulous, like in business.

-I’m thorough.

-I’ll buy you a drink.

It was already a debt to be repaid, though he didn’t mention it.

-Good. Come to the hotel.

He hurriedly added:

-I think it’s best to meet secretly.

After a brief hesitation, she finally replied:

-Good.

Jeonghan put his phone in his pocket and quickened his pace.