Chapter 29: Motives and Misunderstandings

Mother gave the worst possible answer.

My heart sank like lead.

It would’ve been better if she’d admitted to bias. Prejudices are hard as stone, but sometimes a small realization can shatter them.

Yet, she chose me despite knowing Seung Hee’s intelligence and capability. That left only one possibility.

Revenge.

Mother planned to use me, not of Haewon or Choi blood, to spite Grandfather and Father. Making a non-heir chairman in a family obsessed with sons would be the ultimate retaliation.

Since Choi Seung Hyun was a reckless, talentless troublemaker, she could claim to “help” while seizing control herself, like a regent in old Joseon.

Enduring nearly thirty years of a philandering, abusive husband, it wasn’t strange if her goal was far grander. The thrill of telling the Choi men they’d been fooled—how exhilarating would that be?

This realization explained why, in the novel, Shin Mi Sun never gave up on the insecure, incapable Seung Hyun.

As a reader, she seemed like a typical chaebol wife, overly protective of her son and hating her husband’s illegitimate child. That wasn’t incomprehensible. But the truth was more complex.

Suddenly, I pitied her.

Her ultimate target, her husband, died early, unaware of her schemes. Her relied-upon son was exposed as non-blood, exiled, and ended his life. Grandfather named another woman’s son chairman, aided by her own daughter. In her final years, Shin Mi Sun died alone in a grand house, imprisoned by Do Yoon.

A horrific life.

Beyond supporting Seung Hee for my goal of leaving, I wanted Mother to stop wasting energy on futile revenge and escape this hell to find her own happiness. I spoke more firmly.

“I can’t be who you want. And I don’t want to.”

“Seung Hyun.”

“But Noona could.”

“Did she put you up to this? Are you two scheming?”

Mother snapped irritably. When I sighed, she softened, coaxing.

“Why is finishing a marathon impressive? Because you don’t give up, no matter how tough. You can do it, son.”

It sounded like she was convincing herself, not me.

What if I told her I knew I wasn’t even qualified for this race?

From what I’d seen, she’d be shocked at first but later try to enlist me to help her. Revealing I knew now wouldn’t help. I took a deep breath.

“Do Yoon won’t stay a kid forever. One day, you might have to choose between Seung Hee and him.”

“How dare he!”

Her voice sharpened at Do Yoon’s name. But her anger implied she saw some plausibility in it. If she thought it absurd, she’d have just scoffed. I said seriously.

“Noona’s your child. She’d treat you well.”

“You’re my child too.”

“But I can’t be chairman.”

“Choi Seung Hyun!”

“Think about what I’m saying.”

A deathly silence followed. I sighed lightly and stood. Neither of us had eaten half our food.

“I’m heading out. Call if you want to come home. I’ll pick you up.”

She didn’t stop me as I left.

In the car, I sighed the whole way home. People don’t change overnight, but I hoped she’d reconsider for her own sake.

Returning home glum, I was greeted by a cleaned-up Do Yoon, bounding toward me like a puppy.

“Hyung!”

But his face was teary. Startled, I widened my eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“Noona says she’s kicking you out. Please explain.”

“Huh?”

What happened while I was gone?

Do Yoon looked like he was fleeing something, especially as Seung Hee descended from the second floor. He whispered urgently, like a spy.

“She keeps saying you hit me yesterday. I said no, but she thinks I’m lying to protect you. She said to wait a bit, and I’ll be free.”

What’s with the mob boss vibe?

Seung Hee looked flustered, seeing Do Yoon rush to tattle. She stood at a distance, awkwardly eyeing us, and said.

“You said you’d move out once you got a job. That’s what I meant.”

Oh… got it.

I’d casually mentioned to Seung Hee, when asking for Haewon E&M info, that I’d get a place near the company if I got hired. While I was out, she must’ve told Do Yoon, thinking it’d comfort him, assuming I’d “attacked” him while drunk yesterday.

She didn’t expect him to immediately spill to me. Her attempt at discretion backfired, like being caught gossiping.

Seeing her dumbfounded face, I felt a bit smug.

Look, I’m this close to the main character!

But it was surprising that Seung Hee cared this much about Do Yoon already. As a decent person with empathy, she must’ve kept interacting with him despite personal feelings. No wonder they allied in the novel.

Do Yoon, however, raised his voice.

“You’re getting a job?!”

His big, teary brown eyes quivered, as if I’d betrayed him. Why does he keep making that face? It’s killing me…

I scratched my cheek awkwardly. Don’t I need to work? I’m human too. What kind of deadbeat did he think I was?

Having money doesn’t mean you loaf forever. The wealthy especially need to find purpose, or boredom rots you. Ignoring his question, I sighed to Seung Hee.

“I said yesterday I just wandered into the wrong room, drunk.”

That’s the story, anyway. Do Yoon, seeming to get it, didn’t argue. Instead, he stood close by my side.

Seung Hee eyed us suspiciously, scanning us.

“So, what did you two do in that room if you didn’t fight?”

“Uh…”

I froze.

Saying I went to comfort him and fell asleep in his bed would sound weird. Besides, Choi Seung Hyun comforting Choi Do Yoon over Father’s affair? That’s bizarre.

Glancing at Do Yoon in panic, he looked even more flustered. He tried to act normal, but his neck and ears were bright red.

Why’s he this nervous? We didn’t do anything wrong… But Do Yoon’s pride would never let him admit he cried in my arms.

The longer we stalled, the more Seung Hee’s expression screamed, See, I knew it. She clearly thought I’d coerced him into silence.

Then, Do Yoon suddenly wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, so forcefully I let out an “oof.”

Startled, I reflexively stroked his silky hair with my left hand—habit from last night. Seung Hee’s jaw dropped, and the staff cleaning nearby covered their mouths, staring. Seung Hee sputtered.

“What are you two doing?”