Chapter 116: The Fracture Beneath the Surface

…What?

A strange discomfort hit me.

Not just the usual awkward patriarchal father vibe. Hard to explain, but… he seemed unwelcoming?

No—saying it like that made me sound like a sulky teen upset Daddy didn’t greet him. Annoyed at my own analogy, I dropped it. Turned quickly to greet the staff behind me, including Manager Jo.

“Everyone doing well?”

They swarmed over.

“Young master, so glad you’re safe.”

“Chairman ordered a special dinner tonight—look forward to it.”

Most had worked here over a decade—genuinely worried. Grateful. I smiled sheepishly.

“Thank you all. Sorry for the trouble.”

Warm greetings exchanged, I turned to Doyoon. He’d been staring at me with a wistful look—snapped to a smile when I spun around. So obvious.

“Hyung, go inside.”

“You?”

“…Sorry, but I need to head to the office.”

Made sense. He’d been dragged here by Seunghee’s call. Before that, glued to unconscious me. Barely worked—then three days gone again. Executive-level—work must be piled sky-high.

“Yeah, go. You worked from the hospital anyway.”

Doyoon looked reluctant.

“I’ll finish fast as possible.”

I chuckled.

“Okay, I’ll wait.”

His face flushed. In a blind spot, he squeezed my hand briefly, let go. Flustered, he gave quick bows and bolted. Every little thing he did—cute.

So welcome-home dinner: just four—me and the adults. Seunghee and Doyoon swamped from days skipped for me. Grandfather kept pushing to call them; I stopped him.

“They suffered enough because of me. They’ll be busy awhile.”

Surprisingly, Father agreed.

“Right, Father. Seunghee and Doyoon are busy—why keep calling? Let’s eat and finish.”

My eyebrow twitched. Agreement? Sounded more like get this over with. Or was I hypersensitive from the ordeal? That odd feeling lingered as I watched him. Mother backed me.

“Yes, Father-in-law. Seunghyun’s tired.”

She genuinely worried. I glared subtly at Father, then cooed at Grandfather.

“Exactly. Just us is perfect. I’m the star.”

“Hahaha, true.”

Grandfather beamed at my aegyo. Mother smiled small. Only Father shot me a cold glance. His already rotten personality seemed to be cracking open. Why so hostile?

Dinner ended decently. Grandfather thanked me repeatedly for returning safe—never mentioned Noh Jae-sik.

Everyone consciously avoided the topic. Father stayed silent, answering only Grandfather. Mother asked if I needed anything—eyes brimming with guilt and pity, making me uncomfortable.

Back in my room post-dinner, I couldn’t sleep. Hospital luxury spoiled me… but Mother’s guilty demeanor gnawed at me.

I didn’t want to blame her much. She just… had terrible taste in men. If Father’s many mistresses teamed up against me, I’d have died the day I possessed. Not saying she did well—but I couldn’t erase human pity.

We’d live together long-term; her acting like a criminal every time she saw me? No thanks. I left to talk frankly. Past 10 p.m.—not bedtime yet.

Mother’s door on the first floor was slightly ajar. I tilted my head, reached for the handle—CRASH—something shattered inside. I flinched. Then Father’s voice:

“Acting pretty convincing earlier, huh?”

I froze. Mother screamed:

“What the hell are you doing? Are you insane?”

“Didn’t know you were this kind of woman… disgusting. Would’ve kept fooling me forever?”

“What?”

Brief silence. A bad premonition slammed from head to toe. Sure enough, Father’s voice lowered—but I heard clearly:

“…Think I don’t know whose kid Seunghyun is?”

Instinctively, I held my breath, pressed against the wall.

Silence inside too.

“What are you talking about?”

Mother playing dumb—her voice shook even to me outside. Father snorted.

“Who do you think Noh Jae-sik met before dying?”

I clapped a hand over my mouth. Noh went to Father?!

“Idiot demanded money from me? Doesn’t know his place.”

Insane… he went to Vice Chairman Choi Young-gil after escaping!

Felt like a brick to the skull. Useless to the end. Needed cash, sure—but wanted to see Mother crumble too.

Then Mother, flustered:

“…You killed him?”

Father’s chilling reply:

“Can’t kill you.”

Shock froze me solid. His voice continued:

“Why, sad? Still love that bastard?”

“You’re crazy?! How can you kill so easily…!”

“Mi-sun.”

Silence. Risking it, I edged closer to the crack. Heart pounding.

“…Hand over Seonjeong Hospital, Haewon Gallery, and your Haewon Group shares. Then leave. No divorce—I’ll raise Seunghyun as is.”

My eyes bulged. He went on:

“Oh, can’t live here. Tried acting earlier—couldn’t stomach it, food wouldn’t go down. But I’ll fund you abroad. That’s massive mercy—right? Always thought the kid was dumb since young… makes sense now. Not mine. Ha.”

Mother, furious and betrayed:

“How dare you say that about our Seunghyun…”

“Our? Where’s an our Seunghyun here?”

Silence.

“Should I tell Father? One week—prepare documents. Contact lawyers from now on.”

Footsteps neared the door. I darted into the nearby bathroom, hid. The door I’d leaned on opened—Father stormed out, cursing.

I waited till his steps faded, then shallowly exhaled. Heart about to burst. Deep breaths—finally entered Mother’s room.

Chaos. Broken frames, shattered porcelain. Mother sat pale amid the debris. I rushed:

“You okay?”

Closer look—her cheek swollen red. I gritted my teeth.

“Father did this?”

“…I’m fine, Seunghyun.”

Rage surged. Tried ignoring it—couldn’t. Grabbed her hand, spat:

“…I heard everything outside. Just divorce him. He’s got no ground. Fault-based—he can’t talk like that. You won’t lose.”

Tears threatened. But Mother stared blankly, then muttered distantly:

“Don’t worry. Mom will handle it. I’ll fix everything.”

“Mom, please…”

Her eyes turned to me—dark, eerie.

“I’ll never let harm come to you. Never… even if I have to kill…”

I froze, still holding her hand. A chilling, horrifying thought struck:

In the original… was Mother the one who killed Choi Young-gil?