Chapter 54: An Unexpected Proposition

In the early hours of dawn, I slipped out of the house unnoticed.

My mother had imposed a strict curfew, yet my escape proved remarkably simple. All I needed to do was move with the silent grace of a cat burglar.

As I traversed the garden and unlatched the main gate, a sleek sedan awaited me just beyond. A man in a crisp black suit opened the rear passenger door, and I settled into the seat without a word.

Despite the early hour, the streets were surprisingly bustling with traffic. Though the tinted windows shrouded the morning light, I found myself remembering the destination of this car.

After what felt like an interminable drive, the car finally pulled up to a luxurious officetel nestled in the very heart of the city.

We descended into the parking garage, where the driver dropped me at the entrance to the building itself. He then produced a card, which I immediately recognized as the officetel’s access key.

“He is expecting you.”

Following the man’s words, I stepped out of the car and proceeded to the entrance. Inside the elevator, I simply swiped the card, and the highest floor was automatically selected: the penthouse.

The elevator doors glided open in an instant. Typically, a common corridor would lead to a front door, but here, the apartment began immediately, sprawling directly beyond the elevator itself.

‘It’s cleaner than I expected.’

Adorned in a monochrome palette of black and white, the residence initially struck me as a meticulously styled model home. Yet, its cohesive design imparted a sense of stability. This was undeniably a dwelling tailored for Han Jung-woo.

Beyond a lengthy corridor, a grand living room unfolded, dominated by expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. At its heart, a massive sofa sat, easily capable of accommodating ten people with room to spare.

Noticing the staircase that ascended to the second floor, I deliberately took a seat on the central sofa. My intention was to subtly remind him that I was merely a guest in his home.

Moments later, he descended the stairs, his eyes falling upon me seated on the sofa. A cheerful wave and a greeting followed.

“Good morning.”

What exactly constituted a ‘good morning’ about this? He had utterly upended my life, and that was his nonchalant greeting. Moreover, in stark contrast to my own sleepless night, his face positively glowed, clearly indicative of a deep, restorative slumber.

His hair was still damp, suggesting he had just emerged from a shower, and he wore nothing but a loose shower gown. Though cinched at the waist, the front remained wide open, prompting me to quickly avert my eyes to his face.

“Have you had breakfast?”

His brazen question nearly provoked a curse from my lips. After all the torment I had endured since last night, thanks to him, the thought of food was utterly repulsive.

“Do you truly believe I was in any state to eat?”

“Right, I suppose not.”

He let out a soft chuckle, then settled onto the sofa opposite me. Only yesterday, I had celebrated the severance of our tenacious, ill-fated connection. Now, to be confronted by Han Jung-woo’s face first thing in the morning? A sharp ache began to throb behind my temples.

Since my presence here was unavoidable, my only recourse was to swiftly conclude our business and depart. Releasing a profound sigh, I dispensed with any unnecessary preamble and launched directly into the crux of the matter.

“When will you issue the retraction?”

“Ah, that.”

He widened his eyes, feigning surprise as if the matter had entirely slipped his mind. When I curtly told him to stop playing games, he merely offered a brazen smile and leaned closer to me.

“But that’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“…Pardon?”

“Yoo Seo-jin, you’re pregnant.”

“Does that automatically mean I’m obligated to marry?”

“Generally speaking, yes.”

Though he circled the issue, his message was clear: he had no intention of issuing a retraction. He had insisted we meet to discuss this, yet if this was his unyielding stance, why had he even bothered summoning me? The reason utterly eluded me.

“Are you genuinely attempting to marry me?”

“Is there anything preventing us?”

He was treating a matter that demanded profound deliberation with startling levity. This was the quest for a lifelong partner, yet he approached it with such casual simplicity. For the very first time, a deep wave of disappointment washed over me regarding him.

I had always assumed that despite his otherwise carefree nature, he would exhibit caution in matters of such gravity. Yet, to propose marriage with the same casualness one might choose a dinner menu—he must surely be deranged to act in such a manner.

“Then you may proceed with that marriage alone, Han Jung-woo. I have absolutely no intention of participating.”

“A solo endeavor hardly constitutes a marriage.”

“That is hardly my concern. Furthermore, since your side, Han Jung-woo, appears disinclined to issue a retraction, we shall publish a rebuttal article from our end. It will state, ‘Marriage Rumors: Baseless.’”

With that, my words were exhausted. There was simply nothing further to discuss with an adversary so devoid of any will to negotiate, so I rose from my seat without a moment’s hesitation.

“I am not yet finished speaking.”

“I am.”

As I turned to depart, a hand seized my wrist. He had risen so swiftly I hadn’t even noticed, his grip firm. His face, unable to mask its urgency, was visibly contorted.

“I said I’m not finished!”

His trembling voice seemed to plead with me, begging me not to leave. I wrenched my wrist from his grasp and resumed my seat. Then, with a slight tilt of my chin, I silently urged him to speak his piece.

Retracting his rejected hand, he, too, slumped back into his original position. The markedly altered atmosphere quite pleased me. I felt composed, while he was clearly agitated.

“The marriage rumors, as you rightly stated, Yoo Seo-jin, are not a mutually agreed-upon fact, so a retraction will be issued. Therefore, let us put this particular matter aside for now….”

“No, do it now.”

Though he frowned, clearly displeased by my terse command, he nonetheless complied. He retrieved his phone and contacted someone. Moments later, a message arrived, confirming that the retraction article was indeed being released.

“Is that satisfactory?”

“Well, it’s not terrible.”

With this immediate action, the media storm would surely subside. Now, my remaining tasks were to placate Yoo Hae-jung, who was actively pursuing marriage talks with Daejin Group, and to convince my family to accept my personal decision.

Given that my pregnancy had been exposed, and knowing Yoo Hae-jung’s nature, he would undoubtedly go to extreme lengths to prevent my departure. I would have no choice but to give birth here, then devise a subsequent plan.

“What profound thoughts occupy you so deeply?”

He, who had been intently observing me, spoke aloud to himself, his words clearly audible. Knowing he harbored no genuine curiosity, I resolved to conclude my thoughts and this meeting simultaneously.

“I hope we have no further business to conduct.”

“Whose decision is that?”

A smirk twisted his lips as he slowly rose to his feet. He effortlessly stepped over the low sofa table, closing the distance between us, then bent deeply at the waist. His surging pheromones carried a palpable, sharp edge.

“Yoo Seo-jin, are you perhaps angling for a custody battle with me down the line?”

“What are you…?”

“I told you, didn’t I? I also possess the right to be involved in the child’s life.”

It felt as though I had just encountered an entirely unforeseen predicament. Under normal circumstances, I might hold the advantage, but his backing was Daejin Group, a conglomerate with an arsenal of high-profile law firm attorneys perpetually at their disposal.

Should a legal battle commence, they would relentlessly pursue me, refusing to relent until I was utterly exhausted. However, I was certainly not one to abandon my child, making it abundantly clear that a protracted struggle was inevitable.

“You don’t wish for things to be tiresome either, do you, Yoo Seo-jin?”

His pheromones receded, and he spoke in a gentler tone. Frankly, if I could avoid a confrontation with him, I would. There was nothing to gain from tearing each other apart over the child.

When I nodded, he offered a small, knowing smile, as if he had anticipated my response all along. Though a vague sense of unease lingered, suggesting everything was unfolding precisely according to his plan, I decided to hear him out.

“Then let us proceed thusly. Until the child’s birth, I intend to be involved, regardless of your wishes, Yoo Seo-jin. I refuse to be an irresponsible man who turns a blind eye to his own child. However, after the birth, I will cede all authority to you.”

“What exactly does that mean?”

“It means you may do as you please, Yoo Seo-jin, whether you choose to leave with the child or to remain.”

At first glance, it seemed a rather enticing proposal. He would provide unwavering support until the birth, and afterward, I would be free to stay or leave as I wished.

Yet, my suspicions lingered; he had reneged on promises before. As if reading my thoughts, he moved to sit opposite me and elaborated.

“If you desire, I will even draw up a written oath.”

He offered a condition: should I decide to leave, he would even relinquish his paternal rights to the child. After pondering for a moment, I chose to trust his words.

More precisely, I chose to trust the written oath he would provide.

“In return, I have one condition of my own.”

It seemed as though he had forfeited everything else solely for this one stipulation. On any other occasion, I would have immediately refused without a second thought. However, given the overwhelmingly favorable terms he had offered, I was prepared to concede this one point.

I tilted my head, signaling him to proceed, and he eagerly seized the opportunity.

“Live with me.”