Chapter 35: Conflicting Feelings

“Don’t joke like that.”

A sudden rush of heat surged to my face. If not for the broadcast makeup, my cheeks would’ve clearly flushed red.

I instinctively lowered my head.

My hand trembled as it clenched the edge of the tablecloth.

“I’m not joking.”

His gentle, velvety voice grazed my ear. Even with a table between us, my whole body shivered. When I looked up, Jae-Ha was gazing at me calmly.

His eyes, void of their usual humor, seemed to peer right into my soul, and that made my chest tighten.

Why do you look at me like that…? and say things like this…?

Thump, thump, thump.

My heart began pounding loudly, so loud I was worried he might hear it from across the table.

Why did he always shake me up in such unexpected ways? Or maybe it was me who was too easily stirred by a single sentence.

His eyes were like the still surface of a quiet sea. Facing that steady gaze, I couldn’t bring myself to speak—my lips trembled slightly.

“It’s too late for a normal marriage now.”

Contrary to the heat burning in my cheeks, I said something paradoxical.

Jae-Ha, seemingly unprepared for that response, let his hand fall from his chin.

“Besides, you were the one who backed out of our engagement before.”

“I know… and I regret it now.”

His admission caught me off guard, but I quickly wiped the emotion from my face. Did he really regret it?

There had always been a question buried deep in my heart: Why did you give up on marrying me back then?

I almost asked. But seeing the quiet acceptance on his face, the urge faded.

“Knowing is enough.”

There’s no point digging up the past.

“It’s not that I dislike you, Jae-Ha. Honestly… I’m just sick of marriage.”

Truthfully, just the thought of it made me flinch in my sleep. And even if they were only half-brothers, Jae-Ha was still Ji-Han’s brother.

Staying married to him would mean continuing to see Ji-Han.

And yet—his words hadn’t been unpleasant. No, they’d made my heart flutter.

But I couldn’t reveal that, so I settled for a bitter smile.

“That’s why I thought we’d be well-matched in that regard.”

He shrugged, feigning a disappointed expression.

“I might not make a good wife, but I’ll be a decent partner. Let’s get along.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly not thrilled by my words, and opened his mouth to reply, “That’s—”

“We’ll serve your order now.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the server.

They placed our dishes on the table, and silence fell between us again.

Looking down at the plate, my mood lifted. The aroma alone was enough to awaken the appetite I’d lost in Pyeongchang-dong.

Noticing the brightness in my eyes, Jae-Ha let out a soft chuckle.

“It really does look good. I could never get a reservation here before.”

“……”

“The smell is incredible. No wonder it’s so popular.”

The scent of truffle oil rising from the freshly served pasta was incredibly enticing.

“With how much you love food, why do you eat instant noodles every day?”

“Well… those taste good in their own way.”

Seeing me smiling again, Jae-Ha smoothly changed the subject.

“Do you know Chef Lee Jong-Il?”

“Of course. He’s famous.”

He was a renowned Korean cuisine expert. In my past life, I’d spent years learning from him. His classes had been a small joy in the dry, joyless years of my marriage to Ji-Han.

“He recently started offering one-day classes. I’ve been learning from him.”

“No wonder… That soybean paste stew you made the other day had Chef Lee’s touch. Wow, it’s hard to get into those classes, right?”

So that’s why his soybean paste stew had felt strangely familiar.

Chef Lee only accepted one or two teams per class—a very selective process. I remembered getting in only thanks to a desperate favor from someone I knew.

“Did you apply for a one-day class?”

Without realizing, I asked with excitement. Memories of that one happy part of my past came rushing back and made me want to go again.

“It was the first time I learned that some things in life aren’t possible, even with money.”

“Pfft. So true. That chef is really strict about that kind of thing.”

I laughed, knowing exactly what he meant. Chef Lee wasn’t the type to be swayed by money.

It’s been so long since I last saw him…

“I want to go. Those classes were fun.” I murmured to myself, smiling at the thought.

Jae-Ha, watching me, smiled quietly.

“Are you busy this next weekend?”

“Next weekend? Not particularly.”

I tilted my head at the sudden question.

“Perfect. Let’s go together.”

“Huh?”

“To the one-day class. I managed to get in—finally.”

Wait, hadn’t he failed to get a spot?

“I can really go with you?”

“Of course.”

He grinned at my surprise.

“I said I’d be going with my future wife.”

* * *

Seo-Rin was sitting in an empty conference room with a few close announcer friends during their lunch break.

She had spilled some coffee and was returning from the restroom when she heard a familiar voice and paused.

“Saturday at five? There’s no earlier time slot?”

Yeo-Jin?

Seo-Rin froze, just about to head back to the conference room.

“Ah, right. Chef Lee Jong-Il is always so busy. So that’s the last available slot?”

Turning the corner, she spotted Yeo-Jin on the phone. When she heard the name “Chef Lee Jong-Il,” someone she knew well, she instinctively kept listening.

“On second thought, five o’clock is fine. I should be grateful I got in at all.”

She’s taking Chef Lee’s class on Saturday?

Seo-Rin was already a regular student of Chef Lee’s Korean cuisine courses. She knew just how hard it was to get into the one-day sessions.

And this weekend’s one-day class… It’s only for couples and married pairs, isn’t it?

Seo-Rin’s face tightened as she watched Yeo-Jin return to the programming office. Inside, Yeo-Jin and Yeong-Joon were reviewing the script together.

Every time Seo-Rin saw Yeo-Jin working on the news, it burned her up—knowing the spot had once been hers.

She’s really getting on my nerves.

Just as Seo-Rin was about to step out again, the office door burst open, and a group of coworkers entered, chatting loudly.

Spotting Seo-Rin, they made their way over.

“Seo-Rin! You said you were heading to the bathroom. Got here first, huh?”

“Yeah. I was just putting on some hand cream.”

Smiling brightly, Seo-Rin acted as if nothing had happened.

As she set down her hand cream, one colleague linked arms with her and asked, “So when’s the wedding?”

At first, Seo-Rin found it uncomfortable to be asked about the ceremony in front of people she didn’t want knowing.

Then she saw Yeo-Jin’s back and changed her mind.

“We haven’t set a date yet. Maybe in a couple of months, if things move quickly?”

She remembered seeing Yeo-Jin talking so sweetly with Ji-Han in the news studio a few days ago. That proud, deliberate display of affection still gnawed at her.

Since then, Ji-Han had acted differently. Despite their engagement being broken, he hadn’t brought up marriage again.

Something must’ve happened that day.

Seeing Yeo-Jin still so composed while she herself was desperate—it stung.

Acting all dignified, when inside she must be falling apart.

“Aren’t you rushing things a bit?”

“He must be really eager. Afraid Seo-Rin might run off?”

At the sound of laughter, Yeo-Jin looked up from her seat. Seo-Rin’s face flushed with embarrassment at the admiring stares around her, and Yeo-Jin’s brows subtly furrowed.

“Your fiancé is so sweet.”

Sensing Yeo-Jin’s discomfort despite her feigned indifference gave Seo-Rin a thrill.

Fine. Yeo-Jin could have the anchor seat—Seo-Rin would be the daughter-in-law of Hojin Group.

“What’s going on? Seo-Rin, did something good happen?”

“Something really good!”

In the cheerful office atmosphere, Yeong-Joon walked over with a cheeky grin and asked, “What is it? You getting married or something?”

“Ding ding.”

It was her close friend who responded eagerly to his joking question.

“Seriously? With whom? How did you keep this so quiet?”

As more questions came, Seo-Rin shifted her gaze from Yeo-Jin to the surrounding crowd, flashing a bright smile.

“It just happened all of a sudden.”

She hadn’t planned on talking about it openly. But seeing the souring expression on Yeo-Jin’s face made it irresistible.

So, the perfect unnie lacks love, huh?

To anyone watching, Seo-Rin was clearly the loved woman here.

Yeo-Jin knew it too—that must be why her expression was so stunned.

“Wow, you look so happy.”

“I’m really glad for you, Seo-Rin. Congratulations.”

Soon after, Yeo-Jin composed her expression, but she was the only one not sharing in the joyful mood.

In the midst of cheerful chatter, she turned her head away.

That reaction sent a thrill down Seo-Rin’s spine as she stepped forward toward Yeo-Jin.

“Yeo-Jin unnie.”

Yeo-Jin turned at her call.

“I’m getting married. You’ll congratulate me, right?”

“What?”

I know you too well, unnie.

Yeo-Jin was someone who valued her image above all else.

She lived by the belief that weaknesses must never be shown—so of course, she wouldn’t lash out now and expose herself.

“I think I’d be even happier if you gave me your blessing.”

The script crumpled slowly in Yeo-Jin’s hand, as if she’d taken the bait.

Seo-Rin leaned in close, speaking just loud enough for Yeo-Jin to hear.

“Thank you for giving him up.”

“Are you insane?”

“Insane? Not at all.”

Straightening, Seo-Rin smiled slyly.

“Smile a little. People are already whispering about you.”

She gently placed her slender hand on Yeo-Jin’s shoulder.

“What if rumors start that we’re not getting along?”

Yeo-Jin’s brow twitched slightly, as if she could feel all the watching eyes behind her.

Most people would assume Seo-Rin was doing this because of their past closeness.

Yeo-Jin’s gaze chilled. Just as Seo-Rin had predicted, she pulled Seo-Rin’s hand off her shoulder.

Despite her elegant expression, Seo-Rin was sure her insides were rotting.

Why did you keep provoking me?

“Never mind… You’re going through a lot lately. Maybe I was asking too much.”

“……”

“Sorry.”

Just when it looked like Yeo-Jin might give in under the obvious stares, she smiled.

Brightly, as if truly pleased.

“No, of course I should. Congratulations on your wedding.”

Seo-Rin’s mind went blank for a second. That wasn’t how the Yeo-Jin she knew would respond.

“Th-thank you.”

Her lips, trembling with confusion, stopped moving.

She couldn’t refuse. And Yeo-Jin still managed to keep her pride.

Of course.

As Seo-Rin turned away and began walking back toward her coworkers, “But Seo-Rin, won’t you have to quit being a news anchor soon?”

“…?”

“Your belly’s only going to grow. It’ll be hard to keep going.”

Seo-Rin turned back in shock.

The office fell silent. Everyone had clearly heard what Yeo-Jin just said.

“Oh, you all didn’t know? Seo-Rin’s pregnant.”

She actually said it—out loud?

Yeo-Jin gave a hearty laugh, then exaggerated a guilty expression.

“I thought everyone already knew. You talk about it so much.”

A cold smile spread across Yeo-Jin’s face.

In the silence, Yeong-Joon awkwardly stepped in to smooth things over.

“These days, lots of people get married after getting pregnant. It’s all good!”

“Right, it’s basically part of the wedding package. Congratulations, Seo-Rin.”

As the atmosphere gradually relaxed and people offered their congratulations, Seo-Rin forced a stiff smile.

But inside, she was seething.

The moment she thought she’d landed a clean blow, Yeo-Jin had flipped the situation.

Do you think saying I’m pregnant changes anything?

“And, I’ve been wondering—Seo-Rin, are you really getting married?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course I am.” Seo-Rin’s voice trembled slightly.

After returning from Pyeongchang-dong, Ji-Han hadn’t contacted her for days.

When he finally did, it was to ask about the pregnancy.

She’d expected joy. Instead, his expression had been… disturbed.

“I’m sorry. I hate feeling like I’ve trapped you.”

In the end, she had broken down crying in front of him.

She had assumed—no, she had been sure—they would marry because of the baby.

Marriage was a given.

But Yeo-Jin gave her a mysterious smile, as if she knew everything.

“Just seems like it might be a one-sided assumption.”

As Yeo-Jin walked out of the office with a look of thinly veiled pity, Seo-Rin unclenched her fists.

The look in Yeo-Jin’s eyes said she knew Seo-Rin hadn’t even gotten a proper proposal.

Do you think I won’t become the daughter-in-law of that family?

I’ll prove it. That I’m not like you.

At that moment, Seo-Rin suddenly recalled something Yeo-Jin had said on the phone earlier.

Five o’clock on Saturday.

Her lips curled into a bitter, gleeful smile.