The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 36
CHAPTER 36
Han Go-yeo and Kang Seung-hoo’s scandal has erupted. The scene of the two sitting facing each other, laughing across the table. Someone at the restaurant took a picture and quickly uploaded it to social media, which rapidly turned into news articles.
“Hah.”
Go-yeo sighed disappointingly, tossing her phone onto the couch. They certainly looked like affectionate lovers to anyone who saw them.
But reality didn’t match the appearance. The previous rumors were more like gossip, with journalists writing as if they were making things up. This time, however, with the photo circulating, it became serious. Just a few days ago, news of Ji-hyuk’s engagement had spread like wildfire.
Even just looking at the flickering phone screen was exhausting.
“Go-yeo, this is when you need to stay strong. Come and eat.”
Sumi pushed Go-yeo into the dining room. Go-yeo sat at the table and looked at the prepared food. She picked up her spoon, sighed, and then put it down again.
“Isn’t that young man coming today?”
“Ga-eul? Why would he? I’m not going out today, so what’s the point?”
“I wonder if he’s eating well. I made extra food in case he came over. Tell him to take some.”
“He’ll manage on his own. I don’t want to bother him with such things.”
“No, he seemed a bit down. His mother is unwell. He’s alone with his younger sibling. Maybe it’ll help if he takes some food.”
‘He’s not as cool as he looks, Auntie.’
A bitter smile crossed her lips as she ladled up some sea urchin seaweed soup and took a sip.
“You talk about everything. When did you become so close?”
“We talked about this and that while waiting for you to come downstairs. He seems like a decent kid. How many young people these days care about their mothers like that? His father passed away. He’s the head of the household. He grew up properly.”
Go-yeo nodded vaguely. She was vaguely guessing. While they were discussing this and that, the formally placed house phone rang. Surprised by the sudden sound, Sumi headed to the living room to answer it. After a few responses, she approached Go-yeo.
“It’s the chairman. He couldn’t reach you, so he called the house. Go and take the call.”
Go-yeo sighed softly and put down the unused cutlery. She sat on the living room sofa and cleared her throat.
“Yes. It’s me.”
– Any discomfort?
“No. I’m fine.”
– Now that the picture’s out, should we consider making a rebuttal article? What do you think?
“Why bother? Let it go. They’ll probably release a fact-checking article from their end.”
– You didn’t actually meet the guy, did you?
“Is that what you’re curious about? It was the day I went to the hotel restaurant with Tae-shin. We just happened to run into each other.”
– I see. Understood. But from now on, we won’t just let things slide. We’ll release an article denying the false claims. Do you understand?
Even after ending the call, Go-yeo couldn’t fathom why Sang-moon suddenly changed his stance. He had agreed to quietly let things pass as she wanted.
The phone buzzed with messages from various people. She glanced at a familiar name among the incoming messages.
[It’s Jo Yoon-young. Couldn’t reach you by phone, so leaving a message. Please contact me.]
A disappointed laugh escaped her.
“Is everyone insane?”
She had a pounding headache from lack of sleep. She could have ignored Jo Yoon-young’s message, but what bothered her was the last message.
[I have something important to discuss. Isn’t it better to see me now than after marriage?]
With a sigh, she finally began to prepare to leave. She felt somewhat anxious about going to meet Jo Yoon-young. She put more effort into her hair and makeup than usual.
Until the moment she left the house, she hesitated whether she needed to meet Jo Yoon-young. But if they were to meet after marriage, it would probably be even more awkward than now.
She checked her appearance in the full-length mirror. The black velvet mini dress adorned with pearls and crystals gave off both freshness and elegance.
Her eyes felt gritty from lack of sleep, so she blinked repeatedly. Straightening her posture, Go-yeo consciously smoothed out her long, tousled hair.
Jo Yoon-young called her to the hotel, claiming that people would be conscious of them. When she arrived at the room she had informed her about, Yoon-young opened the door herself. Sitting facing each other in the small reception area, she accepted the coffee she offered and looked out the window. The bright midday city view held nothing of interest. She had seen enough of the dull forest of buildings and cars, so her gaze held no meaning.
She took a sip of the tasteless coffee and put it down. Yoon-young didn’t speak after calling her over. She leaned back in her chair, looking at her indifferently. She wondered how long this cat-and-mouse game would continue.
“I saw the scandal today.”
It was a meaningless statement.
“Did you really meet Kang Seung-hoo?”
‘Did she call me here just to discuss this?’
Go-yeo narrowed her eyes. Yoon-young chuckled lightly at her expression and took a sip of her coffee.
“Of course. It’s not because of that I wanted to see you. I know Ji-hyuk hasn’t forgotten you yet. But I need this marriage. You know better than anyone, Go-yeo. Marriage here is business.”
She said so with a lonely smile.
“As you know, you and Ji-hyuk had something special. So I hoped that scandal was true.”
Listening to the tiresome conversation made Go-yeo’s head spin. It seemed like she came here for nothing.
“So what’s the conclusion?”
“Even if Ji-hyuk wavers, don’t accept him, Go-yeo. It hurts my pride as well to say these things, but I’m desperate. As his fiancée, I think I have the right to say this. Please.”
She had to exert all efforts to maintain her crumbling posture. It was truly a sigh-worthy statement. Despite her unfavorable feelings towards her, Yoon-young’s calm expression as she conveyed her message was pitiable.
In the end, Moon Ji-hyuk had made Han Go-yeo into a mistress. It was as disappointing as it was surprising when what she had feared became reality.
“That’s a selfish thing to say. But shouldn’t you be telling that to Moon Ji-hyuk? To keep his feelings in check?”
“Of course, I told Ji-hyuk as well. He just doesn’t listen to me. That’s why I had no choice but to come to you, Go-yeo.”
In truth, Go-yeo felt embarrassed to hear such words from Jo Yoon-young. And she was angry with Moon Ji-hyuk. Every moment she spent thinking about him was now meaningless. Finally shaking off that lingering attachment seemed ridiculous now that she had come this far.
“And I, I slept with Ji-hyuk. If you have any lingering feelings, Go-yeo, get rid of them. You two are over.”
Go-yeo understood what Yoon-young said. She hit the nail on the head. They were finished. But how strange it sounded when Yoon-young said it instead of them two. She barely managed to stifle a sarcastic laugh.
“His mother is worried, Go-yeo.”
Go-yeo knew Yoon-young intentionally brought up Yun Seung-ok. Was she feeling threatened by her?
“Ms. Yoon-young, is that all you have to say?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. I’ve heard you. Now let me tell you. Take care of your fiancé, and I hope you won’t contact me again. There’s nothing good that will come out of seeing each other.”
Go-yeo rose quietly. The world was spinning around her, but now wasn’t the time to worry about that. She had to exert strength in her footsteps to avoid stumbling. Feeling Yoon-young’s lingering gaze, she opened the door with perfect composure. Slam. As the door closed, she braced her body against the wall to steady herself.
Yoon-young smiled and sipped her coffee as she looked at the closed door. Despite scrutinizing Go-yeo’s reaction a moment ago, her impassive expression suggested she hadn’t been shocked at all. They were truly resilient individuals.
“Both Moon Ji-hyuk and Han Go-yeo are stubborn.”
It was foolish not to know when to stop. She understood Moon Ji-hyuk’s obsession, but surely Han Go-yeo also had some feelings. However, with today’s events, Han Go-yeo must have detached herself from Moon Ji-hyuk. Whether it was true or not, she knew her words had hit Han Go-yeo hard.
Han Go-yeo maintained a stiff and arrogant posture to the end, but she couldn’t hide the slight trembling of her fingers clutching the clutch.
That was all, but just looking at her made Yoon-young feel like the feeling of defeat that had always followed her had disappeared.
“Sooner than expected.”
Yoon-young smiled gleefully.
Go-yeo rubbed her dizzy head and headed for the elevator. She staggered a few times but didn’t collapse. She glanced down and saw her crystal-adorned shoes catching the light. It made her wonder if good shoes lead to good places.
‘If I had known my condition would deteriorate like this, I would have called Yoon Ga-eul.’
Ping-. The elevator doors opened with a sound. When she saw the well-polished black men’s shoes, she moved aside. A familiar scent emanated from the man. As she lifted her head, the last person she wanted to see was standing there expressionlessly.
Ji-hyuk grabbed Go-yeo’s arm and pulled her along. Go-yeo tried to shake off his grip, but Ji-hyuk’s relentless touch didn’t waver. She felt like she was being dragged along, staggering.
“You crazy bastard. Let go of me.”
He must have heard her low voice, but he didn’t oblige. Ji-hyuk forcefully opened the door to the room next to where Jo Yoon-young was and pushed Go-yeo’s fragile body inside. As Go-yeo swung her fists wildly, Ji-hyuk grabbed both of Go-yeo’s hands and gripped her chin firmly.
He made her look at him fixedly. Ji-hyuk muttered curses under his breath.
“… Kang Seung-hoo, that son of a bitch. What is he?”
“What’s it to you?”
A mocking smirk appeared on Go-yeo’s face.
“Answer me! Han Go-yeo!”
Ji-hyuk’s composure shattered. She knew what the best gift she could give to him right now was. She knew the method to throw all the miserable feelings of humiliation and betrayal she had felt at once. The way to ensure that their relationship could never return to what it used to be.
“Ji-hyuk, do you know what? I slept with another man, not you.”
Go-yeo whispered candidly and smirked. Ji-hyuk scrutinized Go-yeo’s eyes stubbornly, then smirked himself.
“You did?”
With someone other than him?
He pounded the door with his fist. Then, with flashing eyes, he looked at Go-yeo and growled like a raging beast.
“You dare? How dare you?”
Go-yeo stared back at Ji-hyuk. It was hard to tell whether he was angry or hurt.