"Wait a second!!"
"...Yes?"
"This is… too sudden. I’m not even ready to talk to my parents, let alone get married…"
"Didn't I tell you yesterday?"
"...What?"
The man sighed and brushed his hair back. Why was he acting like this without even explaining anything?
"Marriage is a condition."
"...What?"
"A condition to inherit the company. Marriage and a child. For me, this is the perfect opportunity."
"So you’re… using me?"
"...I can’t deny that."
"Then… I have one request too."
"I said we met because we loved each other and I would take responsibility because of that."
"…"
"I have no excuse. But I’ll make sure Yeoju doesn’t suffer. She’s still young, and I’ll support her in anything she wants to do."
"Mom... Dad..."
There was only one thing she asked for: she didn’t want her parents to be hurt or shocked. She wanted the child to be wanted and made with love. She wanted her husband not to use her, but to love her genuinely.
"Hurry the wedding. Once the belly gets big, it’ll be harder to move around. We’ll handle the furniture."
"Yeoju coming to me is already the greatest gift. We’ll take care of everything on our end."
"You're… quite the actor."
"I often have to stand in front of people."
"Thanks… for helping me with this favor."
But after that, he just gave a single nod. On the way to the Jeon family’s main house, he didn’t say another word.
The house they arrived at was massive and grand.
"Please wait here. I’ll be right back."
"Can’t I… go in with you?"
"What do you expect to hear inside? I’ll be quick."
"Still…"
"Please. Just wait."
He looked too serious to argue with. Still, she wanted to go… even if she was scared. They’d be living together now.
He returned to the car 30 minutes later. She had dozed off and was startled awake by the car door opening.
"…"
"One…"
"You can go back to sleep."
Even though he was facing forward, the heat on his cheeks was clearly visible.
"Did you… get hit or something?"
"…"
"If it’s because of me, then I—"
"Miss Kim Yeoju."
"Yes…?"
The next words that came out made her question her hearing.
"Let’s move in together. Let’s live together."
"...What?"
Her face flushed red, and her ears burned from words she didn’t expect. So she blurted it out without thinking:
"We’re living together."
"You said marriage was all that was needed. I will marry this person. And since the child came early, I will take responsibility and raise them well."
At that, she stared at her shoes and asked quietly,
"Is it… okay if we live together?"
"Yes."
There was no hesitation in his response.
"You know we can’t take this back anymore."
"I know… but still."
"I’ll help you move tomorrow. You’re not alone now, so just rest today."
"No! I’m okay. I’m not that far along yet, so I can still move. Just help me with the heavy stuff?"
"Just bring your clothes and essentials. You’ll be moving into my house, after all."
"Oh… okay…"
And that’s how their cohabitation began.
A tall, high-rise building. Her hand clenched tightly around the suitcase handle as they rode the elevator to the top floor.
When the door opened, a long hallway stretched out in front of her.
"Wow… You live in a really nice place."
"Give me the suitcase. I’ll show you your room. It won’t be too small for just you."
Giving a pregnant woman a separate room?
Even if it’s a loveless marriage… she was pregnant… and he was the father, after all…
When she looked at him sharply, he replied calmly:
"I never intended to share a room. Unpack and come out when you’re ready."
"Come out…? Are we going somewhere else?"
"Rules. We’ll set rules for our married life first."