MR 08

Chapter 08

A Devoted Couple.

After losing my memories, this was always the most worrying part when meeting strangers.

Because I had such an eccentric personality before the accident, I had no idea what kind of humiliation I might have inflicted on whom.

Not being able to remember that itself was a second wound to the other person, so I spoke up again, just hoping I hadn’t had any bad history with this kind man.

“Things like speaking rudely, or committing unforgivable violence, or anything at all. It’s fine, so please tell me honestly. I’m not just saying that—I really am fine with it.”

“I don’t know why you’re saying such things, but there was absolutely nothing for you to worry about.”

What a relief. So even being Han Je-ha’s person, he’d at least maintained minimal courtesy.

For the first time, I felt grateful to my past self for having enough awareness and presence of mind to distinguish between public and private matters.

Secretary Yun, who had been watching my relieved expression, added cautiously.

“I didn’t have many opportunities to serve you, but every time we met, you always treated me sincerely. Your honest, unpretentious manner… I don’t know how you’ll take this, but I liked it.”

Had I ever heard such a positive evaluation from anyone since regaining consciousness?

Secretary Yun’s sincere answer nearly brought me to tears. The past days of scrambling to clean up after and apologize for my past self’s endless antics flashed before my eyes like a panorama, and my chest welled up.

Thank you, Secretary Yun. You just saved a life.

“That’s why I was so worried when I heard about your accident. Every single day without fail, I drove the Executive Director to the hospital, hoping to hear news that you’d woken up—I wished for it every day.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The Executive Director never showed it, but it must have been very hard on him. Whatever people are saying out there, the truth is the two of you are such a devoted couple……”

“No, wait. What are you—what are you talking about?”

He came to the hospital every day? The person who didn’t even show a shadow of himself while I was hospitalized after barely surviving death?

“Did the Executive Director not tell you? Even on the day you regained consciousness, he arrived at the hospital first after getting the call. Did you perhaps not get to see him……?”

‘I felt drawn to my intelligent and confident wife. No—perhaps it would be more accurate to say I fell in love at first sight.’

‘The Executive Director sent me. He said you injured your ankle and asked me to accompany you to the hospital.’

‘Let’s not be a window-dressing couple—let’s be a real married couple.’

Then all of that… could it actually be sincere?

My mind was in chaos at this sudden turn of events. I sat there with my thoughts frozen for a moment, staring out the window, then suddenly called out to Secretary Yun.

I’d set up the opening but just kept pursing my lips and hesitating, until Secretary Yun noticed and gently smiled, meeting my eyes.

That thoughtful attitude that put the other person at ease made me think, to hell with it—I’d just spit it out first.

“Han Je-ha, no… could I get his number?”

* * *

[Thanks to you, I got treated properly. They said I can come back in a week to get the stitches out.]

No. Maybe he won’t even care about this much?

Tap tap— The message I’d written scattered into consonants and vowels and disappeared without a trace.

[I went to the hospital with Secretary Yun. Thank you for your consideration.]

Is this too formal? Anyway, he sent his own person and made sure I got treatment—I should probably be a little warmer.

[My ankle already feels completely better!]

…That’s a bit much.

Ah, my head hurts. Why does sending one message take so long?

I let out a deep sigh and pressed my head against the seat, and Secretary Yun glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?”

“No! Don’t worry about me.”

I side-eyed his profile as he focused back on driving.

I’d made an excuse that I hadn’t saved his number on the new phone I bought after the accident, but I worried I might have raised unnecessary suspicion by not even knowing my husband’s number. Though come to think of it, it wasn’t really a misunderstanding.

“Anyway, what should I even say……”

The reason I—who had been sneering at his two-faced behavior all the way out of the house—was now agonizing over a single message was because of what Secretary Yun had told me.

Every single day, he went to the hospital.

If I pictured him lingering in front of a hospital room no one else visited before turning away, that seemed forgivable even if he’d been my parents’ mortal enemy—let alone a husband who’d been unilaterally asked for a divorce.

‘This is kind of seriously touching.’

So now I was feeling guilty for badmouthing him while beating all my own drums and cymbals alone, and was trying to figure out how to express my gratitude for arranging my treatment.

What should I say? Something that’s not excessive but conveys thanks politely—what’s a groundbreaking sentence like that?

I was pulling at my hair and glaring at my innocent phone when Secretary Yun, who had been driving quietly, subtly spoke up.

“Madam, if I may be so bold—might I offer a suggestion?”

“Ah, yes.”

“If you’re thinking of contacting the Executive Director, how about visiting him directly at the company?”

“What?!”

Secretary Yun, startled by my excessive shock, apologized for the unnecessary meddling. I belatedly managed my expression and cleared the voice that had gone high with embarrassment.

“No, it’s just—I’ve never been to his company. I mean, I might have been before, but I probably didn’t go.”

“I just thought it might be nice to drop you off and then head back, and for the two of you to have a cozy dinner together. I apologize if that made you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s fine with me, but wouldn’t he—I mean… wouldn’t he dislike it?”

“The Executive Director?”

At my words, Secretary Yun laughed as if he’d heard an amusing joke and answered firmly.

“That would absolutely never happen.”

* * *

I’d ended up coming after all.

I bit my lip as I looked up at the towering skyscraper of Moyeon Town.

Was I doing something unnecessary? We’d agreed to be a real married couple, but we were hardly at the level of visiting each other’s workplaces overnight.

“We’ve arrived, madam.”

I’d been lured here by Secretary Yun’s baseless optimism—his bold declaration that he would absolutely never dislike it—but regret was already washing over me.

Regardless of my feelings, the elevator steadily climbed the floors and soon reached the executive level.

“This way.”

The doors opened with a clear chime, and Secretary Yun walked ahead with light steps. I dragged my feet behind him like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse.

“You’ve come, madam.”

The secretary sitting at the desk in front of the office jumped slightly and hurriedly bowed. I exchanged an awkward greeting and sat on the guest sofa, glancing around nervously.

Secretary Yun, who’d said he’d seen me at the founding ceremony, and this secretary I’d never met before who recognized me—maybe he’d faithfully kept to the condition of fulfilling all his responsibilities externally?

‘Please let that be the case.’

Actually, that’s just my wish, and the more likely scenario is this:

For example, testimony spreading among his subordinates about what a crazy woman I was, or that the crazy woman happened to be the boss’s wife so they had to endure her tyranny while swallowing their tears……

Baek I-jun. You weren’t that low, were you?

While I was worrying about my past self out of habit, Secretary Yun, who had finished talking at the desk, approached.

Please let him not be in his office. Someone at executive director level is extremely busy, so being away from his desk must be routine. Please not be there, not be there, not be there!

As I looked up at him, chanting what was practically an incantation in my head, Secretary Yun—

“I’ll show you in.”

—guided me into the office with a bright face.

Right, of course. Secretary Yun, who would know his schedule inside and out, wouldn’t have brought me to the company when he wasn’t there.

My ability to distinguish right from wrong was clearly clouded—I really wasn’t in my right mind—so I let out a small sigh and stood in front of the office door, walking as slowly as possible.

“Executive Director, this is Yun Do-yun.”

Come in.

A voice both unfamiliar and familiar collided from beyond the thick door. Secretary Yun generously opened the door himself and cleared the way.

Let’s think simply. I’m going to say thank you anyway—saying it in person is better, right? It’ll probably be… fine.

With that reassurance, I slowly stepped through the open door.