A Marriage with A Reason - Chapter 66

“You already know everything. Revenge… Let’s stop now.”

His voice was firm and unwavering. Miyoung was taken aback by Jaehoon’s words. He had always been a good son who obeyed her without question.

“… Jaehoon.”

“Just like I once listened to your request, this time, please listen to mine. You know how kind and good Dayun is. I don’t want to hurt her. That’s how much I like her now.”

She felt uncomfortable. The obedient and gentle Jaehoon she once knew had long disappeared. Deep inside, a feeling of betrayal slowly crept in. Her trusted son was abandoning her. First her husband, and now her son—both taken away by Dayun and her mother. It felt like they were stealing everything from her.

“… So you’ve come to love that girl.”

“Yes, I love her. She’s as precious to me as you are.”

Suppressing the burning sense of betrayal within her, Miyoung forced herself to respond.

“… You must have been thinking a lot. Torn between your birth mother and the woman you love. It must have been hard.”

“That’s why I’m asking. If you can stop here, no one will get hurt, and we can all be happy. Just as I have sacrificed for you, can you, just this once, step back for me?”

Holding back the churning emotions inside her, she forced a faint smile.

“… Step back. You’re asking me to sacrifice myself for you, just like you did for me.”

“I’m sorry, but yes. Just as I cared for and worried about you, I hope you will think of me this time.”

“…”

“You are my mother, after all.”

Miyoung hid her hardened heart behind a forced smile and nodded. Seeing this, Jaehoon’s face immediately brightened.

“Thank you. Thank you, Mother.”

Jaehoon was visibly happy. But unlike him, Miyoung could only swallow a bitter smile. Because I’m his mother… His words echoed in her mind. Then, suddenly, a thought occurred to her.

Does being a mother mean I must always sacrifice myself?

Before she was a mother, she was also a woman, an individual. It felt unfair that she was expected to sacrifice herself just because she had a child. Especially when it came to Dayun—she had no intention of sacrificing her happiness just to ensure Dayun’s. However…

“Of course, I’m your mother. Thinking of my son first is natural.”

For now, she decided to step back—just for a moment, just for now—because she knew it would cause more pain, sorrow, and betrayal later.

Twenty minutes before 7 PM, Jaehoon came home from work. As always, Dayun welcomed him with a bright face.

“You’re back?”

“Yeah.”

Noticing his cheerful mood, Dayun tilted her head in curiosity.

“Did something good happen today?”

“Huh? Why?”

“You seem happier than usual.”

“Do I?”

Seeing Jaehoon shrug as if unaware of his own smile, Dayun nodded.

“Yes, you look really happy today. Unlike other times, you’ve been smiling since you walked in. Something good happened, right?”

“Are you curious?”

“Yes! I’m really curious!”

“Hmm… it’s a secret.”

Jaehoon playfully teased her, pretending he might tell but then holding back. Dayun pouted at his teasing.

“Come on, just tell me. Is it something I can’t know?”

“Not really…”

After hesitating for a moment, Jaehoon spoke.

“I finally resolved a problem that had been bothering me.”

“A problem?”

“Yeah. It’s hard to explain…”

Avoiding any mention of Miyoung, he gently patted Dayun’s head as she continued looking at him curiously.

“Anyway, everything worked out fine, so I feel great.”

Though he didn’t share the full details, his relaxed demeanor reassured Dayun. She simply followed his lead and smiled.

After a few moments of shared warmth, Jaehoon spoke first.

“Ah, I’m hungry.”

Hearing this, Dayun quickly realized something.

“You’re hungry? Dinner is ready. I just need to serve the rice and soup.”

“Really? Then I’ll go change quickly.”

“Okay, I’ll set the table.”

She hurried to the kitchen, moving faster than usual just because Jaehoon mentioned he was hungry. Watching her rush around, Jaehoon couldn’t help but smile. It all felt like a dream—being able to love her without guilt or worry. And now, he truly believed that from here on, only happiness and peace awaited them.

It was a beautiful day, with birds chirping and a clear, bright sky.

Dayun walked onto the balcony, carrying a heavy, water-soaked blanket. Using all her strength, she lifted it and draped it over the railing.

“Wow, it’s so heavy when it’s wet.”

Despite the effort, seeing the blanket drying under the warm sun made her feel refreshed. Looking up at the sky, she smiled.

“The weather is amazing today. It really feels like spring is coming.”

Although it was still the end of winter and quite cold, the sunlight was warm enough that, by noon, the day felt more pleasant than chilly.

“Time flies so fast.”

Thinking back, time had always seemed slow when waiting for something. But looking back now, it had passed incredibly quickly. So much had happened in that short period.

Almost a year had passed since she married Jaehoon. Their once uncertain relationship had transformed. Sojin’s feelings had finally reached Da-on, and the once-strained relationship between Jaehoon and his father had improved. Even Miyoung, Jaehoon’s birth mother, was now meeting them occasionally without any issues. In what had felt like a short but eventful time, peace and happiness had finally settled into their lives.

But the most surprising event for Dayun was related to Hyeyun. One day, just like today, she received an unexpected call.

“Hello?”

‘Is this Choi Dayun?’

“Yes, that’s me. Who is this?”

‘It’s Song Hyeyun. Have you been well?’

Out of nowhere, Hyeyun had contacted her, asking to meet. Though Dayun was nervous about what might happen, she agreed.

On the day of their meeting, they sat across from each other at a quiet café. Initially tense, the atmosphere soon changed.

“You must have gone through a lot because of me. I misunderstood so much.”

Surprisingly, the proud and confident Hyeyun bowed her head in apology.

Touched by her sincerity, Dayun responded gently.

“It was difficult, but I understand. On paper, I was his wife, and people may have seen you as the bad person. But in reality, I was the one who interrupted your relationship. I understand why you acted the way you did. You loved him, after all.”

Hearing those words, Hyeyun smiled softly.

“Thank you for understanding. Now I see why Jaehoon always said you were kind and pure. I think I finally understand why he chose you over me.”

Hyeyun then revealed she was leaving for New York, bringing closure to their past. As they parted, she sincerely wished for Dayun and Jaehoon’s happiness.

For the first time, it felt like they weren’t just love rivals—but perhaps even friends.

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