A Marriage with A Reason - Chapter 8

‘What took you so long to call? I missed you so much, I thought I would die.’

Hearing Hyunsoo’s voice, which had suddenly turned gentle as if he had never been angry, Dayun felt something welling up inside her. She had been so exhausted, so lonely, that she had tried to forget everything. But now, hearing his voice, which she had missed so terribly, she felt tears threatening to fall.

‘Didn’t you miss me? Weren’t you even a little curious?’

In the end, as Hyunsoo spoke with a slightly hurt tone, Dayun couldn’t hold back her tears and spoke in a trembling voice.

“Hic… I missed you… So much…”

‘Hey, are you crying?! Ah… Why are you crying…’

Hearing Dayun’s tearful voice, Hyunsoo became flustered. He probably wanted to run to her side immediately.

“Hic… Sniff… I’m sorry. I feel so bad for you~”

‘Ah, it’s okay, really. I’m not mad, and I don’t hate you, so stop crying. Just don’t do this again. Keep in touch regularly from now on.’

Hyunsoo’s warm voice, full of concern, gradually calmed Dayun’s feelings of guilt and sadness.

“Okay. I’ll call you more often now.”

‘Good, good… So stop crying. I have a group project right now, so I can’t even go see you. So please, stop crying, okay?’

“Okay. I won’t cry anymore.”

Hyunsoo chuckled, finding Dayun’s suddenly brave tone adorable, and teased her playfully.

‘Good, good. Ah~ you’re such a good girl. As soon as I finish this annoying project, let’s meet up. I’ll come see you. Until then, let’s keep in touch more often.’

“Okay.”

Then, suddenly, Hyunsoo said,

‘Actually, instead of that, why don’t we all meet at your place? With our friends and the older guys, too.’

“Huh?”

Dayun was taken aback. Meeting up with everyone… at the house she shared with Jaehoon? Noticing her hesitation, Hyunsoo spoke awkwardly over the phone.

‘Ah… Was that too sudden? Sorry, but as your friend, I just want to know where and how you’re living…’

“Ah…”

‘If it’s too much, we can just meet outside. Come to think of it, the older guys still don’t know that you and Jaehoon got married under a contract…’

“No, let’s do it.”

‘Huh? Are you sure?’

Thinking about it, there was no reason to refuse. Their friends already knew, and everyone was familiar with each other through their club activities. More than that, the house, which had felt cold and empty, might finally be filled with laughter.

“Well, I think Jaehoon already told his older friends about us. Junseok said that everyone knows.”

‘Ah…’

“And honestly, I also want my precious friends to see where I live. Jaehoon will probably be happy too. He enjoys being with his friends more than just being with me. And I feel the same way.”

‘Okay, then let me know the date. I’ll bring your favorite fried chicken and a gift.’

“Okay.”

After ending the call with Hyunsoo, Dayun felt much lighter. One of her lingering worries had disappeared.

“Let’s all finish work and go home.”

Jaehoon, coming out of the team leader’s office, announced. Hyeyun looked at him, as if silently asking for his attention. However, perhaps because of what happened the night before, Jaehoon deliberately avoided her gaze. He still couldn’t understand her actions. Just then,

“Oh, team leader! By the way, aren’t you going to have a housewarming party?”

One of the employees, who lacked tact, spoke up, making the office lively.

“That’s right! Since you’re married now, you should invite us. We’re also curious about your beautiful wife.”

They wanted to visit his house as an excuse to enjoy good food and drinks. Meanwhile, as the conversation turned to their newlywed home and his wife, Dayun, Hyeyun’s face darkened. Hearing people talk about Dayun as his wife—young and beautiful—was unbearable. The woman he loved was her, yet they were referring to another woman as his. It irritated her.

And then, she heard the words she least wanted to hear.

“Alright. I’ll ask my wife and set a date.”

Whether he truly meant it or not, Jaehoon had agreed. And hearing him call Dayun “my wife” made her heart sink. He was truly someone else’s man now.

As the employees cheered, they began to leave one by one. Once the office was empty, Jaehoon glanced coldly at Hyeyun before turning to leave. But she quickly grabbed his arm with both hands.

“We need to talk.”

However, Jaehoon coldly removed her hands and responded sharply.

“Let go. I have nothing to say to you.”

He turned to leave, but Hyeyun couldn’t let him go. No, she didn’t want to. In the end, she shouted after him.

“It was a mistake! I was drunk!”

Jaehoon smirked coldly.

“So, you do remember?”

“Only vaguely… No, actually, I remember everything. Every word I said.”

“Of course, you do. You’re not the type to drink until you forget.”

His cold gaze made her feel miserable. It was unbearable, and tears began to well up.

“I was just so upset. My heart hurt too much. You love me, and I love you, but seeing you with her kept bothering me. Even though I agreed to this, every time I think about you with that woman, it hurts so much.”

“…”

“I’m so scared… What if I lose you? What if you choose her instead of me? Even if you say you don’t love her now, men and women can grow feelings for each other over time. What if that happens? What will I do? I can’t live without you…”

Her desperate tears fell. Seeing her like that, Jaehoon felt suffocated. It was frustrating and painful, and he didn’t know what to say.

“Sigh…”

‘But even so, I can’t break this marriage. The story has already started, and I need to see it through to the end. So please, just wait a little longer. Until this story is over.’

Those were his final words to her.

Jaehoon returned home to where Dayun was. But his heart felt heavy. Probably because of the tears of the woman he loved.

“You, you’re here early?”

There was a bit of fluster in her voice. She even stuttered slightly. Seeing that, Jaehoon felt like the heavy weight in his chest had eased just a little. Sometimes—maybe even often—he felt comfortable when he was around Dayun. It wasn’t like they were especially close, but that’s just how it felt. Still, despite that feeling, what came out of Jaehoon’s mouth was his usual blunt tone.

“I told you, the important project’s done, so I’ll be getting home earlier now.”

“Oh…”

Dayun hesitated awkwardly for a moment before smiling brightly. It seemed like she was pleased—probably because it was the first time since their marriage that he’d come home early.

“Oh, then let’s eat dinner.”

Jaehoon nodded. Then, loosening the tie that had felt like a noose around his neck, he spoke.

“I’m going to change first.”

“Okay~ I just need to scoop the rice and soup, so hurry and change.”

“Alright.”

Excited by his early return, Dayun headed to the kitchen, while Jaehoon chuckled quietly and went into his room. Soon, the table was set with warm soup and rice, and the two of them sat down to eat.

“Wow…”

Jaehoon couldn’t help but exclaim. Understandable, since the table was full of time-consuming dishes—glass noodles, seasoned vegetables, braised short ribs, and more.

“You said you were good at cooking. Looks like it was true? You even know how to make these kinds of dishes.”

Dayun blushed at his unexpected compliment. She felt both pleased and shy. But then his next words made her glare at him slightly.

“Well, I’ll have to taste it first to be sure.”

“Ugh, it tastes just as good as it looks, okay? Just try it first.”

Seeing her grumble like that made Jaehoon laugh again. He still thought she was young, but every little thing she did came off as cute—like a child. And yet, seeing her cook these dishes made him realize she wasn’t just a child either. Shaking off his thoughts, he picked up some glass noodles with his chopsticks and tasted it.

“Oh…”

Another gasp slipped out before he realized it. Dayun’s face lit up with pride, and she asked smugly,

“How is it? Super delicious, right?”

“Well… for a kid, you’re not bad at cooking.”

The teasing tone came out before he could stop it. Saying it was delicious just felt a little embarrassing. Not realizing that, Dayun pouted.

“Geez, I’m not a kid, okay? I’m 24 already.”

Seeing her pout like a little bird chirping, a faint smile crept onto Jaehoon’s face. But the smile faded quickly, as a sudden thought came to him.

“Is it always like this?”

“Sorry?”

Not understanding what he meant, she asked again. Jaehoon looked her straight in the eyes and clarified.

“I’m asking if you always do this. Even when I come home late. Because normally, I’d be coming home late today too.”

“Oh…”

Her lips hesitated. Jaehoon watched closely, wondering what she would say. Finally, her lips parted.

“Just in case.”

Her eyes met his. And then, in a more serious tone, she said,

“Even if I don’t know when you’ll come home… you might be hungry when you get here.”

“…Ha.”

There was sincerity in her gaze. That made him feel even more sorry. Without realizing, he thought:

What should I do with you?

She was so pure, so gentle—it weighed heavily on his heart. Because unlike her sincere heart, his behavior toward her hadn’t been sincere at all.

“I’ll be back later.”

With Dayun seeing him off, Jaehoon headed to work. But his face looked clearly tired, likely because he hadn’t been able to sleep well all night, weighed down by endless thoughts. After all, this decision—this marriage—was hurting two innocent people, including himself. But even so, he couldn’t just stop. If he did, the person he called “mother” would fall apart.

“Sigh…”

Letting out a deep sigh and lost in thought, he eventually arrived at the office. As he stepped into the building, his coworkers greeted him.

“Team leader, good morning!”

“Good morning, sir!”

Still nursing a throbbing headache, Jaehoon replied half-heartedly.

“Yes, good morning.”

Just as he was about to walk into his office, one of the more clueless employees spoke up.

“Did you ask your wife? When should we come over?”

“Oh… I forgot. I’ll call her and let you know.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jaehoon turned to head into his office. On the way, he glanced at Hyeyun’s desk. She was looking straight at him. When their eyes met, she gave him a bright smile. It was a smile filled with many unspoken meanings—I’m sorry. Thank you. I love you. At least, that’s how it felt to Jaehoon. He smiled back at her, warmly. Though, somehow, it felt like a slightly painful smile.

After finishing a thorough round of cleaning at home, Dayun changed into clothes for going out. She grabbed a paper bag with comfy clothes inside and stepped out the door. Just then, her phone rang.

“Who is it?”

Rummaging through her bag, she pulled out her phone—and was surprised to see who it was.

“Jaehoon?”

But she didn’t have time to stay surprised. Worried the call might end, she quickly pressed the answer button.

“Hello?”

Then came his voice—deep, a little sweet.

“Hey, it’s me. Ahn Jaehoon.”

“Yes, I know. But what’s the call for…?”

“Well… sorry, but I think I need to invite some coworkers to the house.”

“Coworkers?!”

She was startled—twice over. Her voice clearly showed it, and Jaehoon responded with a hint of apology.

“Yeah. Kind of like a housewarming. They’ve been dying to meet you. I guess they’re curious about the team leader’s wife and where I live. Would that be okay?”

Wife. Hearing him call her that made her heart flutter, calming the surprise. It felt nice—like they really were a married couple. Not fake, but real.

“Of course. They’re your coworkers—why wouldn’t it be okay?”

“Thanks. Then… when should we do it?”

His voice sounded a little brighter, maybe because of her easy acceptance.

“How about Saturday? They’ll probably be drinking too, right?”

“Yeah, let’s do Saturday then.”

“Okay, got it.”

Then came something completely unexpected from his mouth.

“Thanks.”

He said “thank you.” It felt sincere—so much so that it made her heart flutter again, and she smiled.

“No need to thank me. But actually, I have a favor too.”

“What is it?”

His curious tone made her a bit nervous. She opened her mouth carefully, unsure of how he’d take it.

“Well… we’re inviting your coworkers this week. How about next week, we invite my friends and yours for a meal?”

“Friends?”

“Well… Hyunsoo and the others have been saying they want to come over.”

She suddenly felt a little awkward. Maybe he wouldn’t like it. Maybe he’d say no. She had said yes so easily, but would he?

“Sure. Actually, those guys have been bugging me to invite them over too.”

“Hehe, okay.”

A bright smile bloomed across her face. It had always been her dream—to introduce her husband to her friends, invite them over to her new home… Even though the people she wanted to invite already knew this was a fake marriage, she still couldn’t help feeling happy.

While she was lost in her blissful thoughts, his slightly awkward voice came through the phone again—maybe he was trying to end the call.

“Well… anyway, see you later.”

“Yes, work hard today!”

Even after hanging up, her smile lingered.

“Hehe, ‘see you later.’ Gosh~ he said ‘see you later’~”

She giggled at just those few words. But suddenly, she froze.

A man she didn’t recognize hugged her from behind. Her whole body tensed like a wooden stick, not knowing who it was, or why. But then a familiar, playful voice broke the tension.

“So… who are you seeing later?”

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