Affectionate Obsession - Chapter 54

“You and Junhyeok, it can’t be Junhyeok is known to be married to Sera already, and if this situation becomes known later, then…”

Eunha couldn’t finish her sentence and let out a sigh.

The weight of her exhaled breath seemed to represent the confusion she was feeling.

So Yeonhee couldn’t bring herself to hate Eunha for saying these things to her.

“Ah, I’m truly sorry. I’m pretending to care for you, Yeonhee, but if you think about it, I came to see you out of concern for my own child.”

Eunha squeezed her eyes shut, her face contorted in pain.

Even after starting the conversation, driven by emotion, as she faced Yeonhee, Eunha still couldn’t decide what was right and what was wrong.

In truth, Eunha was in a position where it didn’t matter who entered as her daughter-in-law.

All that mattered was that she genuinely loved Junhyeok, and that person could genuinely love Junhyeok.

Her husband’s thoughts might differ from hers, but Eunha’s heart had always been the same, then and now.

Though she had given birth to three sons, Junhyeok was her most tender spot among them.

Unlike his two older brothers, his intelligence was evident from a young age, so he bore the expectations of the elders in both families, including her husband.

Because of this, he had to endure unbearable burdens from a young age, receiving envy and jealousy from his older brothers and excessive expectations from the family elders.

That’s why Eunha had worked tirelessly to be a comfortable presence for Junhyeok, rather than a strict mother.

Despite this, Junhyeok left home at the age of twenty, using college as an excuse to escape.

No one understood their son’s sudden actions. Amidst it all, only Eunha respected and understood Junhyeok.

Eunha steadfastly held her ground against the family’s opposition and volunteered to be Junhyeok’s shield.

Though she succeeded in letting Junhyeok leave, the precarious peace didn’t last long.

From the moment he left home, Junhyeok completely cut off all contact with his family, even his phone calls.

Her husband, enraged by this fact, would try every method to bring Junhyeok back home whenever anger flared up. Each time, it was Eunha who firmly stopped her husband.

Bringing Junhyeok back like that would be meaningless.

She didn’t know how Junhyeok appeared to others, but at least in Eunha’s eyes, her son was someone who would only go astray and push away the more pressure was applied.

Therefore, it was right to respect Junhyeok’s thoughts on that matter.

Her prediction was not wrong.

Junhyeok, who hadn’t contacted her even remotely, suddenly returned home one day and quickly forged a path that did not deviate from the elders’ expectations.

Eunha found such Junhyeok incredibly commendable.

That Yeonhee, his first love, existed behind it all was a fact she hadn’t known until a few days ago.

If Junhyeok truly wanted Yeonhee, Eunha sincerely wanted to support their love.

However, she couldn’t do so in the current situation.

Her son’s feelings were important, but more important than that was her son’s safety.

Eunha let out a sigh.

It was a very difficult and trying position. But one thing was certain: this position was clearly necessary for her son, and she had a definite role to play in it.

And the only person who could protect her son’s safety was Yeonhee, sitting before her now.

Eunha hardened her resolve.

“I’ll be honest. I don’t know why Junhyeok is acting this way, but ever since he took office as department store representative, he’s been a bit strange. He’s never caused any trouble before, but our Chairman said he’s been handling things in a way that’s unlike Junhyeok. Junhyeok has our Chairman and me, so he won’t be in immediate danger, but if he continues like this, he’ll eventually become the subject of gossip among shareholders.”

“……”

“I’m not worried. He’s always managed things well on his own, so I believe this is just a temporary mistake. Junhyeok can definitely use this as a stepping stone to achieve greater things. He’s more than capable of it.”

“……”

“But it’s still better to be careful.”

Eunha’s complexion instantly darkened.

Yeonhee, having composed her emotions, put on a composed face and looked squarely at Eunha.

She could see Eunha was struggling immensely, but she neither interrupted nor stopped her.

She knew that at the end of these words lay the real reason Eunha had sought her out.

Even without hearing it, Yeonhee felt she already knew what Eunha wanted to say, but she waited in silence.

It was the only thing she could do right now.

“Furthermore, recently, there seems to have been an issue that could shake Junhyeok’s position, and according to our Chairman, Chairman Choi Sookhee seems to be involved.”

Yeonhee’s eyes, which had remained calm until now, trembled violently.

Even in her daze, she had registered that something was wrong with Junhyeok.

But she never imagined it would be an issue involving Chairman Choi.

It was an aspect she had never considered.

However, it wasn’t an incomprehensible matter.

Choi Sookhee was certainly capable of it.

She had ostentatiously taken Yoon Sera’s place and was holding her ground, and Junhyeok was helping her despite knowing all the facts.

Given what she had seen of Choi Sookhee so far, she was not someone who would stand by and do nothing, knowing all of this.

Still, publicly, he was the husband of her beloved granddaughter, so Yeonhee hadn’t thought Choi Sookhee would directly target Junhyeok.

If anything, her objective wouldn’t have been to target Junhyeok.

Choi Sookhee’s true intention was clearly to provoke her through Junhyeok.

“Ah, I’m sorry. After things have become like this, you must not have been at ease either, Yeonhee, and yet I’m saying these things. I’m truly, truly so…”

Eunha bowed her head deeply, her face etched with immense pain.

Yeonhee took a deep breath.

When she first came to this meeting, it felt like all the discomfort was hers to bear, but now Eunha looked even more uncomfortable than she did.

Yet, it was a strange thing.

Looking at Eunha’s state, Yeonhee felt a little lighter.

It felt like medicine was being applied to the wound that had never healed in the ten years since her heart was injured.

Perhaps that was why.

Yeonhee moved her lips without difficulty.

“No, Mother. You have absolutely no need to apologize to me.”

As she said this, Yeonhee pulled her hand, which Eunha had been holding, and firmly clasped Eunha’s hand again.

She had so many things she wanted to say.

If she had known Eunha was such a warm person, she would have visited her more often, even if only as Yoon Sera.

Still, she was the mother of the man she loved for the first and last time in her life; she should have spent more time with her.

From Yeonjeong’s matter to this current situation, she didn’t know why there were so many regrets surfacing late.

The sorrow from that made tears, which had subsided, well up again.

Still, it didn’t hurt anymore.

Yeonhee raised her downward-gazing eyes to look at Eunha.

“But… still, thank you so much for saying you’re sorry.”

It was a sincerity without a shred of falsehood.

Yeonhee was genuinely grateful to Eunha.

Even if this meeting hadn’t happened, she would have concluded that she shouldn’t remain by Junhyeok’s side.

But Eunha’s heart, which apologized instead of getting angry even after knowing all the facts, was so precious.

Moreover, Yeonjeong’s dying words, which were like a will, had been constantly replaying in her mind.

‘Live a happy life. Whatever you do, make choices for yourself, not for others, and live a life according to your will.’

‘…….’

‘Mom, Yeonhee, I really want you to live like that. No matter what choice you make, Mom will always support you.’

A life where she could make choices for herself, live according to her own will, and be happy, not for others.

She had pondered for a long time what that might be.

She still hadn’t found the answer.

But one thing was certain.

“The thing you’re worried about will absolutely not happen. I…”

She didn’t want to hurt Junhyeok.

She especially didn’t want him to be hurt because of her.

The resentment filling her heart wouldn’t be cleanly purged by seeking revenge. Revenge wouldn’t bring happiness either.

Yeonhee knew that all too well.

It would merely be a way to alleviate the overwhelming feeling of hatred, even if only a little.

She couldn’t hurt Junhyeok for such a small gain.

That was a pain greater than not being able to get revenge on Choi Sookhee.

Yeonhee took a deep breath. Then, she tightened her grip on Eunha’s hand.

Hoping that the anxiety Eunha had been feeling would be somewhat lessened by this.

“I will definitely protect Junhyeok. I will definitely try to do so.”

As she said this, Yeonhee smiled brightly.

Tears flowed down her curved eyes, but she was genuinely happy.

She finally felt like she had found something she could do for Junhyeok.

Since it started because of her, she should end it with her own hands.

The end didn’t necessarily have to be the success of her revenge against Sookhee.

Protecting the man she loved most.

Perhaps that could be the happiest ending. Even if her place was not in his final chapter.

That’s why Yeonhee could smile.

Because she felt she might be able to protect the man who had always only known how to protect himself.

Because if that was the final outcome, even if her heart ached, she wouldn’t consider it entirely unhappy.

And so, Yeonhee managed a genuine smile for the first time in a long while.

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