chapter 13

Yuna blinked at him before a small laugh escaped her lips. "Maybe I was," she admitted vaguely, though her tone was lighter now.

He reached over to grab a slice of fruit from the tray and held it out to her, his expression softening. "Here. Fuel for whatever you're cooking up in that brilliant mind of yours."

She hesitated before taking it, her fingers brushing his briefly. The simple act, paired with his unwavering gaze, sent a faint warmth through her.

"Thanks," she murmured, biting into the fruit.

"Anytime," Heeseung said smoothly, leaning back on his hands as he watched her. "Just remember, if you need someone to back you up, I'm your guy."

Yuna raised an eyebrow at his casual declaration, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. As she chewed on the fruit, she allowed herself to feel a fleeting sense of comfort in his presence—a strange, unexpected solace amidst the chaos.

"In this new life I have, I would enjoy it to the fullest," Yuna thought to herself, a newfound determination glimmering in her eyes as she gazed at the sunlit waves. The warmth of the tropical breeze seemed to carry away the remnants of her sorrow, replacing it with a quiet resolve. This was her fresh start, her chance to live unburdened by the shadows of betrayal.

Meanwhile, back at the Jeong family estate, the atmosphere was anything but tranquil. The once dignified halls, known for their restrained elegance, had been overtaken by Sohee's presence—a whirlwind of chaos wrapped in fake sweetness. She strutted through the corridors as if she were the queen of the house, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors.

"You call this clean?" she barked at one of the younger maids, holding up a porcelain vase with an exaggerated grimace. "I can see the dust! Are you trying to ruin my mood?"

The maid, barely holding back her tears, bowed repeatedly. "I-I'm sorry, Mrs. Sohee. I'll fix it right away!"

Sohee huffed, dramatically placing a hand on her lower back as if the mere act of reprimanding had drained her. "You'd better. And while you're at it, bring me some tea—iced, not too sweet, and make it quick!"

The staff exchanged silent glances of frustration as they scurried to fulfill her every whim. Sohee's tyranny didn't end there; she wandered into the kitchen next, inspecting the dishes being prepared for dinner.

"This soup smells awful," she declared, wrinkling her nose. "Redo it. And don't you dare skimp on the herbs this time. I have very refined tastes, you know."

The head chef, a middle-aged woman with years of experience, clenched her fists but managed a strained smile. "Of course, Mrs. Sohee. I'll ensure it's perfect."

When confronted about her behavior, Sohee waved it off with a coy laugh, placing a delicate hand on her growing belly. "It's just the pregnancy hormones," she said sweetly, batting her eyelashes at anyone who dared look her way. "You wouldn't want to upset the mother of the next Jeong heir, would you?"

Jaewon, who was lounging in the sunroom with a glass of whiskey in hand, didn't bother to intervene. He glanced up from his tablet briefly as the commotion reached his ears but dismissed it with a wave.

"She's pregnant. Let her be," he said nonchalantly, addressing no one in particular. His tone was flat, void of any real concern, but his words carried an air of finality.

Ji-soo, ever the doting mother, immediately sided with Sohee. "She's right. Pregnancy can be so stressful. The staff should be more understanding," she chimed in, her tone dripping with faux concern. She approached Sohee, wrapping an arm around her. "Don't let them upset you, dear. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Mother Ji-soo," Sohee replied, her voice sickly sweet. But the smirk she shot at the servants over Ji-soo's shoulder revealed her true satisfaction.

The staff, now overworked and seething in silence, retreated to their quarters when they could, whispering among themselves.

"I've never seen someone so young act so entitled," muttered Jinju, the youngest of the maids.

"She's worse than Mrs. Ji-soo ever was," agreed Nana, a senior maid who had worked at the estate for decades.

"It's only going to get worse once the baby is born," added another.

The chef slammed a pot down harder than necessary. "Mark my words, karma doesn't miss. One day, she'll get exactly what she deserves."

The servants nodded in agreement, their spirits bolstered by the thought of justice, no matter how distant.

As Sohee lounged in her self-imposed role as queen of the Jeong estate, Yuna was far from her thoughts. She believed she had won, that her place as Jaewon's wife was secure. But little did she know, Yuna was no longer the broken woman she had betrayed. Yuna was plotting her return, stronger and more determined than ever, while Sohee was busy basking in the false glow of her ill-gotten victory.

The days stretched on in this unbalanced household, with Sohee growing bolder in her demands and Jaewon growing more indifferent. But beneath the surface, cracks were forming—cracks that threatened to shatter the fragile façade of harmony that Sohee so desperately clung to.

The sleek black car pulled up to the grand Jeong estate, its engine purring to a stop in front of the sprawling mansion. The sprawling structure loomed majestically under the soft glow of the afternoon sun, its ivory walls and intricate, gold-trimmed carvings radiating an almost otherworldly elegance. Tall, wrought-iron gates framed the estate, and the sprawling gardens beyond were a riot of color, with neatly trimmed hedges and blooming flowers that gave the mansion a picturesque charm.

A valet hurried down the stone steps as soon as the car stopped, his polished black shoes clicking on the pavement. He reached the car door with a slight bow, but before he could open it, Heeseung had already stepped out. He moved with the fluid grace of someone who commanded respect, his sharp suit clinging to his well-defined form. The sunlight caught in his dark hair, making it gleam as he turned toward Yuna's side of the car.

With a gentle motion, he opened the door and extended a hand to her. "Careful," he murmured softly, his tone carrying a note of concern.

Yuna emerged from the car with quiet elegance, her polished heels clicking softly against the stone driveway. Her posture was poised, her shoulders squared as she adjusted her sunglasses. Dressed in a flowing ivory dress that clung delicately to her frame, she looked every bit the picture of someone who belonged in such a place, yet there was a calm, quiet strength about her that hadn't been there before.

The entrance to the mansion seemed even more imposing than Yuna remembered, its towering double doors carved with intricate patterns of cranes and lotus flowers, a testament to the Jeong family's wealth and legacy. As she and Heeseung ascended the wide staircase leading to the entrance, the staff lining the sides bowed deeply, murmuring soft welcomes. Yuna noticed their furtive glances, a mix of curiosity and awe in their eyes, no doubt fueled by the whirlwind rumors surrounding her departure, wedding, and now her return.

Once inside, the cool air of the mansion embraced them, carrying the faint scent of lavender and polished wood. The gleaming marble floors stretched out like a mirror, reflecting the opulence of the chandeliers above. Every corner of the grand hall seemed to sparkle, from the golden-framed mirrors to the intricately woven rugs.

Ji-soo appeared at the top of the grand staircase, her sharp eyes darting toward them. She regarded them briefly, her expression unreadable, before turning on her heel and walking away without a word.

Yuna's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. Some things never change, she thought, her confidence unwavering as they moved further into the mansion.

Then, a blur of movement caught her attention. Sohee came rushing toward them, her floral dress fluttering around her as she moved with exaggerated enthusiasm. Her face was lit up in a wide, insincere smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Yuna!" Sohee's voice rang out, high-pitched and overly sweet. She practically threw herself at Yuna, enveloping her in an enthusiastic hug.

Yuna froze, her body stiffening. She stood perfectly still, not reciprocating the embrace, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly behind her sunglasses.

"Sohee," she said flatly, her tone devoid of warmth.

Pulling back, Sohee clasped Yuna's hands in hers, her grip tight and desperate. "I'm so happy you're back! We all missed you so much," she gushed, her voice dripping with fake affection. Her lower lip quivered, and suddenly, tears began to spill down her cheeks. "Yuna, I'm so sorry! Everything that happened to you—it was all because of me. I'm so, so sorry. Please forgive me!"

Heeseung, who had been observing quietly, shifted slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Sohee. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing, letting Yuna handle the situation.

Yuna stared at Sohee, her dark eyes boring into her with an intensity that made Sohee squirm. The silence stretched, and the air between them grew heavy with tension. Finally, a small, detached smile appeared on Yuna's face.

"It's fine," she said calmly. "I forgave you a long time ago."

Sohee's face lit up with relief. "Really? Then does that mean we're still cool? Like... friends?" she asked, her voice trembling with hope.

Yuna tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering as she placed a hand on Sohee's shoulder. "The fact that I forgave you doesn't mean we can go back to how things were in the past."

Sohee blinked, her expression faltering. Before she could respond, Heeseung's voice cut through the moment like a blade.

"Yuna, are you coming?" he called, his tone firm yet gentle.

Turning her head toward him, Yuna's face softened. "Ah, yes," she said, her voice light as she stepped away from Sohee. Then, with a polite yet pointed smile, she added, "Excuse me, Sohee... my husband is calling me."

Adjusting her sunglasses, she walked away with measured grace, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Heeseung met her halfway, his hand naturally finding the small of her back as they exited the hall together.

Behind them, Sohee's smile dissolved into a grimace. Her jaw clenched, and her fists tightened at her sides as she watched Yuna walk away with an air of confidence that Sohee couldn't stomach.

As she walked, Yuna's thoughts churned. Look at her, playing the victim, as if her tears could wash away what she did. She wants to act like everything's fine, like we can pretend the betrayal didn't happen. But I'm not that naive girl anymore. I don't need her friendship. I don't need her approval. She'll see soon enough that I've risen above all of this.

Behind her, Sohee's expression darkened. She clenched her jaw, her hands balling into fists at her sides. The composed façade she had worn cracked, revealing the simmering anger beneath. Her mind raced as she watched Yuna walk away, her movements confident and unbothered.

How dare she act like this? After everything, she still looks so happy, so untouchable. She's supposed to be broken, not flaunting her new husband and her new life. I've taken everything from her, but somehow, she's the one who looks victorious. No... I won't let her win.

Sohee's fists trembled as resentment and jealousy swirled within her. Yuna's calm, collected demeanor was like a slap in the face—a reminder that despite everything, Yuna still had something Sohee didn't: grace, dignity, and an unshakable strength.