(Three days passed)
Jihyun came down the stairs, dressed in beige slacks and a white oversized shirt. A matching beige bag hung from his shoulder as he checked his watch.
"Soobin would already be at the café."
From the living room, Taewon appeared, adjusting the cuffs of his navy suit. His tie was perfectly in place.
"You're heading out?" he asked.
"Yeah. Meeting my friends," Jihyun replied, already moving toward the door.
"Wait."
A hand gently caught his wrist.
"You haven't eaten anything. Sit down first. You've been out with them three days straight. Just have one meal before you go."
Jihyun yanked his hand back.
"Are you seriously telling me what I can and can't do now?"
Taewon met his eyes calmly. "That's not what I meant."
"No? Then what is this?" Jihyun's voice rose. "Suddenly playing the husband role now?"
"I just asked you to eat. I didn't say don't go."
"That's exactly what you said. 'Wait.' 'Sit.' 'Eat.' Who are you to decide how I spend my weekend?"
"You haven't been eating properly. I'm just worried."
"So?"
The word hit like a slap.
Taewon stayed silent.
Jihyun stepped closer, voice lower. "We agreed. On day one. You're my husband in name only. We don't interfere. We live separately. Or did that only apply when it was convenient for you, Kang Taewon?"
"I'm not interfering. I'm concerned."
"Don't be."
"Jihyun"
"No, Taewon."
"You don't get to use that voice with me. You don't get to pretend to care just because you're bored today."
Taewon's hands dropped to his sides. His gaze searched Jihyun's expression, like he was trying to find something buried underneath.
"I don't know what you want from me," he said, quietly. "I give you space, you avoid me. I try to speak, you get angry."
"You think I'm the problem."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to. You already made it clear. I'm a burden. Something you were forced to put up with.like my parents right."
Taewon flinched. Barely. His lips parted, like he might respond, but nothing came out.
Instead, he stepped back.
"Fine," he said, voice flat. "Go wherever you want."
He turned first.
And Jihyun didn't stop him.
(At the café)
Inside the usual corner seat, Soobin sipped a black Americano. He looked up the second Jihyun walked in.
"What's wrong with your face? You look pissed."
Jihyun dropped into the seat, arms crossed.
"Taewon again?" Soobin asked.
Jihyun didn't reply.
"What happened this time?"
"He told me to eat breakfast before leaving the house."
Soobin blinked. "That's it?"
"He tried to stop me."
Soobin waited.
"He grabbed my wrist. Told me to eat first. Like he has a right."
"You mean like a husband?"
Jihyun shot him a sharp look. "You're not helping."
"You didn't eat, did you?"
"I didn't need to."
"God, Jihyun." Soobin leaned back. "You say you want to divorce him cleanly, keep your parents' support, make your parents feel they were wrong,maintain your image. But you're acting like a walking disaster."
Jihyun looked away, biting his lip.
"Don't get me wrong. I know you were forced into this. I'd be furious too. But now you're just pushing him for breathing near you."
"He keeps acting like we're okay," Jihyun muttered. "Like he didn't marry someone he barely knows. Like he's not relieved every time I leave the room."
"He literally asked you to eat."
"I don't need him to care."
"Well, he does. Or he's trying to. And if you want to survive this, maybe stop setting fire to every interaction."
Jihyun stood up.
Soobin grabbed his wrist. "Sit down."
"I'm not"
"Let me order you something. Eat. Cool off. Then decide if you still want to be mad."
Jihyun Slowly, sat back down.
(Kang Company)
Taewon sat behind his desk. His coffee was untouched, turning cold. One hand rested against his forehead, eyes closed.
He hadn't taken a single call since morning.
A soft knock.
"Sir? The 2 p.m. meeting. Should I push it?"
"No. Cancel everything."
"Sir?"
"I'm going to my parents' house. If Jihyun calls or comes by, tell him I won't be home tonight."
"Yes, sir."
(Kang Villa / Evening)
Taewon stepped inside the house.
Mrs. Kang appeared from the hallway. "You're here. Where's Jihyun?"
"He had other plans."
Her eyes lingered but she didn't press. "Well. You're always welcome. Yumi and I are heading out. We'll be back in an hour."
"Again?" Taewon smiled faintly.
From the stairs, Yumi called, "Oppa, wait until I come back, okay? Promise."
"I make no promises," he teased.
"Oppa"
"Okay, go."
The door shut behind them.
Taewon turned and found Harin already standing at the end of the hall.
"I heard you came alone."
He said nothing.
"Tough day?"
"A little."
"Come on. Uncle's waiting."
They walked down the hallway in silence.
Inside the study, Mr. Kang sat behind his desk. The door shut behind them.
"Good. Sit."
Taewon obeyed.
"You remember Harin will be joining your department, right?"
"Yes, Dad."
"She'll shadow you starting Monday. While I'm in Japan."
Taewon looked up. "Japan?"
"Han Corp is sending Mr. Han for final negotiations on the Seoul New York media expansion. He and I will be gone two weeks. I need someone stable managing the domestic half. That means you."
"I understand."
Mr. Kang turned to Harin. "Give us a minute."
She nodded and exited quietly.
Mr. Kang leaned back, his voice colder.
"I heard your siblings visited."
Taewon didn't respond.
"You let sentiment cloud your focus. That ends now. You're not a child. You are my heir. You will carry this family cleanly. Without scandal. Without drama. Leave those idiots alone. And don't let me find out you met them again."
Taewon's hands clenched under the table.
"Also," Mr. Kang continued, "control your spouse. Or this entire marriage will collapse before it's of any use."
"Yes, Father," Taewon said quietly.
Mr. Kang returned to his files.
Taewon sat there, the weight of everything pressing down, alone in silence.