Back at the grand Jeong family estate, tensions were running dangerously high, suffocating the air in the luxurious drawing room. The usually serene and elegant ambiance of the mansion, adorned with opulent chandeliers, antique furniture, and priceless artwork, was now overshadowed by the heated argument unfolding within its walls.
Min-jae, the patriarch of the Jeong family, stood by the large fireplace, his towering frame rigid with fury. The flickering flames behind him only seemed to amplify the intensity of his glare, which was directed squarely at his son, Jaewon. Min-jae's voice, sharp and commanding, filled the room, leaving no space for rebuttal.
"You've not just disgraced this family, Jaewon, you've humiliated yourself!" Min-jae thundered, his tone heavy with disappointment. "Betraying Yuna—a woman who stood by you and cared for you—with her own best friend? What were you thinking?"
Jaewon leaned casually against the grand piano near the room's corner, his arms crossed and a smirk playing on his lips. His posture was a direct challenge to his father's authority, a sign that he wasn't taking any of this seriously. "What was I thinking?" he repeated mockingly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I was thinking that Yuna wasn't my type. She was plain, predictable, and, frankly, boring. I deserve someone who excites me, and Sohee gives me that."
Min-jae's expression darkened, his jaw clenching as he struggled to control his temper. "Excites you?" he spat, his voice rising. "You mean the woman who's been crying crocodile tears in this house since the wedding? The one who schemed to destroy Yuna's life while playing the victim? That's your idea of excitement?"
Before Jaewon could respond, Sohee, seated elegantly on a plush velvet sofa, let out a dramatic sob. She clutched a lace-trimmed handkerchief to her face, her shoulders shaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I didn't mean for things to happen this way," she whimpered, her voice trembling. "It just... it just happened. I never wanted to hurt anyone. Please, Mr. Jeong, you have to believe me."
Min-jae shot her a withering glare, his patience wearing thin. "Don't play innocent with me, Sohee," he snapped, his tone cutting through her pretense. "You knew exactly what you were doing. Yuna trusted you like a sister, and you betrayed her in the worst possible way."
Sohee's sobs grew louder, and she glanced over at Jaewon for support. Sensing her distress, Ji-soo, Jaewon's mother, swept into the room like a storm, her presence commanding attention. Her heels clicked sharply against the polished marble floor as she hurried to Sohee's side, wrapping the younger woman in a protective embrace.
"That's enough, Min-jae!" Ji-soo snapped, her eyes blazing as she shielded Sohee from her husband's harsh words. "Can't you see you're upsetting her? She's pregnant, for heaven's sake! Stress is the last thing she needs right now."
Min-jae's eyes narrowed, his frustration mounting. "Upsetting her?" he repeated, his voice thick with disbelief. "She's the one who tore apart Yuna's life and dragged this family's name through the mud. And you're defending her? Have you lost all sense of decency?"
Ji-soo squared her shoulders, her chin lifting defiantly. "Don't act like Yuna was some perfect saint," she shot back. "If Jaewon didn't want her, that's his choice. He's happy with Sohee now, and we should support him. And let's not forget, Heeseung married Yuna. If you're so worried about her, go and focus on him!"
The mention of Heeseung's name made Min-jae's expression harden. "This has nothing to do with Heeseung," he said coldly. "This is about Jaewon's complete lack of integrity and the way you've coddled him his entire life."
Jaewon, who had been watching the argument with growing annoyance, finally pushed away from the piano and stepped forward. "Enough with the lectures, Dad," he said, his voice laced with arrogance. "Yuna's married now, isn't she? She's Heeseung's responsibility. And for all I care, they can both live their perfect little lives. Sohee is my wife now, and she's pregnant with the first grandchild of this family. That's what matters."
Min-jae's face turned a deep shade of red, his fists clenching at his sides. "You think this is about the baby? About heirs? You've tarnished this family's reputation, Jaewon, and you've done it without a shred of remorse!"
"Remorse?" Jaewon sneered, his tone defiant. "I don't need to feel remorse for choosing my happiness. Sohee and I are starting our own life together, and we don't need your approval."
Ji-soo tightened her grip on Sohee, who looked up at Jaewon with tear-filled eyes, her expression a mix of gratitude and smug triumph. "Come on, Sohee," Ji-soo said firmly. "You don't have to listen to this. Let's go upstairs. You need to rest."
As Ji-soo and Sohee made their exit, Min-jae sank into an armchair, his shoulders heavy with the weight of his disappointment. The argument had left him drained, but his mind was still racing. He thought of Yuna—of her kindness, her strength, and the way she had been wronged.
For the first time in years, Min-jae found himself regretting the choices that had led his family to this point. But one thing was clear: Jaewon's selfishness and Ji-soo's blind loyalty were tearing the Jeong family apart, and he wasn't sure how much more the family legacy could endure.
The servants' quarters in the Jeong family estate buzzed with hushed excitement and murmurs as the news of the scandalous wedding spread like wildfire. The kitchen, usually filled with the rhythmic sounds of chopping vegetables and clattering pots, now echoed with animated whispers and occasional bursts of laughter. A faint aroma of freshly baked bread lingered in the air as Jinju, the youngest servant, leaned against the counter, scrolling through her phone.
"Look at this!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "The headlines are everywhere. 'Jeong Family Heir's Scandalous Wedding Drama'... Tsk, tsk, tsk, what a mess."
The chubby cook, known affectionately as Auntie Sun-hee, wiped her hands on her apron and sidled over to Jinju, her eyes twinkling with intrigue. She wasn't one to miss out on gossip. "What are they saying now?" she asked, leaning in closer.
Jinju scrolled further, her brow furrowing as she read aloud. "They're calling Yuna a gold-digger. Can you believe that? As if she hasn't worked hard for everything she has."
Auntie Sun-hee scoffed, shaking her head. "Gold-digger? Those people don't know what they're talking about. If anyone's a gold-digger, it's that new wife of Mr. Jaewon—what's her name again? Sohee?" She waved her hand dismissively, her cheeks puffing in disdain. "I don't trust her. Not one bit."
"Me neither," Jinju agreed, her lips pursed. "There's just something about her... I don't know, she seems fake. Always putting on that sweet, innocent act."
Sun-hee nodded fervently, her hands now on her ample hips. "Exactly! You can tell by the way she's always clinging to Mr. Jaewon like he's her lifeline. And don't even get me started on the crocodile tears. Hah!" She rolled her eyes dramatically, then suddenly clasped her cheeks with both hands, her expression softening. "But Mr. Heeseung... ah, now he's a real man. So handsome, so composed... haaaah," she sighed dreamily, her cheeks flushing a light pink. "I was rooting for him and Yuna all along. They would've made such a perfect couple, don't you think?"
Jinju giggled at Auntie Sun-hee's reaction. "You've got it bad for Mr. Heeseung, don't you?" she teased.
Sun-hee didn't even try to deny it. "Who wouldn't? The man looks like he walked straight out of a romance novel!" she said, fanning herself with a dish towel. "And he treats people with such respect, not like that spoiled brat Mr. Jaewon."
Mel, a soft-spoken maid who had been quietly polishing silverware at the corner table, finally chimed in, her voice thoughtful. "You know," she began, setting down the last fork, "when all this happened, I didn't see Mrs. Yuna cry. Not once. She held her head high, even with everything they threw at her. That's real strength right there."
"Yeah," Nana, the laundry maid, agreed, folding a freshly pressed shirt. "She's not like those people who break down at the first sign of trouble. Mrs. Yuna has dignity. She didn't let them see her fall apart."
Sun-hee clapped her hands together, as if punctuating Nana's point. "That's what I'm saying! She's got class. And you know what? That's probably why Mr. Heeseung married her. He knows her worth."
"Do you think he really loves her?" Jinju asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
Sun-hee grinned knowingly, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, honey, the way he looks at her? That man's smitten. He'd probably lasso the moon for her if she asked."
The group fell silent for a moment, each woman lost in her thoughts about the tangled web of emotions and scandals in the Jeong family.
Mel broke the silence, her tone somber. "It's just sad, though. No matter how strong Mrs. Yuna is, she's still human. She must be hurting deep down. All those nasty comments online, the betrayal... it's a lot for anyone to handle."
Sun-hee nodded solemnly, her earlier excitement dimming. "True. But you know what? I believe she'll come out of this stronger. She has Mr. Heeseung by her side now, and he won't let anything happen to her. Mark my words."
"Let's hope so," Jinju said quietly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her phone case. "She deserves happiness after everything she's been through."
As the conversation lulled, the servants exchanged knowing looks, a sense of camaraderie forming among them. Despite their differing roles in the household, they all agreed on one thing: Yuna's journey was far from over, and they couldn't help but root for her triumph in the face of adversity.
"Hey... Yuna," Heeseung repeated gently, his tone low and soothing, as if coaxing a child awake. He lightly patted her arm again, leaning closer.
"Mmhmm," she mumbled, turning her head and snuggling deeper into the plush pillows.
"We've reached Bora Bora," Heeseung said, leaning down until his lips were near her ear. His breath, warm and teasing, sent a shiver down her spine as he added, "Time to wake up."
Her eyes snapped open, startled, and she jolted upright. "I'm awake!" she exclaimed, her voice slightly panicked as she instinctively covered her ears with both hands. Her surroundings were unfamiliar, the gentle sway beneath her making her realize she wasn't on the jet anymore.
It took her a moment to process her environment. The bright sunlight streamed through the windows, and the faint sound of waves lapping against the hull filled the air. She blinked in confusion. "Wait... this isn't the jet. How... how did I get here?"
Heeseung chuckled softly, the sound low and almost endearing. "You fell asleep as soon as we took off. I didn't have the heart to wake you. So, I carried you onto the yacht once we landed. You didn't even stir," he said with a faint smirk, clearly amused by her puzzled expression.
Yuna's cheeks flushed pink at the thought of him carrying her, but she quickly shook it off. "You could've just woken me up," she muttered, slightly embarrassed.
"Nah, you looked too peaceful. Come on," Heeseung said as he gestured toward the door. "They're waiting to show us to our apartment."
"Who? Our what?" Yuna echoed, trailing after him, still disoriented.
But as soon as she stepped off the yacht and onto the wooden dock, her breath caught in her throat. "Wooooow," she gasped, her eyes widening like saucers as she took in the view before her.