Chapter 118. Reconciliation (6)

Translator: Aura

Tae Lee-Seob, born between the son of TK’s chairman and the daughter of CS’s chairman, had become the main topic of conversation since birth whenever people talked about the family behind TK Group. It slowly overshadowed what happened with Tae Seo-Hee.

Joon-Seob swallowed his bitterness and said,

“Perhaps the chairman exposed him so much because he was too proud of his only grandson.”

Seonae stared into his eyes,

“You weren’t in Korea back then. If you had grown up here, it would have been different. I’m sorry I didn’t intervene to make your family move back here.”

“Don’t even mention it…”

The bride who ran away and stood up Seonae’s brother at the altar was Joon-Seob’s mother, Tae Seo-Hee. As a result, her intelligent and kind-hearted brother decided to live a low-key life abroad, and she became the victim of an arranged marriage.

This made Seonae the one who found it hardest to accept Joon-Seob, Seo-Hee’s child, with whom the family had cut ties. She had also been in a position where she couldn’t help but hate him when he suddenly appeared after so many years and competed with Lee-Seob.

“You don’t believe me.”

“I’m just saying you don’t need to.”

“I’m sorry.”

Joon-Seob paused as he lifted his teacup. Her words were loaded with sincere regret,

“I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t behave like an aunt should.”

“Ma’am.”

“Joon-Seob.”

The teacup in his hand trembled slightly. The tea spilled and wet his hand. After he entered the company, she had rarely called him by his name, only by his title.

“Yes…”

“I was petty. If you were just a year younger than Lee-Seob, or even a year or two older… no, those are all excuses. I’m also really sorry to Wookyung, your fiancée. I feel so ashamed of what has happened that I don’t dare look her in the eyes. I was blinded by my own emotions. I want to meet her and apologize, but I don’t think you’ll allow it.”

“Aunt.”

He put down his teacup and took out a handkerchief. He did not wipe his wet hand, but unexpectedly handed the handkerchief to her.

“Ah…”

Surprised, she accepted the handkerchief and dabbed her moist eyes.

“I’m being silly. I must be getting old.”

“Those words don’t sound like you.”

Seonae put the handkerchief aside and looked at him,

“The first time I saw you was in the winter of the year I entered college. You haven’t changed since then. I wonder if my mother would have aged similarly if she were still alive. Sometimes I think about that when I look at you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes again.

“Your mother would have been much prettier than me. She was so beautiful… The most graceful woman I’ve ever met in my life. I was hard-hearted and inconsiderate… I made things difficult for you. I thought you would eventually hate me, but no matter how many thorns I planted in your path, you didn’t. It bothered me that I couldn’t see inside you at all. You’ve always been very mature and unflappable, unlike my Lee-Seob. It would have been easier for me if you had at least acted a little mean to me.”

Joon-Seob picked up a paper napkin to wipe his wet hand and took another sip of tea. After a moment of silence, he looked up and said with his hands clasped together,

“Remember I mentioned that I preferred to delay the wedding since Yeon Wookyung is young?”