PTC Chapter 13. Memories of Inheritance

Da-in answered the phone in her usual voice. She didn’t want to betray even a hint of unease.

“Hello.”

―What are you doing?

The seemingly indifferent question was the same as always. Seojun’s unique way of showing concern.

“Reading Sol a book.”

―What book?

“A story about cars. Tti-tti-bbang-bbang¹.”

―I’m good at reading those kinds of books.

“Don’t interfere in our household. You won’t see Sol.”

Seojun was momentarily speechless after hearing those words. True. It was true, but being so bluntly rejected felt awkward. Still, he felt a surge of defiance.

―You never know what might happen. Who knew we’d meet again like this?

“Yes, we met again. On the condition that we don’t tell anyone else. So you know it won’t be good for you to be seen around our house.”

He knew. He couldn’t tell Da-in’s mother about their contract marriage. But….

―We can see each other without revealing that kind of relationship. I miss Sol. I’ll definitely read her a book sometime.

“I don’t want that.”

At Da-in’s firm rejection, Seojun changed the subject.

―Are you getting ready to come to our house this weekend?

“I haven’t prepared anything in particular. I’m mentally prepared.”

―Then that’s good. That’s why I called. We should have these phone calls beforehand. We’ll be living together now.

“Right. I need to read to Sol.”

―Okay. Goodnight.

“Yeah. Goodnight.”

As soon as the call ended, Sol opened her eyes wide and asked, “Auntie. Who was that?”

“Just a friend.”

“A boyfriend?”

“Yeah.”

Da-in stroked Sol’s hair and started reading the book again.

***

The weekend has arrived. Even amidst the confusing whirlwind of events, time passed relentlessly. Since her job situation was resolved, she had agreed to go to Seojun’s house for the weekend.

Today was the day. Da-in wore an ivory dress with a black jacket. She thought it was the most appropriate and neat style. However, when her mother saw her, she commented.

 “Where are you going?”

“A friend’s wedding.”

It was a spur-of-the-moment lie. Since she was dressed up more than usual, she figured the wedding excuse would work.

“Well, even so, white isn’t the best color. It’s not really appropriate to wear a white dress to a friend’s wedding, is it?”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes.”

So she changed into a grey dress. It looked a bit more like office attire.

“Yes. That’s better.”

“I’ll be back, Mom.”

“Okay.”

As soon as she left the house, her heart pounded. This feeling of hiding something from her mother was truly uncomfortable.
If her mother knew she was entering into this 100-day marriage, she wouldn’t stay quiet.

When she went down to the first floor of the apartment building, Seojun was waiting for her. As she rode in his car from the front of the building, she felt increasingly nervous. 

Seeing Da-in like this, Seojun casually remarked, “Don’t be nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.”

She wanted to deny it outright. She wasn’t the naive Park Da-in anymore 10 years ago. And this was a marriage of equals, a contract. So, she wasn’t nervous.
Da-in kept reassuring herself. However, Seojun scoffed.

“You are nervous. But there’s nothing to be nervous about. You’re our good luck charm.”

“What?”

She thought she misheard. A good luck charm?

Ten years ago, she was clearly told she was a threat to Seojun’s life. Now, a good luck charm?

As she looked at Seojun with suspicious eyes, unable to understand his words, he added an explanation.

“My grandmother frequents a shaman, and that’s what the shaman said. She said you’re our family’s good luck charm, so we should treat you well. So don’t worry about anything, just go there, think to yourself ‘I’m the good luck charm,’ puff out your chest, and come back.”

It was absurd. Even if it was a 100-day marriage, she would have to live with his grandmother and mother-in-law. How could she not be nervous? Still, the words “good luck charm” were pleasing to hear. It was somewhat funny that they considered her a good luck charm in that family.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Whatever. Anyway, I’m not nervous.”

“Good then.”

Da-in got out of the car and took a deep breath. Seojun placed a hand on her shoulder, a patting gesture as if telling her not to worry. She disliked it. This kind of ambiguous sentiment didn’t belong in their relationship.

Stopping, Da-in turned to Seojun and asked.

“Let me ask you something. You’re doing this marriage because you hate me, right?”

The sudden question made Seojun frown. 

He couldn’t say there wasn’t any hatred. Still, he didn’t want to agree that it was a marriage born of hate. Despite his complex feelings, the words tumbled out.

“Would I do it out of love? If I loved you, I would have proposed a proper marriage.”

He instantly regretted his words. The situation was a mess.

Da-in nodded.

“Right. That’s why I’m going to stick to the contract, from beginning to end. That’s what I wanted to say. There are no feelings between us in this marriage.”

Her decisive words made Seojun’s heart feel like it was turning to lead.

‘Right. What was I expecting….’

He’d felt a flicker of excitement about bringing Da-in home, foolishly.

“Okay, fine. Let’s go in and greet them.”

Seojun spoke softly, as if trying to soothe Da-in’s prickly mood. Tension mounted with each step up the stairs. It was the first time she’d entered Seojun’s home like this. Beyond the marble staircase lay a wide lawn.

A granite path led from the center of the lawn to the main entrance. Inside, his grandmother, mother, and a woman who appeared to be a housekeeper were waiting.

“Welcome.”

The housekeeper greeted them and stepped aside, revealing Soonja and Junghee. Da-in bowed her head.

“Hello.”

She greeted Soonja first and then turned to the woman beside her. She recognized Seojun’s mother. They’d met only once, but it was a face she couldn’t forget.

“Come in.”

Soonja said with a smile. Sitting on the sofa, Da-in felt inexplicably tense, her hands and feet stiffening. Seojun spoke up beside her.

“Please direct any unnecessary questions to me. Today is just for greetings, so just acknowledge her presence.” 

“Who’s saying anything?”

Soonja retorted and then glanced at Junghee, who was biting her lip.

‘You? How could it be you? Why you, of all people?’

Even that single encounter from the past had become a lifelong burden. She had looked into the woman her son was dating at the time. Of course, she hadn’t told Seojun. She’d discovered it was Park Da-in, a girl from a family completely unsuitable for theirs. So she’d met with her once, but…. Naturally, she hadn’t been kind, but she never imagined Da-in would miscarry right then and there.

Junghee, her lips tightly sealed, finally spoke.

“I’m Seojun’s mother.”

She greeted Da-in as if they were strangers. She couldn’t acknowledge their prior meeting in front of Seojun. Did he sense her awkwardness?

Seojun, looking at Junghee, said, “Mom, you look like you already know Park Da-in.”

The casual remark hit a nerve. Junghee’s heart dropped, her eyes widening.

“What are you talking about? This is the first time I’m seeing her. You never introduced her to me.”

Da-in remained silent, her expression unreadable, maintaining a composed demeanor. Seojun tilted his head.

“That’s true. But why were you so surprised when you first saw Da-in? Was it just because she’s so pretty?”

Oh, you charmer.

As Junghee remained silent, Soonja spoke up.

“Well, she certainly is beautiful.”

Soonja’s gaze fixed on Da-in, who returned it with a smile. Soonja continued, her tone slightly slower, “It’s a shame that fate has brought you here for such a short marriage….”

They all knew this wasn’t something to be done under normal circumstances. It was a regrettable situation, except for the crucial fact that it was saving Seojun’s life. Da-in replied calmly, “It’s alright. I entered into this with full understanding.”

“Did you know Seojun before?”

Soonja’s question made Junghee tense. 

She watched Da-in nervously, waiting for her response. Da-in answered succinctly,

“Yes.”

“Is that so?”

“Enough. That’s all you need to know”

Seojun intervened.

“Let’s leave it at that. It doesn’t matter how we knew each other. Is it that important? If she says how she knew me, are you going to let me keep her forever?” 

Seojun’s words made Soonja cough awkwardly. While they were welcoming someone new into the family, they couldn’t wish them a lifetime of happiness in this marriage.