Contract Marriage with Memory Loss on Top - Chapter 70

“Ji-hye, you’re not supposed to come in yet-.”

“I’m sorry. It’s an urgent matter.”

Manager Park seemed startled by the employee’s unexpected action and hastily tried to stop her, but she bowed her head again and approached Ki-won. Ki-won readily lent his ear to the employee’s small voice saying she had something to tell him.

“No way.”

Regardless of what conversation took place, Ki-won’s face hardened and a firm tone returned. Yeon-woo finally asked, standing by Ki-won’s side.

“Why? Did something happen?”

“It seems my mother is here.”

“What? You mean hyung’s mother…?”

She’s my mother-in-law. Surprised by the unexpected situation, Yeon-woo’s eyes widened. It seemed that Ki-won’s mother, who had coincidentally come shopping at this time, had heard the news that the two of them were in the VIP room.

“She’s coming here?”

What should I do? Ki-won’s mother was the wife of the Yeonsung Group. I was not prepared at all to greet her, so my heart was pounding. I had only met her before the wedding and at the wedding ceremony, so I didn’t know what to say or what to be mindful of.

“I just refused a moment ago.”

So that’s why. The image of Ki-won firmly refusing flashed through my mind again. However, the employee who had to convey the refusal also seemed quite troubled, with a perplexed expression.

“But she’s your mother, wouldn’t it be better to meet her even briefly?”

Maybe she was requesting to see him after hearing the news that Ki-won was injured. As a son, shouldn’t he at least show his face? Ki-won would handle it well, but Yeon-woo was rather restless.

“Maybe she’s trying to see you because she’s worried after hearing you got injured.”

“If that were the case, she would have contacted me directly instead of meeting at the department store. My mother is not…”

Before Ki-won’s voice could finish, the sound of footsteps was heard, and the door to the VIP room was flung wide open. Yeon-woo couldn’t help but be surprised by the human figure visible beyond the open door.

“Mother.”

A small sigh escaped between Ki-won’s teeth. As if she had intended to come in even if he said no, the footsteps of his biological mother, Lim Hwa-ran, were unwavering.

“Son, are you upset with me by any chance? It’s been over 5 minutes since I asked Ji-hye to pass a message to you, but you have no intention of coming out. You must have tried to prevent me from entering.”

Taking off the sunglasses she was wearing, Mrs. Lim shrugged her shoulders and looked around. Her gaze soon stopped at one place, and a gentle smile appeared. Her eyes were fixed on Yeon-woo, who was closely attached to Ki-won’s side. It was the moment when Yeon-woo’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, unable to hide his tension.

“Hello, Madam…”

“Oh, dear. Madam! Call me mother comfortably.”

Unlike Mrs. Lim, who was chatting leisurely saying it was okay to call her mom, Yeon-woo’s tension showed no sign of disappearing. That was because, in addition to being Ki-won’s mother, she was also the owner of Yeonsung Heavy Industries, the largest company among Yeonsung’s affiliates. Just standing still, her demeanor was extraordinary, so he became timid without realizing it.

“…Yes, Mother.”

A thin voice consumed by fear reached Hwa-ran’s ears. She smiled contentedly as if even Yeon-woo’s timid attitude was cute, and was about to approach closer.

“I heard you were busy today, so what brings you here?”

Ki-won naturally blocked Hwa-ran and sent Yeon-woo behind him. Anyone who sees this would think he’s trying to devour him. Muttering with disappointment, Mrs. Lim stared at her son’s face.

“I came to look at some clothes to wear on my overseas business trip. By the way, I heard you were in an accident. You said you weren’t hurt much, but what’s with your forehead?”

Mrs. Lim didn’t seem to know that her son had amnesia. She kept looking at Ki-won’s forehead, narrowed her brows, and clicked her tongue as if she was heartbroken.

‘…Did hyung not tell his mother?’

Yeon-woo quietly watched them and scratched his cheek. Since amnesia wasn’t a light illness like a cold, it must have been difficult to easily inform his family. If this problem became known to the public, it could cause issues with his brother’s position or stock prices… This part would be most accurate to ask Ki-won. Yeon-woo decided not to bring up anything related to amnesia in front of Ki-won’s mother until he was sure.

“This level of injury will heal quickly, so it’s fine.”

“What if it leaves a scar? Did you contact Director Joo?”

“It’s not that serious.”

Mrs. Lim looked at Ki-won’s face with pity for a while, then turned her gaze to Yeon-woo.

“Are you enjoying your newlywed life, Yeon-woo? I hope I didn’t intrude by coming here unexpectedly.”

“It’s not like that at all.”

Yeon-woo hurriedly waved his hand, but Ki-won didn’t say anything and just stood there blankly. It seemed like he was telling her to leave if she knew, so Yeon-woo’s pupils trembled quickly.

“Actually, I just wanted to see your face, dear.”

“…Me?”

Yeon-woo’s pretty eyes opened wider than usual. Although he hadn’t met her often, one thing he felt every time they met was that her character was very upright and straightforward. Even though there was a big difference in family background, she never mistreated or tried to act carelessly toward Yeon-woo.

“Yes, I was so disappointed when I told Ki-won to bring his bride home, but he didn’t budge at all.”

“Is that so?”

It was a fact he had no idea about. He thought he had never met Ki-won’s parents after the wedding simply because they were busy people. But Ki-won had refused on his own… It seemed like he had declined to avoid burdening his contract marriage partner, which made him grateful but also sorry.

“It’s sudden, but it seems like a good opportunity to meet, so I came in. I’m not holding you back when you have a schedule after this, am I?”

“Not at all. It’s okay, Mother.”

He had already finished choosing the clothes anyway, and only the measuring process remained. Although she was in a high position, making him feel burdened and unfamiliar, he didn’t dislike her as a person. Yeon-woo thought that if they had more conversations, his shyness might fade away, so he tried to gather courage.

“That’s a relief. Oh, are you all busy during dinner time?”

“Dinner? No, we don’t have any particular plans.”

While speaking, Yeon-woo was busy raising his arms or slightly parting his feet. The department store staff, who were on standby, quietly approached to measure Yeon-woo’s size so that the conversation between the three wouldn’t be interrupted.

“Oh, then why don’t you come to my house for dinner tonight?”

“To Madam’s, no… Mother’s house?”

“I’ll prepare something delicious. I wanted to have a family gathering, but I was disappointed that I couldn’t find a suitable time.”

Yeon-woo glanced at Ki-won to gauge his reaction. He didn’t mind, but he felt he should know Ki-won’s intentions as well. Fortunately, it seemed like he didn’t mind either, as he gestured for Yeon-woo to do as he pleased.

“Okay. Then hyung and I will drop by in the evening.”

“Really?”

Mrs. Lim smiled brightly like someone who was truly happy. Perhaps because she was his mother, when her eyes narrowed, Ki-won’s face overlapped. Yeon-woo responded with the same smile to Hwa-ran’s reaction, which made even the onlooker feel good.

***

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know we’d run into my mother.”

“Nah… Why are you saying that? I was also happy to meet hyung’s mother after a long time.”

“Still, if it’s burdensome, you don’t have to go. I’ll explain it well.”

It was on the way home after the brief meeting with Mrs. Lim. Ki-won, who was holding the steering wheel, opened his mouth and made eye contact with Yeon-woo sitting next to him.

“It’s okay. For some reason… I can feel that she genuinely likes me, which I’m really grateful for.”

“Is there a reason for liking someone? I guess Mr. Seo Yeon-woo was to her liking. It’s the first time I’ve seen my mother smile like that.”

“Really?”

Yeon-woo rounded his lips and raised the end of his words as if it was unexpected. I thought she was like that to other people too because she was so bright and gentle, but I guess not. He could have just said that to please me, but Yeon-woo giggled like a child and blushed his cheeks. If I had known, I should have contacted her first.

‘Since it’s a contract marriage, I ended up paying less attention to hyung’s family…’

Since we weren’t in a position to live together forever, I naturally paid less attention. Now that we’ll be together for another year, I think I should show interest even now. Recalling Hwa-ran’s request to have a family gathering, Yeon-woo secretly swallowed the tingling feeling inside.

I don’t know much about them yet, but they must be a harmonious family. I don’t know if I can dare to think like this, but I was also happy to feel like I had become a member of such a harmonious family.