A Marriage of Power

Part 12

Yujin's POV

After Wonyoung left, I stayed in my office, trying to process everything she had said. The weight of our conversation lingered, leaving me with more questions than answers. My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—anger, confusion, and an undeniable sadness. Needing to clear my head, I decided to step out for some fresh air.

The cool evening breeze greeted me as I walked out of the building. The city lights flickered around me, casting long shadows on the pavement. I walked aimlessly, my thoughts heavy. 

Despite my best efforts to distract myself, my mind kept circling back to that night in New York and the look of guilt on Wonyoung's face.

As I rounded a corner, my steps faltered. There, leaning against a lamppost, was the man I had seen with Wonyoung—the one she had kissed. His presence was like a physical blow, bringing all my anger and hurt rushing back to the surface. He hadn't noticed me yet, his attention focused on his phone.

I felt a surge of rage and started walking towards him, my fists clenching at my sides. He looked up just as I approached, and for a moment, surprise flickered across his face before he masked it with that same infuriating smirk.

"Well, if it isn't Yujin," he said, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Fancy seeing you here.""Why are you here?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

He shrugged, the smirk never leaving his face. "I have my reasons. But I'm curious—how's Wonyoung?"

His casual mention of her name was the final straw. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed him by the collar, shoving him against the lamppost. "Stay away from her," I hissed, my eyes burning with anger. "You've done enough damage."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk widening. "Easy there, Yujin. I didn't come here to start a fight. Though, I must say, you're quite the protective husband—ohh sorry wife!!!."

"Don't test me," I warned, tightening my grip. "I don't care what your intentions are. If I see you near her again, you'll regret it."

He chuckled, the sound grating on my nerves. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that. But you should know, Wonyoung's choices are her own. Maybe you should talk to her about why she was with me in the first place."

His words cut deep, fueling the doubts and insecurities that had been gnawing at me. But I refused to let him see how much his taunts affected me. I released him with a shove, stepping back.

"Stay away," I repeated, my voice steely. "This is your last warning."

He straightened his jacket, giving me one last infuriating grin. "We'll see, Yujin. We'll see."

With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. I stood there, my heart pounding and my thoughts racing. The encounter had left me shaken, but it also solidified my resolve. I needed to understand what had happened with Wonyoung and find a way to either rebuild our trust or accept that our marriage might never work.

As I made my way back to the office, the city lights seemed a little dimmer, and the weight of my responsibilities a little heavier. But I knew one thing for certain—I couldn't let this man or anyone else come between us without a fight. Whether we succeeded or failed, it was a battle I had to face head-on.

The tension between Wonyoung and me had reached an unbearable peak. We hadn't spoken much since that night, and every interaction was strained. I felt like I was suffocating, the weight of my thoughts and emotions pressing down on me. I needed to talk to someone, to unload the burden I was carrying.

That evening, I decided to reach out to my closest friends and my sister, Minji, Ryujin, and Haerin. They had always been my pillars of support, and I trusted them with my deepest concerns. I texted them, asking if they could meet me at our usual club. They responded quickly, agreeing to join me.