Ransomed Fiancée (Michaeng) ✔️

Summary (Part 23)

Chapter 30:

Chaeyoung woke up to an empty bed. She sighed and felt the cool sheets beside her. Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom, splashing water on her face. As she reached for a towel, she caught her reflection in the mirror and froze. Red marks trailed along her collarbone and faint nail imprints marred her back. Mina was——impatient and rough. Chaeyoung rubbed her eyebrow, a mix of emotions flashing through her eyes before she turned away to dress.

When she walked into the living room, she found Mina sitting on the couch, wrapped in a bathrobe. A tablet rested on her lap and she was speaking on the phone, she sounded professional. Their eyes met briefly and Mina raised a hand, gesturing for Chaeyoung to wait.

Chaeyoung shifted on her feet, awkwardly lingering near the doorway until Mina ended the call. Placing her phone down, Mina's gaze locked onto Chaeyoung. Her expression was stoic and calculating like she was already ten steps ahead.

"I've contacted Tzuyu," Mina began, her voice cold and direct. "She'll handle the legal side of the lawsuit. Whatever reason Yuqi had for assaulting a customer, it won't justify her actions, but it might soften the public's perception. Spin a sympathy story if you must. The public wavers easily. I can buy you a week, at most. If things remain uncontrollable after that, I'll proceed with my decision."

Chaeyoung nodded silently, her gaze dropping to the floor.

Mina's eyes stayed fixed on her. "You may go," she said, her tone dismissive as if the night before had never happened.

Chaeyoung swallowed hard, her lips pressing together in a strained attempt to keep her emotions in check. "Thank you, Ms. Myoui," she murmured. Without another glance, Chaeyoung turned and walked out of the room. Mina's silence felt like a blade thrusted through her heart.

The next day, Chaeyoung was surprised when Tzuyu came to visit her small company. She thanked Tzuyu for everything but but Tzuyu, in a quiet and remorseful tone, took responsibility for her part in the events from four years ago. Chaeyoung, still carrying some resentment, had spent years harboring a deep grudge against her, but after her time in prison and Tzuyu's unwavering loyalty to Mina, Chaeyoung had found it in herself to forgive her.

As they caught up, Tzuyu shared the positive changes in Mina's life and all about her journey and her accomplishments. Although Tzuyu intentionally avoided discussing Mina's struggles with depression, how much she had suffered from Chaeyoung's absence and her alcohol addiction as a means to escape. She knew Chaeyoung blamed herself enough and didn't want to add to her guilt. Instead, Tzuyu focused on how Mina had uncovered the truth after her return to South Korea and confronted her. It was something that couldn't be avoided. Chaeyoung understood this, apologizing for having asked Tzuyu to lie on her behalf all those years ago

The conversation soon turned to the current situation. The lawsuit and the incident involving Yuqi. Tzuyu shared her strategy and offered a plan to help manage the crisis.

Before leaving, Tzuyu mentioned that she wasn't the only one coming to Korea. Mr. Yuta, an investor in Velore who had been with the company since its early stages was also coming. At first, Chaeyoung didn't understand the relevance but Tzuyu explained further.

"He's been trying to court Mina for years," Tzuyu said, her tone calm yet there was a hint of disgust and annoyance, "It seems to me they had a deal. I'm not sure what it was. But four years ago, she didn't sigh the divorce papers, so it hadn't been finalized. She wanted to wait—wait until she could make up her mind."

Chaeyoung froze, her breath hitching. "So... we're still—?"

Tzuyu nodded. "Yes, you're still married to Mina." A sly smile tugged at her lips as she grabbed her suitcase and tapped Chaeyoung lightly on the shoulder. "She's still your wife," she added with a smirk before turning to leave.