A Madman in Love

“Ch-Chairwoman.”

Jin Sukyung’s pupils dilated in shock.

“D-Do you mean… as in in-laws…?”

She could hardly believe what she had just heard.

As if regretting letting such a word slip from her lips, she clamped them shut, pressing her lower lip inward.

“Yes. Let’s have our kids get married.”

Woo Ilhwa spoke as she warmly clasped Jin Sukyung’s stiff hands, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

“At this rate, my grandmother will become a great-grandmother before they make it official.”

“Chairwoman…”

Jin Sukyung couldn’t bring herself to laugh.

Her heart pounded so intensely that her eyes welled up with unshed tears.

“You’re really… accepting my Suin?”

“What’s there for me to accept? Suin needs to accept me.”

As Jin Sukyung’s lips trembled, trying to hold back her emotions, Woo Ilhwa calmly reassured her.

“Madam Jin, I don’t need anything else. Just give Suin to Jaehee.”

“……”

“Let’s not overcomplicate things. We’ll let them do as they wish and just sit in the parents’ seats when the day comes.”

“Chairwoman…”

A choked sob finally escaped from Jin Sukyung’s lips.

The guilt of watching her daughter waste her youth paying off her parents’ debt surged all at once.

She had never been able to properly comfort her daughter when she cried like a rain-drenched rose.

All she could do was hold her and hope that time would heal her wounds.

“I know I have no right to ask this, but…”

Jin Sukyung didn’t even bother to wipe away the tears dripping onto the table. Her hands trembled like a leaf in the wind as she grasped Woo Ilhwa’s hands and earnestly pleaded,

“Please take good care of my Suin.”

“There’s nothing to ‘take care’ of. She’s always been wonderful, so how could I suddenly dislike her?”

Woo Ilhwa scolded lightly.

“Besides, wasn’t I always fonder of Suin than Jaehee? Not that Jaehee wouldn’t be hurt to hear that.”

With an effortless, lighthearted joke, she openly expressed her fondness for Suin. Then, reaching out, she gently wiped away Jin Sukyung’s tear-stained cheeks.