A Madman in Love

The human heart is full of contradictions.

It’s no wonder the saying exists: “You don’t want it for yourself, but you can’t bear to give it away.”

"I want to confess, but I’m too embarrassed."

The emotions Suin had carefully suppressed stirred violently the moment Yoo Ahjin spoke those words.

"There’s a confession letter inside here. Can you give it to him for me?"

"No."

As if chilled to her core, Suin coldly rejected the letter Ahjin held out to her.

"Why not? Is it because you don’t want me to date Seo Jaehee? Do you actually like him?"

"I don’t care about Seo Jaehee. I just don’t want to get involved."

"Then keep your word! If you ever date Seo Jaehee, it’s betrayal!"

"That won’t happen."

Out of pride, Suin refused to admit anything. Grinding her teeth, she even smirked at Ahjin, who trembled with frustration.

It might have been deception.

A pathetic lie she told herself to cover up her own feelings.

***

Bzzzz—

The ringtone on Suin’s phone vibrated, breaking the silence.

―Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa.

Running her hand through the short hair she had kept since she was eighteen, Suin paused in front of an empty shop and answered the call.

"Yes, Chairwoman."

[Suin, don’t get any ideas. Stay with me for a long time.]

The chairwoman’s sudden words carried a hint of drunken affection.

Suin chuckled softly.

"Where would I go?"

[Anywhere. Just don’t leave.]

Woo Ilhwa, always a commanding and jovial figure, was fond of drinking. When tipsy, she addressed Suin by her name, dropping the formalities she typically maintained.

It seemed she had overindulged after attending a women’s economic seminar. Tonight, her mood was especially good.

[Did you meet Jaehee?]

The reason for her elation was likely her son’s return.

Eleven years ago, she had exiled her troublemaking son to the United States to live with his aunt. Beneath her stern exterior, however, lay a mother’s unwavering love.

After all, she had diligently monitored every single report from the New York branch.

"I met him briefly in the executive office earlier."

[You did?]

The chairwoman chuckled faintly.

She had caught the subtle distance in Suin’s formal tone and, ever mischievous, pressed further.

[What did you think?]

"Pardon?"

[What was it like meeting Jaehee? He’s turned out quite handsome, hasn’t he?]

Yes, he had.

Extremely.

"We were a bit awkward."

[You haven’t seen each other in 11 years. No contact, either, right?]

"That’s correct."

[It’s odd, isn’t it? Even though you were in the same company, just in different countries. It’s almost as if you were avoiding each other.]

"We were both busy."

[Still, it’s strange. Neither of you uses social media. Jaehee says it’s too much trouble, but what about you?]

"It’s unnecessary for me."

Social media wasn’t required. There were countless ways to get in touch.

Hyesung Group’s advanced network system made it easy to communicate from anywhere, and Suin’s work email was always accessible.

Even without direct contact, Suin had occasionally caught glimpses of "Seo Jaehee" in New York branch reports.

Just seeing his name was enough to send ripples through her heart, so she deliberately avoided looking too closely.

As for Jaehee?

He hadn’t even sent a casual greeting.@@novelbin@@

And yet...

"Last night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about seeing you, Lee Suin."
"I’ve been waiting for this day."

To spout nonsense like that.

[Suin, you must have been busy taking over new responsibilities today. You probably felt annoyed that I made the decision without consulting you.]

Woo Ilhwa’s voice softened as she addressed Suin with warm familiarity.

Suin smiled wryly.

"You know me well."

[I had no choice either.]

At Suin’s mildly disgruntled tone, the chairwoman sighed dramatically.

[No one but you can fill in Jaehee’s gaps.]

"What gaps could the director possibly have?"

[Didn’t you notice? He’s so carefree and nonchalant... It makes me worry.]

Carefree?

That wasn’t the impression Suin had gotten at all.

If anything, he exuded overwhelming masculinity—so much so that it had been disconcerting.

"Chairwoman..."

[You understand me better than anyone. Help ensure our Jaehee doesn’t give anyone a reason to criticize him.]

Suin was about to voice her doubts when the chairwoman added firmly:

[I’m counting on you, Suin.]

Don’t count on me.

The rebellious thought rose unbidden in Suin’s mind.

Amused by her own defiance, she replied politely, her tone steady and professional.

"Of course. I’ll take good care of him."

***

*Eighteen Year Old: Jaehee and Suin*

Even after parting awkwardly with Yoo Ahjin, Suin went to her academy.

But unlike usual, she couldn’t focus.

The emotions sparked by Ahjin’s words began to simmer, gradually nearing a boiling point.

"If you date Seo Jaehee, it’s betrayal!"

Despite Ahjin’s fierce warning, Suin found herself reconsidering.

While doodling "Should I date him or not?" on her notebook and furiously scribbling with her pen, the academy hours slipped by.

Then, late that night, when she returned home, something unexpected awaited her.

In the annex, Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa was there.

"Chairwoman…"

During Suin’s time at Hyesung, it was the first time she had seen Woo Ilhwa enter the annex.

"Sit down, Suin."

Her parents, seated before the chairwoman like guilty criminals, were already there.

"Yes."

Sensing something was wrong, Suin obeyed.

The truth came out swiftly.

Her father, Lee Injae, who was Woo Ilhwa’s executive secretary, had deceived people for months, pretending to be a member of the Hyesung family. He had orchestrated a large-scale investment scam and squandered the money on gambling and horse racing.

Now, Woo Ilhwa had stormed in, laying bare the facts.

"I’m sorry, Suin. I’m truly ashamed," her father said, offering a tearful apology. Her mother, Jin Sukyung, could only sob silently.

"I trusted you, which makes this betrayal even harder to bear. I should report you and ensure you face the maximum penalty in court," Woo Ilhwa said coldly.

Suin steeled herself.

Her mind went blank, as if her cognitive functions had shut down, but she prepared herself to accept whatever judgment the chairwoman decided.

"But I won’t," Woo Ilhwa continued, much to everyone’s surprise.

She explained her conditions.

"You’ll pay back every cent you scammed from the victims. And Suin will finish her studies. I’ll take care of the money owed."

Woo Ilhwa’s decision was unexpected but purposeful.

"But there’s a condition."

There was always a catch.

"I need Suin."

The chairwoman had always wanted Suin under her wing.

"When she graduates from college, I want her to work for me. Think of it as paying off the debt. Don’t worry, I won’t exploit her."

Woo Ilhwa saw this as her chance to claim the sharp, capable girl she’d always admired.

"It’s your choice, Suin. I won’t force you."

"The answer is obvious, isn’t it?" Suin replied, her tone resolute.

She was a decisive girl. With her family’s future riding on her decision, there was nothing to deliberate.

Her readiness pleased Woo Ilhwa.

Leaving her secretary to handle the paperwork, the chairwoman departed the annex, her steps light.

Meanwhile, Suin felt as though a crushing weight had settled on her shoulders.

The sight of her father weeping and claiming remorse sickened her. She spent the night wandering aimlessly through the dark garden, trying to calm the storm inside her.

And of all times...

"Lee Suin, today’s Rose Day," Seo Jaehee suddenly appeared from his tent, holding out a single red rose. His awkwardness was palpable, his face flushed with embarrassment at his own cheesy gesture.

"Accept my love."

Of all the times…

Suin stared coldly at the rose and turned away without a word.

"Hey!" Jaehee called after her, but she ignored him.

"Dammit! I said I love you!"

Jaehee’s emotions erupted.

"I’m saying I love you, Lee Suin! With everything I have!"

God.

Suin wanted to scream.

The magma of frustration that had been bubbling inside her all day was on the verge of exploding.

Maybe she wanted to cry.

"Seo Jaehee," she said sharply, turning to face him. "Let me spell it out for you."

Jaehee froze as she fixed him with an icy glare.

"In Joseon times, I’d be a servant, and you’d be the young master."

There was bitterness in her voice, a mix of resentment and despair.

"My place in life? If I dared to flirt with you, I’d be lucky to end up a concubine. More likely, I’d get beaten senseless by the madam and thrown out."

That’s exactly where I stand now, you clueless idiot.

"So, I don’t like you."

"You don’t like me?"

"I’ve never seen you as a man."

Her cold, unyielding rejection hit Jaehee like a blow.

The devastated expression on his face, as if he had lost everything, made Suin’s chest ache.

Misfortunes rarely come alone, she thought bitterly.

When they do, they flood in all at once.

And of all those misfortunes, the most relentless, the most devastating, was Seo Jaehee.