Areum and Saga's marriage has been going on for a year now. Areum, who also serves as Saga's secretary, finally agreed to a contractual marriage with Saga. They appeared happy in front of everyone, especially Saga's parents. Saga thought that after getting married, the pressures from both of their parents would stop. Now, they are pressing Saga to have children.

The mysterious Saga seems unenthusiastic about having children. It's clear that Saga, who has never even touched Areum, does not want to have children. Especially since his parents divorced and his mother remarried his current father. This strengthens Saga's desire not to have children.

"Isn't tomorrow your grandfather's memorial day?" Saga asked while enjoying dinner with Areum.

Areum, who had been silent all along, looked at Saga. She nodded slightly in agreement.

"How does he remember that?" Areum wondered.

"Tomorrow, we're going to my parents' house," Saga said.

"No need, I can go on my own. Besides, I'm just a granddaughter, so I'm just an accessory," Areum declined.

Saga stopped eating. He put down his spoon and looked at Areum now. "Why are you talking like that? I am Kang family's son-in-law. I am obliged to attend Grandfather's memorial event. We will still go to Daegu tomorrow," Saga insisted.

Areum, who was staring at Saga, finally nodded in agreement. Indeed, as Saga said, he is the only son-in-law in the Kang family. How would she answer her extended family's questions if Saga didn't go to Daegu?

Areum woke up in the middle of the night feeling thirsty. If her in-laws or her parents weren't here, Areum would sleep in her room. She quietly moved from the bed and walked out of the room. Areum furrowed her brows slightly in surprise as she noticed the living room light was still on. She strolled and found Saga focused on his laptop.

"You're not sleeping yet?" Areum asked softly.

Hearing Areum's voice suddenly beside him startled Saga. He held his chest, which was beating a bit faster now. "Are you awake? I'm finishing some work for tomorrow. So, we can leave for Daegu early in the morning," Saga replied.

Saga's answer took aback Areum. Sometimes, Saga makes her feel like a cherished wife. It makes Areum doubt and thinks that their marriage is accurate, not just a black-and-white contract.

"Areum," Saga called again.

"Ah, yes?"

"Why are you just standing there? What do you want to do that you're up so late?"

"Ah... I'm thirsty."

"Go to the kitchen and get a drink, then go back to sleep!" Saga instructed.

Realising her behaviour, Areum nodded quietly and walked to the kitchen without saying anything more. Saga, on the other hand, watched Areum go to the kitchen with his poker face. Soon, Areum returned with a glass of warm milk, placing it next to Saga's laptop.

"Drink this! It's late; finish it tomorrow. We don't have to leave early in the morning."

After giving the glass of warm milk to Saga, Areum went back to her room, leaving Saga stunned, looking at the glass of milk she gave him.

***

Areum's house was bustling; all of Areum's extended family had gathered. Since her arrival, Areum had been helping her mother in the kitchen while Saga and Areum's father were busy arranging the ceremonial table. Areum brought a box of fruits to be placed on the table, then stopped at the doorway when she saw Saga and her father sitting cross-legged, chatting.

"Thank you for marrying my daughter; you are truly a helper in this family," Mr. Kang said.

"No need to thank me, Aboenim. Didn't I gain a lot by marrying Areum?" Saga replied, chuckling.

Mr. Kang also chuckled upon hearing Saga's response. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Kang reached for Saga's hand and patted it gently. "Nevertheless, I am grateful to you. I thought you would refuse the arranged marriage. At that time, I was really under pressure and agreed to your father's request. Tuan Min was so eager for you to get married, and at that time, I agreed to give my daughter to you, and you helped my company," Mr. Kang explained.

Areum was surprised to hear her father's words; she had never known the story behind her arranged marriage with Saga. Tuan Min, who was Saga's stepfather, was indeed a friend of Areum's father. So, Areum thought their marriage was based on their friendship. But, little did she know that she was just a tool to recover his business at that time.

Throughout her grandfather's memorial event, Areum mainly remained silent, speaking only when necessary. Saga could sense the sudden change in Areum's attitude. After the event, the extended Kang family gathered in the living room to drink and socialise. Areum approached her mother and gently held her mother's arm.

"Eomma, I'm going to bed now, okay?" Areum excused herself.

"Oh, are you tired already?" Mrs. Kang asked.

"Yes," Areum replied with a slight nod and a thin smile.

"Go to your room and sleep! You must be tired from coming all the way from Seoul and preparing all this," Mrs. Kang said.

Areum nodded quietly in agreement. After bidding farewell to everyone, Areum approached Saga, who was sitting with Areum's nephew.

"I'm going to bed now."

"You must be tired. Let me accompany you," Saga said.

Saga was about to stand up to follow Areum to the bedroom, but Areum quickly stopped him.

"No need for company; I can go to the room by myself," Areum said, leaving Saga without waiting for his response.

Saga frowned in surprise; it's not like Areum to refuse him in front of so many people.

***

Feeling that something was amiss with Areum, Saga quickly followed his wife to the bedroom. Saga found Areum sleeping with her back to him.

"Already asleep?" Saga whispered, trying to confirm if Areum was really asleep.

There has yet to be a response from Areum. After a moment, Saga walked towards the bed and climbed on it. He noticed Areum's breathing was not even. It indicated that she hadn't really fallen asleep yet.

"If she's not asleep, why didn't she answer me? Is she avoiding me on purpose?" Saga wondered to himself.

Saga then dared to touch Areum's arm gently. "Areum, are you really asleep?" he asked.

There still needed to be an answer from Areum. Shortly afterwards, Saga walked closer to the bed and climbed on it. He noticed Areum's breathing wasn't regular. It signalled that she hadn't indeed fallen asleep yet.

"If she's not asleep, why didn't she answer me? Is she intentionally avoiding me?" Saga thought.

Saga finally gathered the courage to touch Areum's arm gently. "Areum, are you really asleep?" he asked.

That's when Saga could feel Areum's very soft sobbing. It seemed like she had been holding back her tears since earlier. Saga was surprised, then turned Areum forcefully.

"Why are you crying? How long have you been crying until

your face is swollen like this?" Saga asked, seeing Areum's swollen face.

Areum didn't answer and just stared at Saga now. Areum traced Saga's face and wondered in her heart, "Is this real? Or just one of his acts because we're at my parents' house?"

"Areum, answer me! What's wrong?" Saga lost his patience and slightly raised his voice.

"Saga, how much does my father owe you? Tell me now, and after I pay it off, let's get divorced!" Areum suddenly declared.

Saga widened his eyes in shock. Both of them stared at each other now.
***