"What do you mean she's the one you love?" Jung-Su's voice thundered through the room, eyes blazing with disbelief.
He had prepared meticulously for his son's return from America. The house had been cleaned spotless, a welcome party planned, and most importantly, he had quietly arranged for Jung-Sik to reunite with Ji-Won—the poised, elegant heiress of The King's Group. She was, in Jung-Su's mind, the only woman fit to stand beside the future head of The Emerald Group.
They had dated since high school, and though they broke up before Jung-Sik's departure, Jung-Su had always believed fate would bring them back together. But now, standing beside his son was not Ji-Won—but a Black American woman.
"Abeoji," Jung-Sik began, voice firm but respectful, "this is Carolyn Johnson—the woman I fell in love with. We're getting married."
Carolyn offered a polite smile and bowed slightly. "Good evening, sir. My name is Carolyn Johnson. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Her words barely landed before Jung-Su grabbed his son's arm and dragged him outside.
"What are you thinking?" he hissed. "Who told you it's acceptable to marry a Black American woman?"
"Abeoji, please," Jung-Sik replied, trying to stay calm. "You taught me to follow my heart. That's what I'm doing."
"I should've known telling you that would lead to foolish decisions like this. What do you think Harabeoji would think?" Jung-Su's tone dropped, cold and heavy. "You will marry Ji-Won. That's how we preserve this family's legacy. Do you understand?"
Jung-Sik's face hardened. "No, Abeoji. Ji-Won broke me. I'm marrying Carolyn. Only her and stop using harabeoji as an excuse. He is gone, and whatever happened in the past, is none of my business."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and stormed off.
"Jung-Sik! Jung-Sik!" his father called, but he was gone.
Back inside, Carolyn stood alone, the stares from everyone making her stomach tighten.
"Annyeonghaseyo. Oh, wait—you probably don't speak Korean, do you?" Jung-Ri, Jung-Sik's younger sister, said with a poisonous smile.
"I speak a little," Carolyn answered coolly. "And understand a lot more."
Jung-Ri's grin faltered. "Daebak. You've got guts. But let me be clear—no one wants you here. Even if my father lets this happen, your life will be miserable."
Before Carolyn could respond, a woman's voice cut through the tension.
"Jung-Ri, that is no way to treat a guest. Go to your room." Jung-Jin, Jung-Sik's mother, walked in with a graceful smile.
Jung-Ri scoffed, snatched her phone off the table, and disappeared down the hallway.
"Hello, dear. I'm Jung-Jin, Jung-Sik's mother," she said, extending a hand.
Carolyn shook it, trying to stay composed. "I'm Carolyn Johnson—Jung-Sik's fiancée."
Jung-Jin blinked, her smile faltering for just a second as she examined Carolyn with curious restraint.
"Eeomoni, jal-jinesseyo? I'm taking Carolyn to the hotel. We'll talk later," Jung-Sik said, appearing beside them and taking Carolyn's hand.
"You're going nowhere!" Jung-Su shouted as he stepped back into the room, his face dark with rage.
"Yeobo, what's going on?" Jung-Jin asked, startled.
"He brought this outsider into our home, and now he wants to parade her around like this is normal." He turned to Carolyn, his words sharp. "I, Jung-Su, do not approve of this marriage. I will do everything in my power to stop it."
Carolyn's throat tightened. She took a step back—but before she could leave, a cook walked by with a steaming bowl of ramen. The smell hit her like a wave.
She clutched her stomach—and vomited.
"What the hell?!" Jung-Ri shrieked from the staircase, regretting her decision to witness the drama unfold.
"Seolma... Are you pregnant?" Jung-Jin gasped.
Carolyn's mind raced. Was she...? She couldn't even remember the last time she had her period. Her knees buckled slightly.
"Are you?" Jung-Sik asked gently, taking her hand.
"I... I think I am," Carolyn whispered, wonder and panic flickering across her face.
"Shouldn't you confirm before celebrating?" Jung-Ri muttered.
"Yes, Kyung—bring a test kit," Jung-Jin ordered sharply.
The maid returned quickly and led Carolyn to the guest bathroom. "Just sit here and... do your thing," Kyung said kindly.
A few minutes passed.
"Oh my God!" Carolyn gasped. "It's two lines... I'm pregnant!"
"Yes," Kyung confirmed with a soft smile, then hesitated. "But... are you sure this is the family you want to marry into?"
Carolyn froze. "What do you mean?"
Kyung didn't answer. She only smiled faintly and led her back to the living room.
"Miss Carolyn is pregnant," Kyung announced. "Here's the test."
Jung-Jin examined it in silence.
"She's pregnant," she whispered to her husband.
"So what?" Jung-Sik said. "Your grandchild is coming into this world and you're asking what to do?"
Jung-Jin's expression remained cold. "You loved Ji-Won once, didn't you?"
Carolyn's face darkened. "Who's Ji-Won?"
Jung-Ri perked up. She'd been waiting for this. "She was the first person he truly loved. She—"
"Enough!" Jung-Sik cut her off. "She's my ex. That's it."
Suddenly, Jung-Su stepped forward, surprising everyone.
"Congratulations," he said, looking directly at Carolyn. "When's the wedding?"
Silence swept through the room. Even the staff froze mid-task.
"Yeobo, what are you doing?" Jung-Jin asked, bewildered.
"Resting. Carolyn, where are your parents?"
Carolyn hesitated. "Um..."
"They died in a plane crash," Jung-Sik answered softly, seeing her struggle.
"Then marry after the baby is born," Jung-Su declared.
Jung-Sik wanted to argue, but he saw this for what it was—a crack in the wall. A small victory.
He nodded. "Thank you, Abeoji."
That night, they all ate together in uneasy silence.
Later at the Emerald Hotel, Carolyn lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
"Do you really want to marry into this family?" Kyung's words echoed in her mind.
"What are you thinking about?" Jung-Sik asked, rolling over to face her.
"Nothing," she lied, forcing a smile. "I want to visit your house tomorrow."
"Alright," he said, drawing her back into his arms. "Let's sleep."
Back at the Jung home, Jung-Jin paced the bedroom.
"Seongdeul meomchwo!" Jung-Su barked. "Stop pacing."
"How can I? You welcomed that girl into our family! What about Harabeoji? This is exactly why he disowned your brother!"
"When is Jung-Hyun coming back?" Jung-Su asked suddenly.
"What does that have to do with anything—"
Knock knock.
"Abeoji, Eeomoni. I'm back. May I come in?" It was Jung-Hyun, the second son.
"Come in."
"I heard Hyung brought home a Black American," he said, half-laughing. The bitterness in his tone was barely concealed.
"She's also pregnant," Jung-Jin blurted out.
Jung-Hyun froze. His mind spun. If Jung-Sik had a child... he was no longer the backup heir.
"Are we even sure it's his?" he asked coldly. "Let's wait for the baby before marriage."
"That's what your father said," Jung-Jin replied. "But shouldn't we be thinking of a way to get rid of her?"
"My wife is pure evil," Jung-Su said with a dark laugh. "Go to your room, Jung-Hyun."
The next morning, Carolyn returned to the house alone. Luckily, she spotted Kyung sweeping near the kitchen.
"Kyung!" she called softly, tapping her shoulder.
Kyung jumped, startled. "What are you doing here?"
"Wait." Carolyn grabbed her hand—and froze when she saw the burns and scars. "Who did this to you?"
"I..."
"Kyung, that is none of your business," Jung-Jin snapped from behind them.
"She's hurt. It looks like this keeps happening—like someone's burning her."
"It's nothing, ma'am. I'll go," Kyung said quickly and fled to the kitchen.
"You've got some nerve," Jung-Jin said, folding her arms. "Anyway, since you're here... let's have some coffee."
"Sorry madam, I have to leave. I have other things to attend to," Carolyn answered in a clipped, irritated tone.
Jung-Jin noticed and said, "You're not angry at me, are you? No one talks to me like that." She raised her voice, but quickly caught herself, remembering her husband's sharp remark the night before.
Her chest tightened. That man—always quick to judge her. It stung more than she cared to admit. "He calls me evil," she thought bitterly. "And now this girl thinks she can walk away from me like I'm nothing."
Jealousy, wounded pride, and resentment swirled in her like a storm. "Let her act smug for now. When she gives birth to that child, they'll both learn exactly who they're dealing with."
"Fine, go. Take care of yourself and your baby," Jung-Jin said with a broad, practiced smile and turned away.
Carolyn finally understood what Kyung had meant—but she made up her mind: no one would bully her in this house. She would handle it her own way, and she wouldn't tell Jung-Sik anything.