The Approval

The news spread like wildfire.

Within hours, every major news channel and social media platform was discussing the same thing:

Lee Seo Jun had publicly introduced Choi Ga Eul as his future wife.

For the public, it was romantic.

For both families, it was a shock.

Seo Jun returned to the Lee mansion later that evening.

His parents were already waiting for him in the living room.

Neither looked pleased.

His mother folded her arms.

“Have you completely lost your mind?”

Seo Jun calmly removed his coat.

“Good evening to you too.”

His father wasn’t amused.

“You announced your marriage to the entire country before speaking to us.”

“I wasn’t asking for permission.”

The room fell silent.

His mother’s expression hardened.

“Marriage is not a business decision you make alone.”

“Then it’s a good thing this isn’t a business decision.”

His father stood.

“Do you understand how many people called us today? Investors. Partners. Reporters.”

“I don’t care.”

His father stared at him.

“But we do.”

For the first time, irritation flashed across Seo Jun’s face.

“I’ve spent years living according to everyone’s expectations.”

His voice remained calm, but there was something firm underneath it.

“This decision is mine.”

Neither side backed down.

Finally, his father sighed.

“Bring her here.”

Seo Jun looked at him.

“If we’re expected to accept her as part of this family, then we will meet her properly.”

Seo Jun nodded once.

“Fine.”

A few days later, Seo Jun visited Ga Eul’s home.

The elegant house stood in one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.

It wasn’t as large as the Lee mansion, but it reflected years of success and hard work.

Everything about it felt warm.

Lived in.

Real.

When the door opened, Ga Eul raised an eyebrow.

“You actually came on time.”

“I said I would.”

“That’s still surprising.”

Seo Jun gave her an unimpressed look.

She laughed and stepped aside.

“Come in.”

Dinner began politely.

Ga Eul’s mother was welcoming.

Ga Eul tried to keep the conversation moving.

Only her father remained quiet.

Observing.

Evaluating.

The atmosphere stayed pleasant until he finally put down his glass.

The sound echoed through the dining room.

“Why my daughter?”

The room froze.

Ga Eul nearly dropped her fork.

“Dad.”

“No.”

His eyes remained on Seo Jun.

“I’d like to hear his answer.”

Seo Jun met his gaze calmly.

“What exactly are you asking?”

“Why Ga Eul?”

The older man leaned back.

“You’re one of the most successful businessmen in the country. You could marry anyone.”

His expression softened slightly.

“So why her?”

The room grew silent.

Seo Jun didn’t hesitate.

“Because she’s exceptional.”

Even Ga Eul looked surprised.

Seo Jun continued.

“Everything she has today, she earned herself.”

His eyes briefly found hers.

“She built her success from the ground up.”

Ga Eul stared at Seo Jun in surprise and she felt a sudden warmth in her chest.

“I respect that.”

Her father listened carefully.

Seo Jun’s voice remained steady.

“Most people inherit influence.”

He paused.

“Ga Eul created hers.”

Nobody spoke.

For several seconds, the room was completely silent.

Then, for the first time that evening, her father smiled.

A small smile.

But a genuine one.

“Good answer.”

The tension instantly eased.

Even Ga Eul’s mother looked relieved.

After dinner, Ga Eul walked Seo Jun outside.

The evening air was cool.

The garden lights illuminated the pathway leading toward the gate.

“You know,” Ga Eul said, crossing her arms, “that answer was surprisingly impressive.”

Seo Jun glanced at her.

“Surprisingly?”

“Yes.”

She nodded.

“I expected something boring and corporate.”

A rare smile appeared on his face.

“I’ll keep that feedback in mind.”

Ga Eul laughed.

The sound lingered between them.

For a moment neither spoke.

The comfortable silence felt strangely natural.

A gentle breeze passed through the garden.

Several strands of hair fell across Ga Eul’s face.

She reached up automatically.

But before she could move them away, Seo Jun did.

His hand rose instinctively.

His fingers lightly brushed her cheek as he tucked the loose strands behind her ear.

Both froze.

The moment lasted only seconds.

Yet somehow felt much longer.

Their eyes met.

Neither looked away.

The world around them seemed to disappear.

No cameras.

No contract.

No expectations.

Just the two of them.

Ga Eul could hear her own heartbeat.

Seo Jun slowly lowered his hand.

For the first time in a long while, he seemed unsure of himself.

Ga Eul cleared her throat.

“Good night.”

His voice came out softer than intended.

“Good night, Ga Eul.”

As he got into his car, neither of them realized they were both smiling.

A week later, it was Ga Eul’s turn.

She arrived at the Lee mansion determined not to be intimidated.

The mansion was beautiful.

Grand.

Elegant.

But she refused to let it overwhelm her.

Seo Jun met her at the entrance.

“You look nervous.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I’m not.”

“You definitely are.”

Ga Eul glared at him.

Seo Jun’s lips curved upward.

“Relax.”

To her annoyance, it actually helped.

The meeting began formally.

His mother asked countless questions.

His father remained reserved.

The difference in their backgrounds was discussed more than once.

But Ga Eul never backed down.

She answered every question honestly.

Confidently.

Without trying to impress anyone.

The more she spoke, the more difficult it became for them to find fault with her.

Eventually, Seo Jun’s father leaned back in his chair.

His expression thoughtful.

Then he looked at his son.

“You really won’t change your mind?”

“No.”

The answer came immediately.

His mother sighed.

Clearly defeated.

At last she looked at Ga Eul.

“If this is truly what both of you want…”

She paused.

“…then we won’t oppose it.”

Ga Eul released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Seo Jun’s father nodded.

“Welcome.”

For the first time all evening, the atmosphere became warm.

The hardest part was finally over or so they thought.

Later that night, Seo Jun walked Ga Eul toward the front gates.

The mansion behind them glowed beneath the evening lights.

Ga Eul smiled.

“I guess both families approve.”

“It seems that way.”

For once, everything felt simple.

Peaceful.

Almost perfect.

Then—

The sound of tires crunching against gravel echoed through the driveway.

A luxury car entered through the gates.

Seo Jun stopped walking.

Immediately.

Ga Eul noticed the change in his expression.

His face had gone completely still.

The car came to a halt.

A driver stepped out and opened the rear door.

A woman emerged.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

Confident.

As though she already belonged there.

She removed her sunglasses and looked directly at Seo Jun.

Then she smiled.

Not politely.

Not formally.

Personally.

Intimately.

Ga Eul felt an uneasy knot form in her stomach.

The woman began walking toward them.

Seo Jun didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t even blink.

The woman stopped a few feet away.

“Seo Jun.”

The familiar way she said his name made Ga Eul’s heart sink.

The woman smiled again.

A smile filled with history.

Filled with memories.

Filled with things Ga Eul didn’t know.

“I finally came back.”

Ga Eul looked at Seo Jun.

For the first time since she’d met him, he looked genuinely shaken.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***