Prospective Mother-in-Law Falls, Stepmother Submits
After descending from the palanquin with her head bowed low, she stood there. Despite the heavy makeup caking her face, Lee So-young could still recognize her in that instant. Im Jeong-ok. The older sister she'd known since childhood, the mother of Seo Hyo-jeong who was supposed to be in this very spot. They'd even come face-to-face just recently to prepare for the wedding. And now, here she was, dressed as the bride, standing right before her.
What the hell... what the hell is going on here?
It was a situation her mind couldn't even begin to process. Amid the thick fog of confusion, Lee So-young suddenly felt the urge to scream.
But then...
"!"
A firm grip tightened on her hand—the signal from Han Taeyang, who still held it. Even in her daze, she turned to look at him. His expression was grave and steady, silently commanding her to stay calm. Swallowing her vertigo, she forced her voice to remain as composed as possible.
"What are you all standing around for? Escort her to the inner quarters at once. Once everything's settled, she'll pay her respects to me as her mother-in-law."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Come along, new bride. This way, please."
The servants, led by Yoo Cheon-hyang, sprang into bustling action at her command. Even though they could plainly see Lee So-young's face, none of them reacted unusually.
At least... no one's caught on yet...
Realizing this absurd situation must have been Han Taeyang's doing, Lee So-young felt a flicker of relief deep inside.
Of course... it makes sense, doesn't it?
Hardly anyone knew about the close bond between Im Jeong-ok and Lee So-young. At most, only her personal maid Yoo Cheon-hyang might have heard whispers, but even she had never met Im Jeong-ok face-to-face. Moreover, Im Jeong-ok had only visited the estate a couple of times quietly for wedding preparations. In a prestigious Han family household where dozens of guests came and went daily, such brief visits wouldn't leave much impression on the servants.
And those visits were always with her daughter... plus, honestly, the mother and daughter look more like sisters at a glance.
To the servants, she was probably just a vague "that lady who came by for the wedding talks last time." As the lady of a noble house, Lee So-young always veiled her face in public, making it even harder for anyone here to distinguish between her and her daughter. Even Yoo Cheon-hyang, chattering cheerfully right beside her and guiding the way without a hint of suspicion, proved the point—no one else stood a chance.
With a quiet sigh of relief that this madness hadn't blown up yet, Lee So-young entered the inner quarters. But once the anxiety ebbed, questions and worries began to swell in her chest.
How the hell did this happen? Why did unnie show up as Taeyang's bride? And what does this mean for her and Taeyang now?
As she sat in her room, tension gnawing at her, a knock came.
—"Ma'am, the young master and new bride have arrived."
"L-let them in. And we have important matters to discuss, so you all withdraw for now."
"Yes, ma'am."
Sensing this wouldn't be a casual chat, Lee So-young dismissed the servants preemptively. Moments later, the door slid open, revealing Han Taeyang—and behind him, Im Jeong-ok, makeup washed away and bridal robes shed, looking far more refined and clean.
Relief washed over her again that no one had questioned the truth. At the same time, a twinge of jealousy stirred; despite being nearly ten years her senior, Im Jeong-ok's beauty made her look indistinguishable from her daughter. Composing herself, Lee So-young spoke evenly.
"...You'll need to explain. What in the world is going on here, unnie?"
"Soyoung-ah... it's... well..."
Her question laced with quiet hostility, Im Jeong-ok hesitated just as she opened her mouth to respond.
"I'll explain that. Mother."
"!..."
Han Taeyang stepped forward as if shielding her. Feeling her eyes twitch at the protective gesture, Lee So-young tamped down her unease and replied.
"...Go on, then."
*
Han Taeyang began his calm explanation. Hearing her own taboo acts laid bare so openly stung Im Jeong-ok like a public lashing before a friend.
Yet as she sat beside him listening, a subtle thrill stirred in her heart instead.
"So... you're saying you orchestrated this to cover up the daughter running away?"
"Yes. It's utterly revolting, but if word got out, it would damage our family too. Better to bury it quietly and apply discreet pressure on the Seo family later."
He sounded coldly analytical at first glance. But Im Jeong-ok gradually realized something. Though she had led and executed the whole scheme herself, Han Taeyang avoided mentioning her directly as much as possible. He framed the blame on the vanishing daughter and the entire Seo family—as if Im Jeong-ok were merely a victim caught in the mess.
And with that...
Her cheeks flushed faintly as she listened.
Men had always been objects of pure terror to her—unstoppable forces that imposed unwanted lives, crushed her will without mercy, and shattered everything precious to her.
But now, she could feel it. What this man's words truly meant.
He's... protecting me...
It was an unfamiliar sensation. Being shielded by someone else... especially a man.
But...
It doesn't feel bad...
This fabricated bond. Yet the way her false "husband" enveloped her in this moment brought a strange peace to her heart. An indescribable tickle. Perhaps even something akin to joy.
Is this what a real husband is? Not some political match... but one who calls me beautiful... a true husband...
Amid the grave discussion, Im Jeong-ok's expression softened unwittingly with this small happiness. But separately from that emotion, she sensed the situation unfolding poorly.
"So... the conclusion is you'll accept unnie—no, Lady Im Jeong-ok—as your real wife?"
"Yes."
"Do you truly think that makes any sense?"
Of course she wouldn't...
Even as a longtime friend and younger sister, Lee So-young was still a noblewoman and the lady of this house. How could someone so steeped in propriety and virtue overlook such depravity?
No way she'd approve of something this scandalous... especially not Soyoung...
For a fleeting moment, Im Jeong-ok wished they were strangers—that Lee So-young hadn't noticed. With a bitter smile tinged with regret, she thought it over.
"Does that mean you can't accept this situation, Mother?"
"Of course not. Even as family head, I can't accept this woman as my daughter-in-law."
Lee So-young's voice rose unusually heated, far from her usual poise. Im Jeong-ok understood it was warranted, but even so, something felt off—a hint of discord, like resistance. Not mere concern or refusal, but a desperate reluctance to lose something.
Then.
"Haa..."
A sudden sigh escaped, cracking Lee So-young's resolute facade.
And.
"Do it."
"!"
Han Taeyang's curt command sliced through, laced with icy chill. The room's air froze instantly.
One thought flashed in Im Jeong-ok's mind. She'd forgotten amid the chaos, but...
Come to think of it... this is who he really is...
The infamous wastrel Han Taeyang. Disrespecting elders was trivial compared to his past misdeeds.
As that rumored side surfaced, Im Jeong-ok oddly didn't mind it. Her eyes fixed on her "mother-in-law," trembling in a way that made her earlier defiance seem laughable.
"Ha... but... Taeyang-ah..."
"Didn't I say not to make me repeat myself? Do it. This woman is your daughter-in-law from now on."
"...Kh."
"Answer me."
"...I... I understand."
His command was chillingly absolute, carrying an irresistible force. Lee So-young could muster no rebuttal. More than silence, she trembled in terror, cheeks flushing faintly—like a dog compelled to obey its master, head bowed heavily.
Even against his own mother, Han Taeyang asserted the family head's authority unmistakably, protecting his wife once more.
Husband...
Joy surged through Im Jeong-ok, mingled with a strange sense of superiority. Her cheeks burned as her lips curved upward slightly.
Unaware of Han Taeyang's quiet smile as he observed her reaction.
"Then we'll take our leave."
"Ah... wa-wait..."
Lee So-young seemed to have more to say. But Han Taeyang rose anyway, and Im Jeong-ok followed suit.
I have plenty to say to Soyoung...
But she knew now wasn't the time. This was all too bewildering for Lee So-young; no words would sink in today. Best to withdraw with her husband for now. As they left the room together, Im Jeong-ok missed the vivid emotion in Lee So-young's eyes—the one called "jealousy."