THE SECOND CHANCE

CAMPUS SCANDAL OF THE SECOND CHANCE

THE SECOND CHANCE LECTURE

Chapter 3: "Campus Scandal"

7:15am. Kang Apartment.

Soo-jin woke up to an empty bed.

The spot next to her was cold.

Her heart dropped.

In her past life, after they kissed once, he disappeared for 3 days.

"Professor Kang?" she called out. Voice small.

No answer.

She ran to the kitchen. Empty.

To the bathroom. Empty.

On the counter was a note. His handwriting. Neat. Sharp.

Had an early meeting. Don’t skip breakfast. -E

Her chest tightened. "Don’t skip breakfast." Not "I’m sorry." Not "About last night."

Just... instructions.

Her phone buzzed.

Cha Eun-ji: UNNIE TURN ON THE NEWS. NOW.

Another text. Jung Seo-yeon: OMG THE FORUM. 20K COMMENTS.

Soo-jin’s hands shook as she opened Naver.

Top headline: SNU PROFESSOR CAUGHT IN SECRET MARRIAGE WITH STUDENT

There was a photo. Her. In the lecture hall yesterday. Pointing at Ethan.

Caption: WIFE??

Her stomach turned.

The article said: "Anonymous sources claim Professor Ethan Kang married a 3rd year student to help her family’s bankrupt company. The university is investigating."

That wasn’t true. She wasn’t a student. She graduated 2 years ago.

But the truth didn’t matter. The scandal did.

Another buzz. Unknown number.

Soo-jin-ah. This is Tae-won. Saw the news. You okay? I can help you. Come meet me. -T

She blocked him immediately.

Her phone rang. Mother.

"Soo-jin! What is this?! The Han family is being dragged into this! Your father’s company stocks are falling!"

"Mom, I can explain—"

"Explain what?! You married without telling us?! To a professor?!"

The line went dead.

Soo-jin sank to the floor.

This was happening again. In her last life, the scandal broke after their divorce. It ruined her reputation. No one hired her.

She couldn’t let it ruin Ethan too.

---

9:00am. SNU. Admin Building.

Ethan was in a meeting with the Dean, the Board, and the PR team.

20 people. All staring at him.

"Professor Kang," the Dean said. "Is it true? Are you married?"

Ethan sat straight. Black suit. Glasses on. No emotion. "Yes."

The room erupted.

"To a student?!"

"Did you abuse your power?!"

"Do you know how this looks?!"

Ethan raised one hand. Silence fell immediately. That was the power he had.

"She is not a student," he said calmly. "Han Soo-jin graduated from this university 2 years ago with honors. She is currently a researcher at Kang Biotech. We were married 11 days ago in a private ceremony."

"Then why was she in your lecture?" a board member asked.

"Because she wanted to see me teach," Ethan said. "And because I was rude to her. I owe her an apology."

"Professor Kang," the PR head said. "We need you to make a statement. Deny it was about favoritism. Say it was love at first sight or something."

Ethan’s jaw tightened. "I will not lie."

"Then the university will suspend you pending investigation."

Ethan stood up. "Do what you have to do."

He walked out.

---

10:30am. Outside SNU. Main Gate.

Reporters. 30 of them.

The second Ethan stepped out, cameras flashed.

"Professor Kang! Is it true?!"

"Did you use your position?!"

"Where is Mrs. Kang?!"

He didn’t answer. Got into his black Genesis.

His phone rang. Soo-jin.

He answered. "Are you okay?"

Her voice was shaky. "I’m sorry. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have said anything in class."

"It’s not your fault," he said. "It’s mine. For not telling anyone. For making you hide."

There was silence.

"Ethan," she whispered. "Are they going to fire you?"

"I don’t know."

"Then let me help. Let’s do a press conference. Together. Tell the truth."

"No," he said immediately. "You stay home."

"Why? Because you think I’m weak?"

"Because I don’t want them to eat you alive."

He hung up.

---

2:00pm. Kang Apartment.

Soo-jin wasn’t listening.

She was in a beige suit. Hair done. Makeup perfect.

She was going to the press conference.

If Ethan wouldn’t protect her, she would protect him.

She arrived at SNU Hall A 10 minutes before it started.

Slipped in through the back door.

The hall was packed. Reporters. Students. Faculty.

And on stage: Ethan. Alone. At a podium.

He looked exhausted. But his back was straight.

"Thank you for coming," he said. Microphone picked up every word. "I will keep this brief."

He paused. Looked up. Scanned the room.

And saw her. Standing in the back.

His eyes widened a fraction.

Soo-jin gave him a small smile. Then walked down the aisle.

Whispers started.

She stopped next to him at the podium.

The room went silent.

Ethan leaned into the mic. "This is my wife. Han Soo-jin."

Flash. Flash. Flash.

Soo-jin bowed 90 degrees. "Hello. I’m sorry for the disruption."

A reporter stood up. "Mrs. Kang! Did Professor Kang force you to marry him?!"

"No," Soo-jin said clearly. "I chased him."

Another gasp.

"He didn’t want to," she continued. "I was the one who begged. Because 3 years ago, he saved my life. And I never got to thank him properly."

Ethan stared at her.

"What?" a reporter asked.

Soo-jin told them. Not everything. Not about rebirth.

She told them about the car accident. About a man who pulled her from a burning car. About how she spent 3 years thinking he hated her, only to find out he was just bad at expressing it.

"I embarrassed him in class because I was scared," she said. "Scared that if I didn’t say it now, I’d lose him again."

She turned to Ethan. "I’m sorry."

The hall was dead silent.

Ethan looked at her for a long time. Then he did something no one expected.

He took her hand. In front of 200 people. In front of cameras.

"She’s right," he said. "I’m bad at this. At saying things. At showing things. But she’s not a student. She’s not someone I took advantage of. She’s the person I’ve been in love with for 5 years. And I was too stupid to tell her."

Flash. Flash. Flash.

Soo-jin’s eyes filled with tears.

---

5:00pm. Back at Apartment.

They didn’t talk in the car.

The moment the door closed, Ethan turned to her.

"Why did you come?" he asked. Not angry. Just... tired.

"Because you were going to take all the blame," she said. "And I’m tired of letting you."

He nodded. Ran a hand through his hair. "The board will still investigate. I might lose my position."

"I don’t care," she said. "As long as I have you."

Ethan laughed. It was short and bitter. "You say that now."

"I mean it." She stepped closer. "Kiss me again. To prove this is real."

He didn’t move.

"Ethan?"

"Soo-jin," he said quietly. "If we do this, there’s no going back. The media, the board, my family... they’ll all be watching. And if you leave again—"

"I won’t," she interrupted. "I died once leaving you. I’m not doing it again."

Something broke in his expression.

He cupped her face. His thumb brushed her cheek. "Stupid girl."

Then he kissed her.

This time it wasn’t desperate. It was slow. Certain.

His hands slid to her back. Hers went to his tie, pulling him closer.

When they pulled apart, they were both shaking.

"I love you," he whispered. "I’ve loved you since you sat in the front row of my class 5 years ago and asked too many questions."

Soo-jin cried. "Say it again."

"I love you, Han Soo-jin."

---

9:00pm.

Her phone buzzed.

Kang Tae-won: Saw the press conference. Cute. But we both know you only married him for money. Call me when you get bored.

Soo-jin showed it to Ethan.

His face went dark. "Give me your phone."

He blocked the number. Then he blocked 10 more.

"He won’t bother you again," Ethan said. "I’ll make sure of it."

Soo-jin smiled. "Scary Professor Kang."

"Only for people who hurt you."

That night, they slept in the same bed. No space between them.

For the first time in both their lives, it felt like home.

---

11:59pm. Online.

#ProfessorKangLoveStory was trending #1 in Korea.

The top comment: He said 5 years. He’s been in love with her since university. I’m crying.

Second comment: She said he saved her life. This is a K-drama.

Third comment: Protect them at all costs.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

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Writed by Omahcbeauty

Chapter 3 DONE: