Chapter 13: Whispers and Warning
896 Words
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Mirae’s apartment. The house was quiet, peaceful — until her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
“Heard you’re getting cozy with CEO Lee. Don’t forget where you came from.”
She frowned. Deleted the message. But it left a chill in her chest.
She turned to find Minjun still sleeping, his tiny hand clutching a toy car. She kissed his forehead gently before slipping out of bed to make breakfast.
---
Meanwhile, in the glossy towers of LHI Group, whispers were already circling.
“Did you hear?”
“The CEO has a son.”
“With a stylist?”
“I thought she was just hired last month.”
“It must’ve been before that… scandalous.”
“Is he marrying her?”
Jihan walked into the boardroom, ignoring the murmurs. His phone vibrated. A message from his assistant.
“Director Kim asked about your... family situation. Be careful.”
He sighed. The corporate world didn’t just smell money — it fed on gossip too.
---
Mirae was cleaning up the kitchen when Hana burst in, eyes wide.
“Yah! You made the news!”
“What?”
Hana threw her phone onto the counter. An article headline glared at them:
“LHI CEO Lee Jihan’s Secret Son? Sources Reveal New Heir”
Mirae’s stomach dropped. Her heart pounded. There was even a blurry photo — her and Minjun at a park, Jihan standing beside them, holding the boy’s hand.
“Oh my God,” she whispered.
“Is this real?” Hana asked. “Did he leak this?”
“No. He wouldn’t...”
Her voice trailed off. Would he?
---
Jihan slammed his office door shut and dialed.
She answered on the second ring. “I saw it.”
“It wasn’t me, Mirae. I swear. I would never use Minjun like that.”
She was quiet. “Then who?”
“I don’t know. But I’ll find out. Just… please stay calm.”
“I can’t protect him if the media starts showing up outside my apartment, Jihan.”
“I’ll handle it,” he said firmly. “I’ll keep both of you safe.”
She hung up.
---
The culprit didn’t take long to reveal himself.
Director Kim, an ambitious shark in a tailored suit, stepped into Jihan’s office uninvited.
“Quite the scandal,” he said. “You’ve given the company a lot to talk about.”
Jihan’s eyes narrowed. “What are you trying to say?”
“Just that... some of the board are wondering if a woman like her is suitable for someone of your status.”
“I didn’t realize my personal life was up for vote.”
“You’re the face of this company, Jihan. Every step you take affects us.”
Jihan stood slowly. “If anyone thinks my son is a mistake — or that I’ll be shamed for having him — they can resign.”
Kim’s lips twitched. “You’re emotional.”
“No. I’m a father. And I’m done letting anyone speak like Minjun doesn’t matter.”
---
At Mirae’s apartment, a knock came at the door.
She opened it to find a slim woman in a crisp designer blouse and oversized sunglasses. Elegant. Confident.
“Can I help you?” Mirae asked.
The woman removed her glasses.
“I’m Jin Seo-ah,” she said coolly. “Jihan’s ex–fiancée.”
Mirae froze.
“I thought we should talk,” Seo-ah continued. “Privately.”
Reluctantly, Mirae stepped aside.
Inside, Seo-ah took in the modest apartment with a glance.
“He didn’t tell me he had a child. You must’ve been quite the surprise.”
“I didn’t plan any of this,” Mirae replied.
Seo-ah smiled thinly. “Of course not. But now that you’re here — with his child — everything changes.”
“I don’t owe you anything,” Mirae said quietly.
“No, you don’t,” Seo-ah agreed. “But the world doesn’t care about truth. It cares about image. And the Lee family image doesn’t include... girls like you.”
Mirae’s eyes darkened. “Then maybe the image needs to change.”
Seo-ah stood, brushing imaginary dust off her skirt. “Just know this: the higher you climb, the harder you fall. Jihan may protect you for now. But men like him? They always return to their world eventually.”
She walked to the door, pausing just before leaving. “Good luck, Mirae. You’ll need it.”
---
That evening, Jihan showed up.
Mirae opened the door with her arms crossed. “Your ex came by.”
His face hardened. “What did she say?”
“Plenty.”
He stepped inside. “Are you okay?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me you were engaged?”
He exhaled slowly. “It was over long before you and I met. But she’s... persistent.”
“I noticed.”
Jihan moved closer. “Listen. This is going to get messy. But I’m not walking away. I don’t care about the press, the board, or my past.”
He looked at Minjun sleeping on the couch.
“I care about him. And I care about you.”
Mirae’s heart beat wildly. “Then prove it.”
He met her eyes. “I will.”
- Writer
