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Even now, over 20 years later.
It was a story from the past that no one had dared to bring up again—a dusty tale buried in time.
They had lived as if they’d forgotten it, treating it as a memory too old to even leave a scar.
Yet, the memories of that day still haunted Minhyuk and Jinsuk.
“Do you think repaying this favor will free you from your nightmares?”
“I don’t hold such expectations. I just wanted to fulfill a small duty.”
“I resent those people.”
Minhyuk’s expression darkened with despair.
He had seen many repay kindness with resentment, but for his own mother to be among them—and perhaps the worst of all—was both sorrowful and infuriating.
“This life dragging on so pitifully… it’s not what I wanted.”
“Who said anything about being pitiful? Please, please… stop!”
His voice rose to a near shout, laced with rare anger.
Startled by her son’s outburst, Jinsuk turned her head sharply.
“I’m sick of it all.”
“Ha… maybe you should take some medicine yourself.”
Minhyuk genuinely worried about her, but Jinsuk, already broken beyond repair, couldn’t hear anyone’s concern.
“I guess I came here for nothing. I’ll leave.”
“Where are you going?”
“How many eyes are watching me? Do you really want to add yours to the list?”
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
Minhyuk pleaded softly, trying to calm her down.
“Even if I do, I hate it. That kind of interference. I hope Chaerin’s matter ends without trouble. Though I doubt it will.”
With these ambiguous words—whether a curse or a wish—Jinsuk turned and left.
She had visited her son’s workplace for the first time in years, only to leave within five minutes.
Click. The door closed behind her.
Silence once again filled the director’s office.
Exhausted from the whirlwind of emotions, Minhyuk leaned back against the sofa, tilting his head back.
A deep sigh escaped through his slightly parted lips.
Meanwhile, outside the office, tension crackled like thin ice.
Just moments ago, Byun Secretary had entered cheerfully after a phone call, laughing about good news. But then loud voices erupted, leaving everyone on edge, exchanging wary glances.
And those raising their voices weren’t just anyone—they were members of the chaebol family.
The atmosphere grew tense as everyone swallowed dryly, praying the conflict wouldn’t affect them.
As Jinsuk exited the office, the marketing team, led by Jang-wook, sprang to their feet.
“Who are you?”
Jinsuk’s sharp gaze swept across the team.
Her question startled Jang-wook, but instinctively, he sensed she was looking for Joo-eun.
Realizing this, he hesitated to point her out amidst the many curious stares.
“Huh? Ah…”
“Never mind. I can tell without you saying it. Get back to work.”
Recognizing Joo-eun’s striking beauty, Jinsuk nodded knowingly and walked away from the marketing team.
Jang-wook followed her, unwilling to let her leave unaccompanied.
Only after they were gone did the rest of the team slump back into their seats, exhaling deeply.
“Wow. That was my first time seeing Vice Chairwoman Jin-sook. Her charisma is unreal…”
“Right? I never imagined anyone could argue with Director Min. Wow… but what was that earlier? ‘Who are you?’”
“No idea. She looked at us, nodded like she understood, and left. Song Joo-eun, do you know Vice Chairwoman Jin-sook?”
Assistant Manager Kim’s question made Joo-eun turn around in surprise.
“What? No, I’ve never met her before. How could I possibly know her…?”
“True.”
Everyone naturally accepted that Joo-eun couldn’t possibly know someone like Vice Chairwoman Jin-sook.
Thank goodness…
Joo-eun breathed a small sigh of relief, though her mind remained uneasy.
She understood the meaning behind the question: Who are you?
If Vice Chairwoman Jin-sook already knew about her relationship with Director Min… what would happen to her now?
Would she be fired soon?
Even powerhouse Kwak Team Leader, known for her skills, had been abruptly reassigned to a regional branch. For someone like Joo-eun, the youngest employee, getting fired outright wouldn’t be surprising at all.
It felt so unfair.
Even though she wasn’t truly dating Director Min, she was walking on eggshells as if she were guilty.
Once again, it was clear he belonged to a world far beyond her reach.
But what could have caused such a heated argument between him and his family at the company?
Could it be because of me…?
Joo-eun gazed worriedly at the director’s office.
She felt everything was her fault, and the guilt swirled in her mind, making her dizzy.
Amidst the chaos, productivity at work plummeted, turning the day into a mess.
________________________________________
“Come in.”
Chairman Jeong spoke in a low voice.
The secretary cautiously opened the door and bowed deeply.
“Madam has gone to see Young Master Minhyuk.”
“What’s this woman scheming now!”
Chairman Jeong immediately raised his voice in frustration.
“I gave her the chairman position at that huge art museum so she could focus on paintings, and now she’s meddling with our son who’s working perfectly fine at the company!”
“We don’t know the exact reason, but their argument could be heard outside…”
“That woman will bring shame to our family yet again.”
Chairman Jeong’s thick facial muscles twisted in irritation.
“Hmm. It seems Madam’s condition has worsened again lately. She reportedly received an increased prescription for medication.”
“Keep a close eye on her. I don’t care if she lives or dies, but while she’s under our roof, I won’t tolerate any trouble. Understood?”
“Yes…”
No one could have guessed such words would come from the respected Chairman Jeong of DK Group.
But knowing how cruel he could be, the secretary quietly bowed his head.
“What about Song Joo-eun?”
“Here’s the information we gathered on Song Joo-eun.”
Chairman Jeong flipped through the file briefly before tossing it aside, deeming it unworthy of further attention.
“Pathetic.”
“What should we do…?”
“We cut it out.”
To Chairman Jeong, Joo-eun was nothing more than a black spot on an otherwise perfect fruit.
It was simple—no need for deliberation.
“My son isn’t staying quiet about this. I’ve never seen him care so much for someone.”
“That fool. So what? Does he plan to marry her or something?”
“Despite all this chaos, GB Group hasn’t backed out of the marriage proposal. Maybe they’re confident enough to overlook her and proceed with the arrangement.”
It wasn’t wrong.
After hearing about the commotion at the hotel lobby weeks ago, they had prepared every contingency plan imaginable.
Not only had things calmed down, but Chairman Lee had personally apologized.
Knowing how uncharacteristically gracious that was, the secretary continued.
“But I worry about provoking Young Master Minhyuk unnecessarily. There’s no need to escalate matters.”
He knew Chairman Jeong’s silence signaled agreement, so he pressed on.
“Besides, it seems the girl knows her place well. Reports say she’s rejecting Young Master Minhyuk.”
“What?”
Chairman Jeong’s eyes widened in disbelief.
How dare she reject his son after he had treated her like a stain on his reputation?
“Don’t lie to me! She’s probably clinging to him, threatening pregnancy to manipulate him. Does that sound like someone rejecting him?”
“My apologies. I’ll make sure to investigate further.”
“She’s no ordinary cunning girl. She knows exactly how to make a man anxious. Keep a close watch. No one can be trusted.”
The secretary bowed deeply, and Chairman Jeong waved him away dismissively.
As the secretary picked up the discarded file and left, Chairman Jeong suppressed his lingering curiosity, reminding himself that Joo-eun was irrelevant.
________________________________________
Is something really wrong…?
His figure, leaving the office alone earlier than usual despite promising to leave together, lingered in her mind.
Joo-eun returned home heavy-hearted, ate a quick dinner, and sat on the couch next to Hye-joo.
“Ha…”
Lost in thought, staring blankly at the TV, Joo-eun sighed deeply. Hye-joo turned to look at her.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Hmm?”
Surprised, Joo-eun realized she hadn’t even noticed her own sigh.
“You’ve been spacing out since earlier. Is Jeong Minhyuk bothering you again?”
Whenever Joo-eun seemed down, Minhyuk became “that guy” in Hye-joo’s eyes.
Joo-eun chuckled softly and shook her head.
“No, it’s just been a long day at work. I’m tired.”
“Then go to bed. Why are you sitting here like this? Watching this show or not doesn’t matter.”
“But this time with you watching dramas together is healing for me.”
Touched by her words, Hye-joo handed her a beer can.
Clink. Their cans clinked together cheerfully.
Yes, after a hard day’s work, moments like these were necessary.
Joo-eun thought about Minhyuk as she relaxed.
Did he, who must have had an even harder day, have any moments of healing?
Thinking about the vast, echoing mansion made her heart uneasy again.
Hye-joo, noticing her daughter’s subdued demeanor, absentmindedly tousled her hair as she stood up.
“Hmm, today’s episode wasn’t great. I’m going to bed early. You should rest too.”
Hye-joo suddenly gulped down the rest of her beer and stood up, leaving Joo-eun bewildered.
“Why? Let’s keep watching. Aren’t we finding out about the birth mother today?”
“It’s been two weeks of just building up the atmosphere.”
“True.”
Joo-eun laughed, and Hye-joo urged her to rest before heading to her room.
Alone, the show suddenly lost its appeal.
Not long after, Joo-eun turned off the TV and went to her room.
Lying in bed, her body was exhausted, but her eyes refused to close.
The image of him leaving the office, looking so weary, wouldn’t leave her mind.
Fiddling with her phone in the dark, she eventually couldn’t resist sending a text.
—You seemed to argue with Vice Chairwoman Jin-sook. Was it because of me…?
She typed and deleted it.
—Everyone in the team is worried. Are you okay…?
She typed and deleted that too.
—You looked really tired when you left work. Get some rest.
Satisfied with the neutral tone, she hit send.
Her message returned quickly with a reply.
—Yes.
She had spent several minutes worrying before sending it. Just one word—”Yes.”
Pouting, Joo-eun set her phone down, ready to sleep, when another vibration startled her.
—I miss you.
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