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Those doe-like eyes, brimming with anticipation.
Min-hyuk, whose mere gaze could silence executives with graying hair, was nothing more than a fawn in front of Joo-eun.
A fawn eagerly awaiting her response.
Ah… she wavered. She really did.
She wanted to shout for him to turn the car around and head home right then, but Joo-eun clenched her fists tightly and held back.
Her friend—and chicken—were waiting, after all.
She slapped his arm with a sharp smack.
“Ah…!”
His wide, earnestly blinking eyes crinkled in surprise.
“You want me to abandon my friend mid-meeting because I locked eyes with my husband?”
“That husband isn’t exactly ordinary—it’s hard to reject him.”
“He may not be ordinary, but Song Joo-eun, the Iron Wall, isn’t either. Tell him we’re going ahead as planned.”
“…Fine.”
Min-hyuk reluctantly started the car again, his disappointment blatantly written across his face.
Phew… She’d held her ground. Song Joo-eun…
Proud of herself, she gazed out the window.
“But why 558 trillion?”
“Hmm?”
“Earlier, you said my cuteness was 558 trillion times superior.”
“Oh, that. It’s this year’s national budget. I just came from working on those documents, so it was the first number that popped into my head.”
“Ha…!”
Min-hyuk let out an incredulous laugh.
“Stop working so hard. Your salary’s the same anyway—why pour your all into it?”
“If Vice President Byeon worked hard but things turned out the same, would you tell him it’s okay to slack off?”
“Are you crazy? I’d fire him on the spot.”
Tsk. Joo-eun shot him an adorable glare, her eyes narrowing.
“I’m not working hard for someone else’s company anymore. Now, everything I do is for you.”
“To me, your health comes first—both physical and mental.”
Min-hyuk was the type to panic over even a tiny thorn in her finger.
Knowing how sincere he was, Joo-eun feigned exasperation and nodded.
“Alright, I’ll take better care of myself. Happy now?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Yes.”
He glanced at her sideways, pinching her cheek lightly. Without hesitation, she grabbed his hand and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it.
Was that enough? Her question hung in the air.
Even such light affection visibly stirred Min-hyuk, one eyebrow arching high.
“Hmm…”
“We’re not going home.”
“…Right, got it.”
Caught off guard by her boldness, he quickly turned his attention back to the road.
________________________________________
Crisp. Crunch.
Each bite of fried chicken crackled like chips.
Maybe it was because it had been so long since she last ate it, but the taste coating her mouth was pure bliss.
“You’re going to choke. Eat slower.”
Min-hyuk whispered in her ear, and though Joo-eun gave an embarrassed smile, she didn’t stop tearing into the meat.
Se-young chimed in with a mix of envy and admiration.
“Wow, you two are still so sweet it’s sickening. Aren’t you due for a fight soon?”
“Ha, this is the guy who canceled a meeting with the chairman just because it was raining. And here he is.”
Jangwook’s sarcastic explanation made Se-young clap excitedly.
“No way… Really?”
Clearly displeased by her reaction, Jangwook furrowed his brows.
“What’s with that envious look, huh? Didn’t I bring you an umbrella too?”
“Huh?”
“Just now. That look.”
“Nope, wrong. That wasn’t envy—it was surprise. Like, ‘Oh, so that robot-looking guy can be romantic too.’ Not envy at all.”
Despite her blatant envy earlier, Se-young wiped her words clean with practiced ease.
“Alright, alright. Beer tastes best when it’s cold. Let’s toast first, Joo-eun.”
“Sure. Min-hyuk, raise your glass too.”
“Alright.”
As Min-hyuk raised his glass, he gently wiped Joo-eun’s lips with a napkin.
Watching this, Jangwook smirked and whispered teasingly:
“Let’s toast too, shall we, CEO?”
Remembering how Min-hyuk used to avoid clinking glasses with Jangwook, Joo-eun couldn’t help but laugh.
Even today, he didn’t seem particularly thrilled about it, but oh well.
“Cheers!”
Thankfully, four glasses clinked together harmoniously at Jangwook’s call.
How deliciously they drank.
Joo-eun watched the three of them with a warm smile, raising her glass a beat later.
But…
Suddenly, a sharp pain gripped her stomach. With the glass still in hand, Joo-eun froze awkwardly.
Se-young, already halfway through her drink, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and asked:
“Why aren’t you drinking?”
“Hmm?”
Startled by the innocent question, Joo-eun flinched slightly. Se-young scanned her up and down.
“Did you choke?”
“Uh…?”
“I’m asking if your stomach feels off.”
Min-hyuk’s expression darkened as he noticed her discomfort.
The mere mention of pain sent him into emergency mode; saying she was unwell terrified her.
“No, no, I’m fine. I’m drinking. See?”
Joo-eun pretended to sip, but Se-young, sensing something amiss, hastily changed the subject.
“DK Electronics has been doing so well lately. How does everything you touch turn to gold?”
Finally, Min-hyuk’s intense gaze shifted from Joo-eun to Se-young.
Phew…
Joo-eun carefully set her glass down.
Not feeling like drinking tonight was a strange, unfamiliar experience.
Still, a peculiar ache lingered in her stomach.
________________________________________
Concerned about Joo-eun’s condition, Min-hyuk quickly wrapped up the gathering and called for a designated driver.
Sitting beside her in the backseat, he massaged her hands without pause until they reached home.
“It’s fine. You can stop rubbing now…”
“You’re pale. Give me your other hand.”
“But I’m fine…”
Before she could protest, his gentle, insistent touch moved to her other hand, kneading it with care that made her smile despite the pain.
All those days she’d endured silently in her room, not wanting to burden her already worried mother, now felt repaid by this man’s tenderness.
“Min-hyuk, you’ll make a great father.”
“Out of nowhere?”
“Yeah. It just crossed my mind.”
“If you’re by my side, I can do anything. Being a good father? Sure, I’ll give it a shot.”
“Someone might think I’m pregnant.”
Joo-eun nudged him, mindful of the driver.
“When the time comes, a baby will come. For now, I’m happy just having you.”
Though rumors about their lack of a child after over a year of marriage swirled, Min-hyuk never brought up the topic first, fearing it might stress her.
That made her even more grateful—and guilty.
She kissed his cheek softly.
“How do you always say such sweet things? I’m dying of cuteness.”
Glancing subtly at the driver, Min-hyuk brushed her hair back.
“Is your stomach feeling better?”
She nodded.
Joo-eun leaned into his strong arm.
Min-hyuk pulled her closer, enveloping her in his embrace.
The ride home, which he’d been so eager to take, felt warmer than ever.
Once the car was parked and the driver left, Min-hyuk swept Joo-eun into his arms.
Her legs dangled in the air as he carried her.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Wrap your arms around my neck.”
She wasn’t incapable of walking, but who could stop him?
Joo-eun obediently looped her arms around his neck.
With long strides, Min-hyuk crossed the garden.
Gently placing her on the bed, he immediately opened drawers to fetch medicine.
“Wait here. Take the medicine first, then shower.”
“One moment—I need to use the bathroom…”
“Alright. Take care of that first, then take the medicine and shower. Got it?”
“Got it.”
Joo-eun smiled as she rose from the bed.
But the smile vanished the moment the door closed behind her.
Her trembling hands pulled out a pregnancy test.
She knew she wouldn’t be disappointed if it were negative, yet her heart raced inexplicably. A moment later…
…What?
Could it really be…?
Rubbing her disbelieving eyes, Joo-eun stared at the result.
Two lines.
It was real. Two clear lines!
The reddish lines grew sharper, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Why aren’t you coming out? I told you to take the medicine and shower.”
At the sound of his voice filtering through the door, Joo-eun burst into tears.
Like a child who’d held back tears only to break down upon seeing their mother.
The door opened, and Min-hyuk’s expression hardened at the sight of her crying.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“Min-hyuk…”
“…!”
Seeing the test she shyly extended, Min-hyuk’s lips trembled for the first time.
“This… this is…”
“It’s true. I think it’s true.”
“Joo-eun…”
“Are you happy?”
“How can you even ask that?”
His happiness radiated through his expression, voice, and breath. Joo-eun smiled through her tears.
“I’m definitely so happy… so happy… so why do I keep crying?”
“Why are you crying? This is such a joyous day.”
“I don’t know. I feel strange. Suddenly scared… and sad because our time alone will end…”
Min-hyuk pulled her into a tight embrace.
Her tears soaked his shirt.
“We’ll do this together. Together, we can handle anything. Even after the baby comes, you’ll always come first. Don’t worry.”
“But… I feel like I’ll lose my cute husband…”
“I’ll show you often. Anytime you want, just say the word. I’ll switch to cute mode instantly.”
Joo-eun chuckled softly, pressing his nose playfully.
Startled out of his emotional haze, Min-hyuk looked down at her.
“Hmm?”
“Try it.”
“N-Now?”
Joo-eun peeked up at him, mischief dancing in her eyes.
“Yes. Right now.”
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