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“Now? …You surprised me by calling suddenly. Fine, I’ll come.”
After hanging up the phone, Seok-kyung glanced at Eun-chae. His expression betrayed something he didn’t want her to see.
“Anything else?”
“Here, take this.”
Eun-chae held out the black card key she’d brought with her.
“I told you—if you regret it, put everything back and leave the company.”
“Mr. Baek—”
“I’m busy. That’s enough for now.”
Without listening further, Seok-kyung turned on his heel and strode away from the rooftop.
Left alone, Eun-chae stood frozen in place, stunned by his abrupt departure.
How could he be so self-centered?
She realized how little she truly knew about Seok-kyung.
What had she expected, given their loveless marriage?
And he likely knew just as little about her.
Her gaze fell on the black card key still clutched in her hand. With a sigh, she slipped it into her pocket.
---
Seok-kyung spotted Joo-eun the moment he entered the café.
It wasn’t surprising—she was the kind of woman who commanded attention wherever she went. Her beauty, figure, clothing, accessories—all of it radiated brilliance.
“What’s this about, calling me out so suddenly?”
Seok-kyung wasted no time cutting to the chase as he sat down across from her.
“It’s been a while. Aren’t you going to ask how I’ve been?”
Joo-eun smiled softly, her elegant demeanor perfectly composed.
“No time to chat idly with you.”
“Chat idly? Such harsh words, Mr. Seok-kyung. Can’t spare a moment for your fiancée after nearly half a year?”
Fiancée.
Seok-kyung frowned. This “engagement” was neither his choice nor hers—it was an arrangement forced upon them by their families.
Especially unfair since this would be Joo-eun’s first marriage, unlike him.
“It’s been a while. You seem to be doing well,” he said flatly. “Why are you here?”
“I’m on a three- or four-month break after my performance ended.”
He recalled the recent ballet production in Paris where Joo-eun became the first Asian prima ballerina of the Royal Ballet, earning international acclaim.
“Congratulations. I heard the performance was a success.”
“You never came to see it. Even if our engagement is still private, you should’ve attended for appearances’ sake.”
“I was busy.”
He didn’t think she particularly cared whether he showed up or not.
“There’s something you need to know. That’s why I called you here.”
“Something I need to know?”
“Our wedding announcement will be in the news tomorrow.”
“…What?”
“Our parents have set a date.”
His head spun as if struck, a ringing sound filling his ears.
“Suddenly? Weren’t they supposed to postpone the marriage until you returned to Korea?”
“I’ll continue living in England after the wedding anyway.”
She spoke dismissively, as though it were inconsequential.
“I’ll be a long-distance wife until I return to Korea, but holding the ceremony first isn’t such a bad idea, is it? It pleases the parents.”
“Doesn’t this bother you at all?”
“Why should it? Do you have any objections?”
Objections? The word made him hesitate. Unbidden, Eun-chae’s face flashed in his mind.
When the news broke tomorrow, Eun-chae would undoubtedly be the most shocked.
“Is marrying me really that shocking? Didn’t you prepare yourself when we got engaged?”
“It’s too sudden. My divorce was only three years ago…”
“Three years is enough. Besides, thankfully, I’m not the type to die without a man by my side, so don’t worry about another divorce.”
Joo-eun smirked, clearly aware of the rumors surrounding Seok-kyung and Eun-chae’s divorce.
To an outsider, she might appear graceful and refined, but her words carried a sharp edge.
“I’m not worried about that. I’m asking—are you really okay spending your life with someone you don’t love?”
“Don’t be naive. In our world, when has marriage ever been about love?”
Joo-eun reminded him eerily of Cha Yeo-sa—her actions, tone, even her cold personality mirrored the older woman.
“Anyway, now that it’s decided, clean up anything—or anyone—you need to before the wedding.”
“Clean up?”
“Anyone you’re seeing. Though rumor has it you’re as emotionless as a stone, so I doubt there’s anyone. Still, better safe than sorry.”
Her piercing gaze unsettled him, as if she could see right through him.
But she didn’t press further, maintaining her calm demeanor.
---
“Marriage…?”
On the swaying bus, Eun-chae stared at her phone in disbelief.
She must’ve misread it.
[Successor of Baekdo Group, Baek Seok-kyung, to Remarry This Summer—Bride-to-be: Ha Joo-eun, Youngest Daughter of Top 10 Conglomerate Haesung Group]
The headline dominated every major news outlet.
Seok-kyung is getting married?
Stunned, Eun-chae almost missed her stop, scrambling off just in time.
Once outside, she stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at her phone.
It was impossible to believe.
How could he meet her—and sleep with her—if he was getting married in a few months? Sure, they hadn’t gone all the way, but still…
Was he playing with me?
A bitter sense of betrayal shook her body. She tasted blood in her mouth—she’d bitten her cheek too hard.
What infuriated her more was the identity of the bride.
Haesung Group. Three years ago, they were just chasing JC Trading’s shadow. After JC’s bankruptcy, they skyrocketed, now ranking among Korea’s top 10 conglomerates.
If JC hadn’t collapsed, this marriage would’ve been unthinkable.
And a ballerina, no less.
The memory of Cha Yeo-sa treating her like a decorative object stung anew.
“You’ve lost your utility value.”
Cha Yeo-sa’s dismissive tone echoed in her mind. This marriage had her fingerprints all over it.
“Eun-chae, what are you doing standing there?”
Startled by Hyun-woo’s voice, she quickly hid her phone.
“Oh, nothing.”
“You look pale. Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s fine. Just work stuff.”
“Are you sure?”
His concerned gaze made her feel exposed. She quickly turned away.
“We should get to work. We’ll be late.”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Thankfully, Hyun-woo didn’t press further, and they arrived at the office together.
The office buzzed with news of Seok-kyung’s engagement. Some gushed over the “wedding of the century,” while others seethed with envy.
“Sorry, Eun-chae.”
Manager Yang sneered.
“For what?”
“I thought you and the CEO had some sort of relationship. I had no idea he already had a fiancée.”
Though Manager Yang likely didn’t know about her connection to Seok-kyung, Eun-chae bristled.
“If you were secretly pining for him, give up. She’s Ha Joo-eun of Haesung Group—way out of your league.”
“I’m not pining for anyone. Don’t worry about me.”
Her icy reply silenced him, and she retreated to her desk.
What had she expected from Baek Seok-kyung?
Nothing. She hadn’t expected anything. She’d simply agreed to do whatever he wanted in exchange for keeping her job.
Still…
Why did this hurt so much?
Ethically, morally—it was wrong for him to do those things with her while engaged to someone else.
Lost in thought, the day dragged on until it was finally time to leave. Gathering her belongings, Eun-chae prepared to depart.
Pretending to leave, she quietly made her way to the CEO’s office.
“Ah, Eun-chae?”
Secretary Won looked flustered, unsure how to handle the ex-wife of the man whose engagement had just been announced.
“If you’re here to see the CEO, wait a moment. He’s in a meeting with the customer service department head…”
“No, I just need you to pass this along to him.”
Interrupting him, she quickly pulled an envelope from her bag and handed it over.
“What’s this?”
“It’s for the CEO. Please make sure he gets it.”
“Why not deliver it yourself?”
“Just give it to him, okay?”
“…Alright.”
With a curt thanks, Eun-chae turned and left.
This was simple. Leaving Seok-kyung had always been within her power—it was just a matter of deciding to do it.
The journey home felt impossibly long.
---
“So Eun-chae personally asked you to deliver this?”
“Yes, CEO.”
Secretary Won stood awkwardly by the desk, visibly uneasy.
The white envelope lay ominously on the mahogany surface.
For some reason, Seok-kyung hesitated to open it. Whatever it contained, it couldn’t be good—not after today’s announcement.
“You can go.”
“Yes, CEO.”
Relieved, Secretary Won hurried out.
After a long pause, Seok-kyung picked up the envelope. Inside, he found exactly what he’d feared.
“Damn it…”
Seeing the word “Resignation Letter” scrawled across the document, he cursed under his breath.
How dare she try to leave again?
Why did he feel entitled to stop her? And why did the thought of losing her feel so inevitable?
There was only one solution.
He grabbed his coat and stormed out the door.
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