II - 18

As soon as the door closed, she let out a long sigh. Despite her attempt to lighten her emotional burden, the frustration still lingered. 

Then, her gaze shifted to her phone, which was still ringing insistently, as if refusing to stop until answered. 

“Are you still in the countryside?” 

She raised her voice slightly to mask her unease and asked casually. 

-”Not in the countryside.” 

“Then… are you back in Seoul? You must be exhausted.” 

His gentle tone softened her voice as well. 

-”I-ryeong, I’m not tired.” 

“…Huh?” 

She sat back up on the bed, having been about to lie down with her phone in hand. 

A large shopping complex in the countryside was nearing its grand opening, and AE Cosmetics had secured a spot there. 

It was the largest-scale shopping mall ever opened in the region, so he had personally gone to oversee everything. 

Given the circumstances, it was only natural that he’d be exhausted—so his claim of not being tired puzzled her. 

“I-jun?” 

-”I came to see you, I-ryeong.” 

The first thing he did after returning from his business trip was to come see her. 

“At this hour?” 

Startled, she checked the time—it was quite late. 

-”On my way back, I thought of you. Should I just leave?” 

Why did his words make her heart flutter so much? 

“I-jun, I…” 

-”I’ll wait until you come because I wanted to see you.” 

I-ryeong stared blankly at her phone after the call ended. 

His one-sided declaration of wanting to see her wasn’t unpleasant—it even stirred a strange sense of anticipation. She hastily tied her hair back, threw on a coat, and stepped outside. 

The cold wind brushed against her cheeks as she hurried along, but she didn’t feel it. Her pounding heart drowned out everything else, including the chill. Soon, she arrived at the park and spotted I-jun’s car. 

Slowing her pace and steadying her breath, she naturally climbed into the passenger seat. 

“Did you miss me?” 

“Why, why do you ask?” 

His subtle tone made her cover her face with both hands. 

“I was wondering how much you missed me while I raced over here.” 

His teasing didn’t bother her—in fact, it felt true. 

“I have something for you, I-ryeong.” 

I-jun pulled a card from his jacket. 

“It’s yours. A gift for my wife—you can either throw it away or splurge with it. It’s entirely up to you.” 

He forcibly placed the personal credit card into her hand. 

“I-jun, I can’t accept this. I don’t want it.” 

Her growing positive feelings toward him felt like they were being tainted by this single gesture. She had no interest in his wealth, and the weight in her chest only grew heavier. 

“Take it, even if you don’t want to. As Seo I-jun’s wife, it’s only natural for you to accept it.” 

No matter how much she waved her hands in refusal, it was futile.

“If you use it well, there’s nothing that would make me happier.” 

I-ryeong saw herself reflected in him—his expression had turned serious, the playful smirk now gone. 

Her heart swelled with a mix of emotions, both overwhelming and strangely comforting. 

Thinking that her younger brother might have felt something similar earlier, she realized she wouldn’t be able to sleep easily tonight. 

Eventually, I-ryeong drifted in and out of restless sleep before waking early in the morning. 

“Haah…” 

A sigh escaped her lips, the fatigue from last night still lingering. Her mind was foggy, her vision blurred—all because of I-jun’s stubbornness and the unnecessary promise she’d made. 

This is pointless. I won’t even look good doing this. 

She sighed repeatedly, regretting the agreement, when suddenly her phone buzzed with a notification. 

Who could it be at such an early hour? With half-closed eyes, she reached for her phone and checked the sender. 

[123-45 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul – AE Cosmetics Cheongdam Store] 

The message from I-jun contained only an address. 

Her eyes snapped open as she hesitated whether to call him. 

[I made a reservation under your name.] 

Another message from him arrived immediately. 

She knew the AE Cosmetics Cheongdam Store well. 

When she used to work tirelessly on field visits, the Cheongdam Store was one place she could never enter—it was an exclusive beauty salon frequented only by high-profile figures from political and financial circles or famous celebrities. 

[From now on, you’ll receive treatments at the Cheongdam Store. Because you’re Seo I-jun’s wife.] 

The lock that had always been closed to her had now opened effortlessly due to her marriage to Senior Managing Director I-jun. 

[I’ll handle it myself.] 

Overwhelmed, she declined. 

She couldn’t indulge in such luxury while heading out to meet her ex-boyfriend’s brat. 

[Think of it as a date with me.] 

But I-jun didn’t give up, persistently persuading her. 

[It’s a right you deserve to enjoy.] 

He was subtly relentless. 

[I told you—I’ll do anything I can for you.] 

His sweet temptation continued. 

Unable to respond, I-ryeong fidgeted with her phone, lost in thought. 

The marriage she had once seen as an escape might instead become a difficult position where she’d have to bear the weight of a heavy crown. 

But his words about it being her rightful privilege swayed her. Even if it made her seem materialistic, she accepted it—just as she had accepted the personal credit card. 

[I’ll make that bastard regret ever crossing me.] 

She could easily picture the expression he might have had while sending that message. 

As she recalled his recent gentle yet warm demeanor, she began typing her reply. 

[Thank you, I-jun.] 

Short and concise. 

Perhaps it was the reaction he had hoped for. 

[That’s all I needed to hear.] 

I-ryeong swiped her phone screen gently, as if carefully caressing his face.

She arrived at the Cheongdam flagship store right on time. 

This place offered everything from esthetic treatments to makeup in one seamless step, and both its exterior and interior exuded luxury. 

With a mix of nerves, she entered the store. The staff greeted her warmly, as if they had been eagerly awaiting her arrival. 

“I’m Park Kyu-ri, the manager who will be taking care of you from today onward, Madam. I’ll do my best to ensure your comfort.” 

The neatly groomed manager bowed deeply. 

The term “Madam” made I-ryeong’s stomach tingle with embarrassment. 

“Thank you for your help.” 

Her cheeks flushed as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. 

Following the manager, she entered a private room designed for exclusive use. The space was the epitome of opulence, with dazzling lighting and luxurious furniture—it felt like stepping into a studio. She took in the sights, knowing she wouldn’t have experienced any of this without I-jun, and sat down. 

“I heard Senior Managing Director Seo has a special schedule today.” 

Meeting her ex-lover could indeed be considered a special occasion. I-ryeong nodded briefly. 

“We’ll prepare everything for you right away.” 

“Ah, okay.” 

I-ryeong focused on her reflection in the mirror. Thankfully, her initial tension had eased significantly. 

“The first treatment will be an esthetic session lasting about 30 minutes. We’ll start with hydration and elasticity care, followed by sculpting the trapezius line. Teacher Lee? Please show Madam the outfit.” 

Outfit? A whirlwind of unease stirred within her calm. 

“We received the request from Senior Managing Director Seo. He specifically asked us to beautifully define the trapezius line since the dress reveals the shoulders.” 

I-ryeong was stunned when the manager showed her the dress—it was breathtaking, leaving her speechless. 

While she was still reeling from the off-shoulder gown that exposed her shoulders so elegantly— 

“And, Madam…” 

“…Yes?” 

Her voice came out small, overwhelmed by shock. 

“He also said to make sure you look even more beautiful than usual.” 

The manager delivered the final instruction. 

“Yes, more beautiful, huh…” 

Unprepared for such a request, she felt like a perfectly ripe tomato, ready to burst at the slightest touch. 

After that, time flew by in a blur. 

After receiving top-tier care and changing into the dress, it was already past noon. 

The deep navy off-shoulder dress accentuated her translucent skin. 

When she gathered her styled long hair and let it cascade over her bare shoulders, the overall effect was breathtaking. 

“This is the same pure and elegant makeup style actresses wear at award ceremonies—it suits you perfectly, Madam. Senior Managing Director Seo will fall for you all over again.” 

I-ryeong didn’t mind the manager’s flattery; she too was pleased with how different she looked compared to usual. 

“Come to the esthetic center often. Your skin is naturally flawless, so with just basic care, you won’t need to visit a dermatologist separately.” 

As continuous compliments filled the air, I-ryeong responded with an eye-smiling nod—when suddenly— 

“Why are you so beautiful?” 

With a knock, I-jun entered. At his appearance, the employees discreetly stepped back. 

“I-jun? When did you get here?” 

“If you knew exactly when I arrived, you’d be surprised.” 

Unlike usual, his forehead was covered by his bangs.

She stared at him, resisting the urge to touch his tousled hair that looked so irresistibly soft. 

“It’s so dazzling I can’t look directly at you.” 

“Don’t tease me.” 

“I’m serious. If I said I just went blind, would you believe me?” 

He closed his eyes briefly and then opened them again, a playful smile spreading across his face as he spoke in jest. 

His softened gaze and relaxed tone seemed to reflect his current mood perfectly. 

To I-ryeong, the emotions he conveyed felt genuine. She wanted to believe that his warm smile wasn’t an act—it was sincere. 

“Surely, you didn’t come early, did you?” 

“How did you know?” 

I-ryeong rose from her chair and approached him. Coincidentally—or perhaps intentionally—I-jun was also wearing a navy-blue suit. 

“It’s written all over your face. You came early and waited.” 

Naturally, she wrapped her arms around his waist, resisting the urge to run her fingers through his tousled hair. 

“You’re practically begging for compliments with that expression.” 

Carefully, she placed her hand under his chin. 

“You’re far more beautiful than I imagined.” 

I-jun took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. 

“And I didn’t expect you to be this… seductive.” 

He leaned in and whispered into her ear, his breath sticky with suppressed desire. 

“But now I realize how dangerous my imagination can be.” 

I-jun removed his jacket—the same one he had worn while waiting alone, masking his excitement and trembling—and draped it over her shoulders. 

“Why didn’t you come in?” 

“I was too busy imagining you to feel bored.” 

I-ryeong’s cheeks flushed red as she clutched his jacket, now saturated with his scent. 

“I don’t want to let you go.” 

At that moment, I-jun’s voice grew hoarse.