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The End for Some, the Beginning for Others
“Thank you, Aunt. For helping me like this...”
“Helping? What are you talking about? It’s just what I should do. How could that man, Cha Byeongjun... sigh...”
Eunjin furrowed her brows, clearly getting angrier as she spoke. As soon as she saw the CCTV footage of Mi-ryeong and Chairman Cha, Eunjin immediately contacted Jae-hee. She had quickly grasped the situation, understanding it from the context. She knew that Mi-ryeong had been the housekeeper for Chairman Cha and was familiar with their past, so it made sense to her.
“How could a person commit such acts while pretending to be human?” Eunjin seethed, her anger flaring. “Such a despicable man should be punished,” she continued as she rummaged through a warehouse all day. She was now handing over the materials related to Chairman Cha to Jae-hee.
“These are old documents, so they might not be accepted as solid evidence, but they should help explain the case. I hope they’ll be useful, Jae-hee.”
“They will be, they’ll be really helpful. Thank you so much.”
Jae-hee clutched the documents tightly, her gratitude evident. Eunjin nodded firmly, clenching her fists.
“Make sure you win, understood?”
“Yes, I’ll definitely win.”
Jae-hee skimmed through the letter and photos that Eunjin had given her. They were letters sent to Eunjin by her mother, along with group photos taken at the orphanage.
What should I do? Chairman Cha keeps showing up and it’s becoming troublesome. Last time, he even came at night and suddenly hugged me... There were letters with these kinds of words, and there were group photos of Chairman Cha and Mi-ryeong together.
Jae-hee carefully ran her fingers over the letters. The yellowed, old paper felt cold, but for some reason, the warmth of her mother’s handwriting made her fingertips feel hot.
“Thank you so much, Aunt...”
Jae-hee muttered, struggling to hold back tears. Eunjin, on the other hand, started crying first. Trying not to ruin her makeup, she pressed a tissue against her eyes and spoke through her tears.
“How hard it must have been... Hang in there.”
“Yes, I’ll hang in there.”
Jae-hee nodded quietly, her resolve firm. She was determined to gather all her strength and bring Chairman Cha down.
________________________________________
Seoul Northern District Prosecutor’s Office, Criminal Division 6, Head Prosecutor Lee Han-yeong has notified Chairman Cha Byeongjun of Seongang Group to appear as a suspect for questioning regarding embezzlement of a large amount of company funds. However, Chairman Cha has submitted a request for a delay citing health reasons and is currently hospitalized in a special room at XX Hospital in Gangnam...
Jae-hee sat neatly on the sofa, listening intently to the morning news.
Recently, Chairman Cha had been reported by his wife, Director Yoo Young-hyun, who had formed a committee to expose him. The main accusation was that Chairman Cha had created a paper company and committed embezzlement under the Specific Economic Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act.
The public’s attention was intense. The name of Chairman Cha was at the center of this heated topic.
With his chaotic private life exposed and suspicions of embezzlement and breach of trust arising, it was certainly a national scandal. Even more so because it was his wife, Yoo Young-hyun, who had directly raised the issue, drawing even more attention.
‘It looks like they’re going to divorce, right?’
‘Yeah, it’s a righteous punishment. It’s reality served cold.’
Some people laughed, impressed by the situation, while others said:
‘But isn’t Yoo Young-hyun a bit scary too? After all, it’s her own company.’
‘Exactly, it’s foolish. Even if she files a complaint, what will it do? The chairman of Seongang Group is Cha Byeongjun, so filing won’t do much but backfire.’
Some shook their heads and watched the situation unfold.
As a result, all the stocks related to Seongang had plummeted.
Of course, those close to Young-hyun were unfazed. They considered it a necessary step. They said if there was anything to clean up, they would clean it up, and after starting fresh, they could move forward. If the company was shaking due to a scandal, it would have collapsed already if it were going to.
‘At the same time, Chairman Cha Byeongjun is also facing a charge of causing bodily harm by Mr. Kang... The Gangnam Police in Seoul have started a re-investigation and stated that further details will be officially announced later... All eyes are on the future of Chairman Cha...’
During the news report, footage of Chairman Cha lying in a hospital bed with an IV drip, looking pale, flashed on the screen.
“How ridiculous.”
Jae-hee sneered to herself, mocking him.
Chairman Cha’s fainting wasn’t a lie. After being betrayed by Younghyun and facing a lawsuit over her mother’s incident, he couldn’t bear the shock and collapsed, clutching his neck. It could be said that his rationality had broken down from rage.
After turning off the TV, Jae-hee stood up from the sofa.
“This is really the beginning.”
She had filed a lawsuit against Chairman Cha on behalf of her mother. There were no witnesses or solid evidence other than the CCTV footage, which made her nervous, but she decided to hold onto hope. The lawyer had expressed confidence, saying the public attention was on their side, making it favorable for them.
“The real reckoning starts now.”
It would be a long, hard battle. They might lose. But in the process, the blow to Chairman Cha would be tremendous. Jae-hee was looking forward to seeing his future unfold.
She hoped—hoping that he would crumble completely.
May you, who hurt my mother and Kang-joo, crumble utterly... May you... May you...
________________________________________
The atmosphere in the chairman’s side of the room was dark. The air hung thick and heavy, like mist in a lightless forest. The faces of the board members sitting on the right were all drained, their expressions grim. Those closest to Chairman Cha, especially, looked almost like corpses. Their slumped shoulders and lifeless expressions revealed their devastation.
The faces of those sitting in the center and on the left were quite different. They looked as neat as usual, sitting with their hands neatly folded and their shoulders squared.
On the top floor of Seongang Group’s headquarters, a committee was being held to discuss the potential removal of Chairman Cha by Yoo Younghyun, the outside director, and other key members.
Attorney Kim, a former lawyer and outside director, seemed to have something to say as he tapped the microphone. He was an old high school classmate of Chairman Cha and had been one of the strongest supporters of Cha in the outside board of directors.
“Isn’t there a presumption of innocence? The verdict hasn’t even been made yet, and now we’re discussing removing the chairman? The stock prices are already plummeting. If news of Chairman Cha’s removal spreads, the situation will only worsen.”
“That may be true, but if Chairman Cha becomes a criminal, he won’t just shake, he’ll collapse entirely. Isn’t that better than letting that happen?”
Yoo Younghyun replied sharply, and Attorney Kim cleared his throat, quickly turning his head away. He tried to protest, but he knew it was a futile effort. His smooth rhetoric couldn’t hold up against such a harsh reality.
It was then that Kang-joo, who had been sitting next to Younghyun, finally stood up. All eyes in the room turned toward him. In the stillness, the sound of his swallowing was the only noise that could be heard.
Recently, two people who had been quietly staying in the background behind Chairman Cha began to step into the spotlight. Yoo Younghyun, the chairman’s wife, and Cha Kang-joo, his son. They had been quietly maneuvering behind the scenes but were now emerging prominently, like figures rising from beneath the waves.
Kang-joo was always seated next to Younghyun, and that position was clear in its meaning. Just as Younghyun had placed her husband, Cha Byeongjun, as the chairman, she was now preparing to transfer power to her son, signaling him as the next true power holder. This was a clear declaration of the succession of power.
Of course, Kang-joo was still too young to officially take on the chairman position. He might step back for a while, but it was now clear who the next true power of Seongang would be.
Every action, every glance, and every gesture of Kang-joo drew attention.
Kang-joo, with a calm gaze, scanned the room before giving a subtle hand gesture. A news article featuring Chairman Cha appeared on the screen. In the attached photo, Chairman Cha was lying in a hospital bed, his face pale and covered by a mask.
A cold smile appeared at the corners of Kang-joo’s lips.
“It seems my father is very unwell. I’ll feel much more at ease if he can rest comfortably.”
The room fell even quieter.
Younghyun backed him up with a light joke.
“My son is trying to show some filial piety, so if anyone interferes, I will be very displeased, everyone.”
There was no laughter in response to the lighthearted joke. Only Kang-joo and Younghyun offered faint smiles. Kang-joo walked up to the center of the room, stood at the desk, and spoke.
“Criminals must be punished and sent to prison. How can they remain in the company?”
The mention of calling his own father a “criminal” caused the eyes of the board members to waver. Kang-joo remained indifferent, his expression neutral, and pressed on.
“If you avoid the dirty water, it just stagnates and rots. We must drain it all and refill with fresh water. After the storm passes, clear water will fill the space.”
“...”
“Then I’ll leave the choice to you.”
Kang-joo’s words ended cleanly, without any unnecessary embellishment.
The board members exchanged glances. Their thoughts were made clear through their subtle eye movements. It was evident that the tide had already decisively turned in one direction.
________________________________________
Chairman Cha had been hospitalized for over a month. Occasionally, when reporters visited, he would show signs of illness, but when alone, he would curse Younghyun and Kang-joo’s names, venting his anger.
“Those damn bastards...! This damn situation...!”
He wished everything would be resolved while he lay in bed. But everything was turning in a direction that was unfavorable to him. His reputation, his power, his position were crumbling like a sandcastle. He was helpless, watching it all collapse.
Once a successful chairman of a large conglomerate, he had now been reduced to nothing but a small-time crook, with money being his only remaining possession. It was an unbearably harsh reality.
Si-eun was on her way to see Chairman Cha, riding in Manager Kwon’s car. Due to the turmoil at home, there was a deep sadness etched on her face.
Unlike Kang-joo, she was the biological daughter of Chairman Cha. It was a dirty family feud between her biological mother and father, and it was impossible for her to feel at peace.
As Manager Kwon turned the steering wheel, he spoke.
“I know you resent me.”
Si-eun turned her gaze toward him, seeing his steady profile.
Recently, Manager Kwon had confessed everything to Si-eun. He had given the CCTV footage to Younghyun, and uploaded the video online. He had confessed that he had tied up the father of his beloved with his own hands.
Si-eun looked straight ahead and responded calmly.
“Yes, I resent you.”
“......”
Manager Kwon’s gaze darkened for a moment.
“But it was something that would have come to light eventually. I had been carrying the truth like a disease inside me. It was like the incubation period.”
Si-eun paused for a moment before continuing, as six trees passed by the car window.
“Gi-seok was just the catalyst. Honestly, I do resent him... but I don’t hate him. In fact, it’s a relief. I feel better now, really.”
“...Si-eun.”
“I’ve felt guilty ever since I was a child. I can’t tell Gi-seok what that guilt is... but being an onlooker is a sin, and I’ve always been an onlooker. I turned a blind eye to my father’s crimes. I just couldn’t find the courage to speak up.”
She was referring to the time Chairman Cha had imprisoned Kang-joo. Gi-seok probably didn’t understand, but she let the words slip, like a confession. It felt like she was a penitent, confessing her long-hidden guilt.
While Kang-joo was rotting away alone, Si-eun lived a life of comfort. She knew the truth but kept it to herself. She didn’t share it with the world or even her mother, holding it all in. The one who had abused him was her father, and that was the truth she couldn’t bring herself to reveal.
The stones thrown at Chairman Cha were thrown by him alone. It was part of the process of him paying for his own sins, and therefore, it was something he had to endure, bleeding.
Among the many stones thrown at him, there was just one thrown by Gi-seok.
“I didn’t have the courage, Gi-seok.”
“......”
“But I’m thankful you had the courage.”
Si-eun whispered softly, her eyes beginning to glisten.
Si-eun entered the wide hospital room. The large suite was filled with the scent of flowers instead of the typical sterile hospital smell.
“Dad, I’m here.”
She greeted her father, who looked nothing like someone who was ill. Chairman Cha nodded and then reclined further, turning his attention to the TV. A scene of a man with brown hair diving into the blue sea flashed by.
“Why are you so busy that you’ve only come now, even though your father’s ill?”
Chairman Cha spoke without even looking at her. He didn’t look sick at all, despite what the media portrayed. Instead, there was a middle-aged man with a vibrant face and eyes burning with anger.
“...Sorry.”
Si-eun needed time to collect her thoughts. She muttered inwardly and sat down.
Chairman Cha kicked off the blanket and sat up abruptly. Only then did he turn off the TV and look at his daughter with gritted teeth.
“Yoo Younghyun, your mother.”
He spat out her name like it was a curse. Si-eun’s expression subtly changed. Chairman Cha seemed to tremble with rage just from uttering her name.
“Your mother betrayed our marriage. How can anyone humiliate her husband like this, openly, in public?”
“......”
“While her husband lies sick, the one who caused it doesn’t even come to visit. I saw on the news that her face looked perfectly fine.”
Si-eun silently watched her father as he expressed his anger. As he said, her mother didn’t seem to be living a life of pure happiness. During the day, she seemed busy and okay, but sometimes at night, she would pour herself a drink alone. She would press her temples as if to suppress the anger rising inside her, gritting her teeth.
The two of them didn’t know each other at all, yet Si-eun believed that the real victim wasn’t her father, but her mother. But she kept this thought to herself, buried deep within.
“Si-eun, I’ve found myself in a very difficult situation. Please understand this poor father’s situation and speak well to your mother. In this situation, I’m the victim. You should support me. That’s what’s right.”
“...Dad.”
“Your mother was always someone who turned away from me. You know that it was always me who took care of you, right?”
Si-eun shook her head and stared at the floor. The ivory-colored marble floor was smooth. It was like her father’s life, always so even and flat.
He had always been angry at his wife for neglecting him, and he felt ashamed because of the inferiority complex that lay underneath, but his life had always been incredibly smooth. It was so smooth that even the slightest wound would hurt unbearably.
‘...But my brother is different.’
Her brother’s wounds were too deep and numerous; a small scratch wouldn’t even faze him. And the one who made her brother that way was none other than her father.
Her father had been the one who abused her brother when they were children, and he was the foolish one who blamed her mother for everything.
Si-eun loved her father. As a father, she couldn’t turn her back on him. But she couldn’t deny that he was a flawed and selfish person.
“Dad, I love you.”
“I know, I know your heart the best.”
Si-eun lifted her gaze from the marble floor and stared intently at Chairman Cha.
“But loving you is different from this. If you’ve committed a crime, you must pay the price.”
“...What?”
Chairman Cha’s expression stiffened in an instant.
He couldn’t quite understand what his daughter was saying at first, but as the brief moment passed, he quickly realized. A sense of betrayal slowly crept across his face. His mouth, which had been tightly shut, dropped downward, as if he never imagined Si-eun would say such a thing.
Si-eun, unable to face her father’s resentment, lowered her gaze again.
“You were the first to betray Mom, Dad. You met someone else.”
“Your mother did the same! It just hasn’t been revealed!”
“Ha... You’ve done bad things to Aunt Mi-ryeong too.”
“That’s...”
Chairman Cha, flustered, couldn’t even add a word in defense to that remark. Si-eun sighed repeatedly, a sad crease forming on her forehead.
“And Dad, you’ve tormented my brother.”
“......”
Chairman Cha’s face, red with rage, seemed to heat up as he only exhaled heavily. Si-eun calmly expressed her long-hidden thoughts, the truths she had buried deep inside for so long.
“You locked him up and abused him. Because of what you did, I still suffer with guilt. I hate myself for being a bystander. I hate myself so much.”
“......”
“You’re a bad person, Dad. A very bad person whom I love. ...And so, this time, I can’t support you. Reflect on yourself and pay the price for your sins.”
“You, you...!”
Chairman Cha picked up the pillow and threw it at Si-eun. The pillow brushed against her right cheek and fell to the floor behind her. Si-eun bit her lip.
“Leave! Get out right now!”
There wasn’t even a trace of remorse on Chairman Cha’s face. If he were capable of realizing his own mistakes, he wouldn’t have committed those sins in the first place.
“Yes, I’ll leave.”
Si-eun bowed her head to Chairman Cha and turned her back. She could hear his harsh, labored breathing.
“None of it matters! A daughter like that...!”
With those final words, she closed the door.
Si-eun walked, feeling as though she were stepping on shards of broken glass. Every step brought sharp, stabbing pain. Still, he was her father. Even though he had abused her brother, he had shown her genuine affection.
But even so, it was something she had to say, something she had to do.
Perhaps that’s why, despite the pain in her heart, there was a slight... a very slight sense of relief.
________________________________________
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Jae-hee.”
Despite all the chaos, the company continued to run smoothly. Even though Chairman Cha remained secluded in his hospital room, the office workers still bustled around, working diligently.
Jae-hee was no different. The attention that had once been directed toward her had gradually subsided. As she continued her usual routine without paying it any mind, it seemed that everyone had moved on.
As soon as Jae-hee arrived at work, she habitually opened her inbox. Several unread emails appeared. Instead of opening them immediately, she first went to make herself some coffee.
Sitting down in her chair, she blew on the hot steam, then began to carefully go over the contents of the emails.
“...Huh?”
She almost spilled her cup. Jae-hee quickly steadied the shaking cup, her eyes wide open. She slid her hand to grasp the mouse again and moved the cursor to open the email.
[Announcement of the Change in Position (Dismissal) of Executive Director Cha Byung-jun]
It was an official email from the HR department. While the situation was explained in detail, the content was simple: Chairman Cha Byung-jun was stepping down from his position. To put it nicely, it was a voluntary resignation, but in reality, it was not much different from being unceremoniously ousted.
Jae-hee had expected this announcement after hearing rumors about Chairman Cha’s precarious position, but seeing the official notice still felt oddly fresh.
She took a few sips of her coffee before getting up from her seat. The coffee seemed to stick in her throat, so she poured it out in the sink, planning to fill her cup with water instead.
A faint conversation leaked out from the pantry. Jae-hee was about to enter but froze when she heard Kang-joo’s name. Without realizing it, her steps slowed.
“So, who’s the next chairman?”
“I heard it’s going to be Chairman Cha’s brother-in-law—so, the director, Mr. Chang’s uncle, who will temporarily take over.”
“Why not Director Cha?”
“He’s still too young. There’s too much attention on him... for now, he’s staying quiet. But everyone knows who really holds the power, right? The board members that were aligned with Chairman Cha have mostly left, and the rest have switched sides.”
“So, now it’s Director Chang’s time.”
Jae-hee turned and walked away. Unease pounded heavily in her chest. The voices she had overheard seemed to echo in her ears. It felt as if he were slipping farther and farther out of her reach.
Suddenly, she felt scared. Everything Kang-joo wanted had been achieved step by step. Chairman Cha’s downfall was now a fact, and the freedom he had longed for would be easily within his grasp.
“But what about what I want...?”
Leaning against the cold wall, she took another sip of her coffee. The lukewarm drink felt oddly heavy on her tongue, the sweetness clinging uncomfortably.
Perhaps it was because of the words she had overheard in the pantry, but the sentences she had swallowed along with the coffee felt burdensome.
The house was quiet. Jae-hee sat on her bed, staring blankly at the night view. She reached down and felt the blanket, which was crisp and well-pressed, making a rustling sound as it was smooth to the touch.
She had learned for the first time that blankets were ironed before being put on the bed. Her old basement apartment had always felt damp, and no matter how much she tucked the blanket in, she could always feel the inexplicable moisture. Ironing had never even crossed her mind.
The fabric she now touched was cold, devoid of warmth. The space beside her had been empty for some time, ever since Kang-joo had become so busy.
Lately, Kang-joo had been incredibly busy, practically living at the company. He often came home late or didn’t return at all.
It was all due to the scandal involving Chairman Cha. Since he was the owner of the Seonggang Group, stock prices fluctuated and the company was in turmoil. It would eventually stabilize with time, but for now, it was a chaotic period.
“Is he not coming home again today...?”
She wondered when they had started sleeping together every night. Missing his arms, which had become a habit, Jae-hee curled up on the bed. The blanket warmed up from her body heat, but her toes still felt cold.
________________________________________
The weekend morning was clear and bright. The sun had risen high before Jae-hee finally opened her eyes. She hadn’t been able to sleep properly recently due to the turmoil in her heart, but today, she slept in quite late. It seemed she had been extremely tired.
With a dazed look, she walked to the kitchen and took out a contraceptive pill from the cupboard. She shook the small bottle open and grabbed a pill. As she squinted her eyes, trying to wake up, she noticed Kang-joo in the distance.
“Mom!”
The unexpected appearance of the homeowner startled her. Her shoulder jerked, causing the water in the glass to ripple. Jae-hee blinked in surprise and quickly popped the pill into her mouth. She drank the water to wash it down and then spoke to him.
“When did you get here?”
It seemed he had come in while she was sleeping and had just finished showering. His damp hair gently fell over his forehead, still wet. The faint exhaustion in his eyes was visible.
“It looks like you came this morning. You’ve been pulling all-nighters lately.”
Kang-joo’s gaze fell on the small pill bottle in her hand. His eyes traced the white, delicate fingers holding it.
“......”
His gaze slowly rose and fixed on Jae-hee again. Kang-joo scanned her face before speaking.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
Jae-hee, feeling caught, tightly gripped the pill bottle in her hand.
“No, it’s not that I’m sick...”
Kang-joo’s eyes narrowed, and a faint crease formed between his brows as he seemed to ponder something.
“What is that?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“......”
There was no need to mention it was a contraceptive pill. Embarrassed without reason, Jae-hee vaguely mumbled her response. Kang-joo’s cold, piercing gaze seemed to cut through her.
Just waking up, Jae-hee didn’t catch the strange atmosphere around him. After placing the pill bottle back in the cupboard, she turned to him with a smile, trying to show concern.
“You must be tired. You’ve been looking so busy lately, I was worried about you.”
“......”
“At least things should feel lighter now. The announcement went out yesterday. The dismissal of Chairman Cha. And the lawsuit involving my mom... You got everything you wanted, didn’t you?”
Kang-joo tilted his head slightly at her calm words. His gaze shifted back and forth between the drawer where the contraceptive pills were and Jae-hee’s face.
“Who says I got everything I wanted?”
His voice, strangely cold, slowly shot back. Jae-hee only then looked at him properly. She had thought he just seemed tired, but now she could sense something cold and dry seeping through his otherwise expressionless face.
“Who exactly is saying that?”
His calm tone carried a hint of reproach. Jae-hee, unable to respond, nervously fiddled with her arm. Why was he suddenly so sharp? It was hard to find an appropriate reply.
A sharp silence was broken by the sound of a vibrating phone. Jae-hee turned her head to look at his phone, but Kang-joo’s gaze never left her.
The phone vibrated a few more times before finally going quiet.
“It was a call... just now...”
As soon as Jae-hee finished speaking, the phone began vibrating again. Kang-joo ignored the noise at first, but as the calls continued, he grew irritated and picked up the phone with an annoyed expression.
“Yes, this is Cha Kang-joo.”
Jae-hee weakly sat down on the chair beside her. She felt her legs weaken. Though she couldn’t know who the caller was, from what she overheard, it seemed to be his uncle, who had taken over as the owner after Chairman Cha.
Seeing the serious expression on Kang-joo’s face, it was clear that something was happening again. He had just come in, but now it seemed like he had to leave urgently. He muttered something to the caller and hung up the phone with a frustrated frown.
“We’ll talk later, in the evening.”
“Okay, Kang-joo.”
Jae-hee nodded stiffly. What could he possibly need to discuss? Her stomach churned with unease.
The streetlights cast their glow over the dimming road. Jae-hee, leaning over the table, sent a worried voice towards the phone.
“Still, be careful.”
• “Yeah, don’t worry too much. The person Kang-joo oppa assigned is with me every day.”
“Doesn’t anyone notice?”
• “Nope, no one knows. No rumors. I told you not to worry.”
Jae-hee nervously scratched the table with her fingertips before asking again.
“Have the kids noticed anything about your situation?”
• “No, they haven’t noticed at all. There’s no gossip. Don’t worry, really.”
“Have they ever wondered why you have a bodyguard with you?”
• “They’re curious, but since I don’t say anything, they just guess among themselves. Some even asked if I was the daughter of a gangster. After that, they all lost interest.”
Jae-hee exhaled a sigh of relief. She had been worried that rumors about Chairman Cha might spread, but she was glad to hear it wasn’t the case. No matter how innocent one was, getting caught up in such messy affairs easily turned into gossip, something that would have been hard for young Hyo-jung to handle.
Kang-joo had promised to protect Hyo-jung’s safety thoroughly, and it seemed he had kept his word.
“Alright, enjoy your dinner.”
• “You too, unni! I’ll visit next week!”
“...Okay.”
If I’m still living here then... yeah, let’s do that. Jae-hee thought to herself, hiding the words she couldn’t say to Hyo-jung, and hung up the phone.
‘We’ll talk later, in the evening.’
His voice from earlier echoed in her mind, feeling rough and uncomfortable. What could he want to say? Was he perhaps thinking of ending things?
It was even more unsettling because he had said before that if they both got what they wanted, they would end things cleanly. He had achieved everything, hadn’t he? The downfall of Chairman Cha and his own position. Judging by Yeong-hyun’s attitude, it seemed like freedom would be his soon.
Jae-hee was in a similar position. Though it was just the beginning, she was now in a place where she could take revenge for her mother, and she had received everything she could from his side. They were in a situation where they could end their relationship without any issues.
“But what I want is Kang-joo.”
She muttered to herself, gazing absentmindedly out the window.
What she always wanted was him. Though she couldn’t catch him and could only watch from afar, she had ended up with Cha Kang-joo, more than she ever deserved. Even if it was a hollow, false relationship, the fulfillment she felt when in his arms was real.
Jae-hee pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around them, and buried her face in her knees. Her anxious face sank into the fold.
“I should confess.”
She chewed on her lips and whispered the decision she had been mulling over since earlier.
Even if he said the end was coming, even if he coldly pushed her away because she wasn’t needed anymore, she was going to tell him that she loved him and had been the same from the beginning until now.
“Hah...”
A cold fear covered her entire body.
She couldn’t imagine how he would react. Would he just pretend he didn’t hear? What if he hated it? What if he pushed her away with that same warm yet cold expression, just like when she was in high school? What would she do if she faced his rejection again? Her heart would probably shatter. It would hurt a lot.
‘But I’ll do it.’
Jae-hee lifted her face from her knees.
She decided to believe in the small hope inside her. Maybe there was something to it. The kindness he had shown so far might be genuine. Even if he had initially approached her just because he liked her body, perhaps... just maybe, he had come to care for her.
She wouldn’t fear it in advance. She wouldn’t shake.
She tightly grasped her trembling hands.
There had been a time when Kang-joo had said something. When the deal was over, he would give her a reward. If it was something she wanted, he would do whatever it took.
‘What I want is Kang-joo. Nothing else matters.’
The clumsy confession she had kept to herself for so long was finally ready to be spoken. She would ask for her reward. Cha Kang-joo.
It was close to midnight. As her anxiety darkened her thoughts and her fingertips grew cold, Kang-joo finally arrived.
Jae-hee felt like a child waiting for the results after an important exam. She kept glancing at the clock, nervously waiting for the announcement.
“Did you arrive?”
“Yes.”
Kang-joo loosened his tie and immediately walked toward the bathroom. A cold breeze seemed to come from his back. Was it because she felt anxious? For some reason, his eyes looked especially cold today.
The sound of water continued. His face, which she caught a glimpse of, seemed to be filled with exhaustion and irritation. It made sense, considering he had been busy enough to be called away suddenly on the weekend.
“…Maybe now isn’t the right time.”
Even a report isn’t submitted unless the manager is in a good mood, after all. What she had to deliver wasn’t a report, but a confession, yet there had to be a right time for it.
However, the harder something was, the quicker it was better to get it over with once you made up your mind. Jae-hee thought that the right time for a confession was today.
She pulled her shawl up over her shoulders and walked toward the kitchen. She thought about making some warm tea for him while he finished showering. She hoped it might soften his stern expression even a little.
Jae-hee consciously hummed a tune. She didn’t want to be overwhelmed by the anxiety and gloomy feelings stirring inside her. Humming lightly, she steeped the tea leaves once in hot water, then poured out the water and steeped them again. As she clicked the lid of the tea container shut and began tidying up the utensils, she felt a presence behind her.
“What’s making you so happy?”
The pleasant scent of body wash and a low voice approached her. Jae-hee shivered slightly at the voice that clung to her like a whisper, causing her to slightly bend her shoulders.
“Just... various things.”
“Seems like you’re in a good mood because you’ve gotten everything you wanted. Now you can finally see the end.”
The voice, along with lips that settled at the nape of her neck, felt hollow and scattered.
Jae-hee almost dropped the glass lid. The reason was the chill that ran through her when his wet hair touched the back of her neck. She placed her palm flat on the counter and gently turned around.
“Would you... like a cup of tea?”
Kang-joo, who had been about to wrap his arm around her waist, stopped moving. His eyes dropped to the cup in her hand. A thin mist rose between them. He stared at her over the steaming tea, and then, after a moment, raised his hand to take the cup.
Holding the cup in his hand, he extended his other arm upward.
There was the sound of something clinking from the cabinet above her head. As Kang-joo rummaged through the cabinet behind her, he leaned in closer. Jae-hee, pressed almost into his embrace, placed her hand on his chest and backed her hips against the counter.
His warm body temperature and fragrant scent overwhelmed her. How could he smell so good?
There was another clink as Kang-joo picked something up. Jae-hee didn’t pay attention to the sound, instead looking up at him. She could see the firmness in his jawline. She carefully gathered her courage to speak.
“Kang-joo, I have something to say.”
“Go ahead.”
Kang-joo responded nonchalantly, as if daring her to speak. When he took a step back, the warmth between them faded.
Jae-hee lowered her gaze. The fingers she had nervously intertwined started to fidget.
“Well... you said you would give me a reward when everything was over, right?”
“....”
The small sounds of clinking stopped. He had been looking at the pill bottle as he listened to her words, and now he slowly raised his gaze. His eyes, hard and unyielding, seemed to search through her.
Jae-hee couldn’t look him in the eye, instead bowing her head deeply. She felt embarrassed, anxious, and her insides burned. Even her toes seemed to shrink from the tension.
“Kang-joo, you’ve gotten everything you wanted, right? So have I. Now, it seems like it’s time to talk about the reward. For me... now I...”
Jae-hee couldn’t bring herself to speak the confession. She licked her lower lip with the tip of her tongue. Her mouth was dry, and now that she had opened her mouth, it would only take a very short sentence more.
‘I want Kang-joo’s heart.’
But she couldn’t bring herself to say it, hesitating.
She knew that if she confessed and was pushed away, it would really be the end. She feared what his reaction might be after the confession.
Kang-joo spoke first, breaking her hesitation.
“So... now that we’ve both gotten what we wanted, is it time to end things?”
His tone carried a faint sneer. Jae-hee’s eyes widened in surprise, and she looked up. She could see his eyes twisted in pain.
“Who said that?”
She tried to shake her head, but his gaze, sharp and terrifying, froze her in place. His lips were definitely smiling, but there was no warmth or kindness in his expression.
“I told you. If you didn’t want to get involved with me, you shouldn’t have stepped in from the start.”
She instinctively gripped the pill bottle harder, and veins stood out on the back of her hand. Clink. The sound of the pills rattling inside the bottle echoed, and Kang-joo’s expression became even colder.
“Alright, what do you want?”
“Pardon?”
“What do I need to give you so that you’ll be satisfied and stay? Tell me. I’ll do whatever you want. If you want, I’ll kneel. Should I just get down on the floor and beg right now?”
His lips curled into a smile as he said the absurd words, as if trying to forcefully suppress his anger. But the smile didn’t fade.
Jae-hee’s heart sank. She didn’t understand what he was saying. Why was the conversation going this way? What was he so angry about? Why was he looking at her with such painful eyes?
“What do you mean by that...?”
Jae-hee, startled by his angry expression, forgot even the confession she had prepared. She could only inhale, her eyes wide with shock.
Kang-joo casually popped the cap off the birth control pill bottle. The harsh sound of the pills spilling out onto the floor followed. Jae-hee watched with wide eyes as the pills scattered across the marble floor.
“It’s because of this.”
Kang-joo threw the empty bottle aside. The bottle clinked as it rolled and came to a stop, and he continued, grinding his teeth as he spoke.
“Because of this, all this time.”
His words were muttered almost to himself. It was as if he was forcing down the emotions rising inside him, and his voice was tightly constrained. Kang-joo shook his hand, which had been holding the pill bottle, as if shaking off something dirty.
“I found out that if you don’t take it at the same time every day, it doesn’t work.”
Jae-hee raised her head at the sound of his voice. He had come closer, and she could see his face as he gently caressed her cheek. The coldness in his eyes was gone, replaced by warmth and tenderness. But the icy glare from his pupils still shone fiercely.
“Shall we test it? If you don’t take it, if you keep going without taking it, what will happen?”
The hand that had been touching her cheek moved down and gripped Jae-hee’s neck. Then, without warning, he pressed his large body against her, forcing her down onto the kitchen table.
“Kang-joo-ssi... uhn...”
Jae-hee called his name in a moan. His wet tongue burrowed through her parted lips, and the sound soon disappeared into her throat. She felt his warmth as he wedged his body between her spread thighs.
When she turned her head, he persistently followed. He roughly stirred inside her with his thick tongue and persistently sucked on her lips.
Jae-hee barely managed to accept him, panting. The confession she had to make to him, the moans that escaped her, and the words of dissuasion she had tried to say to push him away were all blocked by his fiercely pouring kisses like a rainstorm.
His hardening member, which had begun to swell between her legs, made contact. Stiff and erect, it rubbed against her private part, stimulating her.
“Heueut...”
Her attempt to push him away was completely ignored. He would have backed off if she had bitten his tongue or slapped his cheek, but Jae-hee deliberately didn’t do so. His gestures, as if pleading with her, looked strangely sad.
Urgent hands slipped and pulled Jae-hee’s t-shirt down. The collar stretched, revealing her shoulders. His lips traced her collarbone and continued down. Instead of struggling, Jae-hee grabbed his forearms.
The slow friction below gradually ignited desire within her as well. Because he had been so frantically busy, they hadn’t been able to be intimate for a while. Her body, already accustomed to the pleasure he gave, easily ignited the long-suppressed desire. She resented herself for responding so easily to his touch, but it was beyond her control.
Kang-joo’s hand suddenly slipped inside her clothes. His hand, which had been groping inside, abruptly unfastened her bra and then massaged her breasts as they fell heavily downwards.
“Ah...”
His other hand tore off her clothes as if ripping them. Jae-hee was instantly naked. As she moved her body according to his touch, she ended up lying down with her bare breasts exposed. The marble surface behind her back was cold.
Kang-joo grasped one of her breasts and pressed his face against it. He frantically pressed his body against hers, biting down hard on her areola as if wanting to devour her flesh.
“Ah-eut...!”
Jae-hee let out a soft moan. The sensation of him biting down on her nipple as if crushing it was dizzying. The nipple that was being sucked painfully made her arch her back and inhale. Kang-joo roughly groped her contracted ribs. He rubbed her lower abdomen with his hot hand, touched her skin, and then grasped her breast again.
His index finger roughly rubbed her nipples, which had become nicely plump. The sensation of them bouncing and rubbing up and down made the tips of her nipples tingle. The nipple that he nibbled with his teeth and the nipple that he pinched were equally painful. But a pleasure greater than the pain roughly surged in, and Jae-hee gasped and became limp.
Every time he sucked on her breasts, a messy, wet sound echoed. After a long time of urgently pressing his lips against hers, Kang-joo finally pulled his face away. He stared at Jae-hee, who looked up at him with a flushed face, and threw off his gown.
Soon, he became naked and entered between her thighs. He rubbed the tip of his penis, which was covered in pre-ejaculate, against Jae-hee’s underwear and poked at the single layer blocking him as if about to enter immediately. His member, which had been half-swollen, became fully erect just by rubbing against her below.
“Kang-joo-ssi... eut...”
Jae-hee wriggled her thighs. As if he couldn’t even spare the time to take off her underwear, Kang-joo simply pushed her underwear to one side. A red gap was exposed between her secretly parted legs.
The rough weapon began to enter urgently. He forcefully parted the inner flesh clinging to his glans and hastily tore through the hot inner wall. His penis barely managed to enter, and her vagina was heavily stretched.
“Ha-eut...!”
Jae-hee threw back her head and let out a moan.
Kang-joo pressed his waist in, kissing her beautifully exposed white neck. The fluids that flowed along the inner wall stickily moistened his shaft, but penetration was still difficult. Her tightly contracted vagina couldn’t properly accommodate his large member. Perhaps because it was the first time for such a hasty insertion, her stiff body didn’t relax easily.
Jae-hee gasped, barely holding his tip. She could clearly feel the curves of his thick glans as it pushed into her private parts. The walls of her vagina were painfully scraped by the movement of his half-inserted member as he slightly pulled it out and pushed it back in.
Kang-joo gave up on penetrating and stopped moving. Instead, he lowered his face and began to kiss her softly. He pushed his thick tongue in, slowly intertwining it with hers, swallowing Jae-hee’s groans, and slowly stroking her mucous membrane.
The strength slowly drained from Jae-hee’s tightly contracted thighs. Kang-joo roughly grabbed and spread her vagina with both hands and pushed his member all the way in.
“Heueung...!”
As if ravaging the inside of her mouth with his tongue, he mercilessly stirred inside the forcefully opened hole.
Even Jae-hee’s moans were swallowed by his kiss.
The member that had forced its way into her stretched opening was slowly withdrawn. Then, with the sound of flesh clinging to his shaft, it thrust back inside. Slow and forceful hip movements followed. Each time he moved as if pounding her, Jae-hee’s body was pushed back and forth.
As their intimate parts rubbed together, heat began to rise in her body. The stagnant pleasure swept over her again. The tightly closed gap, now dripping with fluids, accepted him without resistance.
As if sensing Jae-hee’s change, his previously cautious movements began to become faster and rougher. Jae-hee was driven to distraction. His member, relentlessly digging into her opening, hurriedly brought pleasure.
“Ah, ah-eut! Ah!”
Jae-hee’s white legs shook wildly with his movements. Jae-hee lifted her swaying legs and wrapped them around his waist. Each time his penis and buttocks met, a squelching sound spread lewdly. His movements were so violent and rough that the skin of their joined parts felt burning hot. The sound of wet flesh colliding was extremely obscene.
His penis penetrated her strongly, as if piercing through her body. When the blunt tip pressed firmly against her deepest point, Jae-hee let out a high-pitched moan and tightened inside.
“Kang-joo-ssi, it’s too deep… ah-eung! Eut!”
She called him in a sob. She felt like a beast driven by instinct. Without even having the leisure to go to the bed, she was accepting him while lying on the hard marble surface. She was intimately entwined with him, holding his member that moved in and out between her pushed-aside underwear.
Jae-hee gasped and twisted her waist. Kang-joo’s body, completely covering her, was heavy. The hot heat she felt from him and the firmly planted desire were equally overwhelming. Clinging to Kang-joo as if begging, Jae-hee cried out.
“Ah-heueuk! Ah!”
His member, which had slid out, brushing against her inner wall, was thrust back in roughly, making a thudding sound. Jae-hee’s pleasure-filled moans continued loudly. With his large hip thrusts, the pleasure points hidden deep inside her body were struck repeatedly.
“Ah, euheuk… heut… heuk…!”
The unbearable pleasure flowed out as tears. As the burning hot member dug deeper, she collapsed. It felt like pleasure was striking her like lightning.
Kang-joo thrust slowly and forcefully, as if driving in a wedge, then moved quickly and shallowly inside her. Jae-hee was shaken messily, unable to even keep up with the changing speed. The fluids mixed with pre-ejaculate flowed out thickly from the joined gap. They splattered with a squelching sound and then were smeared thickly by Kang-joo’s movements as he tightly pressed his hips against her.
Jae-hee’s senses floated as if she was in a hallucination. The pleasure she had already experienced countless times was now very close.
“Ah-eueung...!”
A tingling sensation began to erupt like fireworks. Pleasure relentlessly poured in. Jae-hee trembled with pleasure and tightly gripped the member that was ravaging her. Unable to withstand the continuing orgasm, her inner walls trembled finely.
Kang-joo, who had been shaking his hips violently, thrust his member in strongly. His wriggling member began to ejaculate profusely inside her. He thrust and stirred, ravaging the climaxing inner walls, thrusting his hips up. He ejaculated deeply, planting himself in her deepest point.
“Ah-eung... eut...”
Jae-hee rubbed her forehead against his shoulder, which covered her. Her body relaxed with the afterglow. The thick fluids filling her inside were overwhelming. Her waist and tailbone ached because she had accepted him while precariously lying on the marble surface. Her thighs, which had been wrapped around his waist, also trembled.
After ejaculating all his semen, Kang-joo quickly pulled his member out. He shook off the clinging inner walls, and his glans fell out with a thud.
As soon as their joined bodies separated, Jae-hee’s body was lifted up. When she regained her senses, she was lying face down on the marble surface, her chest pressed against it.
Kang-joo approached Jae-hee, who had been turned over. When he grabbed and spread her buttocks, the vagina that had just been tightly holding his penis was clearly revealed. It was flushed red and swollen thickly from the friction of him thrusting inside.
The opening, full of semen, opened and closed repeatedly. The semen began to flow out between the gaps, making the effort of penetrating her deep inside seem futile. Kang-joo gathered the semen and pushed it back inside her.
“Don’t let it spill, it’s a waste.”
“Eut, Kang-joo-ssi...”
Jae-hee, flustered, looked back at him and struggled. His strong grip didn’t let her go. He simply thrust his member into the spread red flesh.
“Ah-eut!”
Jae-hee’s body shook greatly. As her swaying body collapsed, her breasts were pressed firmly against the cold marble surface. Jae-hee barely held onto the surface and breathlessly accepted Kang-joo, who was driving her wildly. Her heavy breaths reached up to her chin.
Perhaps because of the difference in their heights, their openings didn’t fit together well. Kang-joo grabbed Jae-hee’s waist and pulled her up. Jae-hee, standing on tiptoe, was pushed forward with thuds in time with his messy hip movements.
“Ah, eut! Heueung...! Eut!”
Lying face down, she couldn’t see his face. Only the rough breathing and beast-like groans felt on her back told her that it was Kang-joo who was driving her.
Kang-joo violently thrust his member into her.
“Ah-euk!”
Jae-hee let out a high-pitched moan and tightly closed her eyes. Her arms, barely supporting her upper body amidst the violent shaking, trembled. Her breasts, hanging down, swung obscenely. Her stiffened nipples tapped against the marble surface. The intensely erotic sensation of the rough friction made her nipples rise even more sensitively.
Kang-joo’s hand, which had been holding her waist, moved up and tightly grasped her breasts. Jae-hee’s waist twitched.
Thrusting into her from behind like animals mating, Kang-joo tormented Jae-hee’s nipples. He tightly pinched and twisted them with his thumb and forefinger, rubbed the stiff nipples with his thumb, and then flicked them.
Unable to overcome the pleasure, Jae-hee collapsed. She felt her body melting softly from the stimulation that enveloped her.
Kang-joo collapsed and placed his body over her back as she lay face down.
“Kang-joo, ssi! Eut, heueuk...”
Jae-hee’s tears fell to the floor in drops. The pleasure he poured into her covered her body like a fire. With each violent movement as his member thrust in, passionate moans burst out. It was an unbearable, intense pleasure.
With Jae-hee trapped in his arms, Kang-joo tightly bit her ear. He licked and sucked her earlobe, whispering with broken moans.
“Did you hate it… that much?”
“Heueuk, eut, ah-eut!”
In her dazed state, Jae-hee shook her head. She couldn’t understand what he meant by hating, but she couldn’t nod to the negative words he was saying.
Kang-joo’s movements slowed down. He gently kissed her cheek and continued to whisper.
“Were you perhaps waiting only for today? But what to do. I can’t let you go.”
Below, he was still obscenely ravaging her vagina.
Shaking as he thrust, Jae-hee panted. As his movements slowed, her reason was barely returning to its place. But as much as the movements slowed, the stimulation became clearer, and this was overwhelming in its own way.
“It was okay even if you were using me. I thought you would come someday… I even foolishly expected it, like a fool.”
His thick glans parted the vaginal walls, withdrew, and then pushed deep into the narrowed inner walls.
“Without even knowing that you were always preparing for the end.”
His withdrawn member thrust back in hard. Ah-eut! Jae-hee’s rapid breathing echoed heavily. Kang-joo thrust his member in hard and reached his hand forward. He parted the sticky flesh, rubbed her clitoris, and groped the vagina that his member had forcefully opened with his fingertips.
“Would it be okay if a child was born? What can I do to make you stay?”
“Kang-joo, ssi… heut...”
“Don’t say ‘the end’ before I say it. Not this time.”
His swollen member ravaged inside like a weapon. Turning his hips to stimulate her inside, Kang-joo bit her earlobe.
“How did I manage to hold onto you again?”
“Eut... ah...”
“The consideration of disappearing for your sake like before, it’s gone now. So you give up.”
A whisper that sounded like he was grinding his teeth was the last. With a low curse, Kang-joo began to move violently again. He forcefully spread her burning vagina and thrust his member in with all his might.
Jae-hee, barely accepting him, moaned as if crying. She was out of her mind with the pleasure that was thrusting her to her limit.
“Ah… ah! Eut! Ah-eung…!”
Even while shaking her head and crying, his voice came to mind. As he shook her violently toward climax, she groped for the meaning of his words.
What he was saying now.
Could it be that Kang-joo-ssi also… me…?
“Ah-eut!”
The thought that had surfaced like a certainty was shattered by his violent movements.
With her waist held by him, Jae-hee was shaken like a doll. Embracing the surging emotions, she surrendered her body to the dizzying pleasure.
After his excitement subsided, she would face him. She would embrace him, pressing their bodies even closer, and confess. Looking into his wounded eyes, she would pour out her heart completely. That she loved him.
“Ah!”
Before she could think any further, he drove her on. A different kind of moan than before burst uncontrollably from Jae-hee. Overwhelming joy and fulfillment enveloped her body.
Over the entire weekend, they intertwined like animals.
Whenever their bodies separated, Kang-joo would kiss her and cling to her, relentlessly pushing his member into her body, which was stained with his semen.
As Jae-hee moved according to his will, she embraced Kang-joo with all her might. She gently soothed the enraged man, held him in her arms as he buried his face in her chest and ejaculated, stroking him.
She didn’t know how many times they had been intimate. Even the night, which seemed like it would never end, eventually dawned. The man who had been rolling around with Jae-hee, biting and sucking on her due to his unquenched thirst, regained his composure at her soothing touch.
“Haa...”
Jae-hee let out a ragged breath in his arms. She had no strength left. Her body, having reached countless climaxes, was so languid that it was difficult to even move her fingers. It wouldn’t be strange if she melted deep into the bed like this.
As she slowly opened and closed her eyes, warm sunlight completely covered her body. A deep sense of fulfillment covered her heart even more warmly. It felt as if soft, tender emotions were fluttering and gently flying around inside her heart.
Jae-hee gently lifted her head. Her eyes, which had been swollen red from crying so much because of him, were still puffy.
She saw his firm jawline.
“Kang-joo-ssi.”
As she called his name, Kang-joo lowered his face and met her eyes.
He was the one who had tried to block her voice and even swallow her breath all night. He had only pushed her away fiercely, as if afraid of the words Jae-hee would utter. It was because he couldn’t accept their separation.
A slight anxiety flickered in Kang-joo’s eyes. His eyes clearly showed his strong will to do the same thing again if Jae-hee mentioned compensation and said their goodbyes.
Jae-hee carefully stroked his cheek.
Normally, she would have felt uneasy looking at his stern face. But now she knew his heart. She could clearly see the wavering hidden within Kang-joo’s expressionless face, so she wasn’t anxious.
If she had known sooner, neither she nor he would have come this far.
“Kang-joo-ssi, do you like me?”
There was no change in his expression. But Jae-hee could easily notice his eyes flickering for a moment.
A smile suddenly appeared on her face. Why hadn’t she realized it before? She had been so busy hiding her own feelings that she hadn’t seen the feelings he had hidden. He was someone who revealed his heart so clearly. How foolish of her.
“Or… do you love me?”
A whisper-like question echoed quietly. This time, even Kang-joo’s face, which had been pretending to be calm, showed cracks. Kang-joo couldn’t answer easily. His heart was already overflowing, and confessions would burst out uncontrollably if he opened his mouth, but he desperately suppressed them. He had a fearful expression, as if Jae-hee before his eyes would disappear like a bubble if he spoke of love with his own mouth.
After only looking at Jae-hee for a long time, he finally distorted his face. Just as Jae-hee was about to say something, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.
“If I say I love you.”
A crumbling whisper brushed past like ripples.
“If I say I wanted to keep you by my side no matter what.”
His body, which held her so tightly that she felt crushed, was hot, and Jae-hee only gripped the blanket tightly.
“Then, can you look at me? Can you give me your heart, even just once?”
Kang-joo couldn’t bring himself to face her. He had simply confessed as if he was collapsing. In his voice, which sounded only calm, the feelings he had kept hidden his whole life crashed like heavy waves.
“Even if I say that I love Jae-hee, that you are more precious than anything else in this world, that all I want is only Jae-hee… even if I say that, will you abandon me like back then?”
Jae-hee raised her eyes in surprise. Her heart thumped loudly.
Abandon me like back then, what did that mean…?
No matter how much she traced and recalled the past, she had no memory of abandoning him. Rather, wasn’t he the one who had suddenly left and pushed her away?
How could I abandon Kang-joo-ssi. I have never abandoned Kang-joo-ssi. She tried to raise her head to speak her heart that ached with longing, but her body was buried again by Kang-joo’s strong arms that held her so tightly that she felt crushed.
From the chest where her face was buried, the sound of Kang-joo’s heart beating violently echoed.
“Pity me. You can click your tongue at me, calling me a pathetic guy who grew up being abused. You can curse me, calling me a fool who had no one to rely on but Jae-hee, so please have mercy on me. Even like that—”
Kang-joo’s Adam’s apple bobbed as if swallowing the surging emotions.
“Even like that, please love me.”
“......”
Jae-hee widened her eyes and pulled her cheek away from Kang-joo.
His voice was so low and quiet that it sounded as if it contained no emotion at all. But Jae-hee could tell. She knew what fierce emotions were pooling behind his calm voice. They were probably raging and painfully scratching at him.
Jae-hee lightly pushed Kang-joo’s chest. She wanted to lift her head and meet his eyes. She wanted to face the expression on his face, the expression in his eyes as he unburdened his heart, and comfort him.
But as if he had no intention of letting Jae-hee go, Kang-joo’s hold on her only tightened.
“Kang-joo-ssi, I have something to say.”
Jae-hee patted his arm soothingly. The arm, which had been motionless, finally loosened slightly. She was finally able to lift her head and look at him. She saw his eyes deeply penetrating her. They were trembling slightly with anxiety and nervousness, like a child waiting for punishment.
“Kang-joo-ssi, I will continue to stay by your side.”
At that moment, his eyes trembled greatly. As if he hadn’t expected such words from her, his wide eyes looked at Jae-hee in surprise.
“When I was by your side when we were young, it wasn’t out of pity. The reason I’m by your side now is the same.”
His heart, which was touching her palm, was beating strongly. His face clearly showed a light of anxiety, as if he was expecting something but couldn’t believe it.
Towards such Kang-joo, Jae-hee confessed softly.
“It was love.”
“......”
The bed was quiet. Only the night noises rushing in from outside the window like auditory hallucinations broke the silence. Perhaps that’s why her voice reached him even more clearly.
Kang-joo’s eyes trembled as if he couldn’t believe it. Half joy and half doubt repeatedly passed through his eyes, as if he couldn’t be certain of her words.
Jae-hee smiled faintly. His disbelief suddenly made her feel pity.
What had made you so anxious? What was breaking you, who was stronger than anyone else, so much? I hope it’s not me.
Jae-hee was the one who reached out her arms first. She, who had always only been held by him, took courage and embraced him first. His shoulders, which were faintly stiffening, touched her. Kang-joo only stood there stiffly, being held, but as her warmth continued to embrace him, he finally let out a long breath as if relieved.
Jae-hee ruffled his hair. The hair of the man who leaned on her with his large body brushed delicately against her.
“I like Kang-joo-ssi.”
“......”
“I should have just said it. I was afraid that Kang-joo-ssi would avoid me, that you would push me away, so I just kept it to myself.”
“......”
“If Kang-joo-ssi also liked me, you should have just said it. We went a long way around for no reason. Right?”
Towards Kang-joo, who didn’t give any answer, Jae-hee confessed as if talking to herself.
Kang-joo was only breathing quietly, leaning on her. He seemed calm and unmoved, but Jae-hee clearly felt his heart beating fiercely and his body burning hot.
He was surely taking in every single one of her words, not missing a single word.
He was always this kind of person. A person who expressed his feelings with his whole body instead of words. If they had noticed it beforehand, there wouldn’t have been this misalignment where they walked different paths while facing the same direction.
Kang-joo, who had been holding Jae-hee for a while, gently placed his cheek on her head.
“I was afraid that if I showed my heart, you would avoid me again.”
“......” “I wanted you that much, even like that.”
After that, Jae-hee was held in a crushing embrace. Trapped in his familiar warmth, she was bound tightly to him, unable to move even a finger. Jae-hee smiled and entrusted her body to him.
You were also scared. Even though he seemed like a huge mountain, firm like an ancient tree, if you looked quietly inside, there was Cha Kang-joo from his childhood. The one who clung to her and embraced her. A small bird with injured wings.
Kang-joo’s palms touched Jae-hee’s cheeks. Kang-joo carefully kissed Jae-hee. The man who had been so boldly penetrating her before their hearts connected now pressed his lips anxiously and weakly, as if a feather had landed.
Jae-hee smiled faintly, feeling the warmth that touched her eyelids and the tip of her nose. The kisses that fell relentlessly were affectionate and lovely.
But her faint smile soon stopped. It was because she suddenly felt warm moisture spreading on her cheek. Each time he carefully pressed his lips against hers, her cheek became wet.
Jae-hee raised her hand but couldn’t bring herself to check what it was. She only tightened her arms that were embracing him. With her eyes closed, she only stroked Kang-joo, who was burrowing into her like a child, not even knowing that her face was getting wet with his tears.
She embraced the large man who was collapsing as if begging. Jae-hee also wanted to cry loudly, but she desperately held back.
The voice calling her name continued to whisper endlessly. Instead of crying together, Jae-hee patted the back of the man who was embracing her. She gently stroked him. She felt Kang-joo melting and collapsing in her arms.
She had never known that she could feel such fulfillment while embracing a crying man. She felt extremely happy.
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