The elevator arrived, but she didn’t get in. Watching his wife’s retreating figure, Kangjoon thought. Wouldn’t she at least look back once? But his wife disappeared without a second glance, as if she didn’t care what her husband did with a beautiful actress.

“My goodness, your wife is something else. She’s not easily provoked.”

Only after hearing Han Sara’s words, trembling with anger, did Kangjoon realize. It wasn’t his wife who had become lax because he had been somewhat nice to her, it was him. So she must have forgotten. How amazing and tough his wife was. It was his utter arrogance that had made him mistakenly believe he could hurt such a woman.

“Aren’t you going to get in this time either?”

At Han Sara’s words, Kangjoon finally moved. Inside the ascending elevator, he thought of his wife once more. Her indifferent gaze, her composed expression, her gentle tone, her unwavering posture. His wife, who had sent him a message with her whole being without saying a word. That she had never wavered for him, had never given him a piece of her heart. So he should stop his childish provocations. After thoroughly shaking Kangjoon’s mind, his wife had slipped away smoothly and elegantly. Thanks to her, he felt as if he had been doused with cold water, and a sense of self-loathing washed over him. He was doing something so worthless to his wife again. He must be crazy to keep doing this. Only belatedly did he realize his real reason for coming here. Was it to hurt his wife like before? No, it wasn’t. He just wanted to confirm his wife’s feelings. He wondered if his wife, like him who was wavering, agitated, and swept away, felt even a little bit of that. He had hoped to see jealousy, not hurt, in her composed and smooth face. Seeing that, he thought he could clear away the confusion that had filled him instead of the suspicion he had cleanly removed. He thought that perhaps they could be honest with each other. ***

“So, are you telling me to take this and go back?”

Han Sara looked at the wine in her hand and then at the man, her eyes full of disbelief. The second son of Seojin Group had said he was a fan of hers, this man who was from a family of a higher level than Seojin Group. It was disappointing that he was married, but she had still planned to try. It wasn’t every day you met a man with that much wealth, good looks, and impeccable manners. And it wasn’t a world where divorce and remarriage were flaws. If he had even prepared a gift of a rare and expensive wine that Sara liked, wasn’t the meaning obvious? So she had bothered to come all the way here, only to be left standing at the door with a wine shopping bag and told to go back. It was enough to make her speechless.

“I kept my promise to give Sara-ssi the wine she likes as a gift. Is there a problem?”

“You expect me to believe you brought me all the way here just for a bottle of wine? With the feelings I came here with? Then shouldn’t something have happened between us?”

But from the beginning, Kangjoon had no intention of letting Han Sara into the room.

“Sara-ssi was the one who insisted on coming when I said I would bring it to you. I also clearly stated that I was married.”

“I don’t care that you’re married. That’s how much I like you. So...”

“What does Han Sara-ssi know about me?”

Leaning against the door, Kangjoon continued speaking to Han Sara with a cold expression.

“Do you even know my name?”

“You never told me! Not your name, not your age! Not even whose son you are!”

“Because there was no reason to tell you.”

Han Sara’s sharp intake of breath from shock could be heard.

“I just wanted to give this wine to Han Sara-ssi. So I did, and I think our business is done now.”

At Kangjoon’s indifferent reply, Sara’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Your wife even gave you permission to have a good night! So what’s the problem!”

Han Sara’s tearful eyes, which could move the hearts of Korean men, had no effect on Kangjoon.

“I can’t allow that.”

He might put on a plausible act, but he had never once considered truly crossing the line. The initial reason was marital duty. Even if he pretended to be trash, he shouldn’t actually become trash. Otherwise, he would be no different from that woman.

“A night spent with a woman other than my wife.”

But now it was because of his wife. He really didn’t want to be treated like trash. He didn’t even see any woman other than his wife as a woman. So this childish provocation ended today. That was Kangjoon’s sincere feeling.

*** Dae Sang Electronics and Seojin Group were small to medium-sized enterprises compared to Hanshin Group. Nevertheless, the trio could become close friends because of their grandfathers’ special friendship. Once a month, unless there was a special occasion, the three families would gather for dinner. Kyungjin and Jaewoo also attended, but only Kangjoon couldn’t come due to his business trip to Jeju. After the meal, Chairman Seo, supported by Yeonsuk, asked her abruptly as they left the restaurant.

“Did you ask Taeryeong about plans for children?”

After subtly mentioning that his grandson had gotten married, his two friends had asked if there was any news of great-grandchildren yet.

“I think it will take some time. It seems Taeryeong is finding it a bit difficult to open her heart to Kangjoon.”

“What’s so difficult? You could search the whole world and not find a husband as good as Kangjoon! Such entitled talk!”

“Father, are you really saying that because you don’t know? Because of those so-called good husbands, Mom and I had no end of tears.”

When Yeonsuk gave him a sidelong glance, Chairman Seo, who had cleared his throat and avoided her eyes, stopped walking. Kyungjin and Jaewoo, who had said they would go ahead to the small garden on the way to the parking lot, were standing there.

“He even pushed his schedule to go down to Jeju. I wonder if that Kangjoon guy succeeded?”

“Hmph, what do you take me for? Have you ever seen a plan that came out of my head fail? The key is whether Kangjoon’s wife gets jealous or not.”

The two men were excitedly talking, unaware that Chairman Seo was listening from behind.

“A third-generation chaebol who looks better than a celebrity is offering a 38 million won wine as a gift. Han Sara will probably be even more aggressive and chase Kangjoon all the way to his room and pounce on him.”

“What if they really hit it off? Han Sara is seriously pretty though.”

“She might be to you, but would that be beauty to Kangjoon? I’m curious how Taeryeong-ssi will react. Just seeing him with a woman is completely different from seeing him go to a room with her.” “Wanna bet? Whether Taeryeong-ssi will be jealous or not—Ack!”

Chairman Seo had suddenly hit Kyungjin’s backside with the cane he was holding. Startled, the two men turned around and froze upon seeing Chairman Seo.

“You insolent brats! If your friend got married first, shouldn’t you be helping him live well, instead of fanning the flames of a marital fight?”

Only after being thoroughly beaten did the two men kneel before Chairman Seo like crestfallen children.

“Confess everything!”

Instead of Kyungjin, who was exaggerating all sorts of pain, Jaewoo calmly reported all the events that had transpired. The grandfathers of the two men, who had appeared unnoticed, couldn’t bring themselves to side with their immature grandsons. When Jaewoo finished speaking, Chairman Seo’s face was red with anger.

“Father, are you still going to say that your grandson is the best husband in the world after all this?”

At Yeonsuk’s prim words, Chairman Seo, his vision darkening, squeezed his eyes shut. Secretary Yoon had clearly said that the grandson and his wife seemed to be getting along well. Especially that his grandson seemed to be putting in more effort. So he had been relieved. He had hoped that his grandson, unlike him or his son, would become a wonderful husband. But who would have known that his grandson was repeating the same things he had done in his younger days? Slowly opening his eyes, Chairman Seo first gave his verdict on his immature grandson’s friends.

“President Park, and Chairman Jang. Shouldn’t men mature after getting married?”

The two men, who had lived free-spirited lives, looked at their grandfathers with pleading eyes. But they were thoroughly ignored.

“Young-man.”

At Chairman Seo’s call, the chief secretary of Hanshin quickly rushed over.

“Cancel all schedules and have the private jet ready to go to Jeju Island first thing tomorrow morning.”

He had to see with his own two eyes what the situation was with his grandson and his wife. *** 11 PM. Instead of the hotel’s famous lounge bar, Kangjoon sought out a small whiskey bar located in the basement. Was it because his head was complicated? Or because of something emptily missing? It was a night when he craved strong liquor instead of sleep. After ordering the strongest whiskey, he drank three neat glasses in a row, just as his wife had taught him. As he exhaled deeply at the rush of intoxication, his wife flooded his mind again.

‘Right, dear?’

“Dear,” when she hated being called “wife.” And what about that bold touch that had caressed his chest? Even the feather-light stimulation from her slender fingertips had made the firm muscles beneath his shirt ripple. Her sly provocation, her wicked touch, had made his body react intensely even as his stomach churned.

‘Then have a good night, you two.’

After thoroughly provoking him like that, his wife had left with a cool farewell. Thanks to her, he knew just how little interest his wife had in him, not even a sliver. Ah, she had had no interest from the start. And here he was, so desperately clinging to his wife. Kyungsoo in heaven might be laughing at him.

‘Hyung, don’t you know it’s a sin to waste those looks? Please, date someone.’

‘How can I when there’s no woman I like?’

‘If it were my Alicia, even Hyung would fall head over heels.’

It was the moment Kyungsoo’s words had become reality. Roughly running his hand through his hair, Kangjoon murmured.

“......Sorry, Kyungsoo.”

Because I think I’ve fallen for your woman. Revenge no longer held any meaning. But Kangjoon was still confused and hesitant. The undeniable truth was that his wife had been his younger brother’s woman. Taking his younger brother’s woman was truly a despicable act.

“This is driving me crazy.”

What am I supposed to do? After placing a check on the bar, Kangjoon slowly got up. *** He washed his face with cold water in the restroom to try and clear his head. But he still couldn’t come to his senses. His body, soaked in alcohol, kept staggering, and his knees buckled several times. After taking a few steps while holding onto the wall, Kangjoon stopped abruptly. Was he now seeing hallucinations on top of his head being so full? His wife, who had been tormenting him so much, was before him in an innocent guise.

“......Kangjoon-ssi?”

Calling his name with a hint of surprise. Thinking it was an illusion that would disappear like mist if he moved, he took a step closer. But the scent grew stronger, and the clear face became more distinct. Kangjoon chuckled and thought. He would know if he touched her. His slowly outstretched hand swept up the fallen hair. It traced her delicate jawline, went down to her clean neckline, and then his fingertips returned to her lips. At that, the illusion let out a short, faint breath, as if it would break.

“.......(…….)”

“.......(…….)”

The scent wrapping around his nose and the sensation on his fingertips were vivid. A smell and touch that drove a man crazy. But still, Kangjoon dismissed it as an illusion. There was no way the woman before him, with her trembling eyes and agitated expression, was his real wife.

“Did you drink a lot?”

Liquor, yes, he had drunk a lot. He had wanted to wash his mind clean with strong alcohol. Like always, he had wanted to fall asleep without holding anything in, without thinking.

“I think... I drank too much.”

A faint nervousness lingered in her trembling voice. Hey, even her voice is different. Heh heh, a deep chuckle rumbled in Kangjoon’s throat.

“I’m quite drunk right now.”

He wished the wife before him was an illusion. Then he could do what he wanted without hesitation. But if she wasn’t an illusion, it was quite dangerous.

“That’s why I’m going crazy.”

Restraint or reason, none of it remained now. Closing his eyes, Kangjoon lowered his head. Their faces, and lips, grew closer. A refreshing mint scent wafted from his wife’s parted lips. Damn it, this woman smelled good and even her breath was sweet. Like a single malt whiskey with a rich aroma and deep flavor.

“What I want to do.”

He just felt insanely good, that was the only thought in his head, so he moved his face even closer.

“What I want from you.”

The moment their noses brushed, Kangjoon thought. He would rather she slap him and push him away, asking what he was doing. At the same time, he wanted her to accept his beastly, dangerous self as he was. A strange duality tangled in his head.

“I don’t know either.”

Hardly opening his eyes, even his surroundings swayed like his alcohol-addled brain. Even the illusion before him. The moment his body swayed slightly from dizziness, trembling fingertips burrowed into his waist and carefully wrapped around it. Through his blurry vision, he saw his wife, who was maddeningly his type and yet made his stomach churn. Calm eyes, clear pupils, soft gaze.

“So if you’re an illusion, just disappear.”

At that moment, Kangjoon realized. It wasn’t the strong alcohol that had intoxicated him, it was his wife.

“Please, run away.”

With his fingertips, which had reached out as if possessed, he lifted his wife’s small chin and murmured.

“Or, I’ll kiss you.”

Lowering his lips, squeezing out the last bit of his reason, Kangjoon lowered his face.