Her husband gently invaded her softened lips. The sensation of him thoroughly licking and tightly sucking made Taeryeong’s head spin. Like a burning candle, the senses throughout her body seemed to melt and dissipate. Moistness welled up between her trembling long eyelashes. She felt like she wouldn’t mind melting away and disappearing like this. So, she wished she could seep into this man’s heart. She wished she could just stay inside this man forever without a form. In a space where time seemed to have stopped, it felt like only the two of them existed. The space beneath her dangling toes felt unrealistically distant, as if she were floating. She wanted to be true to the shy yet bold desire surging within her chest. So, Taeryeong clung to her husband and burrowed deeper. Her slender fingers, which had been tracing the firm muscles hidden beneath his suit, dug into her husband’s fine black hair. As if it were a signal, her husband delved deeper, and the kiss intensified. Letting out a panting breath, she slightly opened her eyes, and her vision was blurry as if through a fog. Yet, her husband’s obliquely lowered eyes shone clearly. Burning eyes that consumed him and even consumed Taeryeong. She liked those eyes that desired her. For now, it didn’t seem like this man was acting. It felt like eyes that wanted Joo Se-hee, not Yoo Taeryeong. As he gently sucked on her lower lip, her husband pulled away. As his rough breaths escaped, the fire slowly extinguished in his fiercely burning pupils. Once even the faint embers disappeared, his long, firm fingertips approached and gently caressed Taeryeong. Her swollen lips, her smooth cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

“The hunter is gone.”

As her husband spoke calmly, he seemed to have brushed away everything from just a moment ago as if it were an act. His burning eyes, his rough breaths, the desire he had unreservedly shown towards her. Looking at her husband’s indifferent eyes, which had erased everything, strangely made her heart ache. For this man, everything was so easy. It would probably be easy for him to forget her too. Biting her lip, Taeryeong lowered her eyes in a resigned mood. Now it would be the question-and-answer session. Just then, Taeryeong’s eyes widened.

“Get on my back.”

Instead of asking a question, her husband had knelt on one knee, offering her his back.

“If you don’t want to go to the parking lot barefoot.”

Still, when Taeryeong didn’t move, her husband continued, as brazen as he could be nonchalant.

“If you don’t want to get on my back, I can tell Chief Yoon, who happily went home, to buy you shoes and come back.”

“......”

“He’s probably heading home with an ice cream cake his daughter likes.”

If coercion was a talent, this man was born with it. Letting out a small sigh, Taeryeong carefully got on her husband’s back. Her carefulness was almost embarrassing, as her husband stood up and started walking with such ease. His broad back, like his broad chest, was so warm and comfortable. He had offered his embrace, and now he was offering his back. A bitter smile spread across Taeryeong’s face. Giving strength to the arms wrapped around her husband’s neck, she quietly pressed her cheek against his back. She tried to remember if she had ever been carried on someone’s back before, but she hadn’t. This was also her first time with her husband. Why did he keep taking away her firsts? Did this man even know that?

________________________________________

Even after arriving home, her husband didn’t ask anything. He sat Taeryeong down in the living room after she had showered, disinfected her wounded knee, and applied medicine. Unable to bear her husband’s silence, Taeryeong asked first.

“Why aren’t you asking me anything?”

It was better to get the scolding over with sooner rather than later. Instead of trembling with anxiety until her husband asked, it was better to ask first.

“Because there’s nothing I want to ask.”

Her husband’s answer confused Taeryeong even more. It felt like he was tightening the noose around her neck.

“How can you say that?”

Knowing that she was a fake. And about what happened today. She tried to speak calmly, but her voice seemed slightly agitated.

“Kangjoon-ssi, you have so many things to ask me.”

Who are you, what’s your identity, what’s your purpose? But why aren’t you asking anything? Only after applying a bandage to her wound did her husband slowly raise his head. The eyes that met hers were firm and solid. Pressuring Taeryeong with those eyes, he slowly opened his mouth.

“Would you believe me if I said I loved you?”

The word “love” that her husband uttered so calmly made her heart plummet to the abyss. Her vision went white, and Taeryeong closed her eyes for a moment. The thoughts she had in the morning flashed through her mind. Her husband’s new revenge, which had changed direction. It felt like it was really right in front of her. With her eyes closed, Taeryeong murmured as if whispering,

“No, I don’t believe you.”

Opening her eyes slowly again, she said more firmly once more.

“I absolutely don’t believe you.”

As if she were talking to herself, not her husband. Taeryeong’s voice, as she slowly continued, was cold.

“Kangjoon-ssi, if there’s something you want, just tell me directly.”

She wanted to let her husband know. That he would never hear the words “I love you” from her lips. That she would never choose to stay by his side instead of her own life. And she wanted her husband to speak honestly. Then they could put their heads together and find a better way.

“What I want from Taeryeong-ssi...”

Unlike the sharp Taeryeong, her husband was still relaxed and nonchalant. His hand, brushing back his fallen hair as if lost in thought, was languid. And then he met her eyes.

“Look at me properly.”

His long, firm finger slowly rose and pointed to Taeryeong’s head.

“Without pre-judging me with that well-functioning brain of yours.”

His finger, which had fallen again, stopped at her chest.

“Just as you feel here.”

To be precise, at the heart hiding and holding its breath in her shallow chest.

“The head can lie, but the heart doesn’t lie.”

It felt like her husband’s eyes and fingertips were piercing her heart like well-honed spear tips.

“It’s not a demand, just my wish.”

His hand, which had slowly risen again, cupped Taeryeong’s smooth cheek and made her meet his eyes.

“That Taeryeong-ssi would trust me.”

Her heart pounded at her husband’s tender and affectionate whisper. What he wanted was genuine. Trust, which was even more difficult than love. How much was he going to use her and break her down? He was throwing a dense and tough net over Taeryeong to trap her so she could never escape. As if he were about to kiss her again, a kiss they hadn’t finished, Taeryeong turned away from her husband’s slowly approaching lips. On the sofa, her tightly clenched fist was white.

“I said it wasn’t a demand, didn’t I?”

The voice that flowed out was surprisingly low and calm. Like a decision she had solidified more firmly with her head and heart. The more you shake me, the stronger I will become. The closer you get, the farther I will move away. If I endure like that, time will pass. The day I cut through the net you’ve cast and return to the water. Towards the freedom and revenge I so desire, towards the things I want.

“That will never happen. That’s my answer.”

Even though her rejection was clear, her husband was still relaxed. As if he had expected Taeryeong’s answer.

“You must be busy using your head for work, so don’t use it on me.”

That answer just now, you gave it with your head, didn’t you? It was as if he were asking that.

“Between a married couple, we should talk with this, not our heads.”

This time, her husband placed his hand near his heart.

“I know it’s difficult for Taeryeong-ssi. That’s why I’m going to help you.”

As if to say he was already communicating with her heart. The staring black pupils were brazenly arrogant and confident.

“So that you can communicate with me.”

Meeting those eyes, Taeryeong felt a sudden fear. The man before her was so solid and unyielding. It felt like no matter what she did, she wouldn’t be able to stop this madness.

“I’m tired, so I’ll go to bed first.”

Taeryeong stood up and headed to the bedroom as if fleeing. If she stayed with her husband any longer, she felt like her head would explode. This man was dangerous, truly and terribly dangerous.

________________________________________

A black van arrived at the department store parking lot.

“Hyung, thanks. I’ll be back in 30 minutes.”

It was time he had managed to get by pleading with the manager. Jin-woo, who had gotten on the elevator, recalled the woman he had seen at Seri Jang’s birthday party a few days ago.

“It was definitely Joo Se-hee.”

Her makeup and style were different, but Joo Se-hee’s unique aura was still there. Especially the cool composure that didn’t waver even when their eyes met. Wanting to follow her and confirm it somehow, he had chased after the woman. But instead of confirmation, he had only witnessed an embarrassing scene and returned feeling disgusted. Looking down from the third-floor stairs, the woman was passionately kissing a man. He couldn’t see their faces, but the high ponytail and the clothes were definitely that woman’s. He even wondered if she had rushed down so quickly when he called because she wanted to see that man.

“How can they kiss so long, knowing someone is watching?”

He had to retreat, fearing he would look like a pervert if he watched any longer. He was almost certain it was Joo Se-hee. But he couldn’t imagine Joo Se-hee kissing a man so deeply.

“This is driving me crazy.”

Something felt uneasy and unrest. So, he had come up with the idea of his younger sister. He would offer her a bribe and probe. This time, instead of testing the waters, he planned to corner her as if he were certain. He would say he knew everything, that he had confirmed Joo Se-hee was in the Inno Fashion secretarial office. Then his simple-minded sister would probably spill something. Fortunately, there weren’t many customers, perhaps because it was an expensive luxury store.

“Please show me some of the best-selling new designs that have come out recently.”

The employee’s eyes widened as she recognized Jin-woo, and he once again flashed his signature charming smile.

“My younger sister’s birthday is coming up. You know? The pretty one who looks like me.”

Normally, employees shouldn’t act familiar with customers. But Jin-woo’s unique smile had a disarming friendliness that made people lower their guard. Stealing glances at the manager, the employee whispered with a flushed face,

“Jin-woo-nim, you’re much more handsome in person than on screen.”

“The real thing is better, right? My face looks smaller too.”

Jin-woo, who had responded smoothly, looked around at the bags and sent a message to Jin-kyung.

[Looking at your bags at the Chanel store. Let me know if there’s a model you wanted to buy.]

But there was a slight commotion in the back. The manager was rushing to greet a middle-aged woman and a tall man who had just entered the store.

“Please wait a moment, and we will arrange for you to browse comfortably.”

The arrangement probably meant getting him out of the store. So that the clearly VVIP man could have the store to himself and browse comfortably. As if that was the case, the employee in front of Jin-woo was looking at him expectantly. Damn rich people, always showing their bad attitude everywhere. Jin-woo grumbled inwardly. He was in a bad mood but couldn’t protest. This was when being a public figure really sucked. Just as he was wondering if he should leave first so the employee wouldn’t be in trouble.

“If you wait on the 15th floor, we’ll bring you the models by...?”

The man refused the manager’s offer with a small gesture. He thought that small gesture was quite elegant.

“I plan to shop quietly and leave, so please carry on with your work.”

His tone and attitude towards the employee were polite. Rather than a power-tripping tycoon, the man was a courteous gentleman. Whose son was he, to have such good character and be so handsome? The tall man with a solid build wore his suit impeccably, even better than a model. More than his good looks, the aura surrounding him was truly luxurious. Was that the aura of someone who had been rich since birth? As he kept looking, it was a presence that endlessly undermined the self-esteem of the same man. Just then, Jin-kyung called.

[Oppa, are you really buying me a bag?]

Even the tension in her high-pitched voice was extraordinary. Jin-woo barely managed to suppress a laugh.

“Then who else would I buy a woman’s bag for? And who was that actor you like? I’ll even get Kim Young-kang’s autograph for you.”

[Hmm, there’s no way Kim Jin-woo would give something for free. What could our puppy oppa want?]

“Jin-kyung, it’s about Joo Se-hee.”

[Cut it out.]

But before he could even get to the point, his sister cut him off sharply. Now it was Jin-woo who was getting frustrated.

“Hey! I’m doing this because I’m worried about Se-hee, okay?”

If that woman was Joo Se-hee. He hadn’t seen her up close, but she looked much thinner and more frail than the last time he saw her. It was like if he blew on her, she would float away like a dandelion seed. What on earth was she doing in Seoul to look like that? Well, she was still pretty though. Just as he was walking out of the store while answering the phone, he felt a piercing gaze.

“I’m telling you, she looked terrible! My Joo Se-hee was so skinny. Isn’t it because there’s no one to take care of her?”

The moment he casually turned his head, his eyes met the man’s pitch-black pupils. That gaze was so cold and ferocious. Jin-woo almost dropped his phone.

Even though their eyes met, the man didn’t bother to look away. What was even more infuriating was that he had been intimidated by just a look, without any reason. He was a man who was shockingly confident and arrogant. Had his phone voice been impolitely loud? No, that wasn’t it. Just as he was having all sorts of thoughts, the middle-aged woman spoke to the man. Only then did the man slowly turn his gaze away first. Coming out of the store, Jin-woo looked at the man with a dumbfounded expression. No matter how he looked at it, it didn’t seem like he had done anything wrong. Scratch that about him being a courteous gentleman. His manners and consideration were probably only for women.

“......What is it, making people feel bad.”

The man was a ferocious beast in an elegant suit. And a top predator at that. It was his gut feeling and instinct that if he got on that kind of guy’s bad side, he wouldn’t even be able to find his bones. So, Jin-woo decided to buy the bag another time.