About to cross the line, dangerously precarious, about to explode after holding back. Taeryeong knew this tension that densely filled the air. That night had been the same. Knowing that, her body trembled with a strange anticipation. The hot blood flowing from her heart circulated through her body, preheating it. She wished he would just stop like this. No, she wished he would just hold her so she couldn’t think of anything. The moment these conflicting thoughts washed over Taeryeong like waves, a low and husky whisper brushed against her ear.

“Don’t be nervous, and don’t be scared.”

Her husband’s dark eyes, looking down at her askance, were seething.

“I told you I’d wait for you.”

Unlike his seething eyes, his voice was low and rational. Then, her husband slowly slid his face downwards.

“Still, you’re being impudent, so I have to punish you.”

The lips that had been murmuring lowly touched her nape, and Taeryeong held her breath. Chuu, her husband gently kissed her fair nape. He moved away and then touched her again, holding her more deeply before releasing her. As his hot and moist breath dampened her delicate skin, Taeryeong closed her eyes and bit her lip.

“Intentionally avoiding me, letting me sleep alone.”

His words tickled her skin as he spoke without lifting his lips.

“When... did I ever... do that?”

Her words were slow and staccato as she tried to steady her breathing.

“You’re going to play innocent.”

Her husband chuckled, and his warm breath spread across her nape.

“You need to be punished more.”

Knowing what that punishment was, Taeryeong confessed with a trembling breath.

“I admit it!”

She had checked her schedule and intentionally avoided him. She had deliberately come home late because she was afraid of the nights she fell asleep in his arms.

“......I was wrong.”

She felt like she couldn’t hold on any longer. This man’s punishment was too sweet, and she felt like she would lose her mind. She felt like she would beg him to hold her.

“Do you know that you’re driving me crazy, Madam?”

Muttering lowly, Kangjoon held Taeryeong in his arms and spun around. He had almost crossed the line in a daze. He hadn’t even realized his wife was trembling beneath him, and she hadn’t opened her heart yet. Of course, it was hard for Kangjoon to hold back and wait. He had never held back before, and he had never waited for anything. But he had to suppress this overflowing feeling. Along with the hot energy inside his body that exercise could never relieve. Oblivious to such pain, his wife had been busy avoiding him. If he couldn’t hold her as much as he wanted, why couldn’t he at least look at her as much as he wanted? Resting his chin on her small head, Kangjoon grumbled.

“I can’t sleep if you’re not in my arms, my chest feels empty.”

His wife was like a sweet torture to Kangjoon. It was so hard, yet so sweet he couldn’t stop.

“If I hold you, my body aches.”

Kangjoon hugged his wife tighter and closed his eyes.

“Well, it’s still better than my body aching.”

He just wished Joo Se-hee would understand even a little. How well he was holding back, enduring, being considerate, and waiting.

“You’re making me a patriot, Madam.”

Until the East Sea dries up and Baekdu Mountain wears away. May God protect our country, hurray.

“You make me sing the national anthem every night, something I didn’t even do when I was a minor.”

Three thousand miles of splendid rivers and mountains covered with hibiscus. May the Korean people, with Korea, last forever.

“The national anthem is more effective than Kim Su-han-mu, I’ve found.”

Self-deprecating laughter occasionally escaped him.

“Is it because it’s grand and sacred?”

Taeryeong nestled in his cozy embrace and listened quietly. Her husband’s low murmuring overlaid the pounding of his strong heartbeat like harmony.

“I didn’t know it myself, but I’m quite good at holding back and waiting.”

At some point, his words slowed down, like the hand stroking her back.

“So, come slowly.”

Was he talking to Taeryeong, or was he talking in his sleep?

“I’ll wait as long as it takes... just come to me.”

The last thing she heard was his quiet breathing falling above her head. Only then did Taeryeong close her eyes and burrow into her husband’s embrace. You probably don’t know. That I also feel empty without you now. That even though my heart beats wildly when I’m held, I can only fall asleep in your arms. Swallowing the words she couldn’t bring herself to say, Taeryeong forced herself to sleep. Tomorrow was the day she was meeting Madam Jo.

________________________________________

Lunchtime. Madam Jo, who had met Taeryeong, didn’t act irritable as usual. She greeted her calmly, asking if she had come, and told her to eat comfortably.

“Aren’t you eating, Mom?”

“I’m on a diet, so you eat comfortably.”

Madam Jo’s gaze, watching Taeryeong eat carefully while being mindful of her, was sharp. The dinner with the head of Hanshin Group had been a sudden meeting. So, on that day, Kangjoon’s threat disguised as a request had just been infuriating and resentful. But after coming home and thinking about it repeatedly, she felt something was strange and ominous. Was he really telling Taeryeong to gain weight so he could enjoy his private life comfortably? Or was he using that child as a shield again? She remembered Kangjoon’s gaze that had glared at her in the Inno Fashion office. It was a man’s instinct to protect his woman. Madam Jo opened her mouth calmly.

“It’s only three months left now. Time really flies, doesn’t it?”

Taeryeong would have kept the secret because of her grandmother. But there was no rule saying she couldn’t be greedy. For someone who had lived so lowly, this world she had tasted once would be sweet and alluring. A handsome husband, wealth, background, and position. What woman in the world would refuse? She had pretended to be selfless in front of her and then gone to her daughter and created that situation. The reason was simple. She probably didn’t want to give up what she was enjoying now. She probably dared to delude herself into thinking she could be a perfect substitute. Just like her vulgar and dirty mother.

“So, how about we continue like this? As the eldest daughter of Inno Group, as the daughter-in-law of the Hanshin family.”

Madam Jo smiled elegantly and gently. She had to check if that detestable creature was plotting something or not.

“Are you perhaps suggesting we extend the contract?”

“I mean for you to become my real daughter, Yoo Taeryeong.”

“I’m sorry, but may I ask why?”

“That child said she might have difficulty getting pregnant. Even if she succeeds, there’s a high chance of miscarriage. To achieve the purpose of this marriage, we absolutely need a child. But you’re healthy, aren’t you? And you listen to me better than that child.”

Now it was time to dangle the sweet bait.

“If you accept my offer, I plan to treat you like my real daughter too. We have to be a close mother and daughter for life, so there can’t be any harsh words or violence. Don’t you agree?”

Madam Jo desperately wished for that detestable creature to quickly take the bait and reveal her sinister intentions.

“If you become the real Yoo Taeryeong, all the assets meant for that child will be yours. Of course, I’ll take responsibility for your grandmother’s health for the rest of her life. You know I have all the hospitals in Korea under my thumb, don’t you?”

She planned to grab that tempting hair first and tear it out if she just said, “I will.”

“Instead, you just have to promise me one thing. That you’ll give birth to Seo Kangjoon’s son.”

Unlike her soft smile, Madam Jo’s eyes were as cold and clear as glass beads.

“Then I will be a generous mother-in-law to you for life, and a strong supporter.”

Taeryeong knew Madam Jo too well to fall for such plausible acting and tempting bait. She was a woman who would abandon her own daughter if she had no use for her. But she was also not a woman who would ever make her her real daughter, no matter what. The conclusion was that Madam Jo was testing Taeryeong right now. Dangling the sweet bait while checking if she harbored any ulterior motives towards Seo Kangjoon. The moment I take the bait, you’ll bare your ferocious teeth and tear me to shreds.

“I’m so sorry, Mom. I can’t do it.”

Lowering her eyes as if scared, Taeryeong refused carefully.

“Now that I know what kind of man Seo Kangjoon-ssi is, I’m not confident I can handle him. I’m barely holding on now, just waiting for the contract period to end.”

“......”

“That man thinks of his wife as property. Like a bird in a cage, he confines me under the guise of protection and monitors my every move. It might be safe, but I’ll slowly wither away.”

“That’s a shame. If you don’t want to, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Even at this moment, Madam Jo’s mind was working quickly. If Seo Kangjoon had wanted to, he would have slept with that child regardless of her will. But the fact that nothing happened meant that he didn’t like demure women. Not just that he didn’t like them, he might even dislike them. Before marriage, he was a bachelor and didn’t even look at women, to the point where ridiculous rumors circulated. It was obvious that such a man would only enjoy his private life after marriage.

“Then I’ll make another proposal.”

Suddenly, a suspicion arose. Hadn’t she deliberately acted in a way to make him lose interest in this marriage? That child knew she was desperate for this marriage. Enough to set up the illegitimate child of a husband she loathed, and what’s more, the daughter of her own twin sister, as a substitute. If so, the events so far made sense. The separation immediately after returning to Korea, Seo Kangjoon’s affair. It was clear that all of it was that child’s intention. Madam Jo’s fingertips trembled with anger, but she didn’t show it and continued calmly.

“You know what my daughter’s personality is like, right? For the remaining period, try to imitate that child and get along moderately well. It would be best if you gained as much weight as possible. But don’t cross the line.”

Then she had no choice but to make a counter-demand. She had to lay the groundwork anyway before the switch, so that no one would notice she was a different person.

“I plan to put things back in place in two months.”

“Are you saying you’ll shorten it by a month?”

Relief washed over the large eyes that had been filled with anxiety, and Madam Jo’s stomach twisted. She wanted to torment her for the full three months if she could. But with the unexpected return of Seo Kangjoon, there was no benefit in dragging things out. Her daughter, who had a strong penchant for men, would probably handle things on her own, but she would also do some background checks as insurance.

“Find out everything about Seo Kangjoon’s favorite foods, tastes, hobbies, and ideal woman. Report even the smallest details.”

Taeryeong, who had been listening quietly, carefully opened her mouth.

“Getting along moderately well as a couple, providing information about Kangjoon-ssi. I’m receiving one benefit, but there are two requirements.”

Barely managing to hold back her hand, Madam Jo smiled as elegantly as possible.

“I’m not asking you to do it for free. Tell me what you want.”

“Please write a contract stating that you will give me 5% of the Inno Fashion shares you own. Then I will accept all the requirements you mentioned.”

She had refused even when offered money, but now she was asking for shares. Madam Jo narrowed her eyes, wondering what her ulterior motive was.

“Wouldn’t you rather take the money?”

“Interest rates are low these days, and I don’t know how to manage money. If the project I’m currently pushing forward succeeds, Inno Fashion shares will skyrocket even more, so I think that would be more profitable.”

She was always so sharp when it came to work. Frowning, Madam Jo nodded briefly and told Secretary Jung to come in.

________________________________________

Today was Inno Fashion’s 10th anniversary event. Taeryeong, who had arrived at the hotel just in time, quickened her pace. Checking her wristwatch, the sound of her high heels running towards the banquet hall entrance echoed quickly through the lobby.

“President, this way!”

Secretary Kim, who was waiting for her at the entrance, handed Taeryeong a bottle of water. It was to quench her thirst after running.

“I thought my heart was going to burst.”

Instead of answering, Taeryeong smiled brightly and followed the staff’s guidance onto the stage. With a straight posture as if she hadn’t just run, a composed and unwavering voice, and confident eyes. Taeryeong, who began to recite the anniversary address without a hitch, didn’t know that Jinwoo was also in the banquet hall. She had told the staff to vote for and invite the celebrity they wanted to see the most for the employees who had worked hard together. The male employees had naturally chosen a hot girl idol group, and the female employees had chosen the popular model Kim Jin-woo. But today, she had unfortunately met Madam Jo, and the meeting that usually ended within 10 minutes had dragged on. Arriving in the middle of the event, Jinwoo gazed affectionately at Taeryeong standing on the stage and murmured.

“She really was the president.”

No matter how he looked at her, it was Joo Se-hee. If it had been his usual personality, he would have contacted her immediately, but he couldn’t this time. He felt like the story he would hear would be quite shocking, and he wasn’t confident he could listen to it coolly. The existence of the man who had kissed Se-hee that night. And why his little kid had become Yoo Taeryeong, the president of Inno Fashion. Jinwoo’s current state of mind was just about to make his head spin. It felt like you kept moving further away from me. He wasn’t confident he could smile brightly and congratulate and support her as if it was a good thing. It was the first time he realized he was such a petty man.

“Why are you so beautiful and cool?”

But what could he do? You were still a dazzlingly sparkling existence to him.

“How can I not fall for you, President Yoo Taeryeong?”

Whether it was Joo Se-hee or Yoo Taeryeong. What did a name matter?

“Don’t fall for me.”

But at the low and chilling voice that suddenly came from behind, Jinwoo turned around. Despite his height of 182 centimeters, the man standing behind him was a little taller.

The oppressive aura emanating from the man made Jinwoo involuntarily gulp. But where had he seen this man before? That handsome face, that cold gaze, that arrogant aura. The moment the man’s lips, which were staring down at him with cold eyes, slowly moved, Jinwoo remembered.

“Because that beautiful and cool woman is my wife.”

It was that man. The top predator he had seen at the department store, that male.