“Your breathing is regular, and your complexion is fine. I’ll call you back in 10 minutes.”

The low voice she heard in her sleep was calm and quiet. The moment she thought it was a pleasant voice, Se-hee woke up completely. But she didn’t have the courage to open her eyes. Not only was she in the man’s arms, but her own unruly hands were wrapped around his firm waist. The problem was that she knew who that man was. She had no choice but to pretend to be asleep and frantically rack her brain. How could she smoothly escape this absurd situation? But Kang-joon, having noticed she was awake, spoke to her nonchalantly.

“Are you awake?”

Even a perfect man had something missing: the common sense to pretend not to notice until she opened her eyes first. She reluctantly opened her eyes to find herself in a car. Specifically, the back seat. If it weren’t for her hands wrapped around his waist, she would have feigned offense. Because of these unruly hands, she didn’t even have the right to argue. Se-hee let out a small sigh and slowly sat up, extracting herself from Kang-joon’s embrace. Kang-joon offered her a bottle of water as she awkwardly cleared her throat.

“Drink some first.”

“...Thank you.”

After drinking the water, her parched body seemed to regain some vitality. But she still didn’t have the confidence to look directly at Kang-joon, who was sitting next to her. Kang-joon asked again, seeing her just fiddling with the water bottle.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Thanks to you, CEO.”

This was sincere. If Kang-joon hadn’t taken her into his arms, she would have collapsed on the asphalt.

“You fainted for a little less than 5 minutes. As soon as you embraced me, you burrowed into my arms, so I thought your condition might not be as bad as it seemed. I brought you to the car to observe your condition before taking you to the hospital.”

“...”

“You’re the one who leaned on me and burrowed into my arms while I was sitting next to you, Ms. Joo Se-hee.”

“...”

“If you don’t believe me, I can show you the car’s black box footage...”

“I believe you!”

Kang-joon let out a faint chuckle beside her at her startled, quick reply. But she couldn’t ask why he was laughing. Oh... I want to crawl into a hole. What on earth did you do, Joo Se-hee? Her small hands, resting on her knees, involuntarily clenched with the rush of shame and embarrassment.

“Just in case, I consulted a doctor I know well over the phone, and if you didn’t wake up in 10 minutes, I was going to take you to the hospital.”

“CEO, you shouldn’t have bothered; you should have just taken me to the hospital. Or even called an ambulance.”

Then I wouldn’t have made such a terrible scene or been so embarrassed. Feeling his gaze, Se-hee unconsciously turned her head and was momentarily speechless. His jet-black eyes, looking at her, were hot. It was a raw emotion and temperature. Without even trying to hide it, Kang-joon said nonchalantly.

“Didn’t you dislike hospitals?”

Kang-joon remembered how much she had disliked going to the hospital when she was Yoo Tae-ryeong. Se-hee turned her head as if to avoid his gaze and muttered.

“I don’t like it, but I suppose I have to go in unavoidable situations.”

She thought she understood. His feelings and intentions in creating such an absurd situation to see her. You still love me, right? But you’ll also lose a lot and suffer a lot because of me. You can’t choose me, so you’re trying to see me like this, right? But she hated that. Because it was false hope.

“I’ll think about how to repay your kindness for today. Then, if you’ll excuse me...”

Kang-joon spoke to Se-hee, who had her hand on the car door.

“I was surprised when you collapsed, Ms. Joo Se-hee.”

Looking at Se-hee, who was slowly turning to look at him again, Kang-joon thought. ‘Surprised’ wasn’t enough to describe it. It felt like his heart was sinking, and the world was collapsing. Nevertheless, there was one reason he didn’t insist on the hospital. Of course, it was also true that she didn’t look bad, but he wanted to spend more time with Joo Se-hee. Once he had held her in his arms, he simply couldn’t let her go again. In the car, he tried to keep his distance somehow, but Joo Se-hee truly burrowed into his arms first. Like a baby bird finding its nest. He knew he shouldn’t hold her, but he was also human and a man. The feeling he couldn’t possibly refuse was selfish and greedy. Looking at Kang-joon, her lips, which had been hesitating as if to speak, moved gently.

“I apologize if I startled you. I’ve been overworking lately, so my condition wasn’t good. I won’t show such a state again. Can I get out now?”

When did she ever embrace him first? Seeing Se-hee, who was now raising her guard like a hedgehog, Kang-joon’s mouth tasted bitter. Whether she was Yoo Tae-ryeong or Joo Se-hee. Why are you always so desperate to run away? Am I making you that anxious?

“Stay a little longer and rest. Your complexion is still pale.”

Kang-joon didn’t want to part ways yet. But as always, Joo Se-hee was cold.

“CEO, you must be busy, but I also have another schedule, so I need to go.”

“How about two meals?”

“What...?”

“I mean, paying for two meals as repayment for your kindness.”

Hesitation flickered in her clear eyes. She was probably trying to find a way out again.

“It would also be good if you brought materials to prove your abilities during the meal.”

“...I will. Shall I call you?”

“Ms. Joo Se-hee, do as you please.”

Kang-joon got out of the car first, and Se-hee followed.

“It was nice meeting you. Please drive safely, CEO.”

Perhaps worried that Kang-joon would follow, Se-hee quickly said goodbye and walked away swiftly. She glanced back at Kang-joon, then quickly picked up the bouquet that had fallen on the ground and got into her car. Did Joo Se-hee know how cute her actions just now were? Kang-joon, back in his car, started the engine and vowed once more. Now that I’ve found you, I’ll never let you go again.

________________________________________

On Monday morning, Kang-joon arrived early at his family home. He was facing a divorce, and he had found and met Joo Se-hee. Now it was time to inform his family, or rather, declare war. After a light breakfast, Kang-joon calmly revealed everything to Chairman Seo and Yeon-suk: Kyung-soo’s suicide, Alicia Barton, who had driven him to it, his planned revenge, and the marriage. The fake bride presented by Inno instead of the daughter who needed stomach cancer surgery. And that Joo Se-hee was Vice President Yoo of Inno’s illegitimate child. He meticulously kept quiet about her other past. Not because he was ashamed, but because it was Joo Se-hee’s decision. Unlike Chairman Seo, who surprisingly accepted it calmly, Yeon-suk exploded.

“I knew something was off! I wondered why they were so eager to get rid of such a beautiful daughter. If they hated illegitimate children, they shouldn’t have put her forward as a substitute! Why drag her in and torment her? She’s like a wicked, ignorant woman who has no common sense!”

Still not appeased, she clung to Chairman Seo’s arm this time.

“Father-in-law, how much did Inno look down on our Hanshin to pull off such a scam? I’m so wronged and my pride is so hurt, I can’t live like this. Are you just going to stand by and watch?”

Chairman Seo calmly patted Yeon-suk and asked Kang-joon.

“Kang-joon, what do you want to do?”

“For now, pretend not to know and leave them be.”

Yeon-suk’s eyes widened at Kang-joon’s answer.

“Seo Kang-joon!”

“It’s despicable that they pulled off a scam, but thanks to them, I met my true match, didn’t I?”

How to handle the Inno Group was Joo Se-hee’s decision. And Kang-joon intended to do whatever Joo Se-hee wanted.

“So, what do you intend to do?”

“I’ll divorce Yoo Tae-ryeong and marry Joo Se-hee.”

Finally, a long sigh escaped Chairman Seo’s lips. Of course, Chairman Seo was also very fond of that girl. But this was not something that could be easily resolved. Whatever the circumstances, his grandson was having an affair with his wife’s half-sister. It was beyond outrageous.

“Does that child want to marry you again too?”

“I’ll make her want to.”

At that infuriating answer, Chairman Seo’s head began to throb.

“Alternatively, how about I pressure Inno to officially register that child in the family register? Then it would be much easier to handle.”

“Se-hee wouldn’t want that.”

But Kang-joon firmly refused. If she had wanted that, Joo Se-hee wouldn’t have left him in the first place.

“One more thing I’d like to tell you in advance: if I succeed in proposing, I hope you won’t bring up Se-hee’s past. Unless she speaks of it herself, I don’t want you to dig into her background either.”

The two now looked at Kang-joon with resigned eyes. It was as if they were asking if there were any more shocking truths.

“Please only remember her as the Joo Se-hee you cherished. Whatever her past, that is her true self.”

Just as he now only saw Joo Se-hee. Looking into Joo Se-hee’s past, he understood. Why Se-hee had asked him if she was pretty, and why she had asked him to remember her just as she was.

“You wouldn’t want your only grandson and son to live alone and grow old by himself his entire life. If you oppose Joo Se-hee, I can simply step down from my position as Hanshin Group successor.”

At his words, which were nothing short of a polite threat, Chairman Seo’s white eyebrows twitched, and Kang-joon spoke again.

“Your grandson and your son love Joo Se-hee that much.”

The two looked momentarily stunned by this unfamiliar side of Kang-joon. But Chairman Seo, who recovered first, said.

“If you need my help, just say the word.”

With a word of thanks, Kang-joon bowed to Chairman Seo and stood up. Yeon-suk scurried out after him.

“Son, what can Mom do?”

“If I persuade Se-hee and bring her back, just treat her warmly like before.”

“Is that even a question? Just bring her. Then Mom will treat her like my own daughter. Or, should I go meet Se-hee?”

Kang-joon recalled Se-hee, who had followed Yeon-suk well. He thought that if push came to shove, he could deploy Yeon-suk as a reinforcement later.

“First, divorce is the urgent matter. I’ll tell you after that.”

Kang-joon’s steps felt much lighter as he left his family home. *** After parting ways with Kang-joon, Se-hee called him the very next day. When she said lunch was more convenient than dinner, and asked if Friday was okay, Kang-joon said it was fine. They agreed to decide on the location that day, and when she called on Wednesday, he requested lunch delivery to his office. Se-hee muttered to herself as she drove to Hanshin Motors headquarters.

“If he’s busy, he could just say ‘let’s eat later’.”

It wasn’t the only day. For some reason, there was no traffic, so she arrived at Hanshin headquarters 20 minutes early. Se-hee debated whether to go up exactly on time but decided to just go up. If they started 20 minutes early, it would end that much sooner, and if he was working, she could just wait. When she got out of the elevator, the secretary, who had been contacted by the lobby on the first floor, kindly guided her to the office corridor.

“You can go directly into the office.”

Right away like this? The secretary smiled brightly as Se-hee looked at her with curious eyes.

“I was instructed to escort the guest directly to the office if they arrived at 1:30 PM.”

Only then did Se-hee slowly walk down the corridor. As a courtesy, she knocked twice and opened the door. In the spacious office, Kang-joon was not at the desk, which was backed by a floor-to-ceiling window. Then where...? As she went further inside, Kang-joon was stretched out on the sofa, asleep. Even his slightly disheveled appearance—jacket off, tie loosely pulled down—was attractive. How tired must the always-perfect man have been to fall asleep like this? Se-hee hesitated whether to leave or not, then cautiously approached the sofa. The sunlight, streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling glass window, illuminated Kang-joon’s face.

“It must be hard to sleep comfortably if it’s too bright.”

Se-hee’s shadow, standing in front of the sofa, cast a shade over Kang-joon’s face. Watching him sleep soundly, her heart inexplicably softened. She used to see him every day when she was Yoo Tae-ryeong, but now it was a sight she couldn’t see. His neatly drawn eyebrows, his long eyelashes for a man, his flawless skin, his stubbornly pursed soft lips. His appearance was still wonderful, but the sharper lines of his face and jawline were concerning.

“You should take care of yourself and eat regularly.”

Then, Se-hee saw something. A single eyelash stuck below his quietly closed left eye. It must be ticklish. Se-hee hesitated for a moment, then leaned down and slowly extended her hand. But before her hand could reach him, her flowing hair touched Kang-joon’s face. Se-hee, startled, was about to straighten up when her wrist was grabbed and pulled.

“...”

Se-hee stumbled and fell onto Kang-joon’s body. She was so flustered that she couldn’t even breathe properly. I should have just left the eyelash or whatever. She regretted it, but it was too late. She could only hold her breath and watch his thin eyelids slowly rise. The moment she met his half-closed, drowsily unfocused black eyes, Se-hee froze. Those eyes. The soft, warm eyes she had missed so terribly.

“...Joo Se-hee.”

The voice that escaped him, whispered, gentle enough to bring tears to her eyes. The moment the strong wall of caution she had built collapsed, a large hand cupped her small head and pulled her down.