[Oh, pregnancy test? Okay, al... what?!]

At Jin-kyung’s high-pitched voice at the end, Se-hee thought, Oh no. She knew how hard it was to calm an excited Kim Jin-kyung.

“Jin-kyung, I’m sorry. Could you just not come today? I’ll call you tomorrow.”

[No, no! I’ll buy it right now and go straight there! So you just stay put at home...?]

“Kim Jin-kyung.”

Se-hee called Jin-kyung’s name in a surprisingly calm voice, cutting her off. When the other end of the phone fell silent, she finally continued calmly.

“I’m confused too. So I think I need to clear my thoughts alone. Can you do that for me?”

They were two people who knew each other too well. In the end, Jin-kyung sighed deeply and said okay before hanging up. Se-hee knew Jin-kyung meant well, but she didn’t have the energy to let Jin-kyung into her home and deal with her right now.

“It’s better if I just go buy it myself.”

To get some fresh air and stop by the pharmacy, Se-hee lightly put on a cardigan and left the house. She had always taken the car, but this was her first time walking around her neighborhood. As she walked slowly in the warm sunlight, her fluttering heart felt like it was settling down. On her way home after buying the test kit.

“Oh? You’re the person living in Unit 505, right?”

The moment she arrived at the villa entrance, someone called out to Se-hee from behind. She slowly turned around to see a young man she had never seen before smiling and standing there.

“Who are you?”

“Oh, that’s disappointing, isn’t it? We’ve taken the elevator together quite a few times. I’m the person living in Unit 605. Strictly speaking, I’m your neighbor, the one living upstairs.”

Instead of answering, Se-hee stared intently at the man to gauge his intentions. Perhaps her silence seemed cautious, as the man smiled gently.

“I hope you don’t look at me like that; I’m not a strange person. Honestly, living in a house of this caliber is basically a guarantee of good character, isn’t it?”

The luxury villa, built to house only 30 families within its complex, had a price of around 2 billion won per unit. It wasn’t cheap, but it wasn’t exorbitant either, just an average house price in Seoul. But what did house prices have to do with character guarantees? The man was one of the types Se-hee disliked. A person full of pretense who judged by money.

“I just hoped we could greet each other as neighbors living in the same building...”

Se-hee calmly cut off the man’s words.

“I’m sorry. I’m an unsociable and reclusive person, so I’m not good at getting close to anyone. I’m even worse at just being polite for appearance’s sake. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Se-hee turned and walked away slowly. However, since they were in the same building, she had no choice but to ride the elevator with him. The man spoke to Se-hee again, who was thoroughly ignoring him.

“By the way, what perfume do you use? I always notice you smell nice.”

What does it matter if I wear perfume or anything else? At this point, a faint irritation began to rise. But Se-hee showed no reaction and just looked straight ahead. And as the elevator reached the 5th floor, she quickly got off. Because she hadn’t even given him a glance, Se-hee didn’t know that the man was watching her until the elevator doors slowly closed. Once inside her home, Se-hee sat on the sofa and read the test kit instructions.

“The most accurate test is done with the first morning urine, as it contains the most concentrated pregnancy hormones. So, it won’t work today.”

After putting down the test kit, she gently touched her still-flat stomach. Could there really be life breathing in this small space? Her heart was subtly pounding, even though she hadn’t confirmed it yet. Pregnancy, she hadn’t even imagined it. No, her life since returning from Germany had been too overwhelming and busy to even think of such a thing. Living each day without Seo Kang-joon, putting into action the plans she had prepared all this time. Nevertheless, she desperately wished. That she could receive the best gift Seo Kang-joon had ever given her in her life. *** As soon as Alicia opened her eyes in the morning, she headed to the family court. Walking out alone after finalizing the divorce, she felt strange. The sky was clear without a single cloud. Yet, she was afraid to take a step, as if a heavy rain were pouring down. It felt like from the moment she took this step, she would truly be utterly alone. Having divorced the Hanshin heir, the Inno Group would abandon her. If only they would just abandon her, it would be a relief. She was afraid Ms. Jo would come after her for revenge. She knew better than anyone that Ms. Jo was not a woman who would spare her own daughter. The conclusion was that she had no one now. No friends, no family, no loved one. That’s why Alicia missed Kyung-soo even more.

“That fool. Just you wait if you’re really dead.”

A long sigh escaped Alicia’s lips as she muttered softly. For now, she intended to go to Germany as she had a lead, but the chances of Kyung-soo being alive were slim. But she couldn’t bring herself to stay in Korea. She had expressed her intention to resign from the CEO position and had even divorced. Her task was done, and if Joo Se-hee broke her promise, she would be a penniless beggar. When her thoughts reached that point, Alicia was suddenly seized with fear and dread. Her pride was also hurt. She had entrusted her entire life to Joo Se-hee. What if that cunning, tenacious woman had planned to get revenge on me too? If so, she had succeeded perfectly. Her only usefulness to the Inno Group ended the moment she divorced Seo Kang-joon. Only then did her vision go black. Why did I believe that tenacious woman so readily? She felt foolish for trusting and following her without even getting a contract. But it was too late to regret.

“Just you wait if you don’t give me the money, Joo Se-hee. It’ll be you and me, dead.”

Since she was pushed to the edge of a cliff, she would never die alone. It was the moment Alicia, with a hardened resolve, stepped onto the stairs.

“Alicia Barton.”

From behind, someone called her name in a pleasant baritone. She turned around to see Seo Kang-joon, who had approached with long strides, stopping in front of Alicia. His cold gaze looking down, his indifferent expression. Whenever she stood before this man, the fine hairs on her body stood on end from tension. Now that she was penniless and divorced, she felt even more miserable.

“I’d like to have a brief conversation with you.”

Alicia almost let out a sarcastic laugh. After returning from Germany, he had confined her to a hotel and communicated everything through his secretary. And now he wanted to have a conversation?

“What if I don’t want to?”

Alicia glared and snapped back quietly. You devil, even a worm will squirm if you step on it! But he wasn’t the kind of man to react to such things.

“I suppose you’re still under the illusion that you have a choice.”

The voice that flowed from his gently moving lips was as cold and indifferent as his gaze. Kang-joon brushed past Alicia as if telling her to follow, and went down the stairs. Just as Kyung-soo had said, this man was definitely an emotionless AI. What a tenacious man. What a jinx! Alicia couldn’t help but follow him, glaring at his annoyingly handsome back.

________________________________________

...Alicia said she had an appointment. They traveled by car, and the two sat facing each other at a cafe near the meeting place.

“Kyung-soo died to prove he loved you. Will you believe him now?”

At Kang-joon’s direct question, Alicia’s large eyes welled up with tears. Looking at Alicia like that, Kang-joon realized his feelings for Joo Se-hee once again. Even before he loved Joo Se-hee, it strangely pained him to see tears well up in those beautiful eyes. But Alicia, who seemed to shed tears as if they were a weapon, just annoyed him.

“Can I assume those tears are for Kyung-soo’s death, even a little?”

“You cruel bastard. You devil. How could you say such a thing?”

“Answer.”

“I loved Kyung-soo too!”

Tears finally streamed down Alicia’s cheeks as she spat out the words. Glaring at Kang-joon, who indifferently watched her tears, Alicia spoke with trembling lips.

“I don’t care if you believe me or not. I just loved Kyung-soo in my own way.”

“Driving the man you love to his death seems to be Alicia Barton’s way, doesn’t it?”

Alicia, who shot up from her seat at his blatant sarcasm, glared at Kang-joon as if to kill him.

“Among the things men say, ‘I love you’ is the most unreliable. But how could I just believe those words? So I just wanted to test him! I thought if he still loved me after hearing such harsh words, Kyung-soo would follow me even to Korea. I didn’t really want him to die... sniffle.”

“...”

“I thought I loved the things I had enjoyed more than Kyung-soo. But I was wrong. Is that enough now? Are you satisfied seeing me regret losing both?”

Kang-joon handed a prepared envelope to Alicia, who slumped back down and cried thick tears.

“Kyung-soo bought two houses in Germany for you. I figured you wouldn’t manage cash well and would spend it lavishly, so call the number on the business card inside for help.”

Alicia’s eyes widened as she haphazardly took the envelope and checked its contents.

“Why are you giving this to me...?”

“Because Kyung-soo would have wanted it.”

Now, Kang-joon understood. Why Kyung-soo had asked him to marry Alicia. He knew that Kang-joon, unlike other men, wouldn’t be swayed by Alicia. And that he would maintain the marriage without laying a finger on Alicia. Given Kang-joon’s personality, this marriage would be hell for Alicia, and she would miss Kyung-soo even more. In the end, he must have hoped she wouldn’t endure it and would divorce him and return. Then he should have waited for her to return instead of dying. Perhaps it wasn’t him, but Kyung-soo, who truly took revenge on Alicia. Because when Alicia belatedly realized love through this marriage, he wouldn’t be there. And she would regret and suffer that much. Nevertheless, Kyung-soo was the kind of person who would want Alicia to suffer only briefly and then be happy. Because he was always like that. What a man, not being able to be ruthless to the very end.

“And let’s call it a form of repayment for introducing me to Joo Se-hee.”

“...”

“I absolutely hate being indebted.”

As Kang-joon slowly rose, Alicia suddenly asked.

“What exactly is Joo Se-hee to you?”

At the name Joo Se-hee, his chillingly cold eyes softened.

“What else would she be?”

A faint smile spread across his lips as he muttered.

“...Love.”

What else could be the reason a man acts out of character, goes crazy, or loses his mind? Thinking of Joo Se-hee, his suppressed longing exploded. He felt like he was going crazy from missing her. Now that he was divorced, there was no reason not to go see her. Kang-joon slowly stood up and concluded his words to Alicia.

“Even by chance, let’s not meet again.”

It was time to go see the woman he loved. *** Perhaps it was the pleasant thought that she might be pregnant. Se-hee slept in for a very long time for the first time in ages. Checking the time, it was 11 AM. Se-hee slowly blinked to adjust to the dazzling sunlight streaming through the swaying curtains.

“...Test kit.”

She got out of bed and checked her phone; there were quite a few missed calls. From Secretary Kim, Jin-kyung, Alicia, and even Seo Kang-joon. She knew why Jin-kyung called, so she’d call her last. Se-hee headed to the bathroom and first called Alicia.

“What’s up?”

[We still have things to settle. Let’s meet today. What time do you want to meet?]

Always so impatient and self-centered. Se-hee grumbled internally and checked the wall clock. She had planned to try staying home for the first time, but it seemed impossible. It was easier to just get things done quickly if there was something to take care of.

“Let’s meet at 1 PM. I’ll text you the meeting place in 10 minutes.”

After ending the call with Alicia, Se-hee went into the bathroom and took the test. She carefully placed the test kit on the sofa, closed her eyes tightly, not daring to look at it immediately. Just as she was taking a deep breath, her phone rang again. She checked the caller ID; it was Kang-joon.

“His timing is just impeccable.”

Muttering softly, Se-hee answered the phone.

“Yes, CEO.”

[It’s me. When are you free today?]

First Alicia, then Kang-joon. Is today some kind of special day?

“I have an appointment today.”

[Then see me after that appointment.]

“I don’t know when it’ll end.”

[Don’t worry, I’ll wait for you, I’ll take care of it.]

Se-hee felt like she had been struck by lightning right after opening her eyes. What is going on today? First Alicia, then Seo Kang-joon, both insisting on meeting so recklessly. Sighing, Se-hee unconsciously looked at the table and blinked in disbelief. Two very clear, red lines on the test kit. ...It was a pregnancy.

[Ms. Joo Se-hee?]

________________________________________

At Kang-joon’s call through the silent phone, Se-hee finally came to her senses and said blankly.

“See you at 2 PM. I’ll text you the meeting place.”

Se-hee hung up the phone, stared intensely at the test kit for a long time, and then burst out laughing.

“He really does everything for me.”

Not like Aladdin’s magic lamp genie. Kang-joon, who had said he would do anything she asked, truly did it again this time. The most dazzling and precious gift of her life.