Seo Kang-joon was truly a cunning man. The warmth of his large hand cupping her nape, his intense, burning gaze, his exquisitely sensual face. Se-hee knew the sensations such a man could give her. So how could she refuse him? As his lips slowly approached and met hers, as if seeking permission, Se-hee closed her eyes in resignation. She knew it would come to this eventually, that she couldn’t waver or push him away. The kiss, which pressed in like a soft knock, was careful yet tender. Yet, it was also overtly and greedily engulfing, swallowing Se-hee whole. It burrowed in with longing, then boldly overwhelmed, receded, and then surged in again, gently soaking her. His large hand covered Se-hee’s small hand, which was gripping her knee so tightly its knuckles were white. He gently caressed her hand, making it lose strength, then deeply intertwined his fingers with hers. As the kiss deepened, her heart felt like it was being drawn into him too. Into this man, like a black hole. Se-hee twisted her head to avoid his persistent lips and whispered.

“...Stop now.”

“No, just a little more.”

His black eyes, half-lidded, were languidly soft. She felt she might drown in the dense desire and sensuality flowing from them. Her slender, trembling fingertips gripped his angular shoulder. Thud. Burying her face in his broad chest, Se-hee closed her eyes and mumbled.

“I’m so dizzy... I feel like throwing up.”

His large hand gently stroked and patted her delicate back. How long did she remain embraced like that? Her churning stomach slowly settled under his familiar scent and soft touch. Se-hee cautiously lifted her head and met Kang-joon’s eyes, which were looking down at her worriedly.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry for acting like an animal. I’ll control myself from now on.”

Kang-joon’s gentle voice was full of apology.

“It’s not your fault, Mr. Kang-joon. It’s just morning sickness. My stomach just suddenly feels nauseous for no reason.”

She told him what wasn’t his fault, but she still had to warn Kang-joon.

“But don’t ever tempt me again. Because I can’t refuse you.”

His narrowly opened black eyes seemed to quietly challenge her. Why not?

“We’re nothing to each other. You’re the father of my child, but that doesn’t give you the right to kiss me.”

Freya, I’m sorry. Mom’s going to use you as an excuse.

“Don’t confuse me. My head feels like it’s going to explode as it is, and if you do this too, I’ll really struggle.”

Only then did she see Kang-joon reluctantly nod his head. He was a stubborn and persistent man. She tried to think of how to persuade such a man, but she couldn’t find an answer. The term ‘answer-obsessed man’ might have been coined for Kang-joon. Thinking that, her chest tightened.

“Mr. Kang-joon, do you still have no change of heart about marrying me? If you truly love me, can’t you give up for my sake and the baby’s?”

Perhaps it was because of her slightly sharp voice. Noticing Se-hee’s sensitivity, Kang-joon said gently.

“Honestly, I came out so suddenly that I haven’t sorted out my thoughts yet. So for today, please go in and rest. I’ll contact you tomorrow.”

“Just answer...”

As his hand slowly approached and gently brushed back her fallen hair, Se-hee stopped speaking.

“Worrying anxiously will stress you out. It’s not good for Mom, and it won’t be good for Freya either.”

The word “Mom,” heard for the first time in her life, pierced Se-hee’s heart painfully. Looking at Se-hee’s blank expression, Kang-joon continued gently.

“Give me two days. You can wait that long, can’t you?”

As his warm thumb gently caressed her delicate eyelids, her eyes closed automatically.

“I promise. I will make a wise decision that will benefit both us and the baby.”

His husky voice, low and soft enough to melt her eardrums as he whispered, was irresistible for Se-hee. His sincerity felt so intensely painful. She knew she should be on guard, but she kept feeling numb and swayed.

“Trust me this time.”

Se-hee bit her lip tightly. In truth, it wasn’t Seo Kang-joon she couldn’t trust, but herself. Yet, this man was blaming himself. Was it because he felt so sorry? Or was she just tired of her 29 years of difficult life? In this moment, she wanted to trust this man without asking or questioning anything. She felt that perhaps now, even she could lean on someone. It felt okay to pretend not to notice the things this man would have to handle because of her. To dump all her burdens on him, and inside his sturdy embrace, to hear nothing and see nothing. ...Could she live like that? It couldn’t be with Seo Kang-joon, but because it was Seo Kang-joon, it was possible. Se-hee slowly opened her eyes and, with tearful eyes, quietly nodded. Her feelings wouldn’t change anyway, and she wanted to let this man have his way just this once. Only then did Kang-joon ask with a relieved expression.

“Then what should we do about the baby’s nickname?”

“Let’s go with Freya.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

Se-hee nodded again this time. Honestly, she liked it, the baby’s nickname Kang-joon had chosen.

________________________________________

The shareholders’ meeting was a week away. Se-hee visited Kang Gwan-jang at the Joon Art Center he managed, confessed her pregnancy, and then calmly asked.

“How do you think the shareholders will react if I step down due to childbirth less than a year after becoming CEO?”

“Honestly, if there’s a break in operations, they won’t be thrilled. Have you thought of a countermeasure?”

“My due date coincides with the third-quarter special dividend payment date. Fortunately, this time, a record-high dividend will be paid, so it might flow smoothly, but I’m just in case.”

Inno Fashion, which had successfully entered the Chinese market last year, achieved unprecedented record-high performance.

“Wouldn’t it depend on how long you take off, Ms. Se-hee?”

“I’m thinking of a month.”

“What, only a month?”

“It’s enough for me.”

“Ms. Se-hee, pregnancy is a blessing and a joyous event, but it’s not particularly good for a woman’s body. You need to rest well and take care of yourself after childbirth. You’ll run into trouble if you overdo it.”

Se-hee smiled, understanding Kang Gwan-jang’s concerns.

“I don’t overwork myself like before. Once this is over, I’ll live happily and leisurely with my baby, doing what I want. I’ll leave work on time every day and take better care of myself. I want to be a hardworking mom, even if I can’t be a perfect one.”

Kang Gwan-jang, who knew Se-hee’s personality to some extent, paused for a moment before asking cautiously.

“Are you planning to hide it from CEO Seo?”

“I’ve already told him.”

“That was fast. He must have been overjoyed, right? Are you getting married next month? CEO Seo, despite his appearance, has incredible drive.”

Thinking of Kang-joon made her sigh. For Se-hee, his drive was almost too much.

“Director, I’m not marrying Mr. Kang-joon. No, I can’t.”

“No, why? Now that you mention it, CEO Seo asked me for help buying a gift for you once, and he subtly asked me if there was something between us and what he could do for you. I advised him that if he really wanted to help, he should buy up all the Inno Fashion shares he could.”

“...”

“It’s hard to find such a trustworthy and devoted man among chaebol men. In a world full of guys who change their minds in minutes, worse than animals. Can’t you trust CEO Seo just once?”

Like Jin-kyung, Kang Gwan-jang also looked bewildered. Of course, if it were someone else’s story, Se-hee would have said the same thing. To trust that man, to accept him, what’s the problem if you love him? But this wasn’t someone else’s story; it was her own, and it wasn’t a matter of trusting or not trusting Kang-joon. She didn’t want her child to live in a tightly laid minefield. No matter how prominent a chaebol Kang-joon was, there were limits. Limits to preventing her child from being caught in anxiety, not knowing when something might explode, becoming a spectacle like an animal in a zoo wherever they went, and becoming prey for the Korean public to tear apart for fun, just as the neighborhood people had done to her. That’s why Se-hee had to be even more determined.

“Thank you for the advice, Director.”

“Well, she probably has her own thoughts, she’ll probably handle it well on her own.”

Knowing that Se-hee had politely refused, Kang Gwan-jang finally sighed.

“Since CEO Seo is on your side, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about for this shareholders’ meeting. Let’s hear your final plan.”

“I believe Aunt has an account in Switzerland with a numeric account that makes identity verification difficult. It’s clear she hasn’t reported her overseas financial accounts, so I’ll threaten her with that to make her step down from being the largest shareholder.”

“Next?”

“I’ll buy all of Aunt’s shares. And I’d be grateful if you could also lend your support, Director Kang.”

It was an implicit request for him to sell his shares.

“You mean you’re going to become the largest shareholder of Inno Fashion, Ms. Se-hee?”

“That’s the best way to firmly solidify my management rights.”

Se-hee, being even more ambitious than just her CEO position, planned to make Inno Fashion entirely her own.

“Once I become the major shareholder, I plan to issue more preferred shares of Inno Fashion and increase the dividend rate. Anyway, Director Kang, you’re not interested in management rights; you’re more interested in dividends, aren’t you?”

Unlike overseas, preferred shares in Korea were undervalued due to stingy dividend payouts. But Se-hee intended to use that to her advantage.

“So, you’re saying you’ll make sure I get a good dividend, so I should transfer all my shares to you and switch to preferred shares?”

Kang Gwan-jang narrowed his eyes, somewhat dumbfounded.

“If you do that, it’ll be good for me and good for you too. Wouldn’t it be a win-win?”

Kang Gwan-jang looked at Se-hee’s prim expression and finally burst out laughing.

“I always think this, but Ms. Se-hee is truly smart. It’s like the calm before the storm! Let’s do it as a congratulation for your pregnancy, I guess.”

“Thank you, Director.”

“I should be the one thanking you. I’m using your help to screw Young-hee over without lifting a finger.”

Only then did Se-hee genuinely smile. It was the moment her purpose for meeting Kang Gwan-jang today was achieved. *** The day came for her to meet Kang-joon. Kang-joon picked up Se-hee from her house and drove her to a restaurant on the 39th floor of M Hotel Tower. They entered a room guided by the manager. The view from the 39th floor was amazing, but that was it. Se-hee only looked at the beautifully plated desserts on the table. Her mouth watered, but she couldn’t bring herself to touch them.

“I booked this place because I heard even pregnant women with morning sickness enjoy the desserts here,” Kang-joon explained. Se-hee let out a small sigh. Most people said morning sickness gradually subsided after three months when they entered the stable period, but Se-hee’s was still persistent. She had only sucked on lemons again today before coming out. Kang-joon, who had been watching her, got up from his seat and sat next to her. He scooped a beautiful orange liquid with a small spoon and brought it to Se-hee’s mouth.

“It’s grapefruit sorbet. Just try a bite. If it’s not to your taste, I won’t recommend it anymore.”

Se-hee reluctantly took a bite, and her eyes widened. The cool, sweet, and slightly bitter taste surprisingly suited her palate.

“This... I think this is delicious.”

Se-hee took the spoon from Kang-joon and focused on eating. After she quickly finished one, Kang-joon asked.

“Shall I order more?”

When Se-hee nodded, Kang-joon called the waiter and placed another order. Kang-joon looked at Se-hee with a satisfied expression, as she ate only the grapefruit sorbet, not even looking at the other desserts. It had been so long since he had seen her eat so well. After finishing three plates of sorbet, Se-hee put down her spoon and asked directly.

“I’m done eating, so tell me now. What decision have you made, Mr. Kang-joon?”

Looking at her stubborn eyes fixed on him, Kang-joon slowly began to speak.

“I won’t bring up marriage until after you give birth. Instead, I ask that you don’t push me away either, Ms. Se-hee. That means you should let me properly play my role as Freya’s father.”

There was no benefit in pushing the highly sensitive and prickly Joo Se-hee now. What they needed immediately was time. Time to stay by each other’s side and rekindle the suppressed emotions. Just like when she was Yoo Tae-ryeong, and she eventually couldn’t bear it and confessed her love with her beautiful eyes and voice.

“I hope we can only think about the three of us until the baby is born. If we think too complicatedly, we’ll only get more stressed and hurt each other’s feelings.”

Seeing her beautiful brows subtly furrow, it seemed she wasn’t pleased with Kang-joon’s answer. Of course, she wouldn’t be. She had such a shrewd personality that she had to conclude immediately what she didn’t agree with.

“I’m not asking you to blindly follow my wishes.”

But Kang-joon had finally found it. The way to make Joo Se-hee, who bristled like a hedgehog, docile and defenseless. Because of you, Joo Se-hee, I’ve had so many thoughts. The conclusion is that you need to become defenseless for there to be an opening, for me to burrow in. Right now, you’ve built such an impenetrable wall that there’s no opening for even the sharpest tip to penetrate.

“If your feelings remain unchanged even after Freya is born...”

He intended to give Joo Se-hee the answer she wanted now. She, who was so confident that her feelings wouldn’t change, would calmly accept his proposal. With a relaxed mind, defenseless.

“I will give up cleanly. Marriage, the baby, and Joo Se-hee.”

Then, for the next seven months, I plan to put all my effort into conquering you, Joo Se-hee.