Seo Kang-joon, giving up this easily? Se-hee looked at Kang-joon with a mixture of doubt and disbelief. To just believe his words, his affectionate eyes looking at her right now were, well, like a beekeeper dripping with honey. How could she believe him when he said he’d give up with eyes like that?

“Are you serious?”

“When have I ever lied?”

Of course, never. Seo Kang-joon was a man who kept his word even with a knife to his throat. But now, Kang-joon was not just relaxed, but overflowing with confidence. She was suddenly afraid because she didn’t know what that confidence was aimed at. What was his hidden agenda? Would the end of that agenda truly be a breakup, or marriage? Se-hee slowly blinked and stared at Kang-joon persistently, as if searching for answers. It was a habit she had when deep in thought. Kang-joon chuckled, as if finding Se-hee cute, and lightly flicked her smooth cheek with his index finger.

“How complicated and difficult are you going to make this before you even start?”

“Who said anything?”

Despite her words, Se-hee’s face turned beet red. She didn’t know why she always revealed her true feelings only to this man. Kang-joon, leisurely crossing his legs, spoke nonchalantly.

“As a prospective father, I’ve read four best-selling parenting books to prepare.”

She always felt he was a meticulous man. As Director Kang said, his drive was even more incredible. Se-hee herself had bought a few parenting books as soon as she confirmed her pregnancy. But she had only flipped through a few pages.

“Out of countless phrases, what do you think was the most memorable one?”

How would I know that? Instead of speaking, she shot him a glare with her eyes. Kang-joon chuckled and continued with a gentle gaze.

“If the mother is happy, the baby is happy, and the father is happy. The conclusion is that the family is peaceful and happy.”

“...”

“It struck me as true. I genuinely want Joo Se-hee to be happy.”

“...”

“What I want to say is that it was a difficult decision for me too, and I hope you won’t doubt my pure intentions.”

Se-hee finally averted her gaze from his piercing stare. For once, this man’s sincerity, his feelings for her, touched her heart so deeply it hurt. With great force, Se-hee gripped her small hands clasped in her lap and answered softly.

“I’m sorry.”

Nevertheless, this was all Se-hee could say to Kang-joon. I’m sorry, so sorry to you.

“If you’re truly sorry, then make me one promise.”

She looked up as if spellbound, meeting his affectionate eyes that knew only her.

“That while we’re together, you’ll be honest about your feelings for me. Follow your heart, your attraction, your instincts.”

“…!”

“Even so, in just seven months, it might be the end for us. Of course, it would be better if you changed your mind.”

Seeing Se-hee unable to answer easily, Kang-joon let out a bitter chuckle.

“It’s a little disappointing. I was even prepared to give up everything for Joo Se-hee, and you can’t even do that much?”

It wasn’t that she couldn’t do that much and thus couldn’t answer. Just seven months, the end for us. Those words kept circling in her ears, and it was just... that. Se-hee slowly closed and opened her eyes, then asked Kang-joon as calmly as possible.

“Will you really do as I wish after the baby is born?”

“If you don’t trust me, should I write a contract?”

“No.”

“Then you promise?”

Seeing Se-hee hesitate for a moment before giving a small nod, Kang-joon said playfully.

“I hope our Freya resembles her mother a lot in appearance.”

At Kang-joon’s sudden remark, Se-hee’s eyes trembled. I wanted her to resemble you.

“But I hope she doesn’t resemble her mother’s personality. I want our child to live an easy life.”

Se-hee’s eyes widened, about to argue about what was wrong with her personality. His large hand took hers and naturally intertwined their fingers.

“...Why are you holding my hand?”

“If I can’t kiss you, I might as well hold your hand to my heart’s content.”

Kang-joon was faster than Se-hee, who was about to argue about such a rule existing.

“If your feelings remain unchanged, I’ll only have seven months left. Can’t you let me hold your hand as much as I want, as if you’re doing me a favor?”

He really milked that “only seven months” line several times in a few minutes. But the expression on Kang-joon’s face when he said it looked so sad that Se-hee was speechless. Gazing at her with wounded eyes, Kang-joon asked carefully.

“Or, do you dislike me even holding your hand now?”

As their intertwined hands slowly slipped apart like in slow motion, Se-hee quickly re-intertwined her fingers with his. Feeling unnecessarily shy, she lowered her eyes and whispered.

“Of course I don’t dislike you.”

Of course, Se-hee, who had her gaze lowered, didn’t know. The subtle smile that spread across Kang-joon’s face as he looked at her. What should he do with this lovely woman?

“Then... that’s a relief.”

For Kang-joon, it was indeed a relief. Joo Se-hee’s true self, hidden away, was infinitely soft and kind. It was wrong to take advantage of such a heart, but he couldn’t help it. If he didn’t do this, he couldn’t stay by Joo Se-hee’s side. If he couldn’t be by her side, he wouldn’t even have a chance to conquer her. With a free hand, Kang-joon handed Se-hee the envelope of documents he had prepared in advance.

“What is this?”

“It contains information about the prenatal insurance plans I designed with various insurance companies, and guides for the trust fund account Freya will have after birth. There’s also a list of baby essentials and supplies, so please check off anything you haven’t bought yet. Oh, you haven’t gotten Freya’s insurance yet, right?”

Se-hee was simply awestruck by Kang-joon’s meticulousness. It hadn’t even been a week since she told him about her pregnancy. She couldn’t believe that not only had he finished reading parenting books, but he had also made all these preparations for the baby. The contents of the thick envelope, which she briefly glanced at, were beyond her imagination. It was Kang-joon’s decisiveness and drive, which Se-hee could never possibly match. Or perhaps, are all chaebols like this? Even so, Se-hee wasn’t a chaebol. She would raise Freya without want, but she wished Freya wouldn’t know the world of chaebols. The chaebols Se-hee had observed so far pursued only pleasure, gratification, and greed, not happiness. Fortunately, Kang-joon seemed to have grown up upright, but in exchange, he lived a rather bland life. She hoped Freya wouldn’t be like that. Despite the difficulties, she hoped Freya would strive hard, achieve her desires, set goals, and accomplish them. With the wish for her to live an ordinary and happy life, Se-hee handed the envelope back.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll decline everything.”

Se-hee calmly continued, looking straight into Kang-joon’s narrowed eyes.

“I may not be as capable as you, Mr. Kang-joon, but I have sufficient financial ability to raise a child. I’ll take care of the prenatal insurance and baby supplies myself...”

“Ms. Joo Se-hee, I’m not trying to give Freya charity.”

But Kang-joon interrupted her. In a low, firm voice devoid of gentleness.

“I’m just doing what I can for my child as her father.”

But Se-hee couldn’t back down either.

“Still, this is too much.”

“For me, this is still not enough. I’ve only included a very small portion after cutting down a lot because of you, Ms. Se-hee.”

At his arrogant words, Se-hee was reminded anew that Kang-joon was the successor to Hanshin Group. And Yeon-sook’s words that he might have accumulated more wealth than Chairman Seo himself.

“If her father’s a chaebol, is there a law that says our child can’t be a chaebol?”

“But Mr. Kang-joon.”

“I’m not finished speaking, Joo Se-hee.”

Kang-joon didn’t use honorifics when he was forcefully pushing his opinion. His aura intensified, and his persuasiveness grew.

“In seven months, depending on your decision, I might not be able to see our child.”

As if to prove it, Kang-joon’s eyes, devoid of tenderness, were icy cold.

“But I will continue to act as a father from where I can’t be seen. Even if it’s considered obnoxious and wasteful.”

“…!”

“Because that’s the only way I can be a father to Freya.”

A heavy silence fell after Kang-joon finished speaking. Se-hee, quietly breathing, was actually reflecting. She felt she had been too selfish with Kang-joon. In a world overflowing with deadbeat fathers who ignored their children and didn’t even pay child support. When she thought about it, Kang-joon was an excellent father, more than she deserved. Perhaps even more than Se-hee herself. She decided to neatly acknowledge what needed to be acknowledged and accept what needed to be accepted.

“I was short-sighted. I’ll check the contents of the envelope when I get home.”

Only then did Kang-joon ask softly, with a satisfied expression.

“Our Freya. Three months, precisely 12 weeks, right?”

“...Yes.”

“And until the final month before delivery, it’s one hospital visit a month?”

“...Yes.”

“Then let’s go to the hospital together from now on.”

“Mr. Kang-joon, you’re busy.”

“I’ll adjust my schedule myself.”

“...Yes.”

Se-hee was now in a state of resignation. He said he would do as she wished in seven months, so there was no reason to push Kang-joon away and play mind games. She decided to think comfortably, as Kang-joon suggested. Because if she was comfortable, the baby would be comfortable too. But she couldn’t say yes to Kang-joon’s next words.

“Share your schedule with me like before, Ms. Se-hee, and I’ll do the same.”

“…!”

“If I want to hear your voice, I’ll contact you frequently, and if I miss you, I’ll come see you.”

Seeing Se-hee about to object, Kang-joon slyly continued quickly.

“I meant Freya, not you, Ms. Se-hee.”

What could Freya, only three months old in her womb, say? How could he see her face? Se-hee glared at him in disbelief, and Kang-joon smiled annoyingly. Having given up one big thing, Kang-joon was boldly demanding countless others. What was even more frustrating was that she had no excuse to refuse. Se-hee felt strange, as if she were being enchanted. She felt like she was constantly getting caught in Seo Kang-joon’s pace. *** In Kang-joon’s car heading home, they had conversations that a prospective couple might have. Because Kang-joon was too excessive in everything and Se-hee wanted everything to be just right, minor disagreements arose. Eventually, the conversation flowed toward going to look at baby products together on the weekend. As they were almost home, Kang-joon asked her to send him the file of the baby’s heartbeat and ultrasound photos. Things that she should have let Kang-joon, as the father, hear and see much earlier. So Se-hee casually sent him the files and photos via phone message. Thanks to having reached a conclusion during dinner, Se-hee didn’t feel uncomfortable about any of those sequential events. Se-hee, gazing out the window, fell into her own thoughts. Kang-joon’s decision truly made Se-hee feel at ease. He was always rational and right. Kang-joon had indeed made the wisest choice that would benefit all three of them. I’m sorry for hurting you, but you’re a strong man. But I’m not strong, and that’s why I need Freya. I only know how to protect her in such a selfish way. On the other hand, she felt relieved. That when Freya grew old enough to have conversations, she would have things to tell her about her father. You weren’t abandoned by your dad, your dad loved you very much. It was all because of your mom’s wrong choices, but please don’t doubt your mom’s love for you. In no time, familiar scenery appeared, and she saw the villa complex where Se-hee lived. Instead of going inside, the car gently stopped at the villa entrance. The already delicate driving skills, combined with added carefulness, made for a comfortable ride. So comfortable she didn’t want to get out right away. As always, Kang-joon got out of the car first, walked around the hood, opened her car door, and extended his hand. What’s the big deal about holding hands? Se-hee hesitated for a moment, then took his large hand and got out of the car.

“Don’t forget to go inside, turn on the lights, come out onto the terrace, and show me your face.”

“Mr. Kang-joon, do you perhaps have an obsession with safety?”

“Something like that, I suppose.”

Se-hee looked at him at his uncharacteristic vague answer, and Kang-joon chuckled.

“I just found that out about myself. You must be tired, so go on in.”

Now, she just needed to turn around and leave. But strangely, Kang-joon’s gaze and smile pierced Se-hee’s heart.

‘That while we’re together, you’ll be honest about your feelings for me. Follow your heart, your attraction, your instincts.’

Recalling the promise she made with Kang-joon, she hesitated, then stepped closer to him. She bit her lip tightly, then hesitated again, and gently reached out to touch his neatly tied tie. Kang-joon watched Se-hee’s inexplicable actions silently with narrowed eyes. When Se-hee softly raised her gaze from his tie, it met his jet-black eyes. Just the entanglement of their gazes sent a strange heat spreading through her body. Se-hee, shyly lowering her long eyelashes, gently tugged on his tie and lifted herself onto her tiptoes. Kang-joon’s eyes widened slightly as he instinctively leaned down, his waist still caught by her tie.

Chook—

The soft, tender sensation of lips pressing tightly. Her expanded vision was filled with Joo Se-hee, smiling softly yet alluringly.

“I’m a woman who keeps her promises too, you know.”

It was nothing short of a cunning, provocative, heart-shaking, surprise kiss.