At those words, her aunt Busan looked at her in surprise.

She probably hadn’t expected Yeon-ha to introduce her that way.

Compared to the family tied to her by blood—people who were often worse than strangers—her aunt, whom she had known for only a few months, felt far closer to her heart.

After Yeon-ha introduced the woman who was, for all practical purposes, her only family, Woo-hyeon politely bowed.

“Hello, Auntie. My name is Ji Woo-hyeon. I’m Yeon-ha’s friend.”

Her aunt Busan glanced at Yeon-ha before quietly accepting the greeting.

After receiving nothing more than a nod in response, Woo-hyeon turned back to Yeon-ha and carefully broached the subject.

“Do you have time today?”

…Wouldn’t it be alright since her aunt was here too?

As Yeon-ha lowered her gaze, her aunt smiled softly as if to say she shouldn’t worry about her.

“I was actually looking for a place to eat. If you haven’t had lunch yet, why don’t you join us?”

“Then how about the porridge restaurant nearby?”

“I’m fine with that…”

Her aunt nodded as well, indicating that she didn’t mind.

“Then it’s settled.”

The porridge restaurant near the hospital was popular and had a spacious dining area.

It seemed like a comfortable place to eat.

Woo-hyeon poured water into the glass in front of her aunt before filling Yeon-ha’s as well.

His considerate nature appeared effortless.

Most people would have wondered why her aunt never spoke.

But he neither asked questions nor showed any sign that he found it strange.

“I’ll pay.”

The moment they finished eating, Woo-hyeon picked up the bill and paid before anyone could stop him.

“I should have treated you.”

“Then you can buy dessert.”

“Huh?”

“Were you planning to leave right after lunch?”

Yeon-ha smiled faintly and shook her head at Woo-hyeon’s playful grin.

“Which café should we go to?”

“Let’s just go into the first franchise café we see.”

They entered a café that caught their eye.

The moment they stepped inside, her aunt gently tugged on her arm.

‘Go talk with your friend. I’ll stay here.’

The seat her aunt pointed to, by the first-floor window, looked more comfortable than the others.

Yeon-ha nodded.

“I’ll order your drink first.”

At her words, her aunt simply stared at the menu board above the counter, looking completely unsure of what anything meant.

“How about a hot coffee?”

When Woo-hyeon asked gently, her aunt nodded.

“I’ll have an iced coffee. What about you, Yeon-ha?”

“I’ll have a Grapefruit Honey Black Tea.”

“You don’t want any cake?”

“I was only going to get a milk cake for Auntie.”

“Got it.”

As Woo-hyeon immediately turned to leave, Yeon-ha reached out and grabbed his arm.

Then she quickly pulled her hand back.

“Sorry.”

Startled by her own unconscious action, Yeon-ha blinked in confusion.

‘Why did I do that?’

It was probably because she had grown so accustomed to acting that way with her husband.

“It’s just my arm. It’s not like you touched anything inappropriate.”

Woo-hyeon casually brushed off what could have become an awkward moment.

Thanks to him, she was able to laugh it off as well.

“I said I was paying.”

“I can at least place the order. Just give me your card. I’ll pay with it and come back.”

Though his expression was gentle, there was a firmness behind it that made it difficult to refuse.

After ordering with Yeon-ha’s card, Woo-hyeon returned and sat down.

The moment he did, he stared at her face and smiled with his eyes.

“You look good.”

As Yeon-ha slipped her card back into her wallet, she looked up at the relief in his voice.

It seemed he had worried about her a great deal after they parted.

“I’m sorry…”

Because she had felt uncomfortable meeting him, she had made up an excuse and lied about a family event.

The guilt still weighed on her conscience.

“Actually, the family event was just an excuse.”

“I figured.”

Woo-hyeon had apparently known she was lying from the beginning.

“You’re not angry?”

“Do you want me to be angry?”

When Yeon-ha nodded and quietly answered, “Yeah,” Woo-hyeon rested his chin on his hand and smiled.

“I’m not angry. It’s your choice. Maybe you didn’t want to see me. Even if I were upset, I wouldn’t show it.”

“…Why?”

“Because I plan on being your friend until the very end.”

Woo-hyeon’s smile was as soft as a café mocha.

“But what about you?”

“…Yeah. Me too.”

Looking at him, Yeon-ha had a feeling that she and Woo-hyeon could remain friends for a very long time.

He was the complete opposite of Tae-moo.

***

“Good work.”

To an outsider, the scene could easily have looked like a loving couple spending time together.

After reviewing the photos Jin-seok had sent, Madam Go transferred them to a burner phone.

Then she forwarded them to Tae-moo’s phone.

If she were being honest, she wanted to march straight to his office and show them to him personally.

But her son was perceptive enough to realize she was trying to drive a wedge between them.

“Maybe I’ll head home early today.”

The thought that something entertaining might happen left Madam Go smiling with satisfaction.

***

“Impressive.”

It wasn’t admiration.

It was mockery.

In Tae-moo’s hand was a performance report from Yuseong Fashion.

Under the terms of the stock transfer agreement, Chairman Lee had given up 10% of Yuseong Electronics’ shares in exchange for placing Lee Na-hoon’s illegitimate child in a high-ranking position.

Yet it hadn’t even been that long.

And already, he was wielding unchecked authority and turning the company’s performance into a complete disaster.

“Contact the directors of Yuseong Hotel.”

A common enemy had emerged.

The nieces of Chairwoman Lee Na-ra, who had previously stood in opposition to him, would have little reason to reject the hand he was offering.

“Yes, sir. We’ll establish a priority ranking and encourage competition among them.”

Tae-moo had no reason to doubt Manager Kang’s efficiency.

Closing his eyes, he decided to take a brief moment of rest.

Just then, his phone rang.

Opening his eyes slightly, he checked the screen and curled his lips.

“I’ll have to keep a closer watch on my wife.”

The identity of the sender could be investigated later.

Keeping his wife in line was the more urgent matter.

***

After parting ways with Woo-hyeon, Yeon-ha spent the rest of the day wandering around the city with Aunt Busan.

Her aunt’s outing clothes were badly worn.

Even her sneakers were frayed enough that rainwater would probably seep through if it rained.

The sight left a bitter feeling in Yeon-ha’s chest.

“What have you been doing out so late?”

They had just returned after buying the things her aunt needed.

Recently, Madam Go had rarely been home, so seeing her sitting prominently in the living room immediately made Yeon-ha uneasy.

“I was out with Auntie.”

“Really? You weren’t meeting some man, were you?”

“No.”

“If not, then fine.”

She didn’t want to ruin the pleasant day she had spent with her aunt.

Not wanting to provoke Madam Go, who seemed unusually cheerful, she kept her mouth shut.

“You should go inside.”

Her aunt, who had been tense the entire time, finally relaxed at Yeon-ha’s words and lightly shook the shopping bags in her hands.

The gesture seemed to mean, I’ll use these well.

Yeon-ha responded with a bright smile.

“Sit down. Let’s talk.”

The moment Madam Go stopped Yeon-ha and sat down, the doorbell rang.

Madam Go’s smile deepened.

“Looks like my son is home.”

Madam Go, who usually referred to Tae-moo as President Seong as though he were a stranger, rarely called him her son.

Watching her head toward the foyer, Yeon-ha felt a strange sense of unease.

‘What’s gotten into her?’

A moment later, Tae-moo stepped into the entrance hall.

Without sparing Madam Go so much as a glance, he looked directly at Yeon-ha.

“You’re home.”

The greeting slipped from her lips automatically.

Yeon-ha greeted Tae-moo with a smile.

The next moment, his long strides carried him to her side in an instant.

His expressionless face wasn’t unusual, but the aura surrounding him was noticeably different.

As though he had returned to the way he used to be.

“Come here.”

Even his calm voice couldn’t conceal the sharp edge beneath it.

Yeon-ha suddenly wanted to step back.

As if sensing her hesitation, he seized her hand tightly.

“Tae-moo.”

“Stop talking and come with me.”

His strong grip yanked her forward without mercy.

A terrible feeling told her she shouldn’t follow him upstairs to the bedroom.

As she was practically dragged along, her eyes darted around in panic.

Then she saw Madam Go smiling.

The woman looked as though she knew exactly why he was angry.

***

Bang!

The bedroom door slammed shut.

After pushing Yeon-ha inside, Tae-moo yanked at his black necktie.

Veins stood out on his hand as he loosened it.

Then he tore off his jacket and threw it aside.

“Hah…”

The Adam’s apple in his throat bobbed heavily as he tilted his head back slightly.

“Honey.”

At the sound of him calling her, Yeon-ha trembled like a frightened animal.

The low tone of his voice sent chills down her spine.

Something had gone terribly wrong.

The feeling was unmistakable.

“Where did you go today?”

How did he know she had gone out?

Yeon-ha’s eyes widened in alarm.

Had he assigned someone to watch her?

“…I went to the hospital.”

Remembering what she was wearing, Yeon-ha quickly tried to calm herself.

“Why the hospital?”

The sharpness in his gaze vanished as though extinguished.

His hands gripped both of her shoulders, urgency replacing his anger.

Unlike before, his hold wasn’t rough.

“The doctor said it’s just a mild cold.”

The grip on her shoulders loosened instantly.

His hands fell away.

As though all the tension had drained from him, he raised a hand to his forehead.

After rubbing it, he took a step back and came to an abrupt halt.

Then he closed his eyes tightly.

It looked as though he was trying to cool the heat raging inside him.

The outline of his chest rose and fell beneath his dress shirt as though he were forcing himself to swallow his anger.

“I told you…”

After grinding his teeth once, Tae-moo continued.

“I told you there couldn’t be any secrets between us.”

The memory resurfaced, bringing with it the phantom scent of harsh cigarette smoke.

“Did I say that or not?”

His fiercely narrowed eyes bore into her as she nodded.

“You did…”

She had deceived him.

“If I did, then why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to tell you tonight…”

Though all she had planned to tell him was that she had gone to the hospital.

“Don’t disappoint me.”

His stern warning carried the weight of someone trying to trust her.

If he found out it wasn’t just a simple cold, this level of pressure would be the least of her worries.

“It doesn’t seem like all you did was go to the hospital.”