Part 23

Seowoo’s knuckles holding the key card turned white.

In the end, she had come to Jiwook’s house on her own. It was a luxury villa located only about 15 minutes away from her own home.

She had heard that many people in the upper class lived here, and now Jiwook was living here too.

“Hu.”

Seowoo closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

This is what you want, isn’t it? To have me come to your house on my own.

The only way to fix it was to meet him, but she couldn’t get rid of the feeling of being played in his hand.

As if she had made up her mind, she slowly lifted her eyelids. It felt somewhat ridiculous to be hesitating in front of the front door now.

Click.

As she brought the key card to the door lock, she heard the sound of it unlocking. Seowoo cautiously grabbed the handle and turned it.

“…”

The house was quiet. Seowoo stepped into the living room slowly.

The house reflected Jiwook’s taste perfectly. A modern interior with a cool and almost chilly atmosphere. Black sofas and dining tables. Even the curtains were in neutral tones.

“Still the same.”

His taste hadn’t changed even after several years. He doesn’t watch TV and keeps one side of the living room filled with books.

There must be a study too. 

Even when he lived at his parents’ house, his study was overflowing with books.

With no desire to explore the house, Seowoo averted her gaze and carefully sat on the sofa. Sweat kept forming on her palms due to her nervousness.

“Huh.”

Fidgeting with her hands, Seowoo tried to calm her racing heart.

At that moment, a vibrating sound cut through the silence of the living room. Seowoo nervously pulled out her cell phone.

“Yeah. Jung-ah, have you heard from CEO Moon?”

• Not yet. I’m so worried, and he hasn’t called.”

Jung-ah’s voice was filled with concern. Hearing the worry in her voice convinced Seowoo.

Jung-ah is in love with Seung-min.

Knowing her sincerity made Seowoo’s heart heavy.

“I talked to him briefly earlier…….”

• Did he call? What did he say?

“He seemed to be looking into something. Let’s wait a little longer. Okay?”

• Why is all this happening all of a sudden…”

Jung-ah’s sigh made Seowoo’s gaze lower.

• Hyo-ryung fell asleep next to me while crying. I’m still at work. If you happen to receive a call, please call me too.

“Okay, I’ll definitely call you back. Don’t worry too much.”

• Where are you?

[A car has arrived.]

At that moment, Seowoo was startled by the sudden announcement sound.

• Are you at home?

“Yeah, I’m at home. I’ll hang up.”

• Who’s there? Seowoo, Seowoo…!

Despite the urgent voice calling out, Seowoo ignored it and ended the call.

His car had arrived. It meant that Jiwook was coming up.

Seowoo rose from the sofa.

Stay calm. Don’t panic. 

Seowoo reminded herself to breathe quietly.

He was a very articulate man, so she shouldn’t let him get too excited or talk her over.

After a while, footsteps could be heard in the distance. Seowoo tightly gripped her handbag.

“You’re really here.”

Amused, a voice sounded. The sound of slippers grew closer and closer. Suddenly, the person approached Seowoo and flashed a sly smile.

“Yoon Seowoo herself drove all the way here. Seems like something was really urgent.”

He said, breaking up the syllables for emphasis. Jiwook seemed quite pleased with the situation. Seowoo raised her gaze to meet his.

As he stood in front of her, the woodsy scent that filled the house became more intense.

The scent she had loved so much.

After divorcing him, just catching a whiff of this scent made her eyes sting.

It reminded her of Kwon Jiwook. In truth, she missed him terribly.

“What are you thinking?”

“About what?”

He responded with a puzzled expression.

Even with that arrogant expression as if saying, “If you have something to say, go ahead,” Seowoo calmly spoke.

“Put Hyo-ryung back where she belongs.”

Jiwook glanced at her, removed his jacket, and casually tossed it onto the sofa. Then, he loosened his tie.

“Yoon Seowoo.”

His tie loosened and he lowered it onto the jacket. His imposing gaze made it hard to breathe.

“Is that person the reason why you came to see me?”

“Mr. Kwon Jiwook.”

“You got the title wrong. It’s irritating to hear you call me ‘Mr. Kwon Jiwook’ repeatedly. It creates unnecessary distance.”

Jiwook undid his cufflinks and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his sturdy forearms.

He didn’t show an ounce of concession.

This was why he had invested so much money.

“I know you know I came here knowing what you’ve done.”

“I figured as much.”

Jiwook didn’t deny it. His casual demeanor only infuriated Seowoo further.

“All those aspiring actors striving so desperately to land a single role… Did you have to be this cruel?” 

“Can I help it? You won’t see me. All I have is money.”

“…….”

“That’s the only way to make you come to my home.”

Seowoo pursed her lower lip. As she faced Jiwook’s gradually expressionless face, her heart ached again.

How did we end up like this, this wretched fate?

“What do you want? Why bother the people around me…Talk to me, put everything back in its place.”

“Back in place…?”

He lightly brushed the end of his eyebrow with his index finger. It was a habit he had whenever he felt uncomfortable.

“Before that, you need to come back to where you belong first. Let’s get back together. I can give you any role you want.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then go back. There’s nothing to talk about.”

Jiwook strode past her without a second thought. Seowoo, who was standing there in a daze, quickly turned around and blocked his path.

He lowered his gaze to look at her.

“I told you. I never thought of divorcing you.”

It was sincere.

His decision he made after arriving in the United States. The plan to quickly resolve urgent matters and briefly return had been shattered by the accident.

As Jiwook recalled that moment, his jaw clenched tightly.

“I don’t…… want to get back together with you, not even close.”

Seowoo replied slowly, her trembling lips barely forming the words.

She didn’t want to wither away in loneliness again, looking at him, who might not even care. And there were countless reasons she couldn’t tell him—all the reasons she had to say what she said now.

It felt like her world was crumbling under the weight of this harsh reality.

“Then I just need to make you think otherwise.”

Jiwook said firmly, his voice cold. Then, he took out his phone and made a call, staring at her.

“This is Kwon Jiwook.”

A middle-aged man’s voice crackled through the phone. 

Was he a director? 

Seowoo looked at him anxiously.

“We need to rehire the actress we let go from MS Entertainment. I’m sorry for the trouble.”

His tone showed no remorse. Despite Jiwook’s arrogant tone, the other person just laughed and consoled him by saying that it was okay.

The news had already spread.

There were countless ways to take it back, but seeing how Jiwook could change things with just a word made her feel helpless.

Right now, Seung-min was probably running around on his own.

Her eyes narrow with regret.

“Thank you for reconsidering. Let’s have a meal together next time.”

He politely replied and hung up the phone.

A moment of silence ensued. Unsure of what to say, Seowoo took a moment to collect her thoughts.

“There are two more left. What should we do about them?”

It seemed Jiwook had instructed everything. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

“People get desperate just to get one role. Because of you, people around you are suffering. Are you just going to stand by and watch?”

“…….”

“I could make sure they never set foot in the industry again. Do you want me to do that too?”

As he spoke, a vibrating sound was heard. He glanced down at her bag and lightly cleared his throat.

“Take it. In front of me.”

Seowoo pulled out her cell phone.

It was Seung-min.

Why did he choose to call at this moment?

Though she felt the piercing gaze directed at her, she couldn’t afford to not answer in this situation.

With no other choice, Seowoo reluctantly pressed the answer button and brought the phone to her ear.

“Yes?”

• Hey. There’s news about Hyo-ryung’s job. They’ve contacted me again.

She sighed in relief. It seemed that after Jiwook’s call, Seung-min had also received a call.

He must have been on edge all day.

As Seowoo silently listened on the phone, her eyes grew moist with emotion.

“I’m relieved.”

• It’s too early to feel completely relieved, but still, I’m glad. I called because I was worried about you.

“You’ve worked hard. Take some rest now.”

• Where are you? At home?

Seowoo glanced up from the phone as the call dragged on. His eyes were glaring at her, filled with anger.

Avoiding his gaze that seemed to want to kill, Seowoo finally replied.

“Yes. Get some rest.”

• Alright. Rest well and sleep tight. I’ll call you tomorrow.

“That’s sweet.”

As the call ended, Jiwool muttered a sarcastic remark. Seowoo still felt a lingering sense of relief in Seung-min’s sigh.

It was a frustrating situation. The uneasy thought that she would ultimately have to do as he wished crept up on her.

“Seowoo.”

He closed the distance between them and approached her. Then, he grabbed her chin, and their eyes met closely.

“Getting back together, I’ll put it on hold for now.”