Part 26

Seowoo slowly lifted her eyelids.

She blinked a few times, and as she opened her eyes again, her blurred vision gradually cleared. Gazing silently at the unfamiliar space, she realized that this was Jiwook’s house.

“Sigh.”

Exhaling deeply, she closed her eyes again.

How long had I clung to him in his embrace last night? 

Her face burned with embarrassment as she remembered how disheveled she was.

Even when she had tried to escape, she found herself back in his embrace.

It felt like a dream. Despite the passing years, the familiar sensation of their bodies intertwining felt as though they had never parted, sending shivers down her spine.

She found herself pitiful and ironic.

Her heart ached at his unchanged appearance, yet there was also a warm sensation as if her heart, which had felt hollow, was now being filled.

Seowoo breathed steadily as she slowly rose from the bed.

“……”

He’s so tidy that even the bedding was neatly arranged.

There was no trace of her torn clothes; perhaps he had disposed of them. She couldn’t count the number of times they had s*x, starting with that first time they’d gotten tangled up without taking off all their clothes.

“Hah.”

Seowoo sighed as she examined her body. It was covered in marks from his biting and sucking throughout the night.

Was it because it had been so long?

Whenever his hands and lips touched her, she couldn’t help but lose herself.

Jiwook also didn’t hide his excitement as he watched her react more sensitively than usual. It had been a long time since he had seen her in such a raw state.

Rrrr.

Just then, a vibration sounded. Seowoo looked around to find the source. She spotted her bag in the corner of the room.

She slowly got out of bed and grabbed the bathrobe from beside her. Then she took out her phone. It was from Seung-min.

“Yes. Sir.”

– Why weren’t you answering? Have you been sleeping until now?

What time was it, anyway?

She had no idea because the bedroom had blackout curtains. She never thought she’d sleep so soundly in a place that wasn’t even her home.

As she walked slowly to draw the curtains, bright sunlight flooded into the bedroom. Seowoo furrowed her brows and glanced at the clock on her phone.

“It’s 2 o’clock?”

– What’s going on? It’s late but you’ve slept in.

Since she suffered from severe insomnia, it was extremely rare for her to sleep deeply like this.

Cuddled up with Kwon Jiwook, on his bed…

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, mixed with self-derision.

“What’s the matter? I don’t have any schedule today.”

– I’ve taken care of everything with the kids

‘I’ll call regarding the remaining two people, so for now, you should go and get some sleep.’

It seemed like everything was solved with just one phone call. A faint smile appeared on Seowoo’s lips.

“It’s really fortunate. Thank you for your hard work.”

– But…

Seung-min’s voice trailed off, hesitating for a moment. For someone who had been tormented last night, she seemed remarkably clear-headed. Perhaps it was because she had slept deeply. Seowoo sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, looking out the window.

“Speak up. Why are you hesitating?”

• Your ex-husband.

“……”

• There’s talk that he’s come in as an investor. Did you know about this?

“No.”

Seowoo denied it for now. He would probably find out soon anyway, but she didn’t want to admit it verbally.

• Tell me the truth. The sudden call and change of heart. You’re the one who resolved it.

Not even 10 seconds after denying it, Seung-min asked her directly.

Knowing how this industry worked, Seung-min seemed to speculate that she had met Jiwook and resolved it herself.

“No, it’s not like that.”

• Seowoo.

“So, you don’t have to worry about it. I’m going to get some more sleep. I’m tired.”

With a brief goodbye, she ended the call.

Overnight, everything had returned to normal.

Not only for her juniors at the agency but also her relationship with him felt like it was back to normal

So, you just wanted to f*ck me, after all.

‘I can’t deny it. Because it’s the truth.’

Last night, she remembered him looking down at her disheveled self, mocking her with those words.

It was embarrassing, but it was true.

He knew everything—her sensitive spots, how to provoke a reaction from her, how to make her cling to him.

Jiwook knew it all. As she briefly thought about yesterday’s events, her phone, which she had been holding, rang again.

“……”

It was Jiwook.

With deliberation, she pressed the call button and brought the phone to her ear.

• Looks like you’re awake.

“Yes.”

• Your schedule, share it with me as soon as you have it.

His tone was so businesslike like a boss giving orders to a subordinate. When Seowoo remained silent, he spoke again.

• There are plenty of ways for me to find out even if you don’t tell me.

“Well, then you can find out like that.”

• Yoon Seowoo.

A sharp tone came through.

It must be because of my attitude. 

Seowoo listened silently, running her thumb over the marks on her thighs he left.

• Don’t let me sway you with what I have, what you hate so much.

“You’re already doing that.”

Her agency was his first target, the easiest to wield his power. In the end, he had shaken her up with it and even brought her to his house.

And I walked in just as he wanted me to.

His pretending tone made her want to retaliate.

• I can do more if you’re curious.

“……”

• And your place.

“I don’t want to.”

Seowoo cut him off abruptly. She had already ended up at his house, but she couldn’t give in as easily about her own place. If his traces were left all over her house, she felt she wouldn’t be able to resist.

•  Then when I call you, come. Come as soon as I call.

Seowoo’s eyes narrowed. Her chest tightened.

• I’ll be home from work around 5. Don’t go, wait for me.

“I just want to ask you one favor.”

• Tell me.

Seowoo hesitated for a moment.

Looking at the red marks he had left, she bit her lip and spoke.

“I don’t want people to know about us.”

•  Who are these people you’re pertaining about?

“Anyone. Nobody.”

Friends, even his family.

At that moment, the face of his mother, Myeong-hye, came to Seowoo’s mind, and she closed her eyes tightly with a pained expression. It felt like her throat was suddenly being choked, suffocating her.

•  I’ll think about it.

After leaving just one sentence, he hung up. Seowoo’s arm, which had been holding the phone absentmindedly, fell limply to her side.