Part 27

Jiwook knew what she meant.

He felt both embarrassed and regretful.

He should have separated from that suffocating household sooner. He suddenly felt sorry for leaving her alone in that depressing house.

“I heard about this place that just opened near the office, and seems to be popular among the staff. Secretary Nam told me about it, so I thought I’d try it out.”

“You talk about these things with your secretary?”

“I saw a long line of people while we were driving home from work and got curious, so I asked.”

Jiwook handed her a spoon and opened the lid of the container. The food was still steaming, as if it had just been made.

“It’s braised short ribs, half spicy and half not, added abalone and seafood too.”

“Did you actually order this yourself?”

“I placed the order, and Secretary Nam picked it up.”

“Did you go inside the restaurant?”

“I have to go in and look at the menu before I order, right?”

Seowoo asked him again and again in disbelief. Jiwook patiently answered each question without showing annoyance.

“Where are the scissors? The tongs?”

“I’ll just do it. It doesn’t suit you.”

“Don’t be like that, tell me. I’ll do it.”

“…”

She wished he hadn’t changed this way.

His actions made her heart waver. Even if they started over, there were countless hurdles.

Her comeback to her acting work was an immediate issue.

She didn’t know what to say to Seung-min and Jung-ah, who had trusted her.

Above all… she was unsure if the baby would survive this time.

“When you’re filming, you barely eat, so you should eat a lot afterward. Come on, eat.”

A lump formed in her throat as emotions welled up. Seowoo gripped her spoon tightly and bowed her head to take a big bite.

“…”

Then a piece of rib meat appeared on her rice bowl. Seowoo slowly raised her head, chewing the tender flesh in her mouth. It felt like tears would burst out if she met his gaze.

“You should eat, too. Stop looking at me.”

With just that, Seowoo focused back on her meal.

Why does the food taste so good?

It’s painfully sad.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat short ribs again.

The memory of Jiwook tenderly caring for her might just be too much to bear.

***

The final episode of the drama was airing today.

To appease fans sad about the ending, the production company decided to host a group viewing event.

The main actors, Sung-hyun and Seowoo, were participating. Fans had to sign up in advance and attendees were chosen by lottery.

“Today’s really the end. It’s a shame.”

Sung-hyun, who was waiting with Seowoo, expressed his disappointment. She felt the same sentiment.

She was also very sad during the last filming, but something was different today.

The drama had continuously broken its highest viewership ratings with each episode, becoming a frequent topic of discussion.

After the filming wrapped up, Seowoo and Sung-hyun had a nonstop schedule, juggling schedules from drama promotions to interviews and photo shoots.

After today’s group viewing, their official schedules would finally come to an end.

“Don’t you regret it, Seowoo-ssi?”  

“I do too. I feel sad about it.”

Why wouldn’t I regret it?  

I’m probably the one who is more attached to this drama than anyone else.

She’ll never forget this drama, which hardened her broken heart and brought her back out into the world.

“Make some time for me today.”

It’s already been two weeks since the pregnancy was confirmed.  

Seowoo hadn’t decided anything in the meantime.

She’s just avoiding sleeping with Jiwook.

‘Have you been feeling unwell lately?’

Jiwook asked with a suspicious look, sensing something was off.

‘Just, I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather. That’s all.’

Because she couldn’t bring herself to be physically intimate with him while pregnant, she had to make excuses and avoid it.  

Now she had to make a decision one way or the other. She couldn’t tell Jiwook anything.  

Every day felt like walking on thin ice, just filled with anxiety.

“Seowoo-ssi.”  

“Yes?”

Sung-hyun called her back from her daze.

Lately, whenever she had a few moments to herself, Seowoo had been spacing out.  

Watching quietly, Sung-hyun decided to speak up.

“I have something to say. Something I must say. So, let’s have dinner together tonight.”

Sung-hyun had been consistently expressing his feelings for her for a while.  

She shouldn’t have dragged it onto forever. She had to speak her mind.

It would be the least she could do for him.

Seowoo nodded in understanding.

***

“I had a good dinner tonight.”

“I’m glad to hear you ate well.”

After dinner, Sung-hyun and Seowoo decided to take a walk.

After arriving near Seowoo’s house, they started walking along the villa’s walkway. It was still early autumn, so the weather was perfect for a stroll.  

Worried about catching a cold from the breeze, Seowoo tightly buttoned up her cardigan.  

Because she couldn’t take medicine even if she fell ill.

“I think I’ve given you enough time. I’m curious about how you feel, Seowoo-ssi.”

Sung-hyun asked straightforwardly.

Seowoo, after a moment of contemplation, cautiously opened her mouth.

“I know you are a good person, Sung-hyun.”

Although he was younger than her, he was mature and deeply considerate, like someone older. 

Throughout the filming, Sung-hyun looked out for her more than anyone else. Because of that, Seowoo was able to return to work without much pressure.

She was able to focus on the drama because of him.

“You know, Sung-hyun. I mean, everyone who knows me knows that I’m divorced.”

“That’s not a problem at all.”

Sung-hyun said straight away. Her past marriage was completely irrelevant to him.

His feelings had grown just for Yoon Seowoo herself, not her background.

“I’m older, and I’ve been through it before.”

“Seowoo-ssi.”

Seowoo stopped walking and looked up. Then, meeting Sung-hyun’s eyes, she smiled faintly.

“I really appreciate your feelings… but find someone who suits you better, Sung-hyun.”

It was a rejection.

It was something he might have expected from her behavior all along, but it still felt bitter to hear those words of rejection directly from her. 

While Sung-hyun pursed his lips, Seowoo spoke again.

“Thank you so much for your support during the filming of the drama. Thanks to you, I was able to make a good comeback. I’m grateful from the bottom of my heart.”

“Give me a chance. I haven’t even been able to do anything yet.”

It was frustrating for him that she wouldn’t let him get closer. It would not be so regrettable if he had at least tried something. 

Seowoo had drawn a line, and she wouldn’t let him cross it. A look of discomfort spread across Seowoo’s face at Sung-hyun’s words.

“Is it because of General Manager Kwon? Are you seeing him again?”

“……”

“It must be true then.”

He had known, but seeing her silent now made it feel real. 

Kwon Jiwook, it was because of him after all. 

Perhaps he had hoped otherwise. He didn’t want her to enter that hellish place again and get hurt once more.

“Even if it’s not him, I’m not ready to like anyone yet.”

Of course, it was also because she still couldn’t forget Jiwook, but more accurately, she wasn’t mentally ready to like someone else.

After clarifying her intentions to Sung-hyun, it seemed she would soon need to sort out her feelings for Jiwook as well.

“I’ll wait.”

“Sung-hyun-ssi.”

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this, but I know the gist of it. That’s why I waited, and that’s why I’m asking you now. If it weren’t for that, I would have moved on long ago.”

It was his way of showing consideration. A consideration for her, who was wounded.

Seeing her faint while filming a scene where she was searching for a child made him realize how deep her emotional scars were.

[The Icon of First Love, Yoon Seowoo. Eventual Miscarriage]

He suddenly remembered an article he had seen. That was several years ago. 

Though she had retired, the miscarriage of a once top star like her had been the talk of the town every day, filled with various speculations and rumors. Thus, Sung-hyun knew about it. 

Calculating the timeline, it seemed that her child should have been Haewon’s age. He finally understood why she chose this drama, why it was so hard for her.

Maybe it was the very sad look in her eyes that moved his heart. Just looking at her was painfully heartbreaking.