Eunha shoved him hard in the chest, using every bit of strength she had. But instead of stumbling back, he pushed her against the wall. The hard surface pressed into her spine. In her shock, her lips parted—and his tongue slipped in.

“Joo Tae-yang, what are you doing!”

The furious voice of Choi Heeju faded away, as if she were sinking underwater.

He held her tongue captive while devouring her mouth with such intensity that her thoughts scattered. His tongue probed deep inside her mouth, exploring every corner.

Even when she looked on, he didn’t stop. Nothing she did could make him pull away. The harder she tried to escape, the more relentless he became.

Their breaths mingled and their tongues moved as if they were one. When his large hand slid down the curve of her back, a shiver rippled through her entire body.

“…Hnn.”

The world seemed to fall silent. Her knees trembled as if she might collapse—then his lips finally lifted from hers.

“Are you going to keep watching?”

Turning his head, he directed the question at Choi Heeju, asking if she planned to stay and enjoy the show.

“You b*stard!”

Their mouths crashed together again.

Eunha hit his chest and forearm, striking out at whatever she could reach. Yet he continued to invade her personal space without hesitation, as if he had made up his mind. He kissed her too well — too well, in fact — and it showed.

The hands that had pushed him away were now clutching at his clothes. They weren’t just sharing breath — he was taking everything from her.

The wet sound of their tongues mingling grew louder.

“Ha…”

He finally pulled back and let out a long breath. Eunha gasped, scanning their surroundings. Luckily, no one was passing by—and Heeju had disappeared at some point.

“Your lipstick’s a mess.”

He brushed her cheek with his hand, then gently wiped the smudged colour around her mouth. His own lips were stained, too, but he only cared about hers.

His bright, effortless smile made her chest throb painfully.

It was devastating. This was nothing like she had imagined. She had never dreamed that he would kiss her like that in front of Choi Heeju.

She hoped he would never find out. If she could, she would keep it hidden forever. There may be no such thing as an eternal secret, but still… Just this once.

Just this once.

She wanted to live like this, sustained by his affection.

“Hyesung will be waiting. Let’s go.”

With a face on the verge of tears, Eunha nodded. He took her wrist, started walking, then suddenly stopped. As if he couldn’t hold back another second, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Be as vicious as you want. I’m not divorcing you. So go on—keep trying.”

“……”

“I only have you. Back then, and now. It’s always been you.”

He pressed a long kiss to her forehead before walking again. Following beside him, Eunha fought the urge to cry. She didn’t want to push him away anymore. She didn’t want to hurt him on purpose ever again.

Joo Tae-yang—of all people—was hurting because of her. She wanted to cling to him and tell the truth.

‘Please don’t hate me. I didn’t choose to be Lee Sun-han’s daughter. I never wanted to be the daughter of a murderer. Please… please, forgive me.’

She wanted to beg.

“Mom! Mister!”

When they returned to their seats, Hyesung was happily eating his cake.

“Is it good?”

Tae-yang gently pinched the boy’s cheek as he spoke with a low laugh. She had thought Hyesung only resembled her…but no—their smiles were the same.

Father and son, unmistakably alike.

Say it.

Tell him whose son Hyesung is.

Just say it.

If staying by his side meant being shameless, she could stomach that.

“Yes, it’s good. Unc— I mean, Mister. Can I have another one?”

“Then you should. Eat as much as you want.”

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s our first family meal out.”

The word ‘family’ hit her straight in the heart.

She should have told him everything and left the moment she found out. But she kept putting it off — one day, then another — until she became attached to him. She wanted to stay by his side. It was dangerous.

If she kept quiet, could everyone be happy? If only she could become heartless, could the others remain unharmed?

If that was possible, Eunha was willing to play the villain over and over again.

A little later—

“Did you have fun today?”

After dinner, they took a walk around the park near the restaurant. Anyone looking would have believed they were a loving family.

“It’s our first time eating together like this. You liked it, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Let’s eat together from now on. It’s nice. I’ll talk to the housekeeper about it.”

Eunha nodded.

Since he’d had wine, the driver was at the wheel. Hyesung, who was sleepy, had fallen asleep in Tae-yang’s arms.

The scenery outside the window was completely lost on them.

She must have fallen for Choi Heeju’s lies again. She had definitely been fooled six years ago. And now, this too had been a lie.

He said the person he loved was her, but that wasn’t true. The kiss in front of Heeju proved it. The words ‘you’re the only one, then and now’ kept echoing in her ears.

“I need to take a call for a moment.”

“Okay.”

If only her father—no, the man she hated calling father—hadn’t done what he did…

“Hello? Yes, go ahead.”

If only…

“…What? Hold on. I’ll call you back in a bit.”

Maybe something was wrong at work. His expression stiffened slightly, and Eunha stared at him.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He stretched his lips into a long, easy smile.

“Nothing at all.”

He squeezed her hand, brushed her fingers, scraped lightly at his nail. Their fingers stayed linked all the way home. Their palms were hot, but neither let go first.

“You go in first.”

Eunha lifted Hyesung into her arms. Tae-yang waved his phone at her to indicate that she should go ahead. Perhaps that was the call he had mentioned.

Inside, she headed straight for Hyesung’s room. She laid him on the bed and took off his jacket and socks.

Now, dressed only in his soft sleepwear, Hyesung smiled faintly, as if dreaming of something sweet. She pulled the blanket up to his chin and brushed his hair off his forehead.

She had promised herself that she would finally reveal Hyesung’s father’s identity and tell him the truth. However, the more she thought about it, the more uncertain she became.

She knew he would be happy if she told him.

The problem was what would happen afterwards.

But what if he found out what Lee Sun-han had done? Would he refuse to leave his child with the daughter of a murderer? Would he try to take Hyesung away from her?

Hyesung was more precious to her than her own life.

It was Hyesung who had kept her alive whenever she had wanted to die. If he hadn’t existed…

Eunha held his little hand tightly and closed her eyes as if in prayer.

‘Father… I’m sorry. But just this once. I’ve never been greedy before. I’ve always given up quickly and never allowed myself to want things. So please, just this once, let me want him. I promise I’ll be kind. I’ll do good deeds and help people who are struggling. I’ll live every day with gratitude and treat him well. So, Father…’

“Please… just this once. I’m begging you.”

‘I’m sorry. Truly, I’m sorry.’

‘Please allow him to be with Hyesung. Please let him become Hyesung’s father. Please forgive me.’

Eunha whispered her plea for a long, long time. Tears slid down her cheeks, hot and uncontrollable. Her shoulders rose and fell with every trembling breath.

No matter what she tried, the tears wouldn’t stop. So she stayed in the darkness of Hyesung’s room for a long time, unable to calm the storm inside her.

When she finally gathered herself and walked to the bedroom, he still wasn’t back.

Was his call taking that long? Or had something happened and he’d gone somewhere?

Just as the worry surfaced, he opened the door and stepped inside.

“Finished your call?”

How should she say it?

Her lips felt painfully dry with nerves, but she tried her best not to show it as she asked brightly.

He sat down at the edge of the bed.

Eunha’s eyes trembled.

“Is… something wrong?”

His head was lowered, hiding his expression.

“I… Tae-yang. I have something to tell you. The truth is, about Hyesung…”

She fell silent.

Because when he lifted his head his expression was icy, cold enough to hurt.

“…You knew?”

Eunha forgot to breathe; so much had been packed into those words.

Ah! This must be her punishment. She should never have allowed herself to want anything.

Realising that he knew everything, Eunha collapsed where she stood, her legs simply giving way beneath her.