Chapter 9 (Part 4)

Pushed by Jinwon, she fell onto the road and struggled to open her eyes.  

Turning her head in panic, she saw Jinwon lying some distance away. Blood was spreading next to him.  

Crawling toward him, her face was already wet with tears.  

“O…ppa… O…ppa…”  

When she almost reached him, he slowly opened his eyes. But she didn’t see him open them.  

Overwhelmed by panic, she fainted.  

When she woke up in the emergency room, she was momentarily dazed.  

“In-ah, are you conscious? In-ah!”  

Turning her eyes, she saw Jinwon looking at her with a worried expression. His arm and forehead were bandaged.  

“Oppa.”  

She weakly called out to him. He gently stroked her head, soothing her,  

“I’m fine. I just got hurt a bit when I fell. So don’t worry and sleep more.”  

Perhaps due to the medication, she soon fell asleep again.  

Much time passed like that. When she opened her eyes again, Jinwon was asleep, leaning on the chair beside her.  

She closed her eyes and let out a sigh of relief.  

After confirming his bandaged arm and forehead, she carefully got out of bed. She tiptoed to the bathroom, trying not to wake him.  

Coming out of the bathroom, she stopped at the sound of someone’s voice.  

“What do you mean by this? How was I supposed to know? What am I supposed to do about someone who got hit by a car and is fine?”

Someone was on the phone, back turned, at the corner of the corridor.  

Despite the indignant tone, the conversation was suspicious.  

“The settlement money isn’t the issue. Do you know how suspicious it looks to have been speeding inside the hotel?”  

Startled, she almost screamed. If she hadn’t quickly covered her mouth, she might have been caught.  

It felt like the pieces were coming together, as if this was about Jinwon.  

Was today’s incident not an accident? If so, who would do such a thing?  

Returning to the emergency room, she quietly watched Jinwon sleeping.  

What on earth had happened? Had he gotten involved with bad people while we were apart?  

While she was deep in thought, Jinwon woke up.  

“In-ah, are you okay? When did you wake up?”  

“I just woke up. Are you okay?”  

She worriedly looked him up and down, noticing his bandaged arm and forehead.  

“As you can see.”  

Trying to smile, he was playfully hit on the chest by her.  

“How can you laugh? Do you know how scared I was?”  

He opened his arms and gently hugged her.  

“Sorry for scaring you.”  

In his embrace, she closed her eyes with mixed emotions. She resolved to become stronger.  

‘I will protect him. I can’t lose him again.’  

***  

When Jinwon arrived at work, he was the center of attention. Naturally, the bandages on his injuries piqued the staff’s curiosity.  

“How did you get hurt?”  

“A car accident? That was close.”  

“It wasn’t a hit-and-run, was it? Thank goodness.”  

The chattering staff quickly fell silent. They all turned to greet Seong-jun, who had just arrived.  

Without acknowledging them, Seong-jun walked past and headed straight to the director’s office.  

Watching him, Hye-yoon commented,  

“Was the director always so indifferent?”

“What do you mean?”  

In-ah asked, and Hye-yoon pouted as if surprised.  

“Isn’t it strange? Team Leader Lee came in injured, and he didn’t even say a word?”  

“Maybe he didn’t see.”  

“Come on, with everyone gathered here? That’s even stranger.”  

She shrugged and glanced at the door to the director’s office.  

A moment later, she knocked and entered Seong-jun’s office.  

“What is it?”  

She handed him an envelope.  

“What’s this?”  

“The necklace. The one you lent me for the event.”  

“Oh.”  

He opened the envelope and took out the necklace, glancing at her as he did.  

“You know it’s diamond, right?”  

“What?”  

She couldn’t hide her surprise.  

Amused by her reaction, he suppressed a laugh and began inspecting the necklace.  

Suddenly, he turned serious, looking up with a grave expression.  

Nervous, she swallowed and focused on his face.  

“It seems to have a crack…”  

“What? No way.”  

Startled, she took the necklace from his hand and scrutinized it.  

“I can’t see it well…”  

Murmuring to herself, she couldn’t take her eyes off the necklace.  

“You can’t see it?”  

He leaned in, closely inspecting the necklace with her. His breath was close enough to touch her.  

Just then, the secretary who had entered with a knock quickly exited upon seeing them.  

Unlike her, who didn’t notice, he caught the secretary’s reaction with a relaxed smile.  

Retrieving a case from the drawer, he carefully placed the necklace inside, then looked up at her.  

“Did you touch the necklace with hands that had makeup on them?”  

“What? Yes…”  

Caught off guard by the question, she answered absentmindedly.  

“…Just briefly while cleansing.”  

He slowly shook his head, increasing her anxiety.  

Showing her the necklace in the case, he explained,  

“Didn’t you know diamonds don’t mix with cosmetics? See how the third and fourth diamonds are cloudier than the others?”  

Looking where he pointed, she gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.  

As he said, two of the diamonds had lost their luster and turned cloudy.  

“What do I do?”  

Seeing her panic, he reassured her,  

“We’ll know for sure after an appraisal, but don’t worry.”  

“How can I not worry?”  

When she snapped, he flinched in surprise. Seeing his reaction, she softened her tone.  

“Let me know after the appraisal.”  

With slumped shoulders, she left the office.  

Watching her retreating figure, he chuckled.  

“How can someone be so adorable?”  

***  

She was petting a dog waiting at the animal clinic where Haejeong worked. For over ten minutes, she’d been in a daze, mechanically moving her hand.  

“What are you doing?”  

Haejeong asked, watching her closely.  

Without turning, she mumbled,  

“How much are diamonds these days?”  

“What? Are you picking fish at the market?”  

“Huh?”  

Finally, she turned to Haejeong.  

“Isn’t that what it sounds like? Diamonds have a market price, don’t they?”

“Do they?”

“Why the sudden talk about diamonds? Are you asking Jinwon oppa to buy you one?”  

Without answering, she sighed deeply.  

“Aren’t they about ten million won per carat?”  

Both turned to the voice that suddenly joined the conversation. It was a waiting customer who couldn’t help but answer.  

“When my friend got married, they seemed to be around that price.”  

“Ten million won?”  

With a gloomy face, she hung her head and stood up.  

“I’m leaving.”  

Watching her walk out, Haejeong tilted her head in confusion.  

“What’s with her today?”  

Returning home, Jinwon was surprised to find her crouched in front of his place.  

“Why are you here?”  

“Waiting for you. Where were you?”  

“Oh. Is something wrong?”  

She shook her head. But her drooping features conveyed her state—utter despair and gloom.  

Even so, she looked at Jinwon with concern.  

“Come home early. Be careful in everything. Where are you wandering with your arm and head hurt?”  

His lips curled up slightly, and he covered his mouth, glancing at her.  

“Sorry for laughing.”  

Seeing her pout, he tried to explain,  

“I’m happy. It’s starting to feel real. Watching you nag, it feels real.”  

“What does?”  

“Dating you again.”  

“Sigh.”  

This man, oblivious to the seriousness, keeps expressing affection. Yet, she doesn’t dislike it.  

“What’s in your hand?”  

“Oh, this? I visited mom. She packed side dishes. Want to try? I’ll cook rice.”  

“Really?”  

Her face brightened. Seeing her simple joy, he smiled again.  

He had loved her like that. Still does.  

Linking arms with him, she hopped along.  

“I was too lazy to cook, so this is great.”  

Hopping, she followed him into his house.  

While he set the table, she sat, chin in hand, watching him.  

“Isn’t it all set? What are you making now?”  

Impatient, she urged him. He replied while opening the fridge,  

“I’m making steamed eggs, your favorite.”  

“Stop right there!”  

Just as he was closing the fridge, her shout made him pause.  

She ran and flung the fridge door wide open. Inside, it was full of eggs. Two shelves were entirely filled with them.  

Mouth agape, she turned to him.  

“What’s all this?”  

Scratching his head, he gave an excuse,  

“I felt I was low on protein lately.”  

She eyed him suspiciously. Feeling caught, he confessed,  

“Okay, I practiced a bit.”  

“To make steamed eggs for me?”  

“Yeah. You can be persistent sometimes.”

He sounded like he was complaining. Proudly, she crossed her arms,  

“I do have that side.”  

Watching her, a tender emotion washed over him.  

“But when I said we should break up, why did you just leave?”  

“What?”  

His sudden question froze her.  

Calmly, he continued,  

“I thought you’d ask for a reason. Seven years ago.”  

Her pupils shook wildly. 

Had he resented me?  

While I suffered from betrayal and anger toward him,  

Had he been more devastated by unbearable pain and disappointment?  

“I practiced so hard.”  

He forced a smile.