When Se-hyeon arrived, Gyu-eun wiped the expression from her face quickly, as if nothing had happened.

“Where did you go?”

Se-hyeon asked, approaching her with his gaze fixed on Ji-an. She forced a smile, pulling at the corners of her lips.

“I just stepped out for a bit. I needed some air.”

She still had to pick up the things she’d dropped. But, of all days, her heel had broken, and of all dresses, today’s was too tight for her to bend over comfortably.

As she hesitated, unsure how to proceed, Se-hyeon seemed to realise what was going on. Without a word, he crouched down and began picking up her scattered belongings. Then he handed them to her.

“Thank you.”

Ji-an said, smiling slightly awkwardly.

“I was actually looking for you.”

He replied, gently taking her hand and pulling her to his side. He then shifted his gaze to Gyu-eun, who was standing just a step away.

“My wife. You two haven’t met, have you?”

“Ah…”

A stiff silence fell instantly between them.

Although Gyu-eun had heard that Ji-an had appeared in a few articles, she had never looked at them. She hadn’t wanted to, for fear of how it might make her feel.

This was therefore the first time she had seen Ji-an in person.

The smile tugging at Gyu-eun’s lips trembled ever so slightly. Sensing this, Ji-an was the first to speak.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Yoo Ji-an.”

“Chae Gyu-eun.”

She responded quietly, forcing the words out. Yes, she had come to see Woo Se-hyeon again. But that wasn’t the only reason.

She had heard rumours that he was now the perfect husband and was deeply in love with his wife.

She wanted to see it for herself. What kind of woman could make that man — the ever-rigid, aloof Woo Se-hyeon — so hopelessly smitten?

Seeing them together stung more than she had expected.

Ji-an was beautiful. Far more than she had imagined. The kind of beauty that drew the eye without trying.

‘And she’s younger too…’

Gyu-eun bit the inside of her cheek, her hand curling into a fist at her side.

“She’s an old friend, she left the country just before our wedding, and only recently came back.”

“Ah, I see.”

Ji-an deliberately tightened her grip on Se-hyeon’s hand, interlocking their fingers. At her sudden display of affection, a subtle shift passed over Se-hyeon’s expression.

“But, Se-hyeon…”

Ji-an’s voice faltered, her tone uncertain. Se-hyeon turned to her with a curious look, trying to read her face.

“Why?”

“I twisted my ankle and broke my heel when we collided.”

Her left stiletto was now heel-less. With heels that high, she could barely stand on one leg, let alone walk.

Se-hyeon bent down, examined the damage, then took off his jacket and wrapped it around her waist.

“Woo Se-hyeon!.”

Gyu-eun called, who had been watching in silence until now. Both he and Ji-an turned towards her.

“Remember? After the auction, we’re having a little year-end party – my ‘welcome back’ party. You’re coming, right?”

Kyung-jin had mentioned it earlier, but Se-hyeon hadn’t paid much attention. Now, with Gyu-eun spelling it out, the thought returned.

“Ah.”

“Don’t disappoint me, I’ll be waiting.”

His silence dragged on, and Gyu-eun’s increasingly impatient expression gave her away. Ji-an leaned close and whispered.

“Go on. I’ll be fine.”

But Se-hyeon didn’t even hesitate. He scooped Ji-an up into his arms.

“Ah!”

Her cheeks were flushed a deep shade of red.

‘So that’s why he tied the jacket around my waist…’

Mortified, Ji-an tapped his shoulder and realised the reason why.

“Please put me down.”

Se-hyeon held her and spoke to Gyu-eun.

“Go ahead without me. I’ll look after my wife and call you later.”

With that single sentence, he strode off, leaving Gyu-eun staring after his retreating back, her lip twisted in disdain.

Muttering a curse, she pulled out her phone.

“Kang Jun-young, where are you? Come and get me. I need a drink.”

***

Se-hyeon strode across the lobby, still carrying Ji-an, and attracted the attention of everyone in the room.

Fortunately, the event wasn’t over yet, so there was only a small crowd, but that did little to ease Ji-an’s embarrassment.

As the two of them often played the part of the adoring couple, those who recognised Woo Se-hyeon could do nothing but look on with envy.

“You can put me down now.”

She murmured, indicating that the act could end. He said nothing. Silently, he carried her straight through the lobby and out of the hotel’s main doors.

As Tae-hoon’s waiting car pulled up right in front of them, he stopped and opened the door. Se-hyeon gently placed Ji-an in the back seat.

The tenderness he had shown just moments ago had vanished completely.

“Head home first.”

“…Se-hyeon.”

Just as he was about to close the door, Ji-an called out to him urgently. Se-hyeon paused, turning halfway around and staring at her as if to ask what she wanted.

“If you’re going to call me, say something!”

“…”

Why did she feel so anxious tonight? Was it because of that woman?

Even if it was, she knew better than anyone that she didn’t have the right to say anything.

So, despite calling out to him, no words came. Only her lips moved silently, caught in hesitation.

After a moment, Se-hyeon let out a quiet sigh, raising an eyebrow in mild irritation. He turned to Tae-hoon.

“Make sure she gets home safely.”

“Yes, sir.”

The door shut before Ji-an could say a single word. She turned toward the window, watching Se-hyeon’s retreating back as he walked away without looking back.

A heavy, unfamiliar unease welled up inside her.

***

“Hey, Chae Gyu-eun. Can you slow down a little?”

Unable to watch any longer, Jun-young tried to stop Gyu-eun from having another drink.

After the auction, a few of them had gathered for a small welcome-back party for her. Their spouses had all been sent home, leaving only old friends.

They had already celebrated Se-hyeon’s appointment as CEO earlier in the year. However, as Gyu-eun had returned so suddenly, Se-hyeon had only been able to make a brief appearance.

“I’m drinking because I’m happy, okay? What’s your problem!”

Gyu-eun was already well into her drinking. She was sitting opposite Se-hyeon, who had his legs crossed and was leaning casually against the sofa, holding a glass of whisky on the rocks.

“What’s up with her?”

Seated beside Se-hyeon, Myeong-rok nodded towards Gyu-eun. She was known for only drinking in moderation, so her excessive drinking tonight had not gone unnoticed.

Clearly, “being happy” wasn’t the real reason.

Se-hyeon said nothing. He simply took a slow sip of his drink.

“…Se-hyeon.”

What did Ji-an want to say when she called out to him like that? The image of her uncertain, fragile face kept surfacing in his mind, tugging at his thoughts.

“So it’s just you and me left now, huh?”

Gyu-eun said suddenly.

“Everyone else is married.”

She glanced around the room, then tapped her finger twice — once at Myeong-rok and once at herself.

There had been seven members in their group. Aside from Gyu-eun and Myeong-rok, they were all married.

Jun-young chuckled and chimed in.

“Hey, technically speaking, he got married and came back. You’re the only one left now.”

Myeong-rok’s marriage had been arranged, but he divorced recently after falling out with his in-laws. As it had never been a love match, he walked away without regret.

“Maybe I should let my family set me up too. Maybe I’ll get lucky like Woo Se-hyeon or Kang Jun-young.”

She’d said his name on purpose. Sure enough, Se-hyeon’s gaze shifted towards her.

Their eyes met.

He stared at her with an unreadable expression, then tipped back his glass and finished his whisky before responding, as if to correct her.

“I’m a bit different.”

“Different how?”

“I didn’t marry someone chosen by my family. I made my own choice.”

His voice was calm but deliberate. As he twirled the empty glass and smiled slightly, Myeong-rok leaned over and refilled it for him.

“You arrogant bastard, still obsessed with your wife, huh?”

Se-hyeon didn’t respond, only smiling faintly — the kind of smile that spoke volumes.

Watching him, Gyu-eun tried to smile too, but her cheek twitched as if refusing to cooperate. She curled her fingers around her glass and drank the rest of her drink in one go.

Se-hyeon put his glass down with a sharp clink and got up from the sofa.

“I’m heading out. See you next time.”

“I’m coming too.”

Gyu-eun said, quickly rising to follow him. Her voice sounded slightly too eager. She grabbed her bag from the sofa and followed him.

“We’re going the same way anyway. Just drop me off.”

Se-hyeon stood with his hands in his pockets, frowning slightly. Before he could say anything, Kyung-jin, who had been watching the exchange cautiously, finally spoke up.

“Yeah, why don’t you give her a ride tonight?”

“We’ll stay and have another drink. She’s clearly had enough.”

“That’s probably for the best.”

As if waiting for permission, the others joined in, one after another.

Se-hyeon looked straight at Gyu-eun for a moment, then replied reluctantly.

“…Let’s go.”

With only that, he turned and walked away.

Gyu-eun quickly gathered her clutch from the sofa and rushed after him.