“Congratulations on your promotion to CEO, Mr Se-hyeon.”

“Thank you.”

“You must be happy too, Ji-an.”

Se-hyeon and Ji-an sat side by side as they received congratulations one after another.

Everyone had made time for this special occasion to celebrate Se-hyeon’s appointment as CEO of W Electronics.

Six couples had gathered, all representing their own companies, and they had all been friends with Se-hyeon since childhood.

“Thank you. I haven’t really done much.”

Ji-an replied modestly, smiling with her eyes.

Initially, gatherings like this felt as awkward as wearing someone else’s clothes, but humans are adaptable creatures, after all. By now, even her acting had become quite natural.

“Damn, you got promoted so fast! You’re something else, as always.”

“Well, that’s a grand way to say congratulations.”

Se-hyeon replied lightly, pulling one corner of his mouth into a small smile in response to Kyung-jin’s congratulations.

As the eldest son of Chairman Woo Seung-beom of the W Group, Se-hyun had already proven his abilities multiple times and was consolidating his position within the company.

It was no exaggeration to say that his promotion to CEO was a foregone conclusion — only a matter of time.

His rapid and unprecedented rise from executive director to CEO had drawn public attention.

“Ms Ji-an.”

At the sound of her name, Ji-an paused mid-cut of her steak and looked up. Sitting across from her was Kang Jun-young of Kangwoon Construction, smiling gently with curious eyes.

“Have you heard the rumours?”

“Rumours…? What kind of rumours?”

Taken aback by Jun-young’s sudden question, Ji-an tilted her head slightly.

For a moment, she felt uneasy, wondering if the rumours might be unpleasant.

“They say that while he was born into wealth and privilege, things have gone even better for him since he married you. Apparently, he really hit the jackpot with this marriage.”

Relief flickered across Ji-an’s face.

“Oh, you’re too kind. Se-hyeon was already—”

Her words trailed off as she felt a sudden touch.

A firm, muscular arm wrapped around her slender waist and pulled her closer. The familiar scent of his cologne tickled her nose instantly.

“I’ve always been quite exceptional, you know.”

The distance between Ji-an and Se-hyeon closed in an instant.
Se-hyeon leaned in close, gently sweeping her long hair behind her shoulder.

“Our Ji-an needs to take good care of her husband, you know.”

Their eyes met as he smiled softly, his gaze fixed on her from just a breath away.

“That’s why everything is bound to go well. All thanks to my wife.”

“There he goes again.”

“Cut it out already, President Woo.”

Good-natured jeers erupted from all around the table.

Although it was probably all carefully calculated on his part, her heart still raced at his every move.

Ji-an blushed and shyly averted her gaze. But Se-hyeon gently lifted her chin and tilted her face towards his. His smiling eyes fell to her lips.

“You’ve got something here.”

He softly brushed his thumb across her lips. Every spot that his fingertips touched seemed to ignite with heat.

“Se-hyeon… I-I can take care of it.”

 Ji-an stammered, flustered by the countless eyes fixed on them. But he didn’t spare a glance at anyone else—his gaze remained locked solely on her lips.

“There. All done.”

With eyes filled with overwhelming affection, Se-hyeon smiled, pulling the corners of his mouth up slightly.

Ji-an found herself gazing at his handsome face, almost entranced.

Woo Se-hyeon was famously known as a devoted husband.

Whether in public or in private, he was always like this.

“It was love at first sight for me. Ji-an turned me down several times, but I kept pursuing her until she finally agreed to marry me.”

He had said it countless times before and after their marriage, during interviews and public appearances. That it was fate. That he had fallen for her at first sight.

And Woo Se-hyeon was faithfully living up to his words. They had been married for three years. You would think she would be used to it by now.

Perhaps it was because of the distance she still felt between them. Even now, Se-hyeon’s tender displays of affection left her feeling flustered.

After all, it was all just an act.

The fact that her heart still fluttered made her feel a little pathetic.

Suppressing her complicated emotions, Ji-an tried to compose herself.

Just then, Se-hyeon lifted the arm that had been around her waist and gently draped it over her shoulder.

“You two really make such a lovely couple.”

Yoon-young chimed in suddenly from her seat next to them.

She was the only daughter and sole heir of the S Group, the seventh-largest conglomerate.

She was the princess of a family that had everything.

From Yoon-young’s perspective, Ji-an was someone who shouldn’t inspire the slightest bit of envy — someone who didn’t even belong in the same league.

“And what is it you envy so much, Ms Yoon-young?”

Se-hyeon asked, raising his wine glass with a hint of playful curiosity.

Yoon-young’s eyes sparkled as she fixed her gaze on him.

“It’s because you dote on Ji-an so much. My fiancé is so cold and indifferent in comparison.”

“Why is the arrow suddenly pointing at me? We’re doing just fine.”

Her husband, Kyung-jin, laughed as if he found the whole thing absurd, while Yoon-young shot him a playful glare.

“Well, since I was the one who pursued her, it’s only right that I devote myself to her now.”

Se-hyeon answered without hesitation, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“That’s how it should be.”

“Three years into your marriage, and you’re still this in love?”

Yoon-young asked, her voice laced with playful disbelief. In response, Se-hyeon shifted his gaze to Ji-an, his eyes narrowing slightly as he slowly traced every feature of her face, taking in each detail.

This kind of attention wasn’t new to her. But perhaps because of his recent promotion to CEO, he seemed to be paying her even more attention tonight.

Ji-an’s cheeks flushed, and she pressed the back of her hand to her heated face, trying to cool down.

“Exactly. Even after three years, I still love her just the same.”

“Oh my, how sweet.”

“You’re such a romantic, Mr. Woo.”

The women’s envious voices rang softly in Ji-an’s ears. Her throat felt dry, so she lifted her glass and emptied it in one go. The bitter taste of the wine lingered on her tongue, much like her mood that was growing increasingly bitter.

Hoo…
Feeling her chest tighten, Ji-an took a slow, quiet breath.

“You’re drinking quite a bit tonight.”

Se-hyeon finally remarked as he noticed her empty glass.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re going to get drunk at this rate! Stop drinking!”

Se-hyeon took the glass from her, looking displeased, and put it down on the table.

Ji-an clenched her empty hand into a fist in her lap.

“Is it all right if I ask something a bit personal?”

It was Yoon-young who spoke up again. Perhaps it was because she’d been raised like a precious jewel, but Yoon-young was the type of person who always spoke her mind with no filter or hesitation.

Or maybe, Ji-an thought, she deliberately chose questions that would embarrass Se-hyeon.

After all, there had once been rumors that Yoon-young and Se-hyeon had briefly talked about marriage before he ended up marrying Ji-an.

Maybe that was why.

“Go ahead.”

 Ji-an replied, bracing herself and wondering what uncomfortable question would come next.

“My father brought it up the other day. He recently met with Chairman Woo, and it seems the chairman is quite eager for grandchildren. Do you and Se-hyeon not have any plans for a baby yet?”

The moment the words left Yoon-young’s lips, Se-hyeon’s mouth twisted ever so slightly — coldly.

Others might not have noticed, but Ji-an had been by his side for three years.

She knew.

She could tell exactly how displeased he was right now.

Ji-an struggled to keep her composure. She forced a strained smile onto her quivering lips, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t slow her racing heartbeat.

“Because I don’t want to.”

“Oh my, why not?”

Surprised by Se-hyeon’s response, Yoon-young widened her eyes.

“For now, I just want us to enjoy married life as if we’re still dating. So we decided to delay it a bit.”

Se-hyeon continued calmly. Ji-an took another quiet breath, feeling as though something heavy was pressing against her chest.

“But lately, I’ve been thinking of going along with her wishes. She seems to want a child more and more these days.”

“I see.”

Whether she truly understood or had another agenda behind the question, Yoon-young pursed her lips into a faint, curious smile.

The small amount of food Ji-an had eaten now felt heavy in her stomach.

Unable to endure the discomfort any longer, her expression twisted slightly with unease.

She could only hope this agonising dinner would end soon.

***

“There’s a rumour going around that President Woo is deliberately avoiding having kids.”

Inside the powder room near the restroom. Standing in front of the mirror, Yoon-young casually reapplied her red lipstick as she spoke.

A few women hovered around her, eager to stay in her good books.

“Really?”

“That’s exactly why I asked.”

Yoon-young said, her voice unrestrained, as if she knew something the others didn’t.

“I just wanted to see how they’d react.”

She spoke as though she were privy to some hidden truth.

“This whole “fated love” story sounds like a lie, honestly. I think they’re avoiding having children because he’s already considering divorce.”

“Why? Did you hear something? The way he looks at her, it’s like he’s completely smitten. My husband says he’s never seen President Woo act that way with anyone before, especially given how cold he usually is.”

“Exactly. Even tonight, you could practically see the love in his eyes.”

The women feigned scepticism while whispering to each other, eager to gossip. One by one, they leaned in closer to Yoon-young, eager to hear more.

Joo-ri, another woman in the group, joined in carefully.

“They say President Woo had really high standards. But, to be fair, Yoo Ji-an does have a pretty face. Her figure’s not bad either.”

“She is rather pretty.”

Yoon-young admitted, before continuing in a sharper tone.

“But my fiancé said she just showed up out of nowhere when they got married. Honestly, it’s a bit much. It’s not like she comes from a respectable family or anything. He practically saved her by marrying her.”

Her biting words showed no sign of stopping.

“…”

Ji-an, who had been on her way into the restroom, froze the moment she heard them.