The number of soju bottles on the table increased, soju turned into soju beer cocktails, and when they ran out, whiskey came into play.

By then, Jungwook’s face had turned bright red.

“Ah, the drinks are going down so smoothly. By the way, brother-in-law, how did you become Vladimir’s adopted son?”

“Well, it just happened that he became my adopted father.”

“Oh, so you were adopted as a child?”

“I wasn’t that young, but depending on how you look at it, you could say I was.”

“Come on, what kind of answer is that? Hic.”

“I’d prefer it if you stopped asking personal questions…”

“I-I’m sorry. I take it back. When I drink, my mouth just runs away on its own… Please forget it.”

“That much is fine. I’m still learning how to pace myself.”

Learning to pace yourself – that must be a reference to our relationship.

Under the table, his hand reached out and gently clasped Soo-min’s.

For a moment, the look in his eyes made her feel conflicted. There was something there beyond mere kindness. It might have been her imagination, but it certainly felt that way.

“Are you really not twins?”

“Y-Yeon-joo!”

“Now that everyone knows… aren’t you a little curious?”

Yeon-joo, her eyes hazy with drink, didn’t bother to hold back – her words came straight and sharp.

“You said it before – that I look like someone. Who exactly do I resemble?”

“That’s… umph!”

Soo-min quickly reached over and put a hand over Yeon-joo’s mouth.

“Ah, um, sorry – Yeon-joo had a little too much to drink. Yuhyeon, don’t mind her. It’s just… there was a senior in college who looked a little like you, that’s all.”

“Just a senior?”

“Sorry?”

“You don’t talk about him like he was just someone you knew.”

His tone was calm, but the weight behind his words made her heart leap.

Yuhyeon stared at Soo-min in silence, her gaze steady and unwavering.

“Y-you see…”

“Why can’t you answer me? Don’t tell me – was he your lover?”

Pfft!!!

Jungwook, in the middle of his drink, suddenly spat it out in shock. He grabbed Eunhyuk’s collar for support.

“I-I have to… hic… go to the bathroom. Hey, you-come with me. Let’s go.”

“I’ll, uh… get some water…”

Even Yeon-joo quickly made an excuse and slipped away from the table.

Yuhyeon’s eyes wavered, unfocused, as if the ground had shifted beneath him.

He had been found out.

There was no way around it now.

“So it’s true. He is your lover.”

“……”

“I remember now. The way you were startled when you saw me for the first time. The strange feeling you had when we kissed – it was because I resembled your ex.”

The strength left Soo-min’s shoulders.

“I’m sorry. I never meant to deceive you. I just knew you’d be deeply hurt if you found out.”

“……”

“Yuhyeon… are you angry?”

“It’s not a pleasant feeling. It makes me think that all this time, the way you looked at me… you were seeing him.”

“That’s not true!”

Soo-min’s voice rose. She felt something catch in her throat and swallowed hard.

“Then… did you really look at me?”

“Yes. I saw you, not him.”

A slow smile spread across Yuhyeon’s face as he gently stroked Soo-min’s cheek.

“Then… I’m relieved.”

A small sigh escaped Soo-min’s lips.

He wasn’t angry!

He didn’t say he hated her!

It felt like a dream.

The thought that she might have even a small place in his heart made her want to hug him right then and there.

Her chest felt like it was swelling with emotion.

The interrupted meal resumed when the others returned from fetching water, and the gathering continued.

The alcohol tasted incredibly sweet – like sugar.

Like honey.

It was all because he was drinking beside her.

‘I’m happy…’

For the first time in years, Soo-min felt truly happy.

She had a feeling that this was going to be an unforgettable, joyful night.

After returning from the bathroom, she checked the time – it was 11:30 p.m. “Shall we go out? You’re welcome to stay here tonight.”

“Oh, no, that’s okay. We’ll go home.”

“Let’s leave Soo-min’s car here. Yeon-joo can be dropped off on the way.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Soo-min grabbed the drunken Yeon-joo’s arm, but she wouldn’t budge.

“Yeon-joo, come on. Let’s go.”

“Huh? Who’s that again? Isn’t that Junhwan? Sniff… I thought I’d never see him again… sniff…”

“Shh, shh. Watch what you’re saying.”

Yeon-joo grabbed both of Soo-min’s cheeks and shook her head from side to side.

“Oh, my pretty Soo-min. Poor thing… such a pitiful girl… tsk tsk… or not? Maybe you’re really lucky to be dating such a handsome guy? Puh-hehe…”

Soo-min didn’t know what to do.

“Ahaha… Looks like Yeon-joo had a little too much to drink.”

Yuhyeon made a phone call and shortly after, the guard appeared. The guard easily lifted Yeon-joo onto his back.

“Please give me the car keys.”

“Ah, right…”

Yuhyeon handed Soo-min’s car keys to the guard.

“She might make a scene on the way home. It’s safer if the guard takes her.”

The two of them took the elevator down to the parking garage.

After watching the car with Yeon-joo drive away, Soo-min quietly got into Yuhyeon’s car.

He looked exhausted as if the night had finally caught up with him. With a soft sigh, he pressed his fingers to the corners of his eyes, visibly tired.

“You’re tired… aren’t you?”

“A little.”

“Try to get some rest.”

As the car began to move, Yuhyeon soon closed his eyes.

Surprisingly, the sound of even breathing soon filled the car – he had fallen asleep.

His head was leaning back against the seat, but he looked a little uncomfortable.

‘Should I give him my shoulder?’

Soo-min gently supported his head and offered her shoulder.

A thump.

The comforting weight of his head on hers made her heart flutter.

‘I like this. Even his slightly unguarded side is charming.’

He was the kind of man who looked like he wouldn’t flinch in the face of bullets, but seeing these rare moments of vulnerability made him feel more human.

A soft melody slipped from Soo-min’s lips without her noticing.

It felt as if someone was harmonizing with her gentle melody – but it couldn’t have been the secretary.

Startled, she looked down.

‘No way… Yuhyeon? No, this can’t be…’

Just then, music started to play through the car’s speakers.

Soo-min, who had gathered more courage, reached out and gently held his hand.

‘I love this. So much. I think… I can finally let Junhwan go. Is this okay? Jun-hwan… I’ll never forget you.’

Not completely.

“Let me just enjoy a little happiness.”

There were several unfamiliar cars in the garage. It seemed there were guests. His voice, filled with mild irritation, broke the silence.

“Why is it so noisy?”

“I invited some friends over. That’s okay, right? We’ll just hang out in the wine bar downstairs. We definitely won’t go upstairs – really, I promise.”

“Ivan…”

He pressed his fingertips to his temple in desperation. Seeing this, Ivan looked a little uncomfortable, so Soo-min stepped in.

“Yuhyeon, don’t get upset just because he invited some friends.

“As expected from my sister-in-law, so understanding! You two go upstairs and get some rest. We’ll be quiet down here, I promise.”

Sensing the moment was right, Ivan gave them a gentle nudge toward the stairs.

“I should have handled this better…”

“We’re a family. Can’t we just be a little more relaxed with each other?”

“This is exhausting.”

“Do you want me to run you a bath?”

“No.”

“Ah…”

Suddenly she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close.

“This… this is more urgent than a bath. I need it – badly.”

There was a subtle reaction from his body, a shift that spoke louder than words.

“…Ah…”

“If you’re too tired… we don’t have to.”

“No… I wanted to, too.”

“Hoo.”

Her hair fluttered gently with the warmth of his soft laugh.

“Why-why are you laughing? You’re making me shy…”

“It’s just… I like to see you so honest.”

“Well, even if I said no, you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t.”

He started unbuttoning Soo-min’s blouse gently, his touch familiar. She reached for his shirt in return and unbuttoned it slowly.

They had gotten used to this – undressing each other piece by piece.

There was no more hesitation. No more shame at being completely n*ked.

As he gently slid down the strap of her bra, he asked quietly.

“Now I’m suddenly curious – why didn’t you marry that man?”

“……”

“Is that some kind of secret you can’t talk about?”

Talking about it with someone who looked so eerily like Junhwan felt cruelly ironic.

But then again, he was just her partner in this arrangement – someone who didn’t seem to be bothered by the past.

He had even casually asked about her marriage to Yedo.

“No. I was just… a bad wife.”

“…Why?”

He looked at her, his eyes filled with quiet curiosity.

And at that moment, with the light hitting his features just right, he looked *exactly* like Junhwan.

The words that had only passed her lips in front of Junhwan’s photo now came to the surface.

“I betrayed him… and married someone else.”

“Betrayed, huh…”

His intense gaze cut through her, unwavering and deep, as if searching for the truth behind her words.

Soo-min smiled bitterly.

“I’m worse than I seem. Greedy, selfish and…”

But before she could finish, his hand reached up and cupped the back of her head with a quiet tenderness.

“That’s enough.”

Then he leaned forward and parted her lips with his own, his tongue slipping into her mouth with a warmth that sent shivers down her spine.

Her eyes widened at the sudden depth of the kiss, at how he seemed to taste every word she couldn’t say. He kissed her slowly, deeply, his lips pulling at hers with a silent hunger.

His thick eyebrows almost touched hers, so close that their breath mingled.

“Haa… haa…“