“Why are you treating us?”

Despite Kang Woo’s brusque words, Ji Min didn’t lose his smile, though he must have been flustered.

“Don’t be jealous.”

Though it was a small voice as if whispering only to Kang Woo, somehow it reached Hee Won’s ears clearly.

Hee Won’s face turned red.

She couldn’t understand why she kept misunderstanding when it wasn’t real. It seemed like she became a fool who lost reason and was swayed by emotions when she was with Kang Woo.

“The food is all here. Please enjoy your meal.”

At Ji Min’s words, Hee Won raised her head. Before she knew it, a full course meal had been set before her.

“It’s a lot.”

While admiring the table full of food, Hee Won was also worried on the other hand.

It was because she thought the other person might feel bad if they couldn’t finish all the food prepared for her and Kang Woo.

In fact, since childhood, Chairman Seong had strictly managed Hee Won’s diet. Because of that, her usual meal portions were less than half that of an adult woman.

Then Kang Woo whispered in Hee Won’s ear.

“You can eat as much as you want. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Wondering if he had mind-reading abilities, Hee Won looked up at Kang Woo in surprise at his words that had accurately read her mind. Kang Woo smiled slightly, nodded his head slightly, and handed Hee Won her utensils.

“Enjoy your meal.”

After that, Kang Woo picked up his own utensils with elegant gestures as if nothing had happened.

Thanks to Kang Woo’s words, Hee Won’s heavy heart felt much lighter.

After the meal, dessert was served.

In the end, she couldn’t even eat 1/5 of the food Ji Min had prepared.

“I’m sorry you went to all this trouble.”

Even though it was a contract, she didn’t want to leave a bad impression on Kang Woo’s close friend.

Hee Won spoke with an apologetic heart.

“Not at all. Please don’t feel burdened. It’s natural to leave food if you can’t finish it. And Kang Woo said he’d take the leftovers, so don’t worry about it.”

Ji Min waved his hand and smiled, saying it was fine.

“Kang Woo will?”

“Yes.”

When Kang Woo was mentioned, Hee Won couldn’t grasp the situation. Was this what he meant earlier when he said he’d take responsibility?

“That’s why he briefly left his seat just now. So you don’t need to feel sorry.”

“…Oh.”

Kang Woo had left his seat after the meal ended and just before dessert was served. But the reason was because of the leftover food.

Where was he planning to take the leftover food?

Hee Won felt grateful to Kang Woo, but her thoughts were complicated.

At that moment, Ji Min spoke to Hee Won.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

Since it wasn’t a real marriage, it felt strange to receive congratulations from Kang Woo’s close friend.

Her heart surged and her eyes grew hot.

“I’m glad to see that Kang Woo seems to cherish you a lot. Actually, we thought Kang Woo wouldn’t date. Since he had to do it for the company, we thought he might have an arranged marriage. With Kang Woo’s personality, he probably wouldn’t have gotten along well with someone he met that way.”

Hee Won had many thoughts at Ji Min’s words.

“But seeing you, I feel relieved. It seems like he’s met a good person.”

“Ji Min.”

“I hope you’ll live happily together.”

Ji Min was the first to offer sincere marriage congratulations. Perhaps that’s why Hee Won felt like she might cry.

“Thank you.”

And a moment later, Kang Woo returned, opening the door. As he sat down next to Hee Won, Ji Min stood up.

“Well then, you two talk.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

After Ji Min left, silence fell.

Since Kang Woo wasn’t usually talkative, Hee Won patiently waited through his silence.

“Have you thought about the honeymoon?”

“…Honeymoon?”

Hee Won looked at Kang Woo and thought.

It was too greedy to say she wanted to go on a honeymoon since it wasn’t a real marriage anyway and they would part ways after a few years.

So even if Kang Woo said they wouldn’t go, Hee Won steeled herself, thinking she absolutely shouldn’t feel disappointed.

“I think I should ask for your understanding first.”

As Kang Woo’s words fell, Hee Won clenched her fist tightly.

It wasn’t difficult to predict what he would say.

He’d probably say they naturally wouldn’t go on a honeymoon.

Hee Won opened her mouth, thinking she shouldn’t lose her smile even if Kang Woo said what she expected.

“Go ahead.”

“After the wedding ceremony, I have to leave immediately for a business trip to the United States. It’s a schedule that was set half a year ago and can’t be adjusted.”

What Kang Woo said was as expected.

“Ah, yes. Even if we don’t go on a honeymoon…”

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t disappointed at all, but he had no reason to bother with a honeymoon. So Hee Won smiled as she had resolved and opened her mouth.

But she couldn’t finish her words.

“Instead of a honeymoon, would you like to come with me on the business trip, if that’s alright with you, Seong Hee Won?”

It was because Kang Woo made an unexpected proposal.

“…Me?”

Hee Won asked back, unable to hide her surprised expression.

“Yes. You, Hee Won.”

Kang Woo took Hee Won’s hand and continued speaking.

“It’s not forced, but I want to go together. And I’m sorry we can’t go on a honeymoon.”

“…Why are you sorry to me?”

Hee Won’s eyes shook roughly.

“Isn’t it natural? If we can’t go on a honeymoon after the wedding ceremony because of my circumstances, it’s natural to feel sorry to my wife.”

Wife…

Hee Won felt like a large stone had been thrown into the lake of her heart. Her heart was rippling so much that she couldn’t think of anything.

She thought she shouldn’t feel upset even if they didn’t go on a honeymoon. So she steeled her heart again and again.

After all, it was a contract where she shouldn’t mix in personal feelings with him.

“I’d like it if you came with me.”

But Kang Woo treated her as if they were a real married couple. The more time she spent with him, the more she couldn’t control her growing feelings towards him, even though she knew she shouldn’t expect anything.

“…Is it okay for me to go on the business trip?”

He answered her trembling voice in a firm tone.

“There’s no reason why not. Of course, on days when I have scheduled appointments, you’ll have to be on your own, but if you’re okay with that, I think it would be nice to go together.”

Can I really go?

The Kang Woo she knew was a very considerate person. This proposal was probably just a formal courtesy towards her.

If she really said she’d go, wouldn’t he be troubled? Hee Won was conflicted.

In truth, she wanted to go together.

One of her bucket list items was to travel the world, and it was also the first goal she wanted to accomplish when she gained her freedom.

This trip with Kang Woo might be the first and last. Hee Won found herself growing greedy in various ways.

After a brief deliberation, she made up her mind.

Hee Won gazed at Kang Woo.

“I’ll do that.”

It didn’t take long for the answer to flow from her small lips.

And when the answer he wanted came back, Kang Woo pulled up the corners of his mouth in a long smile.

“Thank you for deciding.”

“No, thank you for taking me with you.”

Afterwards, the conversation about the U.S. trip in place of the honeymoon continued.

Although the matter of the honeymoon was settled for now, Hee Won’s heart grew heavy again.

This was because the original topic they were supposed to discuss today wasn’t about the honeymoon.

[It’s better to be clear, so think about the conditions you want until we draw up the contract.] [Conditions?] [That’s right. Think about what you’ll need while living married to me.]

It was because they still hadn’t discussed the contract, which was what they needed to talk about.

Should I bring it up first?

After hesitating several times, Hee Won opened her mouth.

“Um, Cha Kang Woo.”

“Go ahead.”

“…About the contract you said you wanted to draw up last time.”

But somehow Kang Woo’s face darkened rapidly.

She had only said what he was supposed to say instead. So she couldn’t understand why he seemed to be in a bad mood.

“That’s right.”

But it was only for a moment. Kang Woo quickly composed his expression and took out a document from his bag.

“May I first tell you the conditions I want?”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“Read it over and tell me honestly if there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with or want to add.”

“…Alright.”

The mood felt strange. It was clearly the contract she had prepared for, but she couldn’t calm her stirring heart.

1. Cha Kang Woo and Seong Hee Won acknowledge each other as equals, not as superior and subordinate.

2. The contract period is maximum 3 years. In case of divorce, Cha Kang Woo will pay Seong Hee Won 1 billion won in alimony at once and cover her living expenses for the next 5 years.

3. Seong Hee Won must always accompany Cha Kang Woo to official events, and Cha Kang Woo will provide material support as needed.

4. The contract must be kept absolutely confidential. If disclosed to anyone other than the parties involved, the disclosing party must pay twice the alimony amount to the other party.

A clean and perfect contract, neither more nor less, was placed before Hee Won.

It was just a contract, with their interests intertwined.

Kang Woo to escape the pressure of marriage, Hee Won to escape her hellish home.

“But I have something else I want to add.”

“Tell me.”

So she shouldn’t take it emotionally.

‘I’m not sure if Cha Kang Woo will grant my request, but I should at least ask.’

Hee Won bit down hard on the soft flesh inside her mouth and steeled her resolve.

“When you provide support to Jinseong Foods or proceed with additional business, could you let me know?”

At Hee Won’s words, Kang Woo’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m not planning to oppose what LS Group does. I just want you to inform me.”

“May I ask the reason?”

“…I’d prefer if you didn’t ask.”

A brief silence fell between Kang Woo and Hee Won.

The reason Hee Won asked to be informed in advance about Jinseong Foods was for no other reason.

It was because she was worried that Chairman Seong and Choo Hyun Jung might make excessive demands of Kang Woo using her marriage as an excuse, and at the same time, she wanted to take Jinseong Foods away.