When Joo Ah called Kang Woo her husband, Hee Won’s heart fluttered.

My husband… Kang Woo is indeed my husband.

Somehow her feelings welled up. Worried her voice might sound strange, Hee Won nodded instead of answering, and at the same time, Joo Ah’s eyes narrowed.

“Hmm.”

Joo Ah, also being the daughter of a businessman, knew the rumors circulating that Chairman Seong was marrying off Hee Won as if selling her.

Her friend had never been interested in men, and despite going on arranged dates for years, no man had met Chairman Seong’s standards.

Then one day, Hee Won said she was getting married. The groom was none other than the notorious Cha Kang Woo.

A man 12 years older than Hee Won, with every bad rumor in the world attached to his name.

Naturally, as a friend, she had been extremely worried and had agonized over what to say before coming to meet her.

How she should comfort Hee Won if she said she was struggling.

Of course, seeing the man taking care of her friend at the wedding eased her concerns a bit, but thinking he might have acted that way because it was a public place, she couldn’t feel completely at ease.

“Is your husband treating you well?”

“Yes, he treats me very well.”

But contrary to expectations, Hee Won’s face looked better than she had ever seen before. She had brightened up noticeably since they last met. Moreover, her small shoulders that were always hunched were now straightened, and she seemed much less concerned about her surroundings.

However, that didn’t completely put her mind at ease.

Joo Ah knew all too well how terrible the outcome of a political marriage could be. So when her friend said she was having an arranged marriage, she wanted to stop her.

If she were a man, she would have run away with her, but feeling helpless, Joo Ah felt frustrated.

As if to prove all those worries and concerns were unfounded, Hee Won was smiling even more brightly than before.

“He really treats me well. So well that I wonder if it’s okay for him to be this good to me.”

Thinking of Kang Woo, Hee Won’s cheeks turned as red as ripe apples. A smile appeared on Joo Ah’s face as well.

She likes him. That man…

Having known Hee Won for a long time, Joo Ah could tell.

That her friend was genuinely happy, and that she liked that man.

But she had no intention of showing it.

Of course, it might have started as an arranged marriage, but no one could predict what would happen between a man and a woman.

Besides, Hee Won was attractive to anyone who looked at her. So Joo Ah smiled, thinking that surely that man couldn’t help but love her friend too.

“It’s nice.”

For the first time since becoming friends with Joo Ah, Hee Won spoke comfortably without any sense of being rushed.

“What is?”

“I think it’s the first time we’ve met so casually like this.”

“…Ah.”

After meeting Kang Woo, Hee Won’s life had undergone a 180-degree change.

“You’re right. I always enjoyed meeting you before, but now it’s even better because there’s nothing to worry about.”

At Joo Ah’s words, Hee Won felt a little guilty. Because Chairman Seong had contacted her just as often as Hee Won.

“I’m sorry. You must have had a hard time all this while, answering my father’s calls.”

Joo Ah waved her hand vigorously at Hee Won’s words.

“What are you saying between friends? Oh, you’re starting school next semester, right?”

Fortunately, the mood that was about to turn gloomy changed.

“Yes. Kang Woo is supporting me.”

“Hmm.”

Joo Ah’s eyes narrowed once more. She had noticed Hee Won’s feelings and was going to let it pass, but her behavior made it impossible not to ask.

“This might sound strange, but do you like your husband?”

“…Huh?”

Surprised, Hee Won looked at her with wide eyes.

“Well, it’s natural for a wife to like her husband. But you’re different, Hee Won. It’s not like you had a love marriage with your husband.”

“…Ah.”

“How do you feel about him?”

Because Hee Won’s feelings seemed to be more than just interest or fondness.

Joo Ah swallowed the words that lingered on the tip of her tongue, wanting to say more, and instead smiled.

“Actually… you’re right.”

Hee Won’s face flushed hot as she answered hesitantly.

“I like Kang Woo.”

“…As I thought.”

“Huh?”

Contrary to expectations, Joo Ah responded in a calm voice.

Hee Won had actually thought that Joo Ah would be greatly surprised or oppose it. The rumors about Kang Woo were not good, and she thought that as a friend, Joo Ah couldn’t have a good feeling about her liking such a man.

“You’re not surprised?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Joo Ah said.

“It’s not like I didn’t expect it. It’s all over your face, how could I not know?”

“My face?”

At Joo Ah’s words, Hee Won touched her own face and asked again.

“It shows on my face?”

“Yes.”

“Oh no, that’s not good. Do you think Kang Woo knows too?”

As Hee Won stammered in panic, Joo Ah replied with a still calm face.

“I don’t think he knows. It’s because it’s me. How many years have I known you? I’ve practically raised you, how could I not know the changes in your emotions?”

Hee Won felt both relieved and somehow warm in a corner of her heart at Joo Ah’s answer.

Although they were just friends, Joo Ah was more like family than her actual family, and sometimes she was someone Hee Won could rely on like an elder sister.

“So don’t worry. You’re not the type whose face shows emotional changes, and you don’t usually have many expressions anyway.”

At Joo Ah’s words, Hee Won lowered her hand from her face and said.

“That’s a relief then…”

“You don’t show it when you like or dislike something. It’s not quite a poker face, but it’s more like I can’t tell what you’re thinking. There are probably various reasons, but I think it’s because you’ve been suppressing your emotions for so long. Only someone like me would know, most people wouldn’t be able to tell. Hmm… if someone could notice your emotional changes or moods, they must be someone who’s really interested in you.”

As soon as Joo Ah finished speaking, the words Kang Woo had said flashed through Hee Won’s mind.

[Did something bad happen?] [If you don’t like it, you don’t have to force yourself.] [I’m glad you seem to like it.]

Remembering how Kang Woo had understood her feelings without her saying anything, Hee Won felt overwhelmed.

“And I’m not worried.”

“Huh?”

“It’s the first time you’ve liked someone. I don’t think the man you like is a bad person.”

“…Joo Ah.”

“He must be a good person. That’s why you opened your heart that you had locked up so tightly.”

Hee Won couldn’t say anything as her emotions welled up at Joo Ah’s sincere words.

“I hope it goes well. I hope you become very happy.”

Joo Ah held Hee Won’s hand tightly as she spoke.

“Congratulations, Hee Won.”

The affectionate voice made her feel like crying.

Until she met Kang Woo, Joo Ah had been the only one who took her side and sometimes became her sanctuary.

That’s why her words resonated even more deeply in her heart.

“…Thank you.”

Hee Won bowed her head deeply, feeling like she might cry, and squeezed out her voice. Seeing her like this, Joo Ah’s eyes also turned red.

The warm atmosphere was only momentary.

Hee Won’s phone, which had been put in her bag, vibrated.

One incoming call pushed Hee Won to the edge of a cliff.

“It’s an unknown number.”

The screen showed an unknown number.

“Don’t answer it. If it’s an unknown number.”

Joo Ah tried to stop her, but thinking it might be an important call, Hee Won said.

“I’ll answer it for now.”

Hee Won pressed the call button after finishing her words.

“Hello?”

As she answered the phone without much thought, Chairman Seong’s voice came through the speaker, shouting abruptly.

[You, how dare you change your phone number without telling me?]

Her heart, which had been burning hot just moments ago, cooled as if doused with cold water.

Hee Won momentarily took the phone away from her ear and mouthed to Joo Ah.

I’ll go out and take this call for a moment.

Joo Ah nodded with a worried look towards Hee Won.

As she went outside, she thought.

‘How did father find out about the changed number?’

It was puzzling how her father knew the number that currently only Kang Woo and his secretaries knew.

“Please speak.”

[Did you think I wouldn’t know if you changed your number?]

“…”

Chairman Seong was spewing out his words without giving Hee Won a chance to respond.

[And what did you say to Director Cha! How dare you make excuses when your father-in-law asks you to come to your in-laws’ house?]

“Did you contact Kang Woo?”

She couldn’t just listen when Kang Woo was mentioned.

[Yes. Is it wrong for a father-in-law to call his son-in-law? Who am I? I’m the in-law of LS and Cha Kang Woo’s father-in-law.]

“…Father.”

[Listen to me carefully. If you told Director Cha not to come, you’re mistaken. Your home is Jinseong Foods. No matter how much you deny it, you are the daughter of Seong Hyun Je of Jinseong Foods.]

She had always had to follow whatever her father did, and that’s what she did.

She couldn’t ask for reasons, and she had given up trying to ask. But now it was different.

Her body no longer trembled with fear and terror like before.

For the sole reason that Kang Woo was by her side.

“Why does Kang Woo have to go?”

[What? Seong Hee Won, listen carefully. Without me, you’re nothing. You married for the company. Don’t act arrogant. Your actions should be beneficial to Jinseong Foods. Do you understand what I’m saying?]

“Is that why you called?”

[…What? How dare you speak to your father like that? Do parents and children need a reason to contact each other?]

“Father and I aren’t the kind of relationship that can contact each other without a reason.”

It was words that had been lingering in her mouth all along.

[What? You ungrateful… You think you’ve become something just because you’re now the wife of LS? Who do you think made that position for you? It was me, Seong Hyun Je.]

Chairman Seong shouted so loudly it seemed the speaker might tear.