Hee Won instinctively noticed that Stacy and Kang Woo were not just ordinary acquaintances.

She wondered if there was anything she could do for Kang Woo. Of course, she was cautious about interfering recklessly without knowing much. Moreover, since she wasn’t even his real wife, she hesitated even more.

She felt discouraged, feeling like there was nothing she could do.

At that moment, Hee Won noticed Kang Woo’s trembling fist, and she wanted to hold his hand.

There was hesitation.

‘Right. What does it matter if it’s fake or not. I want to be a source of strength for Kang Woo, just as he has been for me. Even if just a little bit gets through…’

But most importantly, she wanted to give back to him as he had embraced her.

Hee Won reached out her hand towards Kang Woo. She could feel the trembling in their joined hands.

Kang Woo’s eyes widened more than ever as he looked down.

He looked flustered, as if he hadn’t expected her to do that.

Hee Won met Kang Woo’s gaze head-on, and she gripped his fist a little tighter.

‘Even though what I can do for Kang Woo is trivial, I’m here beside you. So don’t be distressed.’

The words she wanted to say swirled in her mouth, but she conveyed her feelings by nodding at him reassuringly instead.

She knew that letting him feel it directly was better than clumsy words of comfort.

She wanted to comfort him quietly, just as he had done for her.

“Hee Won…”

Kang Woo, who had been mulling over Hee Won’s name, returned to a calm expression, in contrast to his earlier flustered moment.

“Hee Won.”

“Yes.”

He unclenched his fist and interlaced his fingers with hers, one by one. The anguish and unsteadiness were no longer visible on his face.

“Thank you.”

After briefly expressing his gratitude to Hee Won, Kang Woo turned his head to look at Stacy.

Stacy’s gaze was fixed on Kang Woo and Hee Won’s joined hands. Kang Woo called out to Stacy, who was glaring at them with eyes turned crimson.

“How can you hold hands with that woman in front of me, elder brother?”

“Don’t call my wife ‘that woman.'”

“Is that what’s important right now?”

“Yes, it is important.”

“Have you forgotten the promise you made to me, elder brother? How could you do this to me!”

Kang Woo looked at Stacy, who was glaring at him, with a calm expression and said,

“I haven’t forgotten the promise I made to Lucas even once since that day.”

At Kang Woo’s emotionless voice, Stacy shouted angrily.

“Liar! You have forgotten. How can you do this if you haven’t forgotten?”

Kang Woo’s expression was devoid of any emotion towards Stacy.

“As I’ve said before, you know that taking responsibility doesn’t mean I’ll do anything with you.”

“No? You never said that. You said you’d take responsibility for me.”

“It doesn’t matter whether you understand or not. I’ve said it.”

“Why her? Why are you with another woman when I’m here? What do I lack? I’m much prettier and younger. I have more money, and I’m more capable!”

As Stacy shouted, Kang Woo’s face turned grim.

“Let me warn you.”

Kang Woo raised his hand holding Hee Won’s, as if to show off.

“Don’t bring up Lucas.”

“Elder brother!”

“My marriage has nothing to do with my promise to Lucas. So I can’t tolerate you treating this person rudely anymore.”

“H-How could you, elder brother. What is she to you!”

“This person is my wife. So watch your behavior. I’m only tolerating you this much because of Lucas.”

Stacy’s expression turned frantic at Kang Woo’s emotionless gaze.

“She’s an illegitimate child, isn’t she!”

“Stacy Lee. Can’t you understand what I’m saying? Have you already forgotten what I just said?”

“I don’t know.”

“You should know that I’m tolerating you now not because you’re pretty, but because of Lucas.”

“I don’t know!”

Stacy’s face contorted.

“If you don’t understand, then get out right now.”

“Elder brother!”

“If you want me to make sure I never see you again, then keep this up.”

Stacy finally burst into tears.

“How can you do this to me? What is she to you…”

As Stacy, who had lost her reason, rushed towards Kang Woo and Hee Won, Min Chan stepped in front of Hee Won to block her.

“That’s enough.”

“You elder brothers won’t move aside either? What is she that you’re all stepping in?”

“Stacy.”

“Move. I said move.”

“Go. There’s no place for you here.”

“No.”

As Stacy persisted, Min Chan looked at Joo Ah Min standing by the entrance with a fierce gaze.

It was a murderous look that seemed to say he would kill him if he didn’t take her away immediately.

When Joo Ah Min didn’t move, Seok Jin, one of Kang Woo’s friends, pushed his back. Only then did Joo Ah Min approach Stacy with a reluctant expression.

“Hey, let’s go.”

When Joo Ah Min grabbed Stacy’s arm, she shook off his hand.

“No. You go, elder brother. I still have things to do.”

“Ah, really.”

Joo Ah Min roughly messed up his hair and forcibly grabbed Stacy’s arm to drag her out.

“Let go, I said let go. Elder brother! Elder brother!”

Stacy pleaded for help from Kang Woo, but no one came to her aid.

“…”

A moment later, Stacy’s voice echoing in the hallway finally quieted down.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was heavy, as if a typhoon had struck.

No one dared to speak easily.

‘What on earth happened? Is Lucas Stacy’s elder brother?’

The brief conversation between Kang Woo and Stacy flashed quickly through Hee Won’s mind.

She wanted to ask what had happened between Kang Woo and Stacy.

Even though she was just a contract wife without the right to know, she still thought she could ask since she was currently his wife. But she kept her mouth shut, fearing she might hear a truth she couldn’t handle.

Her head was spinning.

Moreover, the subdued atmosphere caused by Stacy’s appearance was the worst.

Today was supposed to be a gathering to introduce her and Kang Woo to friends who couldn’t attend their wedding, and she felt upset.

Of course, she was nervous about meeting the friends of the man she liked, but she had been more excited and looking forward to meeting his friends.

From the moment Hee Won heard about today’s meeting from Kang Woo, she had been pondering over and over what gift would be good, and she was thrilled and expectant.

She hadn’t expected a warm and friendly atmosphere, but she didn’t think it would be ruined like this.

Hee Won bit her lower lip hard at the surging emotion.

She even felt resentful towards Stacy, who had ruined the mood, whether intentionally or not.

The brief silence continued, and the atmosphere remained heavy and dark.

No one moved, and everyone was just watching each other’s reactions.

Even Min Chan, who was said to have the brightest and most sociable personality, was wearing an awkward expression and watching for cues.

At that moment, Kang Woo whispered in her ear.

“Let’s go back.”

“…Pardon?”

His words were truly unexpected. So she couldn’t say anything other than “Pardon?”

Once because of his hot breath touching her ear, and once more because of what he said.

Today was a gathering arranged for them.

“You want to go back?”

“What would you like to do?”

“…”

“You can do whatever you want, Hee Won. If you want to stay, that’s fine, and if you want to go home, that’s fine too.”

“…”

The words “But how can we leave when your friends gathered because of us?” lingered in Hee Won’s mouth.

Kang Woo noticed Hee Won’s hesitation and said,

“To be honest, I want to go home.”

“…”

Hee Won stared blankly at Kang Woo.

“What would you like to do, Hee Won?”

Hee Won, who had been unable to say anything out of confusion, finally opened her mouth after hesitation.

“Why are you asking me something like that?”

She was already aware that Kang Woo always asked for her opinion.

However, she was quite surprised that he would ask even in this situation.

Kang Woo squeezed her hand tightly and continued speaking.

“I just wanted to know what you wanted to do, Hee Won.”

Hee Won, who wanted to know Kang Woo’s thoughts, stared intently into his dark eyes. In those deep black eyes, she saw her own wavering reflection.

She could feel that he was genuinely asking out of concern for her. Hee Won’s heart fluttered with the rising emotion.

“Your opinion is the most important to me, Hee Won. I don’t want you to worry about others. Even if you say you want to leave here, no one will say anything, so feel free to speak your mind.”

This is who Kang Woo is.

Her heart swelled.

Even though she knew very well that Kang Woo was not the type of person to cowardly test her feelings or irresponsibly pass on the choice, she still tried to understand his heart.

“Kang Woo.”

Clearly, the unpleasant, upset, and angry feelings from just a moment ago had miraculously become okay because of Kang Woo.

This gathering was for Kang Woo and her. So the ones who should leave were not them, but the uninvited guests.

“There’s no need to force yourself. So I think it’s best if we leave now.”

Hee Won smiled at Kang Woo and shook her head from side to side.

In truth, she couldn’t deny that she wanted to appear gracious and make a good impression on his friends in this situation.

Moreover, she had a stubborn desire not to let Stacy ruin this gathering for her and Kang Woo.

But the biggest reason was that she herself wanted to stay here.

“No. I want to stay here.”