“I begged while crying. Then I fainted, and later I heard. In the end, other people in the store stopped my father.”

Hee Won bowed her head deeply. So at that time, she didn’t know what expression Kang Woo was making.

“That must have been terrifying.”

Kang Woo’s face was completely crumpled. On his face were feelings of guilt for trying to give Hee Won earrings without knowing, and anger towards President Seong.

“So I thought I couldn’t wear earrings. When I tried to wear earrings, those memories would come back and give me goosebumps all over my body.”

“I see. I’m sorry. I should have asked, but I was too hasty and didn’t consider your feelings. You can take off the earrings if they make you uncomfortable.”

“No.”

Hee Won grabbed Kang Woo’s hand and shook her head vigorously.

“I want to wear them. When you put them on me, it didn’t bother me at all.”

“…Hee Won.”

“Thank you. Thank you for making something just for me, without forcing or pressuring me.”

Kang Woo’s eyes trembled slightly. Hee Won reached out and touched the earrings Kang Woo had given her.

“The earrings you gave me… They’re so pretty. I’ll keep wearing them.”

Kang Woo let out a small sigh and smiled.

“Thank you for saying that.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry and grateful, I like them…”

Things had changed since meeting Kang Woo. Even without saying it, he understood her feelings and always reached out a hand when she was struggling.

“Thank you for saying that.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry and grateful, I like them…”

“From now on, I hope you’ll tell me when you’re upset or angry.”

“…”

Even if time passed and they parted ways, she felt she would only have feelings of gratitude towards Kang Woo.

Unconsciously, such thoughts came to her. She hoped she could be that kind of person for him too.

After meeting Stacy, Hee Won realized that he had wounds no less than her own.

She knew that Kang Woo was actually suffering alone.

“Kang Woo too…”

Just as her heart had been eased because of him, she hoped he could be a little comforted because of her.

“Can you tell me?”

“…”

“What you want from me, I want from you too.”

“Hee Won…”

“I don’t want Kang Woo to endure alone, be upset alone, or be in pain alone. Just as you think that way about me, I feel the same.”

At Hee Won’s words, Kang Woo’s eyes trembled slightly.

“I want to be a source of strength for you too.”

At first, she thought it was just a contractual marriage relationship and wondered if it was okay to just receive like this. She also felt greedy, wondering what would happen if she developed real feelings for someone who treated a contract wife so well.

But after much thought, the conclusion was always the same.

That she was so grateful for Kang Woo’s existence.

So even if the end wasn’t a romantic happy ending, she hoped that much later, when Kang Woo thought of her, he would think she was a good person.

“Hee Won.”

Kang Woo, who had been moving his lips, bit his lower lip hard.

“…I’ll do that.”

At Kang Woo’s answer, Hee Won smiled brightly.

Of course, her beautifully made-up eyes were as black as a panda’s.

“I may look weak, but you can lean on me anytime, Kang Woo.”

Somehow, looking at Hee Won, Kang Woo felt his heart stirring. So he couldn’t say anything other than those words.

“Thank you.”

It was an unfamiliar feeling he was experiencing for the first time.

* * *

Hee Won said goodbye to Kang Woo in front of the building with the makeup shop.

“Do well. Ji Min and the others will be going to the hall too. I’ve checked the attendance list on my end, so it should be fine.”

“Thank you, Kang Woo. If it weren’t for you, I couldn’t have done this today.”

“It’s nothing. If anything happens, please contact me. If I don’t answer, leave a message with the director.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“I’ll leave after I see you go. Go ahead.”

“Okay.”

Hee Won got in the car first. When she opened the window and looked back, Kang Woo was waving and smiling.

Somehow, her heart fluttered.

* * *

“Welcome.”

When Hee Won arrived at the hall, staff members who were waiting greeted her. Today’s event was an annual charity event hosted by the LS Group.

She heard that until last year, Madam So was in charge of the charity event. But this year, for whatever reason, they suddenly passed the event hosting to Hee Won.

With the short time frame, she had been busy preparing for the event in a rush, but thanks to Kang Woo’s help, she was able to hold the event without any problems.

Just before entering the hall, Hee Won entered the space prepared as a waiting room.

“What time did you say actor Hyun Jun Seo would arrive today?”

In response to Hee Won’s question, a staff member checked their tablet and answered.

“We received a call that he left 40 minutes ago. He should be arriving soon.”

“I see. Then please tell them to escort him to the second floor when he arrives.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I heard that many actors from Hyun Jun Seo’s agency would be attending. Do we know how many are coming?”

“Yes, we were informed that a total of 21 actors are expected to attend. With the affiliated agency staff also attending, it should be about fifty people in total.”

At the staff member’s report, Hee Won finally felt relieved.

“That’s a relief. I was worried because some actors who suddenly said they would attend said they couldn’t come.”

Madam So’s charity events were held on a considerable scale every year. The charity event was a secret event by invitation only. That’s why every year, many people from both the business and entertainment worlds requested invitations.

Even for the LS Group, there was one reason why people tried so hard to be invited to the charity event. Being invited to the charity event was tantamount to being recognized as having a close relationship with Madam So.

In fact, the event hosted by Madam So was outwardly portrayed as a charity event, but in reality, it was also a social gathering.

The entertainment industry’s courtship was aimed at creating connections with the LS Group.

Then news came that this year’s event would be hosted by Hee Won instead of Madam So.

And a problem arose. As if they had been waiting for this, people who had received invitations expressed their intention not to attend.

The event was to be held with less than 20% of the usual number of participants.

When it became impossible to host the charity event itself, Kang Woo stepped in. And finally, with his help and that of his friends, they were able to invite people from the business and entertainment worlds.

“Knock knock, hello. May I come in?”

One of them was Hyun Jun Seo, who had just entered the waiting room.

“Welcome, Actor Hyun. Thank you for coming.”

Hee Won stood up and greeted Hyun Jun Seo warmly.

“Not at all. Thank you for inviting me.”

There was only one reason why he, undoubtedly the top actor among those in their 20s in South Korea, attended the LS Group’s charity event.

“But I’m sorry if this is too forward.”

“Yes?”

“Instead of such a formal title, may I call you sister-in-law?”

“Pardon?”

Looking at Hee Won, Jun Seo said with a smile.

“We’re going to be seeing each other in the future anyway, and it feels too distant.”

“…Ah.”

Hee Won was taken aback but quickly composed herself and smiled.

“Of course. Then what should I call you?”

“Please call me Jun Seo.”

“Alright, I’ll do that. Jun Seo.”

“Thank you, sister-in-law.”

Hee Won belatedly noticed that they were both standing.

“Oh, please sit down.”

“Yes. You too, sister-in-law.”

Hee Won sat down facing Jun Seo.

It was her first time seeing a celebrity up close.

He really is handsome.

Without realizing it, she stared blankly at Jun Seo. Even the way he lifted his teacup was like reenacting a scene from a commercial, and as people said, his face shone as if bathed in light.

But that was all. Objectively, she thought he was handsome, but it was completely different from the feelings she had for Kang Woo.

Kang Woo’s handsomeness was so intense it felt like it was directly hitting her heart.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the wedding. I couldn’t make it due to drama schedules.”

Hee Won shook off her distracting thoughts and engaged in conversation at Jun Seo’s words.

“No, it’s fine. You’ve come here like this.”

“I see why Kang Woo hyung’s face has been brighter lately.”

Jun Seo smiled.

“Pardon?”

“I thought he must be happy being with such a beautiful sister-in-law.”

“…Ah.”

Hee Won was flustered, not knowing how to react to the sudden compliment. Thinking she should change the subject, she hastily spoke.

“I heard you adjusted your schedule on short notice. I’m really sorry and grateful.”

At Hee Won’s words, Jun Seo put down the teacup he was holding.

“It’s nothing. If it’s Kang Woo hyung’s request, I have to come. I also wanted to make up for not being able to attend the wedding.”

“Still. Thank you so much for bringing people from your agency as well. You really saved us.”

Jun Seo looked at Hee Won with a slight smile. She was much more pure and innocent than he had heard.

He owed a great debt to Kang Woo. So he always thought about wanting to repay that debt, but there had been no opportunities to help.

Because Kang Woo had much more than him.

[I have a favor to ask.] [Hyung is asking me for a favor?]

But recently, Kang Woo contacted him saying he had a request. Pleased, Jun Seo raised his voice.

[Say anything, hyung. I’ll do whatever I can.] [Okay, thanks. Actually, I’d like the actors from your agency to participate in this group charity event.]

But at Kang Woo’s request, Jun Seo’s heart sank.