Is it because I’ve never been loved before?

The feeling of being loved was overwhelming for Hee Won.

The moment she realized that Kang Woo felt the same way, her emotions overflowed beyond words.

And being loved by him was much happier and more joyful than she had imagined.

It felt so good that she thought she could die right now and be content.

What kind of woman does he like?

What kind of appearance does he prefer?

What does he find prettier?

She wanted to look good for him, to only show him her best side.

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she felt.

Afraid that Kang Woo’s feelings might cool.

Afraid he might become disappointed and say he no longer liked her.

‘Kang Woo isn’t the type to change his mind easily.’

Even though she knew this logically, even though she knew it was foolish, she couldn’t stop these thoughts.

Hee Won had always thought it was natural to be hated and looked down upon by others.

But she didn’t want to be hated by him.

She hoped he wouldn’t look at her with that expressionless face that revealed no emotions.

I wish he would only see the good sides of me.

I hope he won’t be disappointed, that he’ll like me even more.

A sense of urgency suddenly reared its head.

“And that senior once confessed to me before. Of course, I rejected him. It was quite a long time ago. So.”

She wanted him to smile at her right away.

Strangely, the more she explained, the more her mood seemed to sink.

An inexplicable emotion welled up inside her.

That’s when it happened.

“Hee Won.”

Kang Woo’s hands cupped Hee Won’s cheeks.

“You don’t need to explain everything.”

“…”

Hee Won hadn’t even realized it herself.

Her eyes were brimming with tears that had quickly welled up.

“I trust you.”

“…”

“Didn’t you decide to trust me? So, I don’t misunderstand at all the fact that you were with that man today. I don’t think you deceived me or did anything wrong.”

“…Kang Woo.”

Hee Won’s heart swelled at Kang Woo’s words.

But still, her anxious and impatient feelings didn’t subside at all.

It was contradictory.

To be happy yet anxious.

Afraid that the happiness barely grasped in her hands might disappear like a midsummer night’s dream when morning comes.

Kang Woo held Hee Won’s cheeks with both hands.

“I understand your anxious feelings. Because I’m anxious every day too.”

“…You’re anxious?”

Him, anxious?

Hee Won’s eyes widened in surprise at Kang Woo’s words.

“I’m scared too. Scared that these small lips that said they liked me might suddenly say they hate me.”

Kang Woo said as he rubbed Hee Won’s lips with his fingertips.

“…”

The part where his hand touched felt burning hot.

It felt strange.

“What if you become disappointed in me and say you don’t like me anymore? What if the eyes that looked at me with love suddenly turn cold? Could I let you go? I think about these things.”

“…”

Hee Won didn’t know that Kang Woo had the same thoughts as her.

He always seemed composed. Above all, since he was older than her, she thought he naturally had more ‘dating experience’.

“Do you know what I’m most afraid of these days?”

“…That the company will go bankrupt?”

Kang Woo chuckled at Hee Won’s answer.

“LS Group isn’t likely to go bankrupt like that. The company will run even without me.”

“…That’s true.”

“I’m afraid of being hated by you.”

“…”

“They say you can’t see even an inch ahead in life, but.”

Kang Woo’s eyes wavered greatly.

Hee Won felt overwhelmed by the emotion reflected in Kang Woo’s eyes.

“I’m not someone who easily gives my heart to others. I don’t think a heart not easily given would easily cool either.”

“…”

“If I dare say that I think you are my one and only love for life, could you believe me?”

The emotion reflected in his eyes was an intense possessiveness directed at her.

[This is the timeline separator] [It’s been two weeks since Chairman Cha of LS Group underwent surgery for acute myocardial infarction. Chairman Cha, who collapsed at his home on the afternoon of March 11th, is known to have been transported to the emergency room in cardiac arrest. Fortunately, after receiving emergency treatment including CPR, Chairman Cha’s heart function improved, and he reportedly underwent heart surgery including stent insertion before being moved to the intensive care unit. However, even after two weeks post-surgery, it’s known that he still hasn’t regained consciousness, causing concern for many.] [As Chairman Cha’s health deterioration has drawn attention to how it might change the pace of LS Group’s management succession, there’s a lot of interest in the movements of his eldest son, Cha Kang Woo, Managing Director of LS Group, and his second son, Cha Seok Hoon, Team Leader of LS Hotel. It’s known that Managing Director Cha Kang Woo visits the hospital daily. The business world observes that the succession structure centered around Managing Director Cha Kang Woo will likely accelerate.]

News about Chairman Cha and Kang Woo continued to flow day after day.

Tak!

“Damn it.”

President Seong turned off the television with a curse. He shouted at the chief of staff standing in front of him.

“Why hasn’t he regained consciousness yet!”

Chairman Cha’s surgery was a crisis for President Seong.

When marrying off Hee Won, he had received many promises regarding Jinseong Foods, but it was a verbal contract.

Of course, even verbal contracts are said to have legal effect, but there was no way to prove it now that the person in question had collapsed.

“Back then, I was crazy, this mouth was reckless!”

President Seong gritted his teeth, recalling his conversation with Chairman Cha.

[How about drawing up a contract?]

One day before Kang Woo and Hee Won’s wedding, Chairman Cha called President Seong to his office.

[A contract… you say?] [Yes. There are things that will implicitly pass between you and me due to the children’s marriage. I think it would be better to leave such things in writing.]

To Chairman Cha’s proposal, which somehow seemed to be testing him, President Seong spoke in a firm voice.

[Oh, elder brother. Not anymore. We’re in-laws now, aren’t we? What contract do we need between us?]

It was President Seong himself who first said it was fine in response to Chairman Cha’s words.

[Wouldn’t it be good for both of us to be certain? Neither you nor I know what might happen later.] [Who could be more certain than you, elder brother? And I promise that I won’t ask for anything more than what you’ve said you’ll give me.]

President Seong said, holding Chairman Cha’s hand, who had narrowed his eyes.

[Aren’t we family now, elder brother? So your word is enough. Besides, isn’t a verbal contract still a contract?]

President Seong gritted his teeth as he recalled that time.

“Ha! Crazy fool. Not knowing even an inch ahead!”

He threw the remote control on the table against the wall.

Fragments of the broken remote control rolled on the floor.

He never imagined Chairman Cha would collapse.

It was a mistake. He hadn’t heard any rumors about Chairman Cha having a chronic illness, so he thought it would continue that way.

President Seong pressed his temples and said to the chief of staff.

“To think that I, Seong Hyun Je, made such an amateur mistake. Ha. What am I supposed to do now? Really.”

President Seong had a headache.

Growing impatient, he had gone to see Kang Woo several times. But each time, Kang Woo gave the same answer without changing a single word.

[I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ll check the contents of what the Chairman said after he recovers. It’s not just any matter, but at a time when a person’s life is hanging by a thread, I don’t think you’re someone who considers money more important. Can you wait until then? Father-in-law.]

The look in Kang Woo’s eyes when he looked at President Seong seemed to have a sharp edge somewhere.

“Impudent bastard. I’m his father-in-law, but he’s being disrespectful.”

Just when he thought he was being a bit fond of Hee Won.

“Contact Seong Hee Won.”

“Pardon?”

When the chief of staff hesitated,

“I mean she’s not answering my calls these days. Try contacting her, and if it doesn’t work, go and bring her here.”

President Seong, having lost his reason, couldn’t see anything else.

* * *

“Come in.”

Stacy was annoyed with Madam So, who had called her but hadn’t said anything for a long time.

[Come in, shouldn’t you have Kang Woo?]

She never imagined Kang Woo would get married.

After all, Cha Kang Woo wasn’t a man who could marry in the first place.

“If you called me, I wish you would say something.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Stacy spoke to Madam So.

“You.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have confidence in catching Kang Woo this time?”

Stacy’s eyes widened at Madam So’s words.

She was confident!

Until recently.

But,

Stacy lowered her eyes as if giving up.

“He’s already married, how can I catch him? I don’t know what you want, Madam.”

Stacy had complicated feelings before coming to Korea.

Madam So hadn’t told her about Kang Woo’s wedding.

Why on earth?

A question mark floated in Stacy’s mind for a while.

Although Kang Woo didn’t know, Stacy and Lucas had known him from before.

Stacy raised her head and looked at Madam So.

“I kept quiet about my relationship with you. But what did you do for me in return for keeping that promise?”

“…”

Madam So was looking at her with an expressionless face.

Stacy sometimes got goosebumps when facing Madam So.

“I did everything you told me to do, so why isn’t Kang Woo in my hands?”

Just like now.