“Do you remember the day you comforted me saying ‘It’s not elder brother’s fault’?”

“……”

“From that moment, you were mine. And now you’re going to leave me because of Jin Jae Yi?”

His absurd words made everything turn black before my eyes.

A trap I could never escape from on my own. The more I struggled, the deeper I felt I was falling.

“Just stay by my side. Like this for life.”

Even a minute or second was dreadful, let alone a lifetime like this.

Kim Yu Jun spoke terrible words with a picture-perfect smile. For a moment, Park Ra Jin lost her sense of reality, as if hypnotized.

“So don’t do it twice. Don’t turn your back on me again from now on.”

“……”

“You should answer. Hmm?”

“I won’t. Never again.”

Seemingly satisfied at last, Yu Jun’s face cleared up like the spring sunshine.

Until Jung Ha Eun arrived, Park Ra Jin had to make countless promises and commitments to Kim Yu Jun.

Even though she had clearly promised not to do it again. Kim Yu Jun would ask and ask again, as if to confirm, after stroking her head or bringing her water.

He was so persistent. Eventually, she had no choice but to pretend to fall asleep by slowly closing her eyes.

If the sharp-witted Chief Hyun hadn’t brought porridge and medicine, who knows when it would have ended. For the first time, Park Ra Jin was even grateful to Yu Jun’s loyal secretary.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Elder sister, are you alright?”

Jung Ha Eun asked, stroking Park Ra Jin’s head in Ra Jin’s second-floor bedroom.

“How much did that psycho torment you? Your face is completely haggard.”

Ra Jin’s heart warmed like being covered with a blanket at Ha Eun’s words, substituting harsh curses.

How empowering it is to have someone on your side. Ha Eun’s curses, which Ra Jin had never heard before, sounded like sweet love songs.

“So what did Kim Yu Jun say?”

“He said he’d end the engagement and take Myungjin within the year.”

“And marry you too?”

A sigh burst out after nodding. With less than 8 months left in the year, what should be done now?

God had given Kim Yu Jun a sensitive nature, but also the tenacity to accomplish what he set his mind to. Even if the chairman of Myungjin’s arrest was lucky for him, it was solely due to his ability that he was able to take control of the group in one fell swoop.

“What if I end up marrying Kim Yu Jun at this rate?”

“No way! Absolutely not!”

Ha Eun shouted, saying how could you marry a stalker.

“I wish Prosecutor-nim would arrest Kim Yu Jun.”

“Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho?”

“Yes. Even if he can’t easily arrest the Myungjin Group heir. If he keeps summoning him or something and appearing in the news.”

The idea of negative public opinion was tempting.

Even big companies can see their booming businesses plummet when boycotts start. It sounded somewhat plausible.

“Even Kim Yu Jun, with the company being criticized. Would he say he’s leaving his long-time fiancée to marry you?”

Ra Jin couldn’t help but say that would be her greatest wish. But knowing it wasn’t easy, she held her tongue.

“How much longer is that special investigation or whatever?”

“About two months.”

With only 60 days left, is it okay to have hope?

The words ‘give up’ and ‘marriage’ simultaneously appeared in Ra Jin’s mind. No matter how excellent Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho was, how could he take on the giant Myungjin.

“But have you contacted the prosecutor again?”

“Yesterday.”

“First?”

“No. He said he’d contact me again at the hotel, but I didn’t after coming home.”

Come to think of it, she hadn’t even finished sending a message because Kim Yu Jun barged in.

“Why!”

“I didn’t want to cause unnecessary problems. And I felt bad for rejecting his request too.”

Ra Jin’s already timid heart kept making her sit still. Ha Eun sighed, patting her chest.

“You could help secretly.”

“How secretly?”

“Without anyone knowing you’re on Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho’s side.”

Is that possible?

Ra Jin had only thought about declining because the prosecutor’s request was burdensome, not considering anything else from the start.

“The prosecutor gets to catch Kim Yu Jun. You get rid of Kim Yu Jun. It’s a win-win, isn’t it?”

Win-win?

It did make some sense. Then, as if she had been waiting, Ha Eun poured out her arguments.

“Actually, it’s not good for mother if Oh Jong Hyuk keeps coming and going sporadically.”

“……”

“Why keep stirring up memories of someone who’s passed away? It just reopens old wounds.”

Problems Ra Jin had never considered before.

Ha Eun, standing one step back, could see things so clearly, while Ra Jin had only been dragged along until now. Ha Eun’s advice was like medicine, good for the body but bitter to taste.

Ra Jin’s nose stung with a somewhat bitter feeling.

“While we’re at it, break up with Oh Jong Hyuk like you wanted. And get rid of that useless manager too.”

“Was it Tae Hyung Sik who made Kim Yu Jun chase after me today too?”

“Probably.”

“Haa.”

“The manager’s salary is predictable. You know he bought another luxury watch recently?”

Ra Jin’s brow furrowed at the words that he must have received backdoor money from Kim Yu Jun.

A manager neglecting his main job and focusing on surveillance, a CEO just milking money, a chaebol heir no different from a stalker.

If only she could secretly help Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho who held the knife and settle all of this at once. This might be the first and last chance.

‘If I can get Kim Yu Jun and Oh Jong Hyuk investigated together, they won’t be able to pay attention to me, right?’

Ra Jin’s heart pounded at the thought that seemed too good to be true.

“Can I deceive them? Without anyone knowing?”

Though her heart was greatly inclined, she still couldn’t muster the courage. Ra Jin kept asking Ha Eun as if to confirm.

“Have you ever seen a celebrity without a lover who says they have no dating rumors? Some even two-time.”

“That’s true.”

“But people don’t know, right?”

Telling her to do it like a secret romance. Ra Jin fell into thought at Ha Eun’s advice that stuck in her ear.

Countless times celebrities secretly love and break up with each other. Ra Jin vaguely knew how they contact each other avoiding people’s eyes, where they usually meet.

“Can I do it?”

“You just need to deceive the manager.”

Perhaps simple, but the most difficult task.

Even if he was neglecting his duties, deceiving the manager who accompanied her for all schedules was no easy feat. He might be the person who needs to be paid the most attention to.

“Oh Jong Hyuk only gets reports from Tae Hyung Sik. So we just need to deceive the manager, right?”

“That’s right!”

“Money won’t work, will it?”

Ha Eun shook her finger side to side, as if to say they couldn’t match a chaebol’s wealth.

“How about catching his weakness to make him unable to move?”

“We should prepare that too for later.”

“Should I encourage him to quit being a road manager? Saying he should get promoted?”

Ra Jin’s whole body tingled with excitement even as she said it.

Since Kim Yu Jun had set a deadline within this year, the countdown had already started. With not much time left, something had to be done quickly.

All sorts of ideas popped up randomly.

But in the end, success or failure depended on how Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho moved.

The opportunity she had already thrown away with him who held the answer key.

If she could meet and discuss with Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho first, wouldn’t some answer come out? If that wasn’t possible, she had to find another way.

“Ha Eun. I’m going to make a call.”

“Oh!”

Though she boldly declared she would call, Ra Jin froze the moment she faced his number.

‘If I knew this would happen, I should have contacted him last night even if it was late.’

Ra Jin couldn’t press the call button right away, wondering what if he was upset about yesterday.

“What should I do, I’m nervous.”

Ra Jin flapped her feet with her palm on her heart.

“The prosecutor might contact you. Should we wait just until today?”

Just as she was looking at Ha Eun as if seeking agreement, Ha Eun smiled and pressed the call button.

“Huh? Oh! Ha Eun.”

The excuse that she wasn’t mentally prepared yet disappeared with the dial tone. It was too late to hang up now as it would show as a missed call. Just as Ra Jin was repeatedly saying “What should I do?”

[Yes.]

Ra Jin’s heart sank at his soft response.

Ra Jin couldn’t even manage a common greeting, let alone say anything with her face burning hot.

A stifling heart and parched lips. It was maddening how she became like a person with loose screws in front of him.

[Ms. Park Ra Jin?]

“Yes? Ah, yes. It’s, it’s me.”

[Are you alright?]

Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho asked as if checking her condition, perhaps finding her flustered state strange.

“You said to meet yesterday.”

The main point came out first, without the prepared preamble. While repeating ‘I’m going crazy’ to herself, Ra Jin didn’t back down.

“How about today?”

“……”

The man who had said anytime for a meal or drink was silent. Was the offer only valid until yesterday?

“Is, is it difficult?”

[No, it’s not.]

But what’s with this lukewarm response. Ra Jin chewed on her lower lip.

[I’m thinking about where would be good.]

“Ah, the hospital is fine with me too.”

Even though Ra Jin suggested a place, the man who wasn’t easy maintained his silence. Ra Jin was about to lose her breath waiting for his answer.

[There’s a space my mother uses as a studio. Is that alright?]

From his grandfather’s parking lot to his mother’s studio.

The words “that’s burdensome” rose to Ra Jin’s throat. But there wasn’t really a better alternative either.

“That’s fine.”

[I’ll send you the address.]

He continued the conversation without any unnecessary words. Noticing the smoothly flowing situation, Ha Eun pressed her face close to eavesdrop on the call.

“Yes. 8 PM.”

The call abruptly ended with the words to meet soon. A man who only says what’s necessary, the thought that it was just like him made her smile.

But Ra Jin couldn’t put down the phone he had disappeared from. As if she alone was left with lingering feelings.

“What did the prosecutor say?”

Ra Jin’s eyes finally cleared at Ha Eun’s question, unable to hold back any longer.

“We’re meeting at 8.”

“But why is your expression like that?”

“I just don’t know. How I feel.”

“It’s because you’ve been tormented by that psycho. Let’s go, to my place.”

Ha Eun gracefully got up from her seat. Then she opened the drawer and took out clothes first.

“Let’s hang out at my place and then go to the meeting place. I’ll go with you.”

“Really?”

“After you’re done talking, ask him to take you back. It’s good, we won’t be seen by many people.”

An important moment.

Ra Jin tightly hugged Ha Eun’s small back, grateful for her saying only what was necessary.

“What would I have done without you, Ha Eun.”

“It’s nothing compared to you paying for Seonho’s surgery.”

Ra Jin’s eyes welled up at Ha Eun’s words that she had a heap of favors to repay.

A special connection to each other. The two shared warmth and exchanged compliments before eventually sniffling.

“At this rate, we’ll never leave.”

They chuckled and hurriedly packed their bags.

Ra Jin, heavily disguised with a hat and mask, headed to Ha Eun’s house. There, while eating the home-cooked meal Ha Eun prepared, she organized what to say to Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho.

Time flew by so quickly. Before she knew it, Ra Jin had arrived at the meeting place with Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho.

“Haah……”

She had never been this nervous even in front of numerous staff. Ra Jin massaged her stiff neck and exhaled deeply.

“Just do it like we practiced earlier.”

“Mmhmm.”

Ra Jin tightly grasped Ha Eun’s hand, trying to find stability.

Room 3100.

“This must be it.”

In front of the dark gray iron door, the two pairs of eyes shone black.

Ra Jin swallowed dryly and pressed the doorbell. The surroundings instantly brightened as if a camera flash had gone off.

With a cheerful mechanical sound, the door clicked open.