Kim Yu Jun waved his hand as if telling her to leave.

At that, Director Hyun moved closer to Park Ra Jin. With the attitude of dragging her out immediately if she didn’t move now.

“I’m sorry, Chairman.”

Squeezing out her last bit of courage, all Park Ra Jin could do was apologize.

“I keep seeing you at your worst. I can’t face Advisor Oh.”

“No, I’m truly sorry.”

She could feel Kim Yu Jun’s anger, already at its peak, flaring up. Perhaps leaving obediently when he told her to go would be the best option.

But would that really be okay?

Seeing the Chairman’s bitter face, she couldn’t bring herself to leave.

Worrying about the well-being of the head of Myungjin Group, one of the biggest conglomerates. It was an absurd thought, but Park Ra Jin kept looking back at the Chairman.

As Park Ra Jin hesitated, Kim Yu Jun’s firm urging continued.

“Park Ra Jin!”

“Miss.”

As if telling her not to get involved in this long-standing emotion, Director Hyun gestured towards the door. Then he moved behind Park Ra Jin. As if being herded like a rabbit, Park Ra Jin was pushed out with each step Director Hyun took towards her.

The moment she was completely out of the study, a thunderous shout erupted behind Park Ra Jin.

“Kim Yu Jun! You, you!”

A dull sound of something hitting the wall, followed by angry curses.

Park Ra Jin’s whole body trembled like a sheet of paper from the terrible tension.

Kim Chul Jun’s accident must have ruined this entire family.

A relationship where they blame each other and constantly inflict wounds in the face of great misfortune.

Kim Yu Jun, who persistently checks people’s hearts, or the Chairman, who doesn’t accept the accident as an accident. Even the lady who only cared about Kim Chul Jun from the start, everyone was strangely twisted.

‘Haa. This damned house.’

As Park Ra Jin hesitated, Director Hyun stood like a fortress in front of the study.

“You must leave right away.”

The order to leave came without a moment to breathe.

Yes, sympathy would be a luxury for this terrible relationship. Park Ra Jin steeled herself to focus only on the goal of a perfect farewell.

What did it matter if the Chairman and Kim Yu Jun cut ties? They would become strangers soon anyway.

“I’ll pack all the food without missing anything and bring it to you.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“The Executive Director will check.”

“There’s no one to eat it at home.”

No matter how much she declined, Director Hyun lightly ignored Park Ra Jin’s words. A person who moves without being told by Kim Yu Jun. Perhaps Director Hyun was the one to be most wary of.

“Miss. We’ll depart now.”

And the continued silent pressure and urging.

When Park Ra Jin came to her senses, she was already in front of the car. The driver had already finished washing it, and the door that had been stained with dog paw prints was now shining like a mirror.

“I’ll take you safely.”

Being chased out within an hour of arriving at the Myungjin main house. Though she knew Kim Yu Jun’s fickleness well, everything felt bitter and she could only laugh hollowly.

“We’ll depart now.”

As the engine started with a roar, Park Ra Jin’s gaze turned to the car window.

A sky without a single speck, leaves swaying in one direction. Golden sunlight pouring through them.

In this brilliant May, she alone was in a harsh winter.

In the car that was as quiet as if it were driverless, Park Ra Jin bit her nails.

Anxiety about the future and a thread-like hope welled up in a jumble.

‘I don’t want to be alone on a day like this.’

Time left hanging due to being chased out earlier than expected.

It felt shameless to call Ha Eun back, who would have already returned home, or to visit her studio apartment. She didn’t want to take away her Saturday afternoon freedom, even if she was like family.

Normally, she would have gone to her mother’s hospital, but not today.

Energy already drained to the limit. Park Ra Jin felt she couldn’t face her fierce mother with a smiling face.

Her already limited human relationships.

A few people who were barely in the category of acquaintances and one person standing on the border. Suddenly, Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho came to Park Ra Jin’s mind.

‘Would he come if I called and said I was chased out?’

Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho had told her to contact him when she got home, but he hadn’t said to meet. Am I just bothering him? Timidity that was neither pride nor anything else made Park Ra Jin hesitate.

―I’ll be waiting.

Even as she tried to distract herself by thinking about going to exercise, Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho’s voice echoed in Park Ra Jin’s mind. He’s already so busy, it’s hard to suggest meeting. Would it be okay?

As Park Ra Jin was pondering, just then.

“Yes, Executive Director.”

Director Hyun’s voice, which had been silent until now, was heard. Low and calm. Having already finished talking with the Chairman, the other party was Kim Yu Jun.

“About 5 minutes until arrival. Ah, you mean the hospital?”

No matter how much Park Ra Jin perked up her ears, she couldn’t even hear Kim Yu Jun’s breathing. Then she had no choice but to rely on Director Hyun’s voice.

“If your blood pressure is high… Yes. I’ll contact Dr. Kim.”

Hospital, Dr. Kim. Ominous words were heard. Surely, the Chairman hadn’t collapsed?

Unable to contain her curiosity, Park Ra Jin turned her body completely.

“If you’ll be at the hospital today, I’ll adjust the schedule.”

If Kim Yu Jun had to be at the hospital, something must have definitely gone wrong.

“You mean ‘Harriet’?”

Short, cryptic words that she couldn’t understand followed.

“I’ll arrange it as ‘Spirit’. Yes, Executive Director.”

With those words, Director Hyun’s voice cut off abruptly. Then Park Ra Jin’s phone rang briefly.

Though it would have been simple to ask Director Hyun to pass the phone, Kim Yu Jun deliberately sent a message. Adding a one-sided appointment and a self-centered apology.

[This is the timeline separator]

On the living room sofa half-covered in sunlight.

Park Ra Jin, still in her clothes, was scribbling in an uncomfortable position.

If only Director Hyun hadn’t driven her home, she would have taken out her phone and made a memo right away. But she couldn’t show it in front of such an observant person.

Park Ra Jin sat curled up on the sofa, holding her head.

“Ha, what was it again?”

After writing down several names and appearances, she drew a star next to the ones she was confused about. Though not perfect, she tried to remember as many as possible. Then she quickly jotted down what she had seen in the Chairman’s study.

Things she hadn’t seen during the New Year’s greeting, especially small changes like the door leading to the inner room seeming different. Park Ra Jin didn’t leave anything out.

She paused to look at the train of food containers lined up at the entrance.

‘How much do they think I eat to send so much.’

It was enough food to last a month even if she ate it all. Park Ra Jin shook her head as she looked at the parade of silk wrapping cloths.

“Wrote about the familiar Mr. Won Sang Seop! Myungjin Securities legal response documents! Oh, Harriet, and arranging Spirit…”

What else was there?

She intended to scrape together even the smallest things to give a not-quite-report to Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho.

Park Ra Jin wrote down her achievements, drew stars, and wrapped them up lavishly, smiling. She wanted to hear him say, “You did well,” “Good job,” “Well done.”

“Is this enough?”

Now that the organizing was roughly done, it was time to contact him.

“What could be more official and legitimate reason than this?”

A team with the common goal of Kim Yu Jun. It was natural to share information quickly and discuss countermeasures.

Park Ra Jin headed to the bedroom to find the hidden phone. With each step up the stairs, her heart pounded so much. Shallow breaths burst out.

‘Oh Jong Hyuk went on a business trip to America, and the manager knows I’m meeting Kim Yu Jun, so there’s nothing to worry about.’

Kim Yu Jun said he was going to the hospital too, so he wouldn’t be looking for her tonight.

Freedom that came after a long time.

Today of all days, she had to meet Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho without having to worry.

“It’s really a chance. A chance.”

Park Ra Jin muttered as if she had made some grand decision.

If she explained to him exactly what she saw and heard directly, wouldn’t he understand faster and the work progress smoothly? Then there was no need to hesitate anymore.

Hoo, Park Ra Jin took a deep breath and quickly entered the bedroom. She took out the phone she had carefully put away in the drawer and pressed his only contact.

The long dial tone.

Should she wait until he answers, or hang up and wait for him to call back? Park Ra Jin kept putting the phone to her ear and taking it away.

“Is he very busy?”

[No, I’m not.]

“!”

It seemed the call had connected while she briefly took the phone away.

For a moment, Park Ra Jin’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

[Are you alright?]

Her heart thumped at his voice, blunt as if indifferent.

A sense of relief that she was now safe, pride in having brought information that could be of even small help to him. And a strange feeling of wanting him to worry more about her. Park Ra Jin rubbed her forehead and steadied her shaky breath.

[You’re not at home?]

Either worried by her lack of response, or adjusting his grip on the phone in urgency. His breathing became a little closer.

“Yes, I’m home.”

[You came back earlier than expected.]

“I was chased out after an hour today.”

[Did something happen?]

“Kim Yu Jun fought with the Chairman.”

He let out a low sigh at the absurd reason.

[You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?]

“Ah, no. Of course not. I came straight home.”

Park Ra Jin unconsciously tried to gauge Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho’s reaction.

Could she say again that she wanted to meet first? What if he was too busy to even answer the phone right away? Afraid of his rejection, Park Ra Jin hesitated for a moment.

[I’m glad you’re safe, Park Ra Jin.]

Liking his words of relief, courage suddenly welled up.

“Um, Prosecutor!”

[Please speak.]

Why was her mouth so dry even though he wasn’t pressuring her? Park Ra Jin swallowed hard.

“I found out something. And also.”

[…]

“There’s something I really want to ask in person too.”

[Where should we meet?]

She chuckled at the man who bluntly asked for the location right away. What was there to worry about in front of him?

Everything becomes this easy when standing in front of him. No matter how much she stammered or blurted out strange things, he accurately understood what Park Ra Jin wanted. Then this time too?

Park Ra Jin carefully broached the subject.

“Can you shake off tails well?”

[Tails?]

His voice lowered at the word ‘tail’.

“I was wondering if you could come after shaking off any tails. Of course, you can refuse if it’s inconvenient.”

[Is it a strange place?]

Her already small courage shrank even more.

“I have a dummy license so I can’t drive out, and it’s awkward to bother Ha Eun who’s gone home.”

“?”

“But I can’t take a taxi either. Kim Yu Jun went to the hospital so now’s the chance.”

Who knows how many times she repeated that it was really a chance. The longer she spoke, the more chaotic the context became, and it was impossible to salvage.

Park Ra Jin kept repeating ‘it’s ruined’ in her mind and tightly closed her eyes. Then she blurted out those words she had resolved to say.

“Will you come to my house?”

[…]

“Yes, please come. No, I’d really like it if you could come.”