Not an act, but genuine sincerity.
A raw, unfiltered outpouring of emotions erupted at the words of Prosecutor Kang Jiho.
Rajin’s sporadic memories of her childhood, where trivial arguments between her parents escalated into discord and hovered on the brink of divorce, came rushing back.
The prolonged and tiresome ordeal taught Rajin to hide her feelings amidst her parents’ tense confrontations.
Feigning okayness, pretending to understand the adults, she always wanted to be the good daughter, haunted by the guilt that their divorce might be her fault.
Rajin grew up by her father’s side in his despair, regularly meeting her mother, who had established a happy new family.
Then came her father’s death and the formation of a new family.
She struggled to remain the good daughter in this unfamiliar environment, recalling the chaotic times that ensued after her mother’s traffic accident. Rajin had just resigned herself to self-blame, but now, broken down by his single comment.
Wanting to offer some excuse, Rajin opened her mouth, but all that emerged was intense sobbing.
“It’s okay.”
As someone soothes a child whose repressed emotions have exploded, Rajin’s pent-up feelings burst forth. She was embarrassed at her own breakdown.
“It’s not your fault, Rajin.”
A lifetime of misfortune seemed to dog her every step.
He declared her innocent of that dreaded misfortune, and at that moment of absolution, Rajin clung tightly to his back.
“Why not let it go?”
“…”
“It’s okay, Rajin.”
She buried her face in the comforting haven of his chest, feeling the steady, low thumping of his heart, and pondered this unexpected intimacy.
How would she face this man in the future? While wanting to flee in embarrassment, she also relished the newfound sense of security.
“Prosecutor, I…”
As if to say there was no need for explanations, he pulled her closer and gently patted her back, comforting her until her crying subsided.
With a still numb nose and tear-dampened eyes, Rajin looked out at the dark road.
While driving the short distance, she kept glancing at the rearview mirror.
―This is when our job gets really annoying.
The man who had heard all of Oh Jong-hyuk’s words had offered to take her home. He probably heard about her being a novice driver too.
But Prosecutor Kang Jiho wasn’t one to make reckless decisions based on emotion. A photo taken out of context could complicate things for both of them.
―I’ll follow you until you get home.
He waited for Rajin’s car to leave, then discreetly followed her.
The tall buildings with lights off, the dusky road.
Rajin steered, recalling his warm gaze and advice.
―Tell Oh Jong-hyuk you’ll transfer the money. And just make the attempt to send it. I’ll handle the rest.
He didn’t detail his plan, implying it was better Rajin didn’t know everything. It would be advantageous for her to feign ignorance when confronting Oh Jong-hyuk’s wrongdoing.
Trust in Prosecutor Kang Jiho. If he said so, it must be for a reason. Rajin didn’t press further. If Oh Jong-hyuk was up to something suspicious, the expert would know best.
―Just go to Myungjin and have a meal.
He cautioned that trying to uncover anything would raise suspicions in the sharp-witted Kim Yu-jun.
With a light heart, opportunities might arise. Rajin felt relieved, entrusting the resolution to him. Her mind, previously clouded and heavy, cleared like the calm after a storm.
Now, her home appeared tantalizingly close.
Rajin took out the garage remote. Pressing the button firmly, the door started moving with a whirring sound.
As if bidding farewell to him who must be following, she first turned on the hazard lights. The orange glow illuminating the dark alley flickered like a beacon.
Stealing glances at his car slowing down behind her, Rajin steered her wheel. As her car half-entered, she saw his car speed up and pass by her. He moved away too naturally for anyone to suspect anything.
An impeccably meticulous man.
A chuckle escaped her. Even while parking and grabbing her bag, Rajin couldn’t stop smiling. Then, abruptly, she rested her forehead on the steering wheel.
In the quiet of the car with the engine off, Rajin closed her eyes. Whether open or closed, she was engulfed in darkness, reflecting on her rollercoaster of a day.
Jin Jae Yi’s sneers, Kim Yu Jun’s unilateral approach, and Prosecutor Kang Jiho’s comfort.
Rajin lifted her head, rubbing her nose with her sleeve. Each breath she took was filled with his lingering presence. His faint scent felt like warmth.
“It’s okay… It’s alright.”
She murmured, echoing his gentle words.
Then, Rajin placed her hands on her heart. It thumped like a large drum, just like his heart had been beating only thirty minutes ago.
Embarrassing memories of today, a dark history she wanted to erase. Yet, her mind was overwhelmingly filled with Prosecutor Kang Jiho.
“Haa.”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
