Just 15 minutes.

That was how long it took for that man to finish shopping.

Joo Tae Sung entered the department store with an indifferent expression, headed straight for the grocery section, and picked up only the items he needed as if he had already made a shopping list in his head.

There was no hesitation in the process, and he didn’t even glance at the numerous products screaming “Look at me!”

A very Joo Tae Sung-like shopping style.

“Shall we go now?”

He said, checking his wristwatch after finishing his task, but Ji Wan’s shopping style was completely different.

She, who loved window shopping more than anything in the world, was disappointed with just one visit to the grocery section.

“Hmm…”

Ji Wan’s steps slowed as she was about to head to the elevator.

Tae Sung looked down at her and asked.

“What? Did you find something you want?”

“Well… I need to get a cardigan for father… and look at some clothes for myself…”

“Then shall we go to the men’s clothing section?”

“Oh, no! The men’s clothes here are so expensive! Let’s just look around a bit more.”

Tae Sung’s head tilted slightly upon hearing Ji Wan’s words.

Window shopping was something Tae Sung considered the most meaningless activity in the world, but this efficient and productive lifestyle might not suit his lazy and idle wife.

If that’s the case, there’s no choice.

In a position where he had to rely on her for a while, he had to accommodate to some extent.

“Alright, if that’s what you want.”

Tae Sung gave his permission.

Ji Wan smiled brightly like a child who was allowed to go to the playground.

“Really? Then let’s start from the top floor and slowly make our way down!”

Since she smiled, this must be the right answer.

If it could keep her from thinking about divorce even for a few days, that would be enough.

.

.

.

Still, he didn’t expect it to take over three hours.

Tae Sung massaged his stiff neck as he accompanied her long shopping spree.

Even at that moment, Ji Wan was showing interest in yet another store.

How her eyes sparkled. The employee who made eye contact with her immediately began her sales pitch, as always.

“Are you looking for anything in particular?”

As far as Tae Sung knew, this woman wasn’t looking for anything, but Ji Wan always responded with her characteristically friendly tone.

“Oh, I’m just browsing. That T-shirt over there looks pretty.”

“You have a good eye! That’s our new arrival!”

“Oh, it’s new? No wonder. The color really caught my eye.”

“You have a great sense of style. Why don’t you try it on? We have just one S size left.”

“Oh my, I’m not an S though?”

“Really? You look so fit, I thought even S might be too big for you.”

“Oh, sister. Your flattery is too much. Well, shall I try on the S first then?”

And so she spent a long time looking around, trying things on, and touching them.

The shortest time spent in one store was about 10 minutes.

Sometimes, when she hit it off with an employee and started chatting, she would spend up to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Tae Sung stood still in the same spot without even setting foot in the store, quietly observing Ji Wan’s actions.

But she, excited, hardly looked back at Tae Sung.

It was the first time he thought, ‘Maybe the reason for divorce wasn’t me, but this woman.’

Just then, Tae Sung’s phone in his jacket pocket rang.

It was a call from Choi Sook Hyang, the administrative officer working in Tae Sung’s prosecutor’s office.

Having worked together for a long time, she was the only trustworthy person in the prosecutor’s office.

Her keen eye, honed by years of middle-aged experience, had served as the CCTV of the prosecutor’s office.

She would be able to inform him about the current situation.

Tae Sung, who found this call welcome for the first time, pressed the answer button without hesitation.

Then he called out to Ji Wan, who was browsing in yet another store.

“Lee Ji Wan.”

“Yes?”

“I got an urgent call. It might take a while. Look around by yourself.”

“Okay. I think I’ll go down to the lower floor, but call me when you’re done.”

“I will. Oh, and…”

Tae Sung approached Ji Wan.

What he handed her was unmistakably a credit card.

“What’s this?”

Ji Wan blinked, taking the card in bewilderment.

Tae Sung looked at her and said in a relaxed voice.

“Use this for payment.”

“What? No, I can’t use someone else’s card!”

“Please use it. That way I can insist that you’re mine.”

“What?”

Tae Sung left after dropping this incredible line.

“Mr. Joo Tae Sung! Tae Sung!”

Ji Wan called out to Tae Sung in complete bewilderment, but he had already put the phone to his ear and walked away without looking back.

“Yes, Administrative Officer Choi. What’s the matter?”

The call started when he felt he had put enough distance between them.

‘Brief and to the point’ was the motto of Prosecutor Joo Tae Sung’s office, but Administrative Officer Choi Sook Hyang, who had just inadvertently heard an incredible name, couldn’t help but make a fuss.

―Prosecutor Joo, was that voice just now… your wife?

“Yes, it was. What’s the matter?”

―So she really exists. Not just a dragon-like existence, but you’re really married…

“I’m asking for the third time, what’s the matter?”

―Ah! I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I heard you were discharged from the hospital, but I was so worried because I couldn’t reach you. Are you alright?

Tae Sung answered her concern-filled question as if it was no big deal.

“I’m fine. That’s why I was discharged.”

―Oh my, that’s a relief! Everyone here has been uneasy worrying about you, Prosecutor Joo. Especially Deputy Chief Prosecutor Go Myung Seok, he’s been looking everywhere for you since he couldn’t reach you…

“Ah, the Deputy Chief…”

At the mention of this uncomfortable figure, Tae Sung’s voice noticeably dropped.

Well, it was about time they started looking for someone who disappeared from the hospital room after being injured.

But Deputy Chief Go Myung Seok, who had clashed with Tae Sung at every turn while handling sensitive cases, was one of the people Tae Sung needed to be wary of.

If he met him before fully recovering, who knows what weakness he might expose.

“Don’t tell anyone that you’ve contacted me. I’ll reach out myself when the time is right.”

―Then when should I expect your return?

“I’ll let you know about that separately soon.”

―Should I also not tell the team leaders that I’ve been in contact with you?

“Correct.”

His behavior of hiding his return date even from his colleagues in the prosecutor’s office seemed quite suspicious to Administrative Officer Choi Sook Hyang.

But as it was her duty as an administrative officer to faithfully carry out the mission she had received, Choi Sook Hyang answered clearly without any objection.

―Yes, I’ll do that. I won’t tell anyone about you, Prosecutor Joo.

Tae Sung’s breath finally relaxed upon hearing Administrative Officer Choi’s response.

Before ending the call, Tae Sung brought up a task that only she could handle.

“Administrative Officer Choi. Please keep a close eye on the atmosphere around there while I’m gone.”

―The atmosphere…?

“The flow of air, passing remarks, floating rumors, even gazes directed this way, everything without missing a single detail.”

―Ah, you mean to closely observe the ongoing situation, right?

“Please report to me on the day I return. That’s all.”

It was rare for him to use the word ‘please’.

Having worked with him for a long time and harboring a special affection for Tae Sung, Administrative Officer Choi responded with the warmth of a middle-aged woman.

―Don’t worry, Prosecutor Joo! I’ll keep my eyes peeled and watch everything closely.

Satisfied with her answer, Tae Sung ended the call with a short sigh.

Tae Sung stopped at a place far from the bustling crowd and rubbed his forehead, feeling a throbbing headache.

Being on guard all the time is such an uncomfortable thing.

The arrows that could fly out from anywhere at any time never allow his mind to rest for even a second.

Usually, there’s a reason to endure. But I, who have no such reason, why am I trying to endure?

As always, the occasional doubt that crossed his mind gave no answer.

Only a deep emptiness settled in Tae Sung’s eyes as he stared into space.

* * *

“Oh my, everything looks so good on you.”

The world’s top brand where glamour and mood coexist.

Do Hwa Young, who considered this place practically his hometown, had been monopolizing the store for an hour already.

Despite saying they would go around quietly, how noisily he was drawing attention here and there.

The fact that Hwa Young had appeared at this branch eventually reached the ears of all the staff, and this sacrificial luxury brand store had no choice but to enter emergency operation mode.

Unaware of this fact, Hwa Young walked out of the fitting room gracefully and checked his appearance in the mirror.

It was a flashy outfit reminiscent of Cruella from 101 Dalmatians.

Of course it suits me, that’s a given. The question is whether it gives off the vibe I want or not…

“Yang, how’s this? Is it too much for a dinner look? Yang… Yang…?”

The problem was that Secretary Yang, who was supposed to give his opinion, was nowhere to be found.

Hwa Young’s eyebrows furrowed irritably as he scanned his surroundings.

“It suits you perfectly, Director. You look beautiful.”

Noticing this, a staff member hurriedly approached him and lavished praise.

The surrounding staff also gathered around him and didn’t hold back their compliments, but Hwa Young’s expression was only displeased.

There are plenty of people who say nice things. When choosing a dinner outfit, you need someone who gives accurate assessments, not just flattery.

“Where’s Secretary Yang?”

Hwa Young asked, not responding to the staff’s praises.

A staff member answered hesitantly.

“He was here until just now, but said he had an urgent call and would be away for a moment.”

“What urgent call.”

“I don’t know the details…”

“You’re saying there’s something more urgent than choosing the clothes I need to wear right now? How can a secretary just disappear and leave me alone?”

“Ah, but our security team is…”

“Ha, I don’t need that. I didn’t come here as a director, I came as a customer. Is there any need to announce my arrival at this store?”

The moment Hwa Young said those words.

All 6 of the 6 staff members surrounding him inwardly screamed, ‘Every employee already knows, you idiot!’

But not a single person had the courage to say it out loud.

“Secretary Yang, really… I treated him like an older brother, and he’s getting more and more uppity.”

Hwa Young took out his phone with a sharp gaze.

The staff, who knew all too well about the ‘temperamental nature’ of the LU Department Store director, were on high alert, worried he might throw a tantrum here.

Just then.

“Oh my, my, my…”

An exclamation with a rather unfavorable meaning was heard directed at Hwa Young.

It pierced so clearly amidst the silence that not only Hwa Young but also the surrounding staff all turned their attention to one place.

The woman standing there, blankly staring at Hwa Young, was clearly just a customer who had come for window shopping.

Although they had been controlling the entrance because of Hwa Young, it seems she had managed to slip into the store while all the staff were distracted trying to gauge his mood.

“Uh, um… We’re not currently…”

Flustered by the appearance of an uninvited guest, the staff member hurriedly tried to remedy the situation.

But before they could send her away, Hwa Young threw out a chilly question first.

“What was that reaction just now?”

“M-me…?”

Ji Wan, caught off guard by the unexpected attention, stared blankly back at him.

“That was… a sigh, wasn’t it?”

Hwa Young’s steps drew closer to her, one by one.

Ji Wan looked at him and thought, ‘He looks like he could bewitch someone and steal their soul.’

An impression quite unsuited to the situation, but.