“I can’t believe it. No, I can’t accept it.”

Those words flowed numbly from Lee Se Hee’s mouth, lost in despair.

The bright sunlight rising over the blue Mediterranean shone brilliantly into the room, unaware of Se Hee’s endlessly dark mood.

That clear sky felt even more heartbreaking today.

Se Hee had been sitting like a statue since last night, collapsed in front of the closed door.

She tried to find a rational reason to deny the shocking fact she had accidentally heard.

But no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t find a reason why a perfect man like Kyle, who lacked nothing, would intentionally try to get close to someone as insignificant as herself through a seemingly coincidental but inevitable meeting.

The reason they spoke of.

To safely conclude the first voyage of the newly launched Evans Line.

As if that was the only reason, all the events up until now fit together rationally.

She had no choice but to accept the fact she had denied over and over through the sleepless night.

Once she accepted it, it was devastating, as if her heart had been pierced.

When this trip ends, will he really turn away from me like a lie?

Will I be able to bear watching his back as he walks away?

Se Hee was afraid to imagine herself being left behind.

She felt foolish for not being able to sort out her feelings for him, even though she now knew he had treated her falsely.

She resented the world that always seemed to bring her such pain.

Tears flowed endlessly.

In two days, he would return to that cold demeanor, just like when they first met.

Even if she didn’t want it, she would end up being abandoned by him.

Since the ending was already set.

If she couldn’t change the ending, she thought she should spend what little time remained for herself, at least.

Se Hee decided to make her final moments with him into the happiest memories.

She would need those memories to have the strength to continue her painfully bitter life afterwards.

It seemed the tears flowing from Se Hee’s eyes as she gritted her teeth would never stop.

* * *

Kyle spent the night wide awake.

Se Hee’s suddenly changed attitude.

Those coldly frozen eyes.

Se Hee was not one to change so abruptly because of his hastiness.

So Kyle thought.

That there was only one thing that could instantly shake Se Hee’s emotions like that.

Damn Cha Hyo Jun.

It was Cha Hyo Jun who had instantly darkened Se Hee’s eyes that had been immersed in happiness and emotion during the wedding event.

Last night too, something must have happened related to Cha Hyo Jun in that moment when he briefly left his seat.

There was no other explanation for Se Hee’s changed attitude.

Kyle was tasting the unfamiliar emotion of defeat.

From Cha Hyo Jun, whom he had never even met.

You’d better pray to God that you never meet me in this lifetime.

He gritted his teeth.

He wanted to track down Cha Hyo Jun right away and trample him as he pleased.

Meanwhile, he also felt resentful towards Se Hee who still couldn’t let go of Cha Hyo Jun.

It seemed he hadn’t properly secured a place in Se Hee’s heart.

He was angry at her for still being swayed by Cha Hyo Jun.

No, that’s not it.

He tried to calm his pounding heart as he thought.

It was entirely his own fault.

Because he hadn’t completely captured Se Hee’s heart.

He had decided to throw away his petty pride in front of Se Hee.

The only person in this world who could bring Kyle Graham Evans to his knees.

Lee Se Hee.

He needed to prepare to fully possess her heart.

Kyle got up and stood in front of the mirror.

His eyes, full of arrogance, were always confident.

Kyle was sure of himself.

Confident he could perfectly enchant Lee Se Hee.

A self-assured smile spread across his lips, as if he had already gained the upper hand.

Kyle, heading to Se Hee’s cabin after finishing his preparations, looked more dignified and handsome than ever.

A small gift he had prepared for Se Hee was preciously held in his hand.

A single rose in full, fiery red bloom.

Kyle took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell to Se Hee’s cabin.

Contrary to Kyle’s worry that it might not open, Se Hee opened the door after a moment.

“…Are you feeling better?”

As if nothing had happened between them, Kyle’s exceptionally gentle voice seeped into Se Hee’s heart.

Kyle carefully held out the single rose to Se Hee.

The vivid red rose presented Se Hee with a fragrant floral scent.

Se Hee barely suppressed the emotion that suddenly welled up.

“I think I was too hasty yesterday. I’m really sorry. It’s an apology gift…”

Not wanting to ask about Cha Hyo Jun, Kyle only spoke of what had happened between them.

“…Thank you. It’s really pretty. I’ll get ready and come out. Can you wait a little?”

Though he had been very worried, Se Hee too was responding as if nothing had happened.

But Kyle found that attitude even more unsettling.

“Of course. Take all the time you need.”

Kyle answered with a bright smile, hiding his uneasy feelings.

Because he was confident he could change Se Hee’s heart regardless.

Se Hee, who had entered the room holding the rose, covered her mouth with the back of her hand to stifle her sobs.

Because there was still time left before the curtain would fall on this play.

She had thought Kyle would come looking for her.

But seeing that smiling face directed at her, she couldn’t believe it was an act.

That gesture of handing her a rose – how could that be fake?

She quickly shook her head.

Don’t cry.

She had decided to enjoy it.

Just for today… at least for this moment, she had decided to love that man as if there was no tomorrow.

As if she knew nothing.

As if nothing had happened.

Se Hee composed her emotions once more after finishing her preparations.

Kyle, waiting for Se Hee outside the door, was in a state of complete readiness.

The door that had seemed like it would never open, opened.

Seeing Se Hee, who had gone in to get ready with a face flushed the same color as the rose he had prepared, he was certain the game was over.

His heart was already starting to pound at the thought of Se Hee rejoicing within the framework he had meticulously planned.

A smile naturally spread across his lips at the thought of making her fall for him so deeply she couldn’t escape.

Se Hee, whom he had been waiting for, finally came out.

“I have a course prepared for today.”

Kyle said arrogantly in a relaxed voice.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Se Hee answered brightly as she took Kyle’s hand.

Kyle was taken aback for a moment.

Today’s goal was to completely capture Se Hee’s heart, but Se Hee’s proactive attitude made him feel like he might be captured first.

But Kyle immediately chided himself.

Did he still have a heart left for her to steal?

Since she had already taken all of his heart.

He admitted to himself that he was completely smitten with Se Hee.

“Let’s hold hands like this as we walk. I really want to do that today.”

Se Hee smiled faintly.

Her watery gaze touched Kyle.

To Kyle’s eyes, Se Hee’s smiling face looked strangely sad.

Thinking it was because yesterday’s emotions still lingered, Kyle gripped Se Hee’s hand in his even more tightly.

“That’s what I wanted. I might never let go, so be prepared.”

Kyle spoke, conveying his sincere feelings.

Kyle guided Se Hee to places on the Dekona that would move her, according to his meticulously prepared plan.

“I knew the Dekona was an amazing place, but I had no idea there were such special spots like this.”

As Kyle had expected, Se Hee’s exclamations of admiration continued.

“We put a lot of effort into creating it this way.”

Kyle naturally revealed things about himself.

Secretly hoping that if she properly got to know him, she wouldn’t even glance at someone like Cha Hyo Jun.

“The Dekona is the first cruise ship I specially commissioned for Evans Line.”

Suddenly Se Hee’s gaze turned towards Kyle.

Kyle met that gaze head-on, as if to say ‘you understand now, right?’

“That sounds like something Kyle would do. You’re someone who does everything perfectly, after all.”

But Se Hee’s response was something Kyle hadn’t expected at all.

“You knew I was the CEO of this company?”

Se Hee quietly nodded.

She had readily accepted it, thinking he was finally preparing to end the play according to his original plan.

“I thought you didn’t know.”

It was Kyle who was surprised instead.

“…I found out not too long ago.”

Se Hee’s response was far too calm.

“Um… shall we have coffee on that terrace? I’ve always wanted to sit there and have coffee with you.”

Se Hee said with a soft smile.

“S-Sure.”

He knew Se Hee wasn’t the type to be excited and pleased to learn he was the CEO of Evans Group, but this calm attitude was also disconcerting.

And her watery gaze bothered him even more.

Eyes that looked sad even while smiling.

Kyle kept getting a strange feeling.

Se Hee sat down in a spot overlooking the open Mediterranean and ordered a cappuccino.

“Want to try some? It’s really rich.”

After taking a sip of her coffee, Se Hee held out the cup to Kyle.

Kyle took Se Hee’s cup and took a sip.

The scent of cinnamon wafted strongly.

Se Hee gazed intently at Kyle as he set down the coffee cup.

“Usually people get foam on their lips, but you don’t need to be perfect down to things like this, you know?”

As she said that, Se Hee gently caressed Kyle’s clean lips.

An electrifying sensation ran through Kyle’s lips where Se Hee’s touch had landed.

“Can I… kiss you?”

At Se Hee’s words, Kyle’s heart suddenly dropped.

This time, Kyle’s breath caught at Se Hee’s subtle gaze fixed on him.

Se Hee’s lips slowly approached Kyle’s, touched briefly, then pulled away.

A small gasp escaped from between Kyle’s lips.

Who was shaking up whom?

He was already the loser, completely swayed even by Se Hee’s small, sudden actions like this.

“I don’t think that really qualifies as a kiss.”

As Se Hee was about to return to her seat, Kyle’s deep, intense kiss followed as he swiftly wrapped his arms around her waist.

Se Hee trembled at the dizzying sensation.

Se Hee, who had barely managed to break away from Kyle who was roughly devouring her as if he would never let go, gasped for breath.

Se Hee’s flushed cheeks aroused Kyle.

The meticulously prepared plan of his was utterly useless.

Though many prepared courses he hadn’t yet shown her remained, Kyle now needed a space to be alone with Se Hee.

Gently stroking Se Hee’s face, Kyle gave her a subtle look.

Though she noticed Kyle’s heated gaze,

“Kyle, there’s more I want to do together.”

Se Hee said, pretending not to notice.

“…Anything. What do you want to do? Shall we go now?”

Kyle’s suggestive gaze quickly turned awkward as he gave a regretful smile.

It wasn’t okay, but it had to be okay.

He couldn’t repeat yesterday’s mistake.

Kyle forcibly suppressed his burning emotions.

Se Hee took Kyle’s hand and headed to the top deck where the two had first met.

Se Hee’s hair fluttered in the cool sea breeze.

The blue sea spread out behind her, dazzlingly bright as it collided with the sunlight.

My beautiful bride.

Kyle’s heart swelled as he looked at Se Hee gazing at the ocean.

Only two days remained of the trip.

“Are you returning home right after the trip ends?”

Kyle asked.

Se Hee was taken aback by that question.

After the trip ends?

Wasn’t Kyle’s act a play that would end when the trip was over?

Yet he was asking about after the trip?

Se Hee looked up at Kyle with a surprised expression.

What was his intention in asking that?

Could it be that everything had been sincere?

For a moment, Se Hee’s heart began to flutter, as if she had discovered a small hope.

Could it be that Kyle really thought of her as a lover?

That his heart, his actions had all been genuine.

Se Hee’s eyes looking at Kyle were severely shaken.

Se Hee’s lips trembled as she barely managed to speak.

“After the trip ends…”