“Damn it, my daughter or not. I really don’t like her.”
Very annoying.
[Star icon] [Star icon] [Star icon] [Where are you? Home?]“No, I just left. I have to meet Han Jiseon’s cousin, and to not be late, I have to leave now.”
[I see.]“Where are you?”
As Taehun turned the steering wheel and approached the parking lot, he saw Sejin coming down from her car. It seemed like she had just arrived home and made a phone call.
“Oh? I see you.”
After ending the call, Taehun parked the car next to her and rolled down the window.
“I thought it would take a little longer. Did it end quickly?”
“Yeah. Am I a criminal? I just handed over the evidence I had, that’s all.”
“I saw the news. Did you enjoy giving him a punch? Minhyung Jo, a disgrace covered in crap, appeared prominently.”
“Did he just chew on crap? It must have felt like turning over a filthy pile of mud. Now he’s getting the punishment he deserves properly.”
“Indeed, it’s Baek Serin.”
Taehun chuckled and nudged her. Then, as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him, he asked her.
“Serin, by any chance… if you’re not too tired, do you want to go together with me?”
“With Taehun… together?”
Surprised by the unexpected proposal, Serin asked again.
It was because Taehun had been handling the meeting with Han Jiseon’s cousin alone.
Out of consideration not to burden her anymore. So, Serin had kept her distance. But now, he was the one suggesting it.
“Yeah. I was short-sighted. I thought it might bring back bad memories and nightmares for you alone. But… I don’t think avoiding it will help. So, let’s just go together.”
“I’m fine with that! Yes, let’s go together. I’m not tired at all.”
With a cheerful greeting from Director Park, Serin got into his car.
“Director Park, thank you for your hard work today!”
Taehun also greeted him and started the car.
“Dinner?”
“I don’t feel like having dinner now. Minhyung has been tied up with a drug test to make sure he can’t escape from the police radar, but he needs to admit the rest of the charges to feel truly relieved.”
“Right. He deserves that.”
“But Taehun, are you mentally prepared?”
“No need for preparation. I don’t want to be overconfident like last time and fall flat. I thought I was ready, but the impact was greater when the strong punch came unexpectedly. So, I’m going with an empty mind.”
“True. That might be better. I’m here today, so.”
“Haha, that’s right. Our Serin was outstanding today. The atmosphere completely changed when you appeared.”
“Of course. I worked so hard for today.”
“You… don’t know how proud you are.”
Saying that, Taehun put a ring on her finger and kissed the back of her hand.
It felt like all the stress accumulated throughout the day at the police station disappeared at once with this sweet gesture.
After driving for three and a half hours, Taehun and Serin arrived in Gwangju, Jeollado. They headed to a small cafe. The cafe, open 24 hours, didn’t have many people at this late hour, but the lights were brightly lit.
“We’ve just arrived. Where are you?”
[Here I am. Can you see me?]When a middle-aged man shaking hands was visible, Taehun nodded and hung up, heading to the table with Serin.
“Hello. I’m Kang Taehun. And here is my wife, Baek Serin.”
As Taehun introduced Serin, Namho Park, Han Jiseon’s cousin, looked at her with a gaze of realization.
“I’ve heard that name somewhere… Could it be… that Baek Serin?”
“Yes. Probably, it’s that Baek Serin.”
“Ah, I’ve heard a lot about Mrs. Jeong. I’m Namho Park.”
When Serin heard that it was not from an economic news article but from Mrs. Jeong, she smirked. It was true that Mrs. Jeong had turned her gaze toward her, but why would she need to frequently talk to this man?
“Let’s sit down and talk. I’ll order coffee.”
After Taehun disappeared for a moment, Serin awkwardly sat down and looked at Namho.
“It seems like Taehun’s mother talked a lot about me to you.”
“Yes, she did. She said you were a kind, beautiful, and smart girl. She wanted to protect you with her own hands.”
At Namho’s last words, Serin lost words for a moment.
“I did hear about you from Jiseon, but I wonder how our fates became connected like this.”
“Yes, that’s true. We found it quite intriguing too. It seems like fate arranged by our parents.”
Namho nodded vigorously as if agreeing. At that moment, Taehun returned with iced Americano and sat at the table.
“You must be busy, so thank you for taking the time.”
“No problem. Making time is not an issue. However… I’ve been pondering about how much I should tell you about this matter.”
“If you’re okay with it, please tell us everything you know.”
“Well… yes, if Mrs. Jeong wishes.”
Namho drank his coffee as if his throat was dry. Then, as if bracing himself, he wiped his palm on his thigh and began the story.
“I… am convinced that my mother’s death was murder.”
“Why, why are you so sure?”
“The day before, she told me over the phone that no matter what happened, she would reveal the truth this time. Do you think someone who said that would commit suicide the next day?”
“The… truth? What truth are you talking about?”
The mention of the truth was completely unexpected.
“My mother found out a truth she shouldn’t know and was trying to report it to the police.”
For a moment, Taehun seemed to lose words, and while doing so, Serin saw his hand on his thigh clench into a fist as if holding back at this moment.
Feeling sorry, she placed her hand on top of his, conveying warmth.
You’re not alone.
No matter what the truth is, from now on, let’s face it together.
Just as Taehun’s mere presence became a strength for her, she hoped she could also be a source of strength for him.
With a compassionate gaze, Serin turned her eyes to Namho, who was about to reveal a huge truth. In response, Namho looked back at her with tense eyes.
A hint of empathy passed through Namho’s black pupils. However, Serin couldn’t understand why Namho was looking at her with such eyes.
Why, exactly?
“The accident that Baek Serin experienced… that was a hired murder arranged by someone.”
In an instant, a buzzing sound echoed in her ears.
Her hand, which had been holding him for comfort, lost its strength and dropped down.
It seemed like he was having a nightmare.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
