Meanwhile, there was a rustling sound, and Do Joon dropped his dress shirt on Tae Yeon’s hand with a thud.

“You’re not thinking of changing clothes here, are you?”

“Where else would I change?”

“Well, couldn’t you do it after I get out?”

“Then who will keep watch?”

There was a clicking sound. It seemed he had unbuckled his pants.

Though she was trying hard not to look in that direction, the sounds she heard were somehow even more stimulating.

Even if she wanted to get out, she couldn’t because she had missed the timing. Though it was a spacious sedan, the fact that Do Joon was undressing right next to her made her mouth go dry.

Meanwhile, Do Joon’s suit pants were placed on the console box.

“Won’t people be able to see from outside? Is that okay?”

“The windows are heavily tinted, so they won’t be able to see.”

“That’s a relief.”

“It also means no one would know if we did anything in here.”

Surprised by those words, Tae Yeon whipped her head around.

“What? What do you mean…”

Though he was wearing jeans, he hadn’t put on a shirt yet, so Do Joon’s toned upper body was fully visible to Tae Yeon’s eyes.

Tae Yeon squeezed her eyes shut. Seeing that reaction, Do Joon held back a laugh.

It wasn’t the first time, but Tae Yeon always reacted like this when she saw his bare skin. And they were husband and wife, not strangers.

“Do Joon, please hurry and put on some clothes first.”

“Oh dear.”

“What’s wrong?”

Tae Yeon spoke with a trembling voice, her eyes still tightly shut. Do Joon leaned in close and whispered.

“I think I forgot to bring a t-shirt.”

“What?”

Tae Yeon squinted at Do Joon’s face.

“Don’t lie.”

“It’s true.”

Tae Yeon hastily picked up the paper bag Do Joon had brought. As he said, there was only a black hat inside.

“Then what should we do?”

Tae Yeon asked, trying her best not to look at Do Joon’s imposing upper body.

“Hmm.”

“Look again one more time.”

Tae Yeon’s eyes quickly scanned the back seat of the car. It wasn’t there.

Determined to find it no matter what, Tae Yeon picked up the suit pants Do Joon had taken off.

“Oh? Here it is!”

Tae Yeon cheered excitedly, like a child who had found a hidden treasure. In contrast to her sparkling eyes, Do Joon looked disappointed.

Tae Yeon held out the t-shirt, urging him to put it on quickly.

“It’s almost time for the appointment. Hurry and put it on.”

After confirming that Do Joon had put his arms through the t-shirt, Tae Yeon let out a sigh of relief.

They hadn’t done anything, but somehow the air in the car felt heated.

After putting on the hat as well, Do Joon and Tae Yeon got out of the car.

“Jin Tae Yeon, you go up first.”

“Okay, I will. If I see anyone suspicious, I’ll contact you, so keep an eye on your phone.”

Tae Yeon got on the elevator alone. Even as she watched the changing floor numbers, for some reason the image of Do Joon’s upper body muscles she had seen in the car earlier kept flashing before her eyes.

“Haa. I’m just reacting like this because I was so surprised.”

Tae Yeon’s heart was beating irregularly fast.

[This is the timeline separator]

T Hotel Restaurant.

Guided to the reserved room, Tae Yeon slowly walked around scanning the large hall while waiting for Tae Jin.

Being dinner time, there were many people who had come to this place.

‘Could they be among them?’

Since there was a high chance paparazzi would appear at this meeting if they were following Tae Jin.

After continuously scanning the interior, Tae Yeon sent a message to Do Joon.

[There’s no one suspicious-looking yet.]

After entering the room and sitting for a while, Tae Jin’s sharp voice was heard.

“Jin Tae Yeon, long time no see.”

After making sure the door was properly closed, Tae Yeon opened her mouth.

“What brings you here? You asking to meet outside.”

Tae Jin was extremely reluctant to go around with Tae Yeon.

Though they were twins, Tae Yeon was far superior in height and proportions. Because of that, knowingly or unknowingly, people always had similar reactions when the two were together since childhood.

“They look alike, but the vibe is subtly different.”

“The younger one seems a bit better, doesn’t she?”

After hearing such comments a few times, Tae Jin stopped being with Tae Yeon outside the house.

Leaning back in her chair, Tae Jin put on a kind smile.

“Hey, someone might think I deliberately avoid going out with you. I’m hurt.”

There was no need to correct Tae Jin’s words. She was the type who thought everything she thought was right.

Tae Yeon handed the menu to Tae Jin.

“Elder sister, why did you suddenly ask to meet?”

“Just because I feel like I haven’t seen you since you got married.”

Knowing too well that she wouldn’t have called her out for such a trivial reason. Tae Yeon barely held back a laugh that was about to escape.

While ordering and waiting for the food, Tae Jin finally got to the point.

“I heard Do Joon returned to Korea?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“How pitiful.”

“What did you say?”

Tae Yeon asked, doubting what she had just heard.

“He’s the husband you’ve been separated from for a while after marriage. I thought he’d never come back to Korea, but he suddenly appeared. You must be upset too.”

At Tae Jin’s blunt words, Tae Yeon shifted her gaze towards the door.

Although the space they were in was a private room, it didn’t boast perfect soundproofing.

Tae Yeon alone was anxious about what would happen if guests in the next room overheard their conversation.

“Elder sister, what are you saying? Upset? Not at all.”

“You can be honest with me.”

Tae Jin seemed to think Tae Yeon was just saying that.

“Isn’t he closer to a stranger than a husband?”

Tae Jin sneered, pulling up the corners of her mouth.

“The first and last time you saw Do Joon was on your wedding day.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I just feel sorry for my younger sister…”

“I told you I’m fine.”

Tae Yeon cut off Tae Jin’s words with a firm voice.

Tae Jin seemed quite flustered, as Tae Yeon had always just listened to whatever she said.

“I’m actually glad.”

“What?”

“I’m glad Do Joon came back to Korea.”

“Huh.”

“I’ve missed him a lot. My husband.”

Tae Jin let out a laugh of disbelief. Resting her chin on one hand, she stared at Tae Yeon.

“It’s just the two of us here. You don’t have to lie like that, Tae Yeon.”

“Why would I lie to you, elder sister? I really am happy. Spending time with Do Joon these days.”

Of course, it wasn’t entirely a lie.

Being with Do Joon wasn’t as uncomfortable as before.

Especially in front of Tae Jin, who always wished for her unhappiness, she wanted to pretend she was getting along well with Do Joon.

Sure enough, at the mention of them getting along, Tae Jin’s expression subtly crumpled.

Since Tae Jin wouldn’t go to Do Joon to confirm anyway, Tae Yeon added one more thing.

“He’s such a handsome man that anyone would envy. How gentle he is when we’re alone. I’m surprised every time.”

“…”

“How could I dislike spending time with such a man?”

There was no wavering in Tae Yeon’s eyes. She didn’t forget to cover her mouth with one hand and smile shyly, as if just thinking about it made her heart flutter.

As Tae Yeon was not so easily swayed today, Tae Jin, seeming impatient, silently lifted her water glass and downed the cold water in one gulp.

She seemed to understand why Tae Jin had called her out today.

To see Tae Yeon going crazy and suffering because of her suddenly returned husband. To find comfort in that.

Having figured out Tae Jin’s intentions, she had no desire whatsoever to give her any joy.

Even if it meant telling a bunch of petty lies.

After finishing the water, Tae Jin set down the glass with a clinking sound. Sparkling jewels were embedded in her well-manicured nails gripping the cup.

And one more thing.

After confirming the identity of something glittering on Tae Jin’s wrist, Tae Yeon chewed on her lower lip.

Seeing Tae Yeon’s gaze fixed on her wrist, Tae Jin boasted.

“It’s pretty, isn’t it? Even to you?”

Tae Jin stretched out her hand, showing off the wristwatch on her left hand.

It was the same watch. Exactly the same as the one Do Joon had bought for her.

Tae Yeon’s hands, clasped together under the table, trembled.

“Elder sister, when did you buy that?”

“You think I bought it? Chan Woo oppa gave it to me.”

“So when?”

“I think it was before my birthday. Why?”

She looked at Tae Yeon quizzically, as she was asking questions unlike her usual self.

“Don’t tell me you’re asking because you want one too?”

“No, I already have plenty of watches.”

Tae Yeon hurriedly took off the watch she was wearing under the table.

If Tae Jin found out she had the same watch, it was clear how much she would freak out.

As she tried to secretly put it in her bag, the watch slipped from her hand and fell with a thud.

“Did you drop something?”

Tae Jin quickly ducked her head under the table.

Before Tae Yeon could pick up the watch, Tae Jin more quickly picked up the fallen object and held it up.

“What’s this?”

Confirming its identity, she put on a sardonic smile.

“Huh. Where did this come from?”

Tae Yeon snatched the watch held in Tae Jin’s hand.

“I received it.”

“Don’t tell me you bought it after finding out I bought one?”

“What?”

“You’ve always been like that. Still coveting my things.”

It was absurd. It had always been Tae Jin who coveted Tae Yeon’s things.

Tae Yeon set the watch down on the table with a thud.

“Do Joon bought it for me as a birthday gift.”

“Who?”

“My husband.”

“Hahaha. Hey, your lying skills have really improved. How would a man who has no interest in his wife know your birthday?”

Tae Jin sneered, pulling up one corner of her mouth.

“Isn’t it embarrassing to go around pretending Do Joon bought it when you bought it yourself?”

Just as she was about to open her mouth to deny it.

There was a sound of the door sliding open. Thinking it was naturally the food arriving, Tae Yeon and Tae Jin turned their heads towards the door.

And there stood Do Joon in comfortable clothes.

“Do Joon?”

Tae Yeon called his name in surprise, and Tae Jin screamed as if she’d seen a ghost.

Do Joon approached with his gaze fixed only on Tae Yeon. Then, revealing the bouquet he had been hiding behind his back, he spoke in a low voice.

“I was going to wait until dinner was over and take Jin Tae Yeon home. But I couldn’t wait.”