“Because I want Hojin, I want him to feel the sand slipping through his fingers within my grasp. I want to show what destruction is brought about by insatiable greed.”

The word “destruction” sent shivers down my spine, from my back to my neck.

Why is this man so similar to me?
The tightness in my chest suggested how intense Jaeha’s revenge might be.

He stared at me, his mouth seemingly unable to open for a moment, and then spoke up, “Is it too heavy of a story?”

I nodded in response to Jaeha’s question.

“Aren’t you scared? If I were you, it would give me chills.”

I had never felt scared of Jaeha before. Instead, the fact that he had hidden this wound, smiling and comforting me all this time, only made my heart ache.

I approached him and hugged Jaeha.

“It’s not scary at all. Not one bit.”

How difficult it must have been. Jaeha, who may have endured lonelier and more challenging times than I, seemed pitiable.

Slowly, I gently swept my hand over his back.

“It must have been very tough.”

Jaeha trembled at my touch.

Then, I slowly lifted the head that had been buried in my arms.

Perhaps because of the comforting words he heard for the first time, Jaeha’s eyes, filled with countless emotions, shook incessantly.

“You went through a lot, young Jaeha. And you still do. Thank you for growing up so uprightly.”

Without realizing it, I brushed away Jaeha’s hair, tangled with sweat, much like mine.

“Ha… it’s difficult like this.”

What could be so difficult?

Jaeha’s expression changed from the suffering face he had worn until now.

Then, he tightly grasped my hands enveloping his face.

“It’s not the right time to say this, but I can’t help my heart.”

“…”

“Yeo Jin-ah.”

Jaeha’s sweet voice calling my name echoed in my ears.

Gazing at me, who had been watching him quietly, Jaeha slowly parted his lips.

“I love you. Very much.”

More sweet than when he called my name.

As if a single word couldn’t contain all those emotions, his dense eyes, which were receiving my feelings, swayed for a long time.

Darling. If you’re okay, let’s see each other’s faces once. I’m available anytime that suits you.

Before returning to broadcasting, I received a call from President Seo just before the last weekend.

It seemed that President Seo had been somewhat uneasy since our farewell at the funeral home.

I had been too preoccupied immediately after my parents passed away to visit President Seo.

Upon receiving the message that I could visit anytime, I went straight to President Seo’s office.

“I didn’t expect you to come immediately like this. Please, have a seat.”

President Seo looked surprised as he gazed at me when I entered without prior notice.

I smiled and sat on the sofa, and President Seo approached me.

“I’ll be busy for a while, so I came without warning. Let’s not be too surprised.”

“No. I didn’t expect you to come when I called.”

Despite not having a prior appointment, he readily permitted my visit.

President Seo always had strict standards for Jihan and Jaeha.
However, President Seo was infinitely affectionate and considerate toward me. It could be because I had no connection to the succession of Hojin Group, and President Seo, who valued established procedures and rules, made an exception only for me.

“Yeonji, you’ve grown quite a bit while I haven’t seen you. Are you taking care of yourself, having meals?”

“Yes. If Jaeha refuses to eat, I scold him a lot.”

“Jaeha, that boy, I like that.”

Feeling the constant consideration, a lump formed in my chest.

President Seo looked at me and gave a faint smile.

Looking at his face, memories of visiting his office before the wedding came flooding back.

‘I’m glad you came back.’

Many things had changed from the past.

I thought there were only those who coveted what I had.

President Seo, Mr. Hyeonik, Senior Youngjun, and others.

It was once again apparent that there were people genuinely concerned about me.

“What about W? It’s probably best for Jaeha to continue handling it.”

“I still don’t know. We need to discuss it further at the board meeting.”

“I see. With Vice Chairman Kim there, it must be quite a headache. The situation seems complicated due to the disruption in the INTEC bid.”

“…”

“Jaeha, what’s on your mind?”

Thanks to Jaeha voluntarily withdrawing from the bid, Hojin Group easily succeeded in the bidding.

President Seo seemed concerned about Jaeha’s unusual behavior throughout.

‘It makes sense. He made efforts as if he were participating in the bid.’

I learned about the merger of Jihan during the funeral proceedings for my parents.

Kim Youngmin, the Vice Chairman who had been eagerly trying to take advantage of Jaeha’s withdrawal from the INTEC merger, was like a hyena waiting for an opportunity to drive Jaeha out.

“I plan to leave that part entirely to Mr. Jaeha. As he holds the management rights for W for a year, there must be a reason for him to give up the INTEC merger.”

“…They seem to trust and rely on each other.”

President Seo seemed pleased with my appearance.

After chatting for a while, I thought it was time to go back.

“Well, I should get going now.”

“Yeonjin.”

As I was about to turn away from President Seo with my handbag, his voice, calling me gently, stopped my steps.

“Yes?”

“I know it’s delicate to bring this up when you’re in a difficult situation, but it’s about that friend.”

A strange term flowed out of President Seo’s lips.

Realizing that he meant ‘that friend’ referred to Seorin, I nodded.

“If it’s true that he has Jihan’s child, it may be difficult to leave it as it is.”