Nok Hyun tightly embraced Tae In, preventing her escape. She could feel his rigid body. Trapped in this inescapable situation, Tae In felt despondent.

Yet, amidst this, the burgeoning anticipation felt ridiculous. Every place Nok Hyun’s lips touched seemed to bloom with fiery passion. She felt as if she was being reborn.

Gurgle.

Just then, an embarrassingly loud sound from her stomach made Tae In abruptly open her eyes.

Was that sound from me?

Tae In, stiffened, pushed away Nok Hyun’s firm grip.

Realizing the sound was real, she suddenly felt genuinely hungry. It made sense, considering she hadn’t eaten since morning and had been running around all day.

“I’m hungry.”

“I’m hungry too, for you,” Nok Hyun murmured, burying his face in her neck, not referring to food.

When Tae In finally resisted and hugged her stomach, Nok Hyun reluctantly got up from the sofa.

As Tae In attempted to stand, Nok Hyun seated her and began setting up a lunchbox brought by his secretary on the table.

Tae In, who had been staring at him, adjusted her disheveled clothes.

Nok Hyun fed her, seating her on his lap.

Tae In chewed thoughtfully and then sighed deeply.

“I can’t handle this.”

The straightforward display of affection left her fingers curling reflexively.

It was natural for someone who had never even flirted, let alone dated, and had gone straight to marriage.

“You’ll get used to it. It’s going to be like this from now on.”

Nok Hyun seemed completely unfazed. Tae In suddenly became curious about his dating history. How experienced in love must he be to be so smooth and composed?

“We can take it slow, I think.”

Tae In slid off his lap gently.

“Then stop looking at me like that.”

Nok Hyun’s remark made Tae In tilt her head, still chewing on the galbi Nok Hyun had given her.

“You look at me as if I’m the most adorable thing.”

“Ah…”

Embarrassed, Tae In averted her gaze.

I’m losing control of my feelings again.

Tae In lamented inwardly. Though she knew Nok Hyun’s feelings were genuine, openly reciprocating them was challenging.

“Will you be home early today?”

“I’ll be a bit busy today, so if I’m late, I’ll call.”

Tae In hastily finished her meal, preparing to leave.

She had made time to visit despite her busy schedule.

“I’ll take you home.”

“No, focus on your work. I brought my car.”

Nok Hyun seemed reluctant, even though they would see each other at home later. As Tae In was about to leave the office, she hugged Nok Hyun.

This much should be okay.

It’s getting harder to restrain my feelings. I must really like him.

Tae In reluctantly turned away, heading straight for the elevator. She noticed an empty office next to the executive suite and walked towards the women’s restroom, her footsteps light.

“Oh, come on. Stop crying. You knew he was married.”

The one crying seemed to be the same secretary from before, being comforted by a face Tae In didn’t recognize.

“You saw it too, right? He smiled at me. It was genuine.”

“No, I think he was smiling at his phone…”

“Sob. He smiled only at me, and he was worried about my meal…”

“…Well, that’s one way to see it.”

“He should prefer me, right? I’m taller, and she’s so skinny… She only has the advantage of being born into a wealthy family.”

The secretary was now wailing inconsolably.

Tae In had always been the target of envy, jealousy, and hatred since childhood. Her fight with Oh Hye Sung was also due to this. She was affected when she didn’t understand the reason for the hatred, but as an adult, she stopped caring. More precisely, it stopped bothering her.

But this was different.

She couldn’t tolerate anyone coveting her things, especially Kang Nok Hyun.

Tae In knocked on the already open door.

Both women looked at her.

The secretary’s makeup was all wiped off, revealing a different face from before.

Seeing Tae In, the secretary was shocked.

“I’m sorry, Madam!”

The sobbing secretary overreacted. Tae In just shrugged.

“No, it’s fine. I thought he was only handsome and cool to me, but I feel quite proud now.”
The secretary gazed blankly at Tae In, her expression one of utter bewilderment, as if she couldn’t comprehend what she had just heard.

“Go on, what about my husband. Only smiling at you?”

“No, it’s not like that. It’s just that Ms. Si Eun hasn’t been here long and hasn’t quite grasped the atmosphere yet. I’m sorry, I’ll make sure she’s properly instructed.”

The secretary, who had been passionately speaking just moments ago, found herself speechless in Tae In’s actual presence. The woman who had been consoling her bowed her head instead, and Tae In shook hers.

“I don’t mind being badmouthed, but coveting my husband is a different story.”

Suddenly, Tae In felt irritated, recalling Joo Yeon who had openly coveted Nok Hyun.

The secretary, realizing the gravity of the situation, bowed her head.

“I apologize, I failed to understand my place.”

“It’s not about your place. Kang Nok Hyun is a married man. Why would you set your sights on a married man?”