“How have you been during this time?”

Donghun’s voice echoed in the private room, surrounded on all sides.

Even for someone unfamiliar, an awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere could be sensed, but Hyekyung, with her lips curled, seemed even more pleased.

“Then, I’ve been doing well, thanks to Donghun’s thoughts. Donghun, have you been doing well? You’ve become even more impressive since I last saw you. You’ve truly become a man.”

The overly packaged response made Donghun uncomfortable.

Even so, he forced a smile as if by instinct.

Doing so was the right way to treat an adult, something he had learned as manners, but more than that, he was concerned about Suyeon.

Messages from Sujin had come since early in the morning.

Even though he had not been checking due to work, he couldn’t ignore incoming calls either.

If he hadn’t seen it, he wouldn’t have known, and the messages he had been ignoring all morning were a bothersome part.

It would have been better to talk about being busy and concentrate on work in peace.

However, he had to hear about being in the department store, scary enough to answer the phone.

The unpleasant news didn’t end there.

With the mention of coming together with Hyekyung and hoping to see his face for a moment, an announcement crossed his ears.

Even if it was Sujin’s suggestion, it would have been hard to ignore, but since Hyekyung wanted it, there was no alternative.

In the end, he covered the approval documents he had been looking at and stood up from his seat.

Considering the department store, he thought he could briefly exchange greetings and use work as an excuse to return.

However, when he arrived, Suyeon was there.

Her face, with no trace of what was happening, was unidentifiable.

“Choi Suyeon. What about the car? Why did you walk here?”

Ten years ago, when he first drove Suyeon home, it was the same.

That day, too, Suyeon had a face as pale as it is now.

Following Hyekyung’s instructions to come inside, he couldn’t leave first, as if he had seen the Angel of Death.

That day and today.

He could not leave first because he felt that something big would happen to Suyeon once he left his seat.

So, even if it was uncomfortable, Donghun reluctantly accepted Hyekyung’s invitation for a meal.

“We met with our Suyeon not long ago. If you had contacted me, we could have had a meal together earlier.”

Hyekyung said with a disappointed tone.

Donghun just gave an awkward smile.

Even if it wasn’t in his heart, he at least tried to maintain minimal courtesy and manners, but he didn’t go as far as to say words that weren’t true.

If it weren’t for Suyeon in the first place, Hyekyung, let alone Sujin, would have no reason to have a private meeting.

Donghun just swallowed the sigh that welled up occasionally.

Suyeon’s complexion, which he glanced at occasionally, grew darker and darker.

Even though her face was already untraceable, it not only paled but now even seemed to turn slightly pale.

‘Choi Suyeon, what on earth can I do for you?’
Donghun pondered over the words that had risen to the tip of his tongue.

If only I knew the reason for her discomfort to that extent, I would try to think it over in my own way. However, with nothing known, there was nothing I could do but fiddle with the uncomfortable water glass.

Frustrated, he played with the awkward glass.

At that moment, the closed door opened, and food service began. Simultaneously, the hitherto quiet phone vibrated. It was a call from the secretary’s office. Narrowing his eyes for a moment, he reluctantly glanced at Hyekyung.

“Mom, I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”

“Sure, take your time.”

Despite his unwilling expression, Donghun quickly left the room. In the meantime, the staff who had finished serving also left the room, leaving only Hyekyung, Sujin, and Suyeon in their seats.

A table full of food emitted a savory aroma. In the midst of it, Hyekyung’s unkind voice interjected.

“Suyeon.”

Just calling her name made Suyeon’s shoulders vibrate violently.

“…Yes.”

“Have you already forgotten what Mom said?”

An inappropriate conversation coexisted with a kind tone. Suyeon knew exactly what it meant. It meant her discomfort. Just realizing that fact, her hidden hand under the table trembled fiercely.

“As you keep acting like this, Donghun keeps looking at only you. Do you know what this situation means?”

There was no way not to know. Sujin had known that Sujin had a crush on Donghun for a long time. That’s why Hyekyung had placed Donghun as Sujin’s partner. So, this situation must have been created for the marriage of Donghun and Sujin. Hyekyung’s expected role was also obvious. But Suyeon did not want it. She was the one who knew better than anyone else about the true nature of the Hyekyung couple. Of course, she wouldn’t treat Donghun as she treated herself, but it was uncomfortable for her to help with the marriage of the two, knowing the clear purpose of promoting Donghun’s marriage to Sujin.