“Anyway, didn’t you buy it with the intention of holding onto it?”

Sooyeon asked with a smiling face.

As Mingoo resumed driving, he nodded his head.

“That’s true, but still, as the so-called manager of TK Adnim, it feels special to be the first to know such news, even if it’s just for a day. No, even for a minute or a second.”

“What? Haha.”

Mingoo had an extremely poker face, and even that amused Sooyeon.

Since TK was a leading conglomerate in South Korea with a global presence, there was no need for much concern. Even if the stock price dropped immediately, steadily purchasing as Mingoo suggested would undoubtedly be beneficial to his life, as he claimed.

‘Even if I have to muster up the courage today for that to happen.’

Looking beyond the car window, Sooyeon inwardly reaffirmed a determination that Mingoo couldn’t notice.

The reason for going out, breaking the habit of staying at home, and calling Mingoo for personal matters were all for the same reason.

—President Kang contacted me to meet. It seems he’s bringing someone along. It seems to be someone from President Kang’s line, and considering that he secured a seat in advance, it seemed like someone who could be helpful to us. So, I wanted to ask, how about you go out with Inho today? President Kang seems to be looking forward to seeing you too.

Late at night, Yeongseon brought unexpected news with a phone call.

Although there was no reason to hesitate about meeting someone who could help with her separation, Sooyeon couldn’t provide an immediate answer.

Even though Kang President made her somewhat uncomfortable since she had seen him a few times when she was young, he was neither comfortable nor unfamiliar.

The fact alone made her strangely tense.

“Yes, please. Send me the location and time via text.”

Although she wondered if she could handle it well instead of Inho, she steadfastly responded to Mingoo’s suggestion.

She had to somehow manage, even if she wasn’t confident.

Inho had willingly chosen to immerse himself in a dreadful hell in her place, so this was nothing.

After exchanging a few more words, the call with Yeongseon concluded.

However, the problem arose afterward.

The feelings that couldn’t shake off the not-so-smooth 29 years of life trembled with anxiety all night long.

Eventually, giving up on sleep, she stayed up all night controlling her mind, anticipating the situation, and repeating simulations multiple times.

Thanks to these efforts, her mind seemed somewhat calmer, but as she headed towards the promised place, she quickly became anxious again.

“Mingoo.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have any interesting stories?”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“Yeah. Weren’t there any interesting incidents between us before? Suddenly, I can’t remember anything.”

Even with Mingoo’s bewildered expression, Sooyeon only showed a faint smile.

Once she hugged Inho at least once, she thought she could wash away her uneasy feelings, but it seemed impossible now.

So, through Mingoo, she wanted to hear Inho’s story, even if only a bit.
Inho in my memory had no remaining power to suppress extreme tension while guarding the house alone, pondering over and over.

“Well, since you bring it up out of the blue, I can’t remember anything either.”

Not knowing Sooyeon’s feelings, Mingoo raised his head without much sincerity.

Sooyeon even adjusted her posture and stared penetratingly at Mingoo’s profile.

Rather than getting angry at his insincere attitude, Sooyeon’s desire to hear Inho’s story became more intense.

“Then, was there nothing that made you angry because of me? I feel like I wouldn’t easily forget something like that.”

It was an effort to hear Inho’s story in its own way, but Mingoo, who was driving while facing forward, had a contemplative expression.

Coincidentally, the car stopped as the signal turned red.

Mingoo, who seemed uncomfortable for some reason, slowly turned his head.

“…Did I do something wrong?”

“Huh? No?”

“But why are you suddenly like this? Creating distance between people!”

Mingoo jumped up from his seat.

As a result, Sooyeon had to suppress a puzzled smile.

Although there was no intention to make Mingoo uncomfortable, she realized that her words might sound strange from Mingoo’s perspective.

To her, he was a very affectionate husband, but fundamentally, Inho was a man who felt cold and overflowing with confidence to the point of arrogance.

So, it was inevitable that Mingoo would feel uncomfortable.

Even if he didn’t know, there were probably more than one or two accumulated issues.

Just thinking about Inho’s voice during phone calls hinted at it.

Even if he knew that she abhorred Mingoo, sometimes his expression was so stiff that it felt suffocating.

“Pfft.”

Just recalling an image that was far from affectionate made her burst into laughter unexpectedly.

Despite being an image far from affectionate, the laughter flowed out uncontrollably.

Afterward, the irregular heartbeat that had been persistent was gradually finding its rhythm.

While keeping her smile intact, Sooyeon gazed out through the window.