Young Ja, who hung up the phone, still felt a tightness in her chest as if her anger hadn’t subsided.

How could they possibly run away like that? She kept bursting into laughter at the absurd situation she had never imagined even once.

Yet at the same time, an unpleasant feeling crept up in one corner of her heart.

Clearly, Tae Eun’s reaction was different. When she casually brought up the topic of a child for the first time, it was just to confirm in passing. In fact, she was thinking that if it came to divorce, she wanted them to have a child as late as possible.

It was to that casually thrown question that Tae Eun showed a noticeable reaction. She was a quiet child, but one who didn’t seem particularly intimidated even in front of the women of the Jang family. That’s why Young Ja could tell. That despite her appearance, Tae Eun was an extremely tough child.

But when the topic of a child came up, it was the first time Young Ja saw Tae Eun waver. The look of not being able to meet her eyes and being flustered was clearly not confident, to anyone who saw it. So Young Ja took Tae Eun to the gynecologist while Woo Jin was away, to confirm it.

She saw Tae Eun’s wavering eyes in front of the gynecologist’s office. It was fear beyond simple reluctance.

What on earth was she so afraid of to have such eyes?

“Clearly, she’s hiding something.”

But there’s no evidence. If she took her to the gynecologist again, she could uncover everything, but Woo Jin would surely throw a fit.

However, there are no secrets in this world. If one was determined to know the truth, there was nothing that couldn’t be found out in this world. Young Ja called in Lee, her right-hand person.

“You called for me, CEO?”

Then she gave secret instructions to Lee, who bowed his head.

“Yes. Find out if there are any gynecological records for Tae Eun.”

Perhaps her plan to divorce the two of them might be brought forward a little.

* * *

That afternoon, in Vietnam.

Fortunately, the schedule was adjusted and the meeting originally set for tomorrow was moved up a day. Woo Jin arrived at the resort where the meeting would be held, accompanied by Manager Park.

People’s gazes began to focus on Woo Jin and Manager Park. No wonder, as seeing someone in a perfect suit in this heat was truly like finding a needle in a haystack.

Manager Park let out a small sigh as he felt his whole body becoming drenched the moment he stepped out of the air-conditioned car. But Woo Jin didn’t even furrow his brow, making one wonder if he was truly human.

Well, this mere heat couldn’t tarnish the dignity of someone who had lived as the heir to Jang family for 30 years. But then, as they were walking along the well-maintained path towards the building with the meeting room, familiar Korean words reached their ears.

“Really? You mean it’s really actress Park Seo Woo? Where? Where?”

“Over there, she seems to be here for a photo shoot! She’s amazing in person! Let’s go take a look quickly!”

In that moment, Woo Jin’s brisk steps came to a halt. Manager Park wanted to quickly enter the air-conditioned building, but he had no choice but to stop along with Woo Jin.

And Manager Park saw it. The intense gaze that hadn’t changed even in this heat was now flickering.

“Manager Park, did those people just say Park Seo Woo?”

“Ah, yes…”

Only then did Woo Jin turn his gaze towards where people were gathering.

It was where the resort’s swimming pool was located. It seemed a photo shoot was taking place at the pool overlooking the sea, as there were quite a lot of people and equipment. He surveyed the scene with furrowed brows.

Seo Woo is visible. She was wearing a risqué bikini that barely covered her sensual figure, with a costume designed to flutter in the wind with every movement she made. Then, every time the cue was given, she would repeatedly raise her arms and legs in graceful movements like a ballerina.

Fortunately, unlike a few days ago, Seo Woo looked very well. Her unique energy that brightened up the shooting set was still there.

It’s reassuring. It means she’s doing fine.

“We have some time, would you like to go take a look?”

“No. It’s fine.”

As he firmly rejected Manager Park’s suggestion and turned to leave, a small scream was heard from the shooting site. As he shifted his gaze back, he saw Seo Woo who had fallen. And Jung Keun, her manager, rushing to help her up.

For a moment, Woo Jin unknowingly took a step in that direction. His heart sank and chills ran down his spine.

Could she be hurt?

But fortunately, Seo Woo got up vigorously like a roly-poly toy, smiling brightly. Comforting the people at the shooting site who were clutching their chests in surprise because of her.

“Ah, what a relief. That Ms. Park Seo Woo is alright.”

Manager Park openly voiced the words Woo Jin had muttered inwardly.

As one of Woo Jin’s closest confidants and one of the few people who knew about his relationship with Seo Woo, Manager Park was able to say such things.

It was bitter. That he was still anxious about Seo Woo getting hurt. Even knowing that these feelings of his could become both hope and a weakness for Seo Woo, he couldn’t stop.

He was still concerned, still caught his eye. He just wished she would be safe. That she would live vigorously, for Seo Jin’s share who left too early as well.

“Manager Park.”

“Yes.”

“Find out when Park Seo Woo is returning to Korea.”

“Why, are you going back together?”

To Manager Park’s question as he followed, he replied nonchalantly.

“No. To avoid her.”

* * *

Seeing Housekeeper Hong who had done a full grocery shopping on her morning commute, Tae Eun spoke up.

“Housekeeper. Don’t make too much food. There’s no one to eat it since Woo Jin isn’t here.”

“Yes. I understand, madam. But when is the executive director coming back?”

“Tomorrow.”

Housekeeper Hong smiled brightly and started organizing the groceries she had bought.

“Then madam, shall I make cool radish noodles for lunch today?”

“Yes. That would be nice.”

After answering, Tae Eun sat on the sofa and picked up the book she had been reading. But then her phone vibrated.

Having been severely scolded by Young Ja yesterday, now even just the vibration of her phone made her heart sink. Fortunately, it wasn’t Young Ja this time, but it wasn’t a welcome caller either.

“Hello.”

[It’s me. I hear Seo’s husband is on a business trip?]

It was her stepmother, Jung Ji Eun. How on earth did she know about Woo Jin’s business trip?

[Then come over to the house. Let’s have dinner together.]

The moment she heard those words, a bitter taste went down her throat. Ji Eun’s voice sounded particularly greedy.

“Since Woo Jin isn’t here, couldn’t we go together next time?”

She didn’t want to walk into that house alone ever again. However, Ji Eun coldly retorted.

[No, even if we agreed to skip the formal greetings to both families because you didn’t go on a honeymoon, isn’t this too much? If Seo’s husband is busy, at least you should come and pay your respects! Is getting married the end of it? Come right away! Don’t put it off!]

“…”

[By five o’clock!]

Ji Eun yelled in a stubborn voice and then unilaterally hung up the phone. Tae Eun didn’t want to go, but she couldn’t not go, not knowing how the unyielding Ji Eun might react.

Her head started to ache.

Just when she thought she had finally escaped that hell, now she had to visit again like this. Just imagining the moment she would step into that house made her feel like all the blood vessels in her body were shriveling up.

Hah, Woo Jin had only been away for a moment, but first Young Ja and now Ji Eun. Everyone around her was growling, ready to tear at her flesh and blood.

Everyone around her was like a hyena.

* * *

“Did I not make my intentions clear? I’m sure I said I wanted to avoid her.”

Woo Jin, who had come to the airport to board a flight back to Korea, looked disapprovingly at Seo Woo, who was wearing comfortable training clothes and dark sunglasses.

Manager Park broke out in a cold sweat beside him.

“Well… there was no choice. This is the only flight to Korea today…”

A deep sigh escaped between Woo Jin’s distinctly shaped lips.

It’s not Manager Park’s fault.

It was he who had hurried to return a day early out of worry for Tae Eun, and it was certainly not Manager Park’s fault that it unintentionally coincided with the day Seo Woo was returning after finishing her schedule.

If anything, it was largely his own fault.

But he couldn’t not take the flight either. His determination to see Tae Eun even a day earlier couldn’t be shaken.

“She… doesn’t know you’re on the same flight yet, so maybe you can avoid seeing each other…”

Manager Park said, but unfortunately, being in the same business class made even that impossible.

Thus, Woo Jin and Seo Woo had to spend a precarious time sitting just a few steps away from each other where they could face each other.

Seo Woo’s face, having noticed his presence, was bright to the point of glowing. The only fortunate thing was that Jung Keun, frightened, sat between them and strictly controlled Seo Woo.

“Get a grip. Ab-so-lute-ly not!”

“What, what have I done!”

“You haven’t done anything yet. But I know you’re going to try. And I also know those attempts will fail every time.”

Jung Keun warned in advance, but it fell on deaf ears for Seo Woo. She was already craning her neck to try and see even the back of Woo Jin’s head sitting a bit ahead.

“Listen carefully. There are tons of reporters waiting to capture your airport fashion. If you even glance the wrong way, it’s an instant scandal. You understand?”

“Yeah. I’ll make sure to wear my sunglasses.”

“Argh! That’s not what I meant!”

Jung Keun panicked and was on high alert, but fortunately, Seo Woo didn’t make any dangerous attempts on the plane.

She had her own thoughts too. She knew all too well that if another scandal broke out with Woo Jin, not only she but he too would be in danger.

-Listen carefully. I can never let you into our family. So if another scandal breaks out like this, even Woo Jin won’t be safe. I… am someone who can cut off my own arm if necessary.

Those were the words Chairman Jung had said to her when he personally came to see her after the scandal.

Seo Woo could tell that those words from Chairman Jung were not just a simple threat, but the truth. She could bear the end of her life as a celebrity, but the idea that Woo Jin could lose everything truly terrified her.

She wanted to protect his position somehow. That’s why when he said they should break up, she let him go without resistance. And she had endured for years, gritting her teeth.

She had endured for so many years, surely she could handle a few hours on this plane.

But this relationship where she couldn’t exchange even a word despite being so close was slowly eating away at Seo Woo. Especially these past few days since Woo Jin got married had been an even worse hell for her.

She took out the lipstick she had bought yesterday from her handbag. It was exactly the same as the one Woo Jin had bought. Seo Woo knew all too well who this was for.

It was for that woman. His one and only wife, Min Tae Eun.

Some might say it’s just a lipstick, but Seo Woo knew all too well what this meant.

His heart was turning towards Min Tae Eun. She had expected it, but confirming it this way made her heart even more miserable.

Seo Woo took out the lipstick and applied it to her own lips. Then she poked Jung Keun and asked.

“Oppa, am I pretty?”

“Ah, you startled me. Why are you wearing sunglasses and applying lipstick? It’s smeared!”

“Ah, I asked if I’m pretty!”

“No. Your features are too exotic, so that color doesn’t suit you. Strong colors like red or wine suit you better.”

“Tch!”

It was a color that didn’t suit her.

Exactly Min Tae Eun’s color.