Beep beep beep!

The front door opened urgently.

Then, under the automatically blinking sensor light, a man and woman tangled together rushed in like a storm.

It all started with a kiss on those irresistible coral pink lips. After that, Woo Jin had emptied a whole plate of sushi without even knowing if it was going in through his nose or mouth, and practically dragged Tae Eun out.

Coming straight home, from the moment he parked the car in the garage, he could no longer hold back the rush of blood and grabbed her. He wondered how such understated coral lips could be so sexy, but right now he just desperately wanted to devour her.

The passionate kiss that started in the garage couldn’t be stopped even as they climbed the stairs and entered through the front door.

“Mmm…”

As her breathing quickened, a small moan escaped her throat. Only then did Woo Jin separate his lips to give her a moment to catch her breath.

“You know what? Your lips taste like peaches.”

“…”

“Insanely sweet.”

He devoured her lips again. The lipstick she had reapplied in the car was already completely wiped away, but their heated bodies had reached their limit.

Woo Jin urgently pushed up her shirt. His already deep gaze grew even more intense as he took in the body that had driven him crazy throughout that short business trip.

He really loved this moment so much. Holding her felt like being in a different world.

All the complicated matters filling his mind flew away at once, and every brain cell focused solely on her. All his senses were attuned to her. And he explored her like a madman.

He couldn’t even remember how they got to the bed. In his eyes, only Min Tae Eun, who resembled coral pink, existed.

A satisfaction beyond imagination filled his parched patience that had worn thin.

And that wasn’t all.

Everything about her was much sweeter than he had imagined. As if coated in honey, there wasn’t a single part of her that wasn’t sweet.

All his senses were drawn to her.

His five senses were awakened. To the point where every hair on his body stood on end at her sigh that finally burst out uncontrollably.

“You know what?”

“…”

“You turn me into a beast.”

Just before reaching a climax he had never experienced before, he called her name.

“Min Tae Eun…”

“…Yes?”

“Tae Eun…”

He couldn’t stop saying her name, loving how it sounded from his lips. And every time he called her name, her gaze grew deeper, so beautiful he couldn’t look away.

Their layered world shattered. And behind that shattered world was another world.

The most passionate night for the married couple was,

“Tae Eun…”

growing deeper.

* * *

“Writer, the script is so good. There’s not a single line of dialogue that can be thrown away. I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

After finishing the first script reading for the new drama, Seo Woo greeted Writer Han with a pleased remark.

“Oh, Seo Woo, what are you saying… I’m the one who’s grateful. If you hadn’t said OK to this, it was about to be scrapped. There’s no one else who could pull off this role but you.”

Writer Han spoke humbly, but it was half true.

The female lead character Jung Min Ah in this drama, which depicted the dark side of the glamorous entertainment industry, was a character that only Park Seo Woo could portray.

Moreover, Seo Woo was famous in the entertainment industry for being talented and humble, so writers lined up wanting to work with her.

“I look forward to working with you, Seo Woo.”

“Me too, Writer!”

After finishing greetings with the writer, actors, and staff, Seo Woo left the broadcasting station. As she got into the waiting car, Jung Keun handed her a cool ice water.

“How was the first script reading?”

“It’s amazing. I just got the feeling. Every line of dialogue is a gem. As expected of Writer Han.”

“Right? The agency has high expectations too. They say after this project, you’ll become Korea’s top actress.”

Seo Woo smiled brightly, not seeming to mind those words.

“But aren’t you hungry? Is there anything you want to eat? Let’s go get food.”

“I have to start managing my diet soon for filming. Let’s eat salad.”

“Okay. Where should we go?”

“Hmm… The salad bar at the Crystal Hotel restaurant was pretty good. Should we go there?”

“Let’s do that! Get some rest for now. I’ll wake you when we arrive. You didn’t sleep at all last night reading the script.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m too excited thinking about the new drama to sleep. But I am hungry. Let’s go quickly, oppa! Go! Go!”

Just a while ago she was crying and making a fuss over Woo Jin, but now she’s pulled herself together at the mention of the new drama script reading.

Looking at that, she really is a born actress.

Watching Seo Woo looking over the script again through the rearview mirror, Jung Keun happily stepped on the accelerator.

* * *

Time flew by incredibly fast, and a month had already passed.

These days, Tae Eun was unbelievably happy. Woo Jin was still affectionate, learning to cook from Lady Hong was fun, and not only did she visit her grandmother twice a week, she also started volunteering at an orphanage.

It was a series of unbelievably peaceful days. So peaceful that she wondered if her life, which had been full of troubles and setbacks, could really be this uneventful.

And today was the day she was meeting Hye Jin for the first time in a month since getting married. Although she had seen her friend at the wedding, she hadn’t been able to see her often since Hye Jin had given birth, so she was a bit excited. To be honest, today was even more special because not only Hye Jin, but also her 11-month-old son would be coming out.

She looked in the mirror as she dried her hair and started applying light makeup. And for the finishing touch of her makeup, she took out the lipstick Woo Jin had bought her recently.

Every time she applies this lipstick, she can’t help but smile. She’s impressed at how he chose a color that suits her so well, and amused imagining how much thought he must have put into buying it.

Who would have thought?

The great Seo Woo Jin standing in the cosmetics aisle to buy women’s lipstick. Thanks to that, the lipstick had become her favorite. After applying it, it blended well with her features, making the color shine even more.

After she finished getting ready and left the bedroom, Lady Hong in the kitchen made a comment.

“Madam, you’re wearing that lipstick again? It suits you so well.”

Lady Hong didn’t know the origin of this lipstick, but it was truly a compliment that felt good to hear anytime.

“Thank you. The color turned out prettier than I expected.”

“Pretty? It’s more than that. It’s a perfect match for you, Madam. Where did you find such a beautiful color?”

Her face reddened at those words. She wanted to boast right away that Woo Jin had bought it for her, but she wanted to keep the image of him agonizing over choosing a lipstick all to herself.

“I’m heading out now. I’ll be back before dinner.”

“Alright. Drive safely.”

Seeing Lady Hong off, she left the house and drove towards the Crystal Restaurant, their meeting place. On the way, she received a message from Woo Jin and replied after arriving at the hotel.

−I’m meeting Hye Jin for lunch today. I’ll be home before dinner though.

−Okay. Got it. Eat lots of delicious food.

After checking Woo Jin’s message, Tae Eun entered the restaurant. As soon as she turned her gaze, she saw Hye Jin enthusiastically waving at her from a window seat.

“Tae Eun! Over here!”

Next to Hye Jin was her 11-month-old son, sitting in a high chair.

“Wow, as expected. Marriage has revived you. Your face has brightened up.”

“Really? Do I look good? You look good too.”

“Good? I’ve become a total ajumma after having a kid, with fat hanging everywhere. I’m a mess. But seeing you after getting married feels new, right? Above all, congratulations on escaping that hellish house!”

Hye Jin patted her lightly, offering a casual consolation. It was possible because she was one of the few friends who knew the stark reality of Tae Eun’s life.

“But what’s his name? He’s so cute.”

Tae Eun exclaimed, looking at Ari who was picking up snacks with his chubby hands nearby.

“Dong Woo. Park Dong Woo. He’s not quite a year old yet.”

“Aww, he’s really so cute. How can his cheeks be so chubby?”

“Hahaha. He’s a healthy baby. But these days, I live for our Dong Woo. Remember? I used to hate the idea of kids, but maybe because Dong Woo is my own, I love him to death. I’m crazy about how cute he is. My husband whom I used to be crazy about doesn’t even compare.”

Saying that, Hye Jin lifted Dong Woo from his chair. The child smiled brightly again and sucked on his fingers.

“Who do you think our Dong Woo looks like?”

“He seems to look like you?”

“Right? Right? This guy insists he looks like him. Anyone can see he’s my spitting image. And how could he have this face if he looked like my husband! Right? Mommy’s boy?”

This side of Hye Jin was a first. Smiling at the child, making eye contact with him. Just before, Hye Jin had been lamenting becoming an ajumma, but to Tae Eun, her friend who had become a mother looked even more beautiful.

A beauty she could never possess.

…Mother.

What would she look like as a mother?

Would she be like Hye Jin, with a slight weight gain? That wouldn’t be bad either. Even she thought she was a bit on the thin side.

But above all, a child of her own with Woo Jin. Just imagining it brought tears to her eyes.

But for her, a child was too much to hope for.

Was that why? Tae Eun couldn’t take her eyes off the child. His plump cheeks looked like rice cakes. And his soft-looking arms reminded her of marshmallows. He was pretty from every angle, cute from every side.

People tend to linger on things they can’t have. Perhaps Tae Eun had such lingering feelings too.

“Can I… hold him?”

She desperately wanted to feel the child. That precious life, that delicate life she would find difficult to embrace, she wanted to experience it just once.

As she unconsciously reached out her hands, Hye Jin nodded without hesitation.

“Ah, of course. But our Dong Woo is heavier than you’d think. He takes after me in that too.”

With Hye Jin’s permission, Tae Eun stood up and went to where the child was. Then she received the child from Hye Jin.

As Hye Jin said, the child was quite heavy. But this little thing, still a person, squirmed and made eye contact with her. The jet-black pupils in his fair face were looking up at her curiously. Finding it so adorable, she couldn’t help but soothe the child and hold him more preciously in her arms.

To her, just a dream-like child.

That’s why this child, who was even more desperate to her, was lovable to the point of tears.

“Wow, Min Tae Eun… I didn’t know you liked kids this much? If I had known, I would have met up with you more often with the baby.”

Feeling the unusual affection in her touch as she held and soothed the child, Hye Jin smiled and spoke as if seeing her in a new light.

But then Hye Jin sniffed and cleared her throat, blushing as if embarrassed.

“Oh my, I think our Dong Woo pooped. Hehe… Sorry. I’ll quickly change his diaper and be right back.”

Tae Eun had to reluctantly hand the child back to Hye Jin.

Watching Hye Jin disappear with quick steps, holding the child and carrying a large diaper bag, she couldn’t laugh or cry.

As the child left her arms, an empty wind pierced her heart. The child who had briefly passed through left her with even greater lingering feelings.

As she turned around with a dazed expression, her heart sank to her feet as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

That woman whose eyes met Tae Eun’s a few steps away.

The one she never wanted to encounter again even if she died,

“This can’t… be happening.”

was Park Seo Woo.