Instead of voicing her opposition, Yulri nodded briefly. Thinking she agreed, Je Ho brightened with a smile, not letting go of her lips, he lightly picked her up and headed to the bedroom.

That night, his touch was rougher than usual, but he didn’t push too far. Panting, Yulri heard him whisper languidly over her lips.

“We can’t go all the way tonight since we can’t prevent pregnancy.”

Her expression was one of disbelief, so Je Ho caressed her slender waist, sliding his palm down her smooth back.

“Why? Did you think I’m always prepared? Ready to sleep with anyone at any time?”

As Yulri remained silent, Je Ho chuckled and pulled her tightly into his embrace.

“I’m more innocent than you think.”

Whether he was teasing or genuinely upset, Yulri couldn’t discern his true intent. Je Ho gently stroked her head and back, as if calming a child.

“…Didn’t I say I’d tempt not just your body but also your heart?”

His sweet whisper seemed to melt into her ear.

Yulri closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the gentleness of his touch. Despite expecting a sleepless night, she soon drifted off, exhausted from cooking all day.

“Hmph.”

A laugh escaped Je Ho’s lips as he held the sleeping Yulri. She had fallen asleep unguarded again, trusting his word that they were unprepared for contraception.

In reality, he wasn’t ready emotionally…

Concerned about their future, he couldn’t just proceed recklessly. Their agreement to be together carefreely concealed their deep worries about each other’s future.

That’s why he couldn’t simply engage in a physical relationship. If the body gets hurt, the heart inevitably suffers. Why doesn’t she understand that simple fact?

“I don’t want to hurt even a single hair on you.”

Je Ho tightened his arms around her.

He didn’t want to hurt her, whether it was her body or heart.

Even if the whole world harms her, he wanted to be her protector.

Ironically, he himself would probably cause her the greatest pain.

Whether he wanted to or not.

Regretting waking up later than him the previous day, Yulri rose early, only to find the bed next to her empty. Touching the sheets, she felt the coldness of his long absence.

She hurriedly showered and stepped out, only to find Je Ho already back from his morning exercise and prepared for work. As he was about to leave the house, he stopped upon seeing Yulri emerging from the bedroom.

“Why are you up so early?”

“And why did you get up so early, Je Ho?”

The wall clock barely pointed to 7 am.

“I had to visit the site early this morning. Did I wake you up?”

Yulri shook her head, and he smiled softly, pulling her into his embrace.
“I just need to go to work today. I’ve taken a vacation starting tomorrow. Think about where you might want to travel.”

“I don’t have a particular place in mind.”

“If you just want to stay in bed all day, that’s fine too.”

Despite knowing he was teasing, Yulri blushed slightly. Je Ho chuckled briefly and let her go.

After he left, Yulri went to the kitchen and noticed the breakfast he prepared for her. Freshly squeezed orange juice, an omelet with avocado and bacon, and crab salad. The thought that he prepared breakfast yesterday and today made her heart flutter.

As she sat down to eat, an unknown international number called her. Thinking it might be from her aunt, she answered.

[Yulri!]

Min Woo’s booming voice came through.

[Do you know how many times I’ve called? Why didn’t you answer? Why!]

“Don’t yell. It hurts my ears. What do you mean, calling?”

Yulri checked the phone number stored for Min Woo. To her surprise, it was blocked.

Did Hyun Kyung do this?

It seemed like Hyun Kyung had blocked Min Woo’s number while she had Yulri’s phone.

[Ah, sorry. Must’ve been a bad connection.]

Min Woo quickly lowered his voice in response to Yulri’s cold reaction.

“You said you went to the Philippines because of an emergency at the site?”

Despite knowing it was a lie, Yulri spoke calmly. It wouldn’t be too late to confront Min Woo after his return. She didn’t want to provoke unnecessary trouble.

“Any injuries?”

[There are some, but nothing serious.]

“That’s good. Handle it well, and contact me when you’re back.”

[Yulri, I’m really grateful for your understanding.]

After hanging up with Min Woo, Yulri pondered whether to unblock him. Instead, she added the just-received number to the block list and put down her phone.

“Mmm, delicious.”

Tasting the omelet Je Ho made, a smile naturally formed on her lips.

Finishing his work early thanks to an early start at the site, Je Ho drove straight home.

Yesterday, Yulri tried to hide it, but one of her fingers was red and swollen, clearly burned while cooking. He intended to dissuade her from cooking today.

But upon his return, he found Yulri crying quietly, her back to him, in front of another man’s photo.

“It’s upsetting.”

His cool voice startled Yulri, who turned around in shock. As expected, her cheeks were streaked with tears.

Je Ho’s gaze shifted to a laptop screen filled with the photo of a handsome man smiling broadly.

A surge of anger overwhelmed him.

“Are you crying over another man right now?”