“It may have started impurely, but now it’s not. My feelings toward Yuri are genuine.”

“I see. So, did you pass the information to me to prevent the marriage?”

An emotionless and dry gaze landed on Jeho’s face. Just by looking at his expression, it was impossible to know what Congressman Chae was thinking.

“Don’t worry too much. I won’t say anything to Yuri. Everything depends on you. Whether you reveal the truth, disappear naturally after revenge, it’s your choice.”

“If you don’t reveal the truth, there will be no future with Yuri, is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s right.”

Although Congressman Chae’s face showed no expression, the gaze he cast upon Jeho was as chilling as ice.

“I told you before. It won’t be easy to date Yuri. But if she accepts you, even knowing everything, I won’t oppose it anymore. Of course, she probably won’t accept you.”

Behind the glasses, a cold glint flickered.
Congressman Chae didn’t step forward fully as a seasoned politician who knew everything. Initially, there were suspicions about him being the mastermind. However, as the puzzle pieces of truth were revealed one by one, his identity leaned more towards that of a spectator. Congressman Chae wouldn’t make a move unless it harmed him.

In that manner, Congressman Chae personally sought Jeho concerning Yuri’s affairs. It seemed acceptable for him to make his daughter cry, but he couldn’t tolerate someone else making his daughter cry.

Jeho remained silent and stared at Congressman Chae. Hoping that Congressman Chae’s warning contained even a little of the fatherly love towards Yuri.

“I understand. Thank you for giving me the choice.”

Jeho also responded with a calm voice, devoid of any emotion. In the darkness inside the car, the two men looked at each other for quite a while.

Congressman Chae was the first to avert his gaze. Uncomfortably, he loosened his tie knot.

“I’ll go now.”

After Jeho respectfully lowered his head and opened the door, Congressman Chae instructed Kim, his aide, to start the car when he got on the driver’s seat.

Once Congressman Chae’s car disappeared, Jeho started the engine and drove away. Although a heavy feeling lingered in his chest like dust, the fact that he was heading to Yuri’s house provided some comfort.

For now, that one thing was enough.

Chae Yulli, she was still by his side. The future could be worried about later.

“……Ugh.”

When she opened her eyes, darkness had fallen around. Yuri blinked her heavy eyes and slowly got up. Jeho was nowhere to be seen; he hadn’t come out of the bedroom yet.

As she went out to the hallway to find him, pitch-black darkness awaited her. Usually, the motion sensor would automatically turn on the lights, but today, for some reason, pitch-black darkness surrounded her.

She fumbled along the wall to find the light switch.

After a moment, a rustling sound came from behind.

“……Ah!”

Turning around, Yuri’s eyes widened in surprise.

As candlelight began, small bulb lights lit up like snow, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Yuri looked around with a puzzled expression.

Then, Jeho, who appeared from somewhere, approached with a smile.

“We’ve never had a romantic dinner together, have we?”

He took Yuri’s hands and led her to the dining room.

“We don’t necessarily need to go to a fancy restaurant, but I wanted to enjoy a proper dinner, even at home. Unexpected things happened, and I was thinking of postponing it, wondering if we could enjoy a romantic meal in this mood.
Yulli looked at the dazzling dining table filled with various colors with an impressed expression. Previously, due to the pitch-black surroundings, she hadn’t even realized the delicious smell wafting through.

“Did Jeho prepare all of this?”

“Sorry, but except for the salad, I didn’t do anything. I ordered a special meal from a Michelin-starred chef and just put it in the oven.”

“Where is it?”

While looking at the dining table, which seemed to have been moved from a French restaurant, Yulli once again showed a touched expression. However, she soon realized that her casual attire of a T-shirt and jeans didn’t match Jeho’s preparations.

“Wait a moment. I’ll change my clothes and come back.”

Should I change my clothes only, or should I do my makeup too? Oh, should I tidy up my hair?

Hurriedly entering the bedroom, Yulli quickly opened her suitcase. She hadn’t had time to organize her clothes since she had rushed straight to the bed earlier. There were only plain blouses, shirts, and pants suitable for work.

If I had known, I should have brought some nice clothes…

At that moment, she noticed the silver windbreaker neatly rolled up inside the mesh bag. She must have picked it up earlier and forgotten to take it out. Fortunately, the fabric didn’t wrinkle easily, so she shook it out, and it quickly regained its shape.

Although it was a somewhat provocative style, exceeding her usual limits, it wasn’t like she had a choice now. Yulli quickly changed into the dress and combed her hair. There wouldn’t be enough time to do a perfect makeup, so she only applied lipstick and eyeshadow.

Checking herself in the mirror, she still looked better than when she had been wearing the T-shirt and jeans earlier. The short skirt length bothered her a bit, but on the other hand, she wanted to show off her smooth legs.

To no one else, only to him…

After finishing her preparations, she came out, and Jeho was just putting the dish he had taken out of the oven onto the plate. A smile appeared on Jeho’s face as he noticed Yulli in her changed clothes.

“Are you trying to seduce me before we even have the meal?”

“Why? Is it too sexy?”

Blushing, Yulli gathered her skirt with both hands and pulled it down. Jeho, who spotted Yulli in her changed attire, smiled and put his arms around her waist, lowering his head to press his lips against hers.

“No, you’re just beautiful.”

After ending the short but intense kiss, he softly whispered on Yulli’s lips.

“If my mother were alive, I would have thanked her. Thank you for giving birth to me so beautifully and raising me. I sincerely mean it. Later, make sure to meet and greet her.”

Touched by Jeho’s unexpected words, Yulli had a slightly surprised expression. Jeho gently brushed her hair up with one hand and continued speaking.

“I mean it. I’ll make sure to visit her and express my gratitude.”
“From now on, cry when you see me. In places where I’m not, and when I’m not looking, never cry.”

“…Where would that be?”

“Here, it’s right here.”

His fingertips gently caressed her reddened eyes.

Yulli was uneasy about easily shedding tears. Jeho, whom she had made cry in a similar way, felt the same. When she extended her lower lip, Jeho spread his arms and pulled her into an embrace.

“If you’re going to cry in front of me, I can hug you like this.”

Leaning his chin on her forehead, he whispered softly.

“Yulli, if, hypothetically speaking… if I ever do something seriously wrong to you, will you forgive me just once?”

“Only once? I can forgive you twice, you know…”

“No, once is enough.”

Actually, it shouldn’t happen even once for me to do something that wrong to you.

Jeho smiled bitterly as he tightened his embrace around Yulli.