The next day.

Yulli, who woke up an hour earlier than usual, headed straight to the bathroom. Normally, she would have taken out bottled water from the refrigerator and had a drink, but she skipped it today. She didn’t want to start her day by passing in front of the sofa and seeing him if she went to the kitchen.

After finishing the shower and completing all the preparations for work, Yulli finally left the bedroom.

“……Ah.”

However, contrary to expectations, an empty sofa caught her eye. Feeling the cool touch of leather on her palm, it seemed he probably returned in the early dawn. For some reason, she felt a sense of disappointment.

Did he just leave? If he’s leaving, he should at least say so.

At that moment, the sound of the door opening was heard, and the front door opened. Turning around, Jeho, holding a paper bag in one hand, was coming in. In a moment of joy, she almost approached him with a big smile.

Cha Yulli, what are you doing now?

Quickly regaining her senses, Yulli bit her lip and warned herself internally.

You have to act. It’s not genuine.

Even if she might smile at him on the outside, she must not welcome his presence on the inside.

“What happened?”

Suppressing her uneasy emotions, Yulli asked in a flat voice.

“I went home, took a shower, changed clothes, and came. Can’t go to work in the same clothes. Haven’t had breakfast yet? It must be uncomfortable on an empty stomach. Have some porridge.”

Perhaps he had stopped by a porridge specialty shop; the paper bag he held had the logo of a porridge restaurant. Jeho placed the container of porridge on the table and wrapped his arm around Yulli’s shoulders, guiding her to the front of the chair.

After pulling out the chair and making Yulli sit, he opened the refrigerator door and took out a bottle of water. Yulli watched him pour water into a cup.

Am I really worried about him? Or is it just an act?

Honestly, she didn’t know. Her mind was complicated because of his actions last night.

“Why aren’t you eating? You like abalone porridge, right?”

When she didn’t lift her spoon, Jeho asked with a puzzled expression. Yulli, postponing her answer, stared at him intently. When their eyes met, and she saw a gaze that seemed genuinely concerned, a sudden irritation surged.

The most infuriating thing right now, among the things he created, was herself, who still couldn’t decide her feelings and was wavering.

“I don’t have the strength to lift the spoon.”

Of course, it was a lie. Her stomach still felt a bit uncomfortable, but she wasn’t lacking energy. Knowing that clearly, she wanted to test how he would react.

Jeho chuckled, then moved beside her, lifting the spoonful of porridge.

Yulli obediently accepted the porridge he offered. He seemed to think she was acting up, wiping off the porridge on her lips with his fingertips and lightly kissing her on the mouth.
Instead of pushing him away, Yulli slightly nibbled on his lower lip to tease. However, before the kiss could deepen, she quickly withdrew.

“You were uncomfortable on the sofa, right? Don’t do that today. I’m okay.”

“Didn’t you say you don’t have the strength to lift the spoon?”

“I only feel that way when Mr. Jeho is around. I keep wanting to lean on him.”

“Then lean on me.”

As Jeho tapped her shoulders, Yulli chuckled, tilting her head with a smile.

There was a time when she wanted to lean on those broad shoulders, wanted to be embraced in warm arms. But now, she couldn’t do that anymore. Yulli took the spoon from his hand and contemplated the porridge on her own.

“I still want to sleep alone. That way, I can sleep deeply.”

“Then, by the end of this week, I’ll prepare the guest room for you to stay in. Let’s go to my place.”

It wasn’t like they were going tonight, and it would take a few days to prepare, but as long as it wasn’t sleeping in the same bed, she didn’t see any reason to refuse. In fact, staying by his side might help her find out anything.

She could postpone sharing a bed until her health recovered. The attending physician also strongly advised her not to overexert herself for a while.

“Okay. Then, starting this weekend, I’ll stay at Mr. Jeho’s place. Is that fine?”

Jeho silently nodded and tightly held her hand holding the spoon.

“Your hands are cold.”

Enduring what she wanted to pull away, Yulli smiled softly.

What should I do? My heart is colder than my hands…

As if to warm her cold hands, Jeho gently enveloped Yulli’s hand with both of his.

“I have one request. Never suffer alone from now on. If you feel even a little bit unwell, tell me right away.”

“Okay. From now on, I’ll make sure to do that.”

If she were the old her, she would have reassured him not to worry, but not now. It wouldn’t hurt to act along with his rhythm.

She felt like crying, but it was because her heart still ached. That’s why.

Yulli looked at Jeho and brought the spoonful of porridge to her mouth.