She who was opening the entrance door paused for a moment and looked back.

“I prepared some food on the dining table. Eat when you wake up.”
Having said her piece, she immediately opened the entrance door and left the apartment.

A loud, harsh door closing sound followed.

((()))((()))((()))

The next morning, Sun Young was surprised to find Yul Li who had arrived earlier at work.

“Miss Yul Li, you came to work early. Want to drink this?”
Approaching Yul Li, Sun Young held out one of the takeout cups she was holding.

“The cafe in front was having an opening plus event. It’s Jasmine iced tea.”
Yul Li, who was about to thoughtlessly accept the takeout cup, quickly pulled back her hand at the mention of Jasmine.

“No, I’m fine.”
“Don’t decline. I can’t drink both.”
“Well, I don’t really like Jasmine.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. The scent is too artificial.”
Hearing Yul Li, who hadn’t particularly shown dislike till now, repeatedly emphasize her distaste, Sun Young tilted her head in surprise and walked to her own desk. Once she confirmed Sun Young had seated, Yul Li turned her gaze back to the computer monitor.

She was parched and thirsty, considering whether to go out to buy a drink. But the beverage that Sun Young had brought as a bonus was Jasmine tea!

Yul Li bit her lips lightly and glared at the blueprint on the screen.

Ah, Jasmine.

The moment Sun Young handed the cup, Je Ho’s whispering voice echoed in her ear. From his behavior, it was clear that Jasmine was his lover. Whether they had broken up, or were still in a relationship, she wasn’t sure, but if she appeared in his dreams, she must be a significant existence.

Was it because she discovered Je Ho had a lover named Jasmine? She was worried about having an erotic dream last night, but rather, she was able to sleep peacefully till morning without any dream.

“Sigh.”
Fluttering for a man who had another woman in his heart…

Without realizing, Yul Li let out a short chuckle. She had unnecessarily stirred her heart. It was not a sincere confession, just a light joke as if passing by, knowing that, but her heart was swayed… Was it because the very existence of Kwon Je Ho was a burden?

But now, her solitary imaginations had shattered, and the reasonless flutters would disappear. With that, even if he designs a newlywed house, it wouldn’t be a significant issue.

Yes, today, no matter what response she hears, don’t be greatly shaken!

As she organized her thoughts, her heart felt lighter. Yul Li, with a brighter face, clicked the mouse to flip the blueprint.

((()))((()))((()))

What could it be? It was past 10 o’clock, but Je Ho hadn’t come to work. On asking Sun Young casually, the reply was that he would be coming in the afternoon.

“Is he not feeling well?”
“It’s not like that, he must be tired from the provincial business trip. Even the director is taking a day off today.”
She was worried if his wound had worsened, but since he said he would come in the afternoon, she could ask him then. But even after lunchtime, Je Ho didn’t show up. That might be why she couldn’t concentrate on work because of worry.

In the end, Yul Li decided to call him and picked up her cell phone. But soon, she made a blank expression.

She didn’t know his phone number. She had never thought to ask, and he had never offered it.

They didn’t even know each other’s phone numbers. Perhaps this was the true nature of their relationship. She tried to find his number through the company’s emergency contact list, but since all the paperwork hadn’t been completed yet, Kwon Je Ho’s contact details weren’t listed.

Was his condition not getting worse?

Chae Yul Li tried to shake off her anxiety and focus on her work. However, soon the image of Je Ho’s face, contorted in pain with his shirt stained red, appeared on the screen. The lingering gaze that followed her, pleading her not to leave, lingered.

“I think I’m going to leave early today.”
In the end, Yul Li left the office about an hour earlier than the regular quitting time. She drove straight to the apartment where Je Ho was staying. It was unlikely, but just in case he was suffering alone…

“No, I can’t.”
It felt as if she had been injured herself, she flinched. She was also worried if he might be alone at home without anyone to care for him, starving.

Yul Li, thinking of the empty refrigerator and pantry, stopped by a porridge shop on the way and bought Samgyetang. She barely remembered the apartment number from last night, but fortunately, she remembered it as soon as she entered the building.

Ding dong―.

Not long after she rang the bell, a woman with a shy face opened the front door. The woman, who had a round face and fair skin, looked perplexed at Yul Li standing outside.

“Who are you?”
For a moment, Yul Li thought she had come to the wrong place and quickly looked around. However, if she remembered correctly, this house was certainly Je Ho’s friend’s house.

“Is Mr. Kwon Je Ho here now?”
“Je Ho, my brother?”
At Yul Li’s question, the woman’s eyes widened. It seemed like she had no idea how Je Ho could be here.

Then, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Jasmine.”
At the same time, the woman turned around and said,

“Brother Je Ho, someone is looking for you.”
This woman is Jasmine?

Yul Li, looking at the woman, widened her eyes.

((()))((()))((()))

“Haa, haa, haa.”
Yul Li, who got into the car panting heavily, started the car and hurriedly left. She was so out of breath from running nonstop, but she couldn’t delay any further. She had to get out of there first.

She couldn’t make a fool of herself in front of Je Ho and his lover. Yul Li clenched the steering wheel and scowled.

“Ah, foolishly.”
She shouldn’t have come recklessly…

Of course, she couldn’t call him because she didn’t know his number, and she couldn’t just sit there and worry either.

But her actions had clearly crossed a line.

Going to see the woman he was getting married to in two days! Going to see her!

Even if it was a marriage of convenience, a marriage was still a marriage. Yul Li drove roughly, blaming herself for her reckless actions.

If there was a silver lining in her misfortune, she had learned one thing. She confirmed that he and Jasmine were currently in a relationship. That meant that from now on, she could let his words in one ear and out the other, and she didn’t have to let her heart flutter over pointless imaginations.

In a way, it was a chance to get out of the heavy dilemma that had been weighing her down. But on the other hand, she felt lonely and hollow, as if she had lost something precious. It was an indescribable feeling. It was like being cut by a sharp blade.

Yul Li, who stopped her car at a red light, looked out the window with empty eyes. The passing cars seemed slow, probably because of her messedup mood.

Since she had left work early, she had about an hour left until the appointed time of 6:30. Without a specific destination in mind, Yul Li followed the flow of traffic. Before she knew it, she had arrived near the KG Group headquarters.

For a moment, she thought of going to see Min Woo. If she drank coffee in his office and went to fit the wedding dress together, she could somewhat fill the void.

Yul Li parked her car by the roadside and looked at the highrise building soaring into the sky.

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