Her mother turned off the stove and looked back at her.

“I just feel like it. I kind of overheard in the study. Is it true that Yul Li spent last night with Je Ho?”

“Shh, keep it down.”

Her mother placed a finger on her lips and frowned.
“Don’t complicate things by saying unnecessary things. Just stay quiet. The mind can change a dozen times before the wedding.”

“Originally, it was supposed to be Je Ho who was engaged to Yul Li, right? And Je Ho is much better than Min Woo, anyway.”

“Be quiet, I said.”

Mrs. Chae chided Yuri, who pouted and turned away. To Yuri, Yul Li and Min Woo just didn’t seem to match at all.

Honestly, no woman seemed suitable to be by Min Woo’s side. The woman who should be there was herself.

When Yuri first heard about Yul Li and Min Woo’s arranged marriage, she was angry. She knew Min Woo never paid her any attention, but she never imagined he’d marry her sister, especially since Yul Li had once been in talks to marry Je Ho, Min Woo’s cousin.

Yuri felt both envious and jealous of her sister, who seemed to have the affections of both cousin brothers. But she didn’t resent Yul Li.

She just wondered why it was her sister and not her. Why was it only Yul Li who got to campaign and receive an angelic image? These thoughts occasionally crossed her mind.

Of course, she knew the reason. She was supposed to stay out of public appearances, maintaining the image of a frail, media-shy younger sibling.

Her very existence was a significant vulnerability for Representative Chae. If her birth secret leaked, it would cause a massive scandal. Maybe, if Representative Chae became a presidential candidate, she would have to stay abroad for a while.

“So frustrating.”

Why did she always have to feel like a criminal for merely existing? It wasn’t her fault she was born!

Yuri had started to watch Yul Li’s every move. Although Yul Li never directly asked if Yuri knew her birth secret, she never asked either. They probably both preferred to keep pretending not to know. But like melting snow revealing muddy ground, the truth would emerge eventually. Whenever that might be…

Yul Li pondered whether to ask Yuri to send some clothes, but Hyun Kyung offered hers, saying they were of a similar size. She had plenty of clothes that she’d worn only once or never worn at all. In the end, they went to a nearby mall to buy some new underwear.

Yul Li tried on several of Hyun Kyung’s outfits, but even the most conservative choices seemed somewhat provocative. This was due to her fuller figure accentuating the curves more than Hyun Kyung.

She chose the loosest blouse, but it still clung to her body, making Yul Li blush unintentionally. Hyun Kyung, on the other hand, looked very pleased.

“It suits you so well. I only removed the tag but never wore this. It’s all yours.”

“Isn’t it a bit too provocative for the office?”

“What’s provocative about this? Come here and sit down.”

Fortunately, the swelling on her cheek had subsided, but there was still a slight redness that needed to be covered with makeup. This made her makeup look heavier than usual, giving her a different appearance.

“While we’re at it, let’s change your hair too.”
As Hyun Kyung excitedly grabbed the hair dryer, Yul Li protested, “Hyun Kyung, I’m going to work, not a club.”

“What club? When’s the last time you went to a club?”

Yul Li had only been to a club once, during college, and even then she was quickly dragged out by Representative Chae’s aide. She hadn’t been near one since.

“While you’re here, let’s do everything you haven’t done. Go to clubs, stay up all night, watch midnight movies, everything.”

“Alright.”

Yul Li agreed noncommittally and rushed off to work, worrying about facing Je Ho. Thankfully, he was attending a seminar with Director Kim and wasn’t in the office. After lunch, Director Kim returned but Je Ho had another appointment and didn’t come back. Strangely, Yul Li found herself feeling disappointed.

Seeking some fresh air, Yul Li headed to the rooftop. As she opened the door, her phone rang from an unknown number. While she hesitated, the call ended, and then immediately another call came in, this time from Mrs. Chae.

“Did you get to work alright?”

“Yes.”

“Come back home next week. By then, your father’s anger should have subsided.”

“I’m not sure. I’m pretty angry too… I don’t know if I’ll calm down by next week.”

Mrs. Chae’s voice lowered at Yul Li’s unexpected response.

“You’re getting married soon. Can’t you just endure until then?”

“So, in the end, I have to be the one to endure, right?”

“I’m sorry.”

“That apology should be for my mother, if you can say it.”

Yul Li ended the call coldly, her thoughts drifting to her late mother. Had her mother endured, thinking just enduring would suffice?

Touching her neck out of habit, Yul Li realized the necklace wasn’t there anymore. The sense of losing something precious brought tears to her eyes.

Crying won’t solve anything…

“Thought you’d be here.”

Startled, Yul Li turned to find Je Ho standing behind her. Noticing her tears, he frowned.

“Were you crying alone? Like a little lady?”

“No, something got in my eye.”

“Huh.”

Je Ho chuckled softly, wiping away her tears with his finger.

“Is that why you didn’t answer my call?”

“Your call?”

Yul Li remembered the unknown number.

“I didn’t know it was you.”

Je Ho took her phone, saved his number, and handed it back.

“Now, answer immediately when I call.”

Checking her recent calls, Yul Li saw Je Ho’s number saved not as a name, but a nickname.

Three words that made her heart race uncontrollably.