With each breath, her rounded chest moved up and down, attracting his gaze. He wanted to slide down the dress and scatter red petals over her white skin, marking his territory.

He handled her as delicately as if she were a glass doll, suppressing the urge to bite down hard.

“Pretending not to seduce, huh?”
Every one of her actions was an irresistible temptation for him. Even now, she chewed on her lips like a newborn, wetting her dry lips with her pink tongue.

“Phew, you’re driving me crazy.”

Je Ho chuckled softly, then cautiously covered her with a blanket and leaned down to her slightly parted lips. A pitying kiss. It was his way of rewarding himself for what he could receive from her.

“I’m sorry, Yul Li. I thought it’d be okay since Mr. Kim was there,” Hyun Kyung apologized the next morning, looking like she was about to cry after hearing about the club incident from Mr. Kim.

“It’s okay. It’s not like you did it on purpose.”

Apparently, Hyun Kyung and her friends had moved to a different club that day. They had excused it as the vibe being off, but they had planned to leave Yul Li and Je Ho alone from the beginning. Hyun Kyung and Je Ho had exchanged phone numbers the day she brought Yul Li over, just in case.

A few days ago, Hyun Kyung had called Je Ho to invite him to the club, keeping it a secret from Yul Li. The plan was for Mr. Kim to stay at the club to protect Yul Li until Je Ho arrived. However, the plan went awry when Yul Li decided to go downstairs without messaging Mr. Kim.

“Why did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Why did you invite Je Ho there?”

Hyun Kyung looked troubled for a moment but then blurted out the truth with a resigned expression.

“I wanted to create a deep memory for you before getting married. A sticky, sweet memory with your first love. And if things went too far, well, then just overturn the wedding.”

“You!”

Yul Li laughed in disbelief at the absurdity. Instead of getting angry, her reaction sparked hope in Hyun Kyung’s eyes.

“So, how was last night?”

Last night? Yul Li had lost consciousness in the midst of a kiss. The whiskey she had been drinking even before Je Ho arrived must have hit her all at once. It seemed she had been carried to Hyun Kyung’s house in his arms. She vaguely remembered parts of a conversation between Je Ho and Mr. Kim, and Je Ho laying her down on the bed. She must have woken up in a daze to change her clothes, although she wasn’t entirely sure.

“What do you mean, how was it? He took me home, and I fell asleep.”

There was some physical contact, but it was nothing worth describing to Hyun Kyung.

“Aren’t you frustrated? You set the table but couldn’t eat?”

Hyun Kyung’s disappointment was evident when she realized her expectations weren’t met.

“Should I have fed him with a spoon? I didn’t think Je Ho was like that.”

“Enough already.”

Yul Li smiled awkwardly and pushed Hyun Kyung’s excited shoulder gently, then hugged her tightly.

“Thanks, Hyun Kyung.”

“For what?”

Confused by the sudden hug, Hyun Kyung’s eyes darted around in bewilderment.
“Just, just thank you for everything. I love you, Hyun Kyung.”

Yul Li had realized something very important thanks to Hyun Kyung’s planned ‘night of deviation.’ It was a relief that she came to understand it before it was too late. However, she couldn’t share this revelation with Hyun Kyung yet.

She needed to talk to Min Woo first. It was a matter of basic courtesy to the person who was once her fiancé. The fact that the marriage was being called off should first be known to Min Woo, more than anyone else.

Until then, she couldn’t tell anyone.

While pondering how to start the conversation with Min Woo, Yul Li’s phone rang. The caller was Yoo Ri.

“Unnie, are you coming home tomorrow?”

It had been a week since she left home. Mrs. Ahn had suggested that she stay with Hyun Kyung for about a week.

“Father is going down to Geoje tomorrow. He said he would be back in about a week.”

It seemed like a gesture to give Yul Li some space to return home comfortably. But she couldn’t answer right away, considering she had to meet Min Woo and call off the wedding. The thought of returning home amidst all this made her feel overwhelmed. When she didn’t respond, Yoo Ri continued.

“Then come back around the time Dad returns. I’ll let you know the day before he comes.”

“Can you do that?”

“Yeah, I will.”

After ending the call with Yoo Ri, Yul Li received a call from Min Woo. Apparently, unable to bear the lack of contact from her, he called first.

“Yul Li, what are you doing?”

“You called just in time. Can we meet today?”

“Of course. I’ll come to pick you up.”

“No, don’t. Let’s meet at the venue.”

“How about ‘Meadowd’ at Namsan?”

Upon arriving at the venue, the manager personally greeted Yul Li and led her to the reserved room. As she entered, Min Woo, who had arrived earlier, stood up with a broad smile.

“You’re here?”

Without a chance to avoid, he got up and hugged her. Yul Li let Min Woo do as he pleased, knowing that soon she would have to bring up a serious topic.

“Min Woo.”

After the meal and just before dessert was served, Yul Li cautiously started the conversation.

“I think we need to rethink this marriage.”

Until that moment, Min Woo’s face, which had been only bright, suddenly turned gloomy.