[Mdash]I contacted her agency, but they treated me like I’m the worst.

“Then meeting her would be even harder?”

[Mdash]The Hae Joo we knew is no longer the same, Mom.

Kyung Ae found it hard to keep up the facade.

While wracking her brain, she came up with a plan.

“Just do as I say from now on.”

After all, Hae Joo was still her daughter.

Regardless of her success now, one couldn’t ignore inherent traits.

Shortly after ending the call with Yura, Kyung Ae fell asleep exhausted.

Hae Joo was having busy days.

She was preparing for a major movie shoot, juggling overdue commercial and photoshoot projects.

She also met with other actors at Director Kwak’s company rehearsal studio. As her role, So Hee, was crucial, she needed to communicate closely with Director Park.

Yoon Ji was also diligent. On days they didn’t meet, she underwent rigorous acting training at her agency.

Still, Director Kwak was not satisfied.

Eventually, he decided to reduce Yoon Ji’s role in the film and notified her.

“If that’s the director’s opinion, I can’t help it.”

After the other actors left, only Hae Joo and Yoon Ji remained in the rehearsal room.

They needed to rehearse a confrontational scene.

However, Yoon Ji just sat on the floor listlessly.

“Senior, the next scene is…….”

“Can we do it tomorrow? I don’t feel well today.”

“Don’t be too upset.”

As Hae Joo was gathering her belongings to leave, Yoon Ji asked casually.

“How does it feel to live with someone you’re not dating?”

“What?”

“I’m not picking a fight, just genuinely curious.”

“You and that person, for 3 whole years…….”

“I know it’s just a marriage on paper.”

Hae Joo’s expression hardened.

“But you’ve changed lately.”

“Me?”

“Looking at you, our movie seems like a romance.”

“……!”

Yoon Ji stood up, brushing off her clothes.

“Be careful in front of the CEO. He might act indifferent, but he sees everything.”

Lately, Hae Joo had been deliberately avoiding Jin Han.

After Yoon Ji left the rehearsal room, Hae Joo remained seated, lost in thought.

“Unnie, if you’re done, shall we go?”

“Yes.”

As Hae Joo got into the van, Hyun Sung brought up an important matter.

“I’ve rented a place to stay in Jeju Island today.”

“Really?”

“The CEO asked if you’d like to go down first to get accustomed.”

“What about the other actors?”

“They’ll organize their schedules and go down this week.”

Then Hae Joo too had to go.

With the movie garnering expectations, she planned to fully immerse herself in her role.

“Let’s go too.”

“I’ll prepare the plane tickets.”

Hae Joo returned to an empty house.
The English translation of the passage is as follows:

Do Jun did not answer when Hae Joo tried calling him.

Their only communication was a brief conversation before he boarded a plane to New York for work yesterday.

[I’m going to Jeju Island this week.]

Eventually, Do Jun couldn’t return to Korea even after a month had passed.

Hae Joo, content with only occasional chatting with him, started unpacking her suitcase.

Do Jun successfully acquired the global bank. He and the M&A experts had executed a relentless strategy, leading to significant success.

This news was prominently featured in the domestic economic news.

On his way back to Korea.

Do Jun was so exhausted that he fell asleep on the plane, not realizing his phone had run out of power.

Only when he left the airport and was heading home did he read the message sent by Hae Joo.

[I’m now going to Jeju Island. I will leave the address in a message.]

Belatedly, a fire kindled in Do Jun’s heart.

The message was sent just 15 minutes ago. In urgency, he urged Director Song.

“We need to hurry.”

“Yes, CEO!”

He tried calling Hae Joo, but she did not answer.

As the car stopped in front of his house, Do Jun was greeted by a dark, empty home.

A sense of futility overwhelmed him.

Behind him, Director Song approached as he panted at the entrance.

“Shall we go to the airport now?”