“I know. You weren’t raising me to devour me.”
While embracing the crouching Si Hyun with his entire body, Tae Ha said,
“It was I who wanted to grow up quickly to devour you.”
She felt as if the whole world was pointing fingers at her. She wanted to hide somewhere.

As if sensing her feelings, Tae Ha firmly embraced her, as if hiding her in his arms.

As if blocking the torrent of arrows with his own body.

As if saying, it’s okay, I know everything.

The moment she realized she wanted to close her eyes and hide in his wide, warm embrace, Si Hyun felt a strong sense of rejection towards herself.

Since when was Yun Tae Ha a man to you?

Can you blame your fiance who cheated even while you’re like this?
“Let go!”
Si Hyun used all her strength to break free from Tae Ha’s embrace.
“Do I look funny to you? You embrace me as you please, and then you…”
Unable to utter the word ‘kiss’, Si Hyun covered her lips with her hand and glared at Tae Ha.
“Just go to sleep! Is that all we have to say to each other?”
Looking at Si Hyun, Tae Ha looked regretful.
“I told you, my feelings. You still don’t know?”
“I didn’t give you an answer!”
Yelling to stop Tae Ha from approaching, Si Hyun stepped back.
“I need time to think. Just leave me alone for now.”
As soon as she turned around, Si Hyun walked quickly, almost running. Right now, she wanted to get away from Tae Ha, even if it was just a second sooner.

((()))

Lunchtime. At a gathering where about a dozen people, including the development team members, were having a meal together for the first time in a while, the director’s peculiar taste was the talk of the town.
“Well, he was so serious about it.”
Mi Joo mimicked the director’s tone and delivered an imitation.
“He’s at a lovely age. Everything he does is cute.”
“Kyah!”
The female employees screamed in delight, while the male employees reacted as if they found it strange.
“Hey, Mi Joo, aren’t you writing a novel for nothing? If it were the director, young girls would be lining up, why bother with older women.”
“Oh, what are you talking about? I heard it clearly with my own ears!”
Mi Joo jumped up.
“Since he even said it wasn’t a joke, if you have doubts, you can ask the director directly.”

Mi Ju was highly respected in the company for her straightforward personality and efficient handling of work. Although she would often joke about writing novels, everyone knew she wasn’t the type to make things up.
“So, it’s a clear preference for older women, right? That’s quite a unique taste.”
“From today, all the old maids in the company won’t be able to sleep.”
“Oh my, old maids? Does Manager Jeong want to retake the gender equality training?”
“Typically, men who lack something prefer younger women. So, you’re saying our director is normal.”
Among the chuckling here and there, Si Hyun kept her mouth shut.
“But why is Deputy Kang so quiet today?”
Suddenly, the spotlight turned towards her and Si Hyun flinched.
“Excuse me?”
Manager Jeong teased.
“I mean, you were deep in thought for a while. What, do you want to take this chance and dream big because the director likes older women?”
She was upset even though she knew it was a joke. What had she ever done to make everyone talk about dreaming big?
“Speaking of which, Deputy Kang is seven years older than the director, isn’t she?”
“That’s true. The age when everything they do is cute.”
People laughed.
“Oh, you guys, what do you take our Kang Si Hyun for!”
The head of the Wonteam team angrily defended her.
“Our Kang Si Hyun has a conscience, she wouldn’t dare surpass the director!”
“That’s true. Deputy Kang is about to get married, Manager Jeong was too harsh. Apologize.”
“I’m sorry, Deputy Kang. Instead, I’ll give you an extra hundred thousand won for your wedding gift.”
“So, you were planning to give fifty thousand won?”
While the others were laughing and chatting, Si Hyun quietly ate her meal. Of course, she couldn’t taste anything.
“You never know, right? Maybe it was really about Deputy Kang.”
Bo Ra was the one who said this. Bo Ra said with sparkling eyes.
“Our Deputy Kang is really pretty and cute. Exactly seven years older. So, I’ve been thinking from the moment I heard it, maybe the director was talking about Deputy Kang.”
A piece of bulgogi that she was forcing herself to swallow felt like it was stuck in her throat.
“Oh my, our goddess, you’re just completely blind.”
“Deputy Kang, what did you do to Bo Ra?”
While everyone was laughing to death, Si Hyun couldn’t bring herself to smile.
“Bo Ra. Even if it’s a joke, you should be careful what you say in front of your superiors, what’s that about?”

For the first time, Si Hyun, who had always treated me with kindness and care, scolded me, causing Bo Ra’s face to redden and tears to well in her eyes.
“No, it’s because I genuinely find Deputy Kang pretty….”

Then, other superiors stepped in to defend her.
“Deputy Kang, why are you scolding someone at the dinner table?”
“Even compliments cause a ruckus. These days, it’s scary to even say someone is pretty.”
“It’s okay, it’s okay. Eat your food, Bo Ra.”