“Yes. He came to help with our company work for a while but originally, he has his own separate company, a respectable CEO. He’s incredibly rich and a developer who is called a genius. He’s been developing apps since high school….”
As Si Hyun blushed from hearing Tae Ha’s praises, she unknowingly boasted. Even though it was about someone else, Soo Yeon listened attentively without showing any signs of boredom.

“The truth is, the 30 million won was also from Tae Ha. He told me, if they are precious to you, they are precious to him.”
“What?”
Soo Yeon didn’t know what to do.

“I didn’t know that, and couldn’t even say thank you. What should I do about causing inconvenience to someone young enough to be my son?”
“Don’t worry. Once the lease money is returned, I’ll repay it. Tae Ha said it’s okay, but how can I accept such a large sum of money so easily?”
“The lease money?”
That’s when Si Hyun opened up to Soo Yeon.

“Auntie. Actually, I broke off my engagement with my brother.”
She explained everything from catching her fiancé cheating at their newlywed house, to finding out the other woman was her closest work colleague. She told her how Woo Jin came to her house in the morning and got a beating from Tae Ha and ran away.

After hearing everything, Soo Yeon opened her arms and hugged Si Hyun tightly.

“It’s okay, it’s not Si Hyun’s fault.”
As she gently patted Si Hyun’s back, Soo Yeon said,

“There’s nothing Si Hyun did wrong.”
It was the same thing Tae Ha had said.

Real allies speak like this. Nestled in the warm hug, Si Hyun closed her eyes.

But then, Soo Yeon added one more thing than Tae Ha. A moment later, she loosened her hug, looked into Si Hyun’s eyes, and spoke firmly.

“It happened so you could meet a better person. There’s no need to be sad.”
Si Hyun gave a slight smile.

“There’s going to be such a person now.”
Thinking about marriage and dating made her tired. She had no thoughts of meeting another person, nor the confidence to meet a good person.

“Why not? That young man Tae Ha likes Si Hyun, doesn’t he?”
[He said he still likes her so much that he could die.] The words that Ye In said yesterday brushed past Si Hyun’s mind, but she deliberately shook them off and laughed weakly.

“I told you. Tae Ha said it couldn’t be. Even if not, we already discussed it. We will keep our distance in the future, and once I get the lease money back, I will repay Tae Ha’s money and move somewhere else.”
“Why did you do such a foolish thing?”
Startled by the firm tone, Si Hyun looked at Su Yeon. It was quite different from her usual attitude of trusting Si Hyun’s decisions and supporting whatever she chose.

“You’re not without feelings for Tae Ha either, Si Hyun. So why are you trying to run away?”
In fact, Su Yeon was almost scolding her.

“If we go too far, it will be harder for both of us. Before that happens…”
“So why are you thinking of turning back in the first place? He really likes you, Si Hyun. You should just go with your feelings.”
“Tae Ha is like a child I raised with my own hands. How can I do that?”
“You raised him, not birthed him, didn’t you? What’s the problem if you’re not his mother?”
Cutting her off, Su Yeon tightly held Si Hyun’s hand.

“Stop thinking about it and just listen to me.”
Holding Si Hyun’s hand firmly, Su Yeon spoke with conviction.

“He’s your match, Si Hyun, no doubt about it.”

((()))

While eating the curry that Su Yeon had made and on her way back home, Si Hyun had various thoughts.

Su Yeon had actively persuaded Si Hyun to accept Tae Ha’s feelings. She even insisted that next time, she must come with Tae Ha.

Su Yeon was undoubtedly on my side. No matter the situation, she would always prioritize my happiness. When someone like her says something like that, perhaps she’s right…

The words Ye In had said yesterday also came to mind.

[Tae Ha really can’t date anyone if it’s not you, right? I think you have to save him.] Considering that she had heard a detailed confession about another woman on their first date, it was a surprisingly generous reaction, and Si Hyun felt ashamed. Ye In, who was ten years younger, seemed more like an adult, while she felt like a child.

[You weren’t bothered at all when he met me, were you?]

“It would be a lie to say I was fine. I had spent the entire day wondering what they would be doing at that moment.”

Caught in her inability to respond, Ye In carefully said to Si Hyun,

“You should think carefully about your feelings.”
As she returned home with various thoughts in her mind, the doorbell rang even before she could catch her breath.

It was Tae Ha.

“What’s up?”
When she opened the door with a deliberately stern face, Tae Ha spoke.

“Dress warmly and come out. We’re going to get some fresh air.”
He was not in his usual suit or sweater but in a sporty, casual outfit. He looked like he was going on an outing.

“What?”
“The weather is so good. We could get depressed if we stay at home. So let’s go out.”
Tae Ha grabbed Si Hyun’s wrist and dragged her along.

“Hurry up. We don’t have much time.”

Si Hyun had no choice but to follow him, knowing she was no match for his strength. Tae Ha led Si Hyun straight to the parking lot.

“Hold on a second! Where are we going?”
After pushing Si Hyun into his car, Tae Ha closed the door.

“You’ll know when we get there.”

“Would you please stop the car?”
Si Hyun tried to vent her anger in various ways, but Tae Ha, who held the steering wheel, didn’t bat an eye.

“Let me out!”
“It’s a highway. Do you want to be on the news?”
“Then let me out at a rest area.”
“If you want something to eat, I’ll buy it for you on the way back.”
Whatever she said, the response was always like this. In the end, Si Hyun gave up, worn out. She had no idea where they were going or why they were in such a hurry, but fine, let’s see where this goes.

Then, seeing the place they finally arrived at, Si Hyun’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Wait a minute, this is…?”

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