Won Hoo, who was already uneasy due to losing contact with Jo In Ha, immediately went to So Yeon’s house after receiving a call from Seo Jun.

And when he entered her house with Yeo Do Soon leading the way, a shocking scene was already unfolding.

The sight that entered Won Hoo’s view was truly brutal and horrific.

Jo In Ha, out of his mind, was viciously assaulting Eom So Yeon, while So Yeon, though trembling with a metal object in her hand, couldn’t bring herself to strike Jo In Ha. At that moment, in So Yeon’s eyes as she noticed them, Won Hoo felt a desperation as if her breath was about to be cut off.

Gu Won Hoo immediately struck Jo In Ha, and In Ha in turn threw a punch at Won Hoo.

Due to that terrible fight, In Ha’s nose was crushed, and Won Hoo, with a fractured collarbone and torn ligaments, ended up on the operating table.

And the three of them faced each other again a week after that incident.

Jo In Ha, accompanied by a lawyer, came to Gu Won Hoo’s hospital room and signed documents stating he would unconditionally part ways with CN Entertainment, as well as a confidential agreement promising never to harass Eom So Yeon again.

Settling this matter through agreement without resorting to legal means was the best solution considering the nature of being public figures and the company’s position, and all three acknowledged that if this incident became known to the world, it would benefit no one.

Before leaving the hospital room, Jo In Ha silently stared at Eom So Yeon for a long time. Then he knelt down on the floor.

“So Yeon. I’m sorry for everything.”

After pondering his apology for a while, So Yeon sighed and said to In Ha:

“I can’t forgive what you did, senior. But I suppose I’m also at fault for not acting decisively. You should reflect on your actions. I’ll atone for my sins by burying this incident.”

“…”

So Yeon nodded as if understanding, and as she helped In Ha stand up, she continued:

“Even if I’m hurting, I shouldn’t ruin and discard someone precious to me, right? I should silently protect them, right? It will be difficult for a while, but when we meet, let’s make sure to at least exchange awkward greetings. Let’s reflect on our mistakes every time we see each other.”

“Yes… let’s do that.”

In Ha, accepting So Yeon’s words, furrowed his brow deeply. Eom So Yeon’s mature attitude had deeply touched Jo In Ha’s heart that had acted so recklessly.

Thus, Jo In Ha, ending his ties with CN Entertainment and Eom So Yeon, turned to leave the hospital room.

“So Yeon, you should go rest too. You’ve been practically living at the hospital for days.”

“No. I’ll stay here a bit longer.”

“Then, I’ll continue to impose on you.”

“What do you mean impose? You’re going through this hardship because of me, sir.”

So Yeon smiled gently at Gu Won Hoo, whose entire right shoulder and arm were in a cast, and began arranging the flower bouquet she had just bought from the flower shop in a vase.

So Yeon felt nothing but remorse towards Gu Won Hoo, who had ended up hospitalized because of her. Wanting to repay that debt in her heart, she decided to devote herself to nursing him until the CEO was discharged.

Won Hoo did not refuse her.

Though it was regrettable that things had come to this due to an unfortunate incident, he was happier than ever now that he had gotten one step closer to Eom So Yeon.

It had been almost three months since returning from Spain.

For two weeks since the drama work had finished, Seo Jun had been drunk every night. The reason the usually sober Tae Seo Jun had become a nocturnal creature frequenting clubs and drinking spots was due to a growing sense of powerlessness. And the reason for all of this was Eom So Yeon.

Seo Jun realized that So Yeon’s concern that her father’s wealth could make any wrongdoing not a crime was not something to be taken lightly when he noticed shadows quietly following him as he was leaving Malaga.

And he had noticed such signs several times in Cadiz as well. Their actions of appearing and disappearing like smoke were so elusive that it was enough to make a reasonable guess.

Well, there’s nothing he can’t do if he sets his mind to it.

Easily discerning that they were Chairman Tae’s men, Seo Jun had tried hard to keep his distance from Eom So Yeon while continuing the filming in Spain. He absolutely did not want her to be troubled in any way due to his father’s pressure.

But how could he help constantly thinking of her?

Once, wanting to see her face even from afar, he had spent an entire evening at the cafeteria of their Cadiz lodgings.

How Tae Seo Jun, who had never done such a thing before, had ended up like this. Even he was dumbfounded and let out a hollow laugh, but he couldn’t easily leave that place.

Because he felt like he could breathe a little easier if he could see her, even if it was under the guise of a chance encounter.

Around the time he ordered his fifth cup of coffee, Seo Jun saw Eom So Yeon half-hiding her body in a corner of the lobby.

At that moment, how his heart pounded. Even though they had faced each other so many times during filming, and even kissed, seeing her through the glass wall made Seo Jun feel quite fluttery.

He’s not sure since when, but even when Oh Min Jung approached and sat at the table, trying to talk to him, all of Seo Jun’s attention was focused solely on Eom So Yeon to the point where he couldn’t hear Min Jung’s voice.

But she said she wanted to end it. She said she would leave despite her pain because she disliked me.

So, I didn’t hold her back anymore.

Worried her mind might change, I personally drove her to the airport, but Eom So Yeon walked away from me without looking back even once. She left for a place without me.

Despite her pain, with strong steps and without regret.

How very like Eom So Yeon.

But that was the last time he saw her.

For the days it took Seo Jun to accept the fact that Eom So Yeon had left, he greatly resented her for leaving so abruptly. He hated her so much that he repeated countless times with his lips that it was a very good thing, that he felt very relieved. Even though his heart felt otherwise, it seemed like the only way he could bear it.

However, even after returning to Korea, he often sighed and lay awake at night. As time passed, Seo Jun could do nothing about the chill and emptiness in his chest, as if a hole had been punched through it.

Knowing that this was all because of Eom So Yeon, he wanted to run to her right away and convey these burning feelings. If that didn’t work, he even felt the urge to put aside his pride and everything else to beg.

But he just couldn’t do it.

Because he knew better than anyone that Eom So Yeon would run away even further at the slightest approach.

3 PM.

Tae Seo Jun, who hadn’t budged from his Nonhyeon-dong residence for two days, unusually prepared to go out and emerged from the dressing room.

While wrapping his graceful body in a fine suit was nothing out of the ordinary, the somewhat formal attire with a dandy bowtie meant that even Tae Seo Jun couldn’t refuse an official event.

Indeed, today was the production press conference for “The Sun’s Owner,” set to air as a Wednesday-Thursday drama in a few days.

Whirr…

His brisk steps crossing the living room towards the entrance came to an abrupt halt when his quiet phone suddenly vibrated.

“…”

His black eyes, brushing over the screen, held an alluring yet bitter smirk.

“What.”

−You’re not even showing your face at the company? No calls either.

“Are you discharged?”

−You don’t seem interested! It’s been a while since I was discharged, why the belated concern?

“Don’t you know I’m telling you not to get hurt again?”

−Right. Who would have thought I’d envy you being left-handed after hurting my right arm. It might be quite late, but seeing you worry about me, I guess you do feel sorry?

“Not really.”

Seo Jun was actually sorry.

After all, Gu Won Hoo’s injury was entirely due to his request.

About two days after So Yeon left Spain. Seo Jun was overwhelmed by an inexplicable anxiety. Even if just as an excuse to see Eom So Yeon one more time, he was tied down by the tight local shooting schedule and called Gu Won Hoo to ask a favor.

Mentioning So Yeon’s health condition and the suspicious movements of Jo In Ha, he asked Won Hoo to go to her house quickly. However, when Seo Jun heard about the violence-marred incident from Spain, he couldn’t stop laughing bitterly for a while.

Where did Gu Won Hoo’s notorious tenacity for whatever he does go! That bastard Jo In Ha should have been left half dead!

He muttered.

But what right did he have to say anything about Eom So Yeon’s affairs?

Whenever he thought he had no relationship with her, Seo Jun could only silently clasp his hands behind his back.

“Why did you call?”

−Do you have time tomorrow?

“Why.”

−Family gathering. They want both families to get together after a long time. Especially your uncle ordered me to bring you no matter what.

He had received a call from his father yesterday to come to the main house today. Knowing exactly what kind of nagging to expect, he had no desire to go, and moreover, he had the production press conference scheduled, so he said he couldn’t come. It seems they postponed the gathering by a day and sent Gu Won Hoo ahead.

“If you want to go, just go yourself. Why drag me into it?”

−You think I want this? You know, right? Our Chairman Gu is desperate to get me. Your uncle is the only one who takes my side, and your father can’t do anything about it, so I need to play my cards right. So come with me, if only for my sake.

Wasn’t it because of his request that Gu Won Hoo ended up in the hospital? Thinking about that, the words of refusal that were about to come out got stuck in Seo Jun’s throat. Instead, heaving a deep sigh, he answered briefly.

“Alright.”

−Heh heh, I knew it.

Gu Won Hoo’s confident laughter was very annoying.

Feeling irritated, Seo Jun hung up the phone abruptly without replying.

As the production press conference began, all the cast members took the stage.

Then there were a few questions from the reporters.

Even amid the appropriate responses to the pre-arranged script, Tae Seo Jun stood out by far. Next in line for attention should have been the female lead Oh Min Jung, but the reporters showed unusual interest in Eom So Yeon.

It was partly due to her mysterious aura that captivated attention without trying, but above all, the official announcement from her agency seemed to have the greatest impact. In other words, Gu Won Hoo’s strategy had turned a potentially bad move into a masterstroke.

“Ms. Eom So Yeon, you’ve worked as an advertising model and this is your first drama. We’ve heard that despite your young age, you’re raising a four-year-old son alone. As an unmarried rookie actress, it couldn’t have been easy to publicly disclose this fact. We’re curious about what motivated you to have such courage.”

So Yeon calmly answered the reporter’s question without flustering.

“I loved a man, and I thought the child was a part of him. But now, he’s become my everything, a precious child. Even if I could turn back time, I would definitely have my child.”

“Then… was he your first love?”

“…Yes.”

As the drama production press conference, which had continued for about an hour, was nearing its end.

After giving a few interviews and greetings as a supporting actress and coming down from the stage, So Yeon turned back for a moment. On stage, Tae Seo Jun and Oh Min Jung were standing side by side, responding to the host’s interview.

So Yeon’s gaze, looking up at them intently, unconsciously fell on Tae Seo Jun.

It had been nearly three months since she last saw him.

He seemed to have slimmed down a bit, but his sharper jawline and elegant appearance remained as dazzling as ever.

Although she had firmly resolved not to waver before coming to the broadcasting station. Why did seeing him make her want to see more?

She wavered without fail.

Her chest felt so tight she could barely breathe.

There shouldn’t be any feelings left now, but here I am, longing for him again.

What if our eyes meet? Would it be strange to quickly turn away as if I didn’t see him? Should I give a slight smile? Oh, I don’t even have the confidence for that!

In fact, So Yeon had been feeling quite down because Tae Seo Jun hadn’t looked at her even once since she entered this place until now.

It seemed he had completely given up, while she couldn’t. She wondered what that made her.

The fact that he doesn’t even glance at me means he really dislikes me now. Well, I’m the one who coldly rejected his intentions, so of course he’d resent me rather than have good feelings.

She, who couldn’t interfere in his glamorous life, should quietly step back. It seemed right to become just a passerby.

But…

Still…

Even if he hates me, couldn’t he look at me just once…

Just once, if only for a single moment, couldn’t he look my way…

So Yeon, letting go of her futile expectations, entered a small exhibition hall set up next to the stage.

With everyone either in the audience or watching the stage, no one was in this place where posters of dramas that had aired or were scheduled to air on this broadcasting station were hung.

“Ah… this is it…”

One poster hanging on the pure white wall instantly captivated So Yeon’s large eyes. As expected of the lead in “The Sun’s Owner,” Tae Seo Jun’s stylish and intense image caught the eye first.

Was she glad to be able to see him to her heart’s content, even if just like this? So Yeon’s lips curled up slightly without her realizing, as she quietly gazed at the large poster. And her expression became pensive with various thoughts.

Wouldn’t it look strange if I left first? But I don’t have the confidence to face Tae Seo Jun casually either. Right, I’ll stay here quietly and slip out when people start leaving.

Just as So Yeon, still fixing her gaze on the poster, nodded slightly, it happened.

Thump thump…

Someone entered the exhibition hall and stood beside her.

“…!”

This scent…!

Suddenly her heart started pounding, and So Yeon’s mind went blank.