When Eom So Yeon tried to speak, Yoo Jung Hwa kept interrupting her.

The host was swayed around, as if under Jung Hwa’s control.

The people around them simply watched the situation unfold strangely without saying a word.

If an outcast existed on this stage, it was none other than herself. So Yeon’s hands became cold to the point of numbness, knowing this fact. Clenching and unclenching those hands, she was barely enduring this seemingly eternal time.

With her trauma from the accident assaulting her mind, leaving her thoughts muddled, So Yeon was unable to think clearly. Even her one-sided thoughts grew uncontrollably.

What did he say?

Did he say he liked me? That he wanted to live together? But after the incident with Hyun Woo, how his heart may have changed… His staying with me now could be out of a belated sense of responsibility.

So Yeon suddenly became anxious. It was as if someone was whispering in her ear.

Even if everything Yoo Jung Hwa said was true, do you have the right to be jealous?

Are you afraid Tae Seo Jun might not love you?

Do you regret giving your everything to that man?

The moment she had to leave her one-night lover. The moment she endured unbearable pain to give birth to a child. The moment her wings were broken and bloodied before she could even fly. The moment she was branded as an unwed mother and had to bear people’s cold gazes.

As those memories were revived one by one, the scars of her suffering opened up and bled.

So Yeon felt as if her breath was completely blocked off, cut off from the world.

No! That’s not true!

Instead of shouting, So Yeon gritted her teeth and shook her head slightly.

“Ha……”

Barely exhaling her suppressed breath, So Yeon raised her wavering gaze and looked at the faces of the people below the stage one by one. Just in case, even knowing it was a futile hope, she searched for him. Tae Seo Jun, who was like a ray of light in her life.

Her extremely shrunken heart began to calm down when she heard another whisper.

Why are you looking for someone who isn’t here?

Scaredy-cat, coward, Eom So Yeon, how long are you going to just take it?

The mocking whispers were her own. Hearing the voice of her own heart, So Yeon gradually realized that the fear binding her was something she created herself. Soon after, So Yeon, who had regained a stable gaze, looked straight at Yoo Jung Hwa.

Jung Hwa, who had only felt terrifying, was no longer scary. Now, her boasting even seemed ridiculous. So Yeon could no longer forgive Jung Hwa for speaking carelessly about the person she loved.

At that moment, something caught So Yeon’s eye.

“Miss Yoo Jung Hwa.”

“?”

At the unexpected call, Jung Hwa’s head creaked as it turned towards Eom So Yeon.

“Over there…”

So Yeon’s hand, with fingers straight, pointed towards Jung Hwa’s leg.

Suddenly remembering what happened last Saturday, Jung Hwa fumbled at that spot with her hand, as if subconsciously concerned about her pants zipper.

But So Yeon shook her head as if that wasn’t it.

Then, Yoo Jung Hwa’s eyes, feeling suspicious about something, instinctively looked down.

“Ack!”

As soon as she lowered her gaze, a short scream escaped from Jung Hwa’s mouth.

A cockroach about the size of two finger segments was crawling up her calf.

Thud, thud, bang!

Jung Hwa wasn’t the only one who fell backwards in surprise.

“Gasp! A cockroach!”

“Eeek!”

“Kyaaaah!”

“Ahhh!”

Five or six cast members also panicked, either standing on their chairs, falling over with their chairs like Jung Hwa, or those a bit quicker fled to the end of the stage in the blink of an eye.

In an instant, the atmosphere turned into chaos.

In fact, it was just a long-armed beetle that had entered this place, following the excessively bright lighting, but just because it was large and black, the beetle had to be labelled a cockroach.

So Yeon, who often looked at insect picture books with her son, gently cupped the bug that had bounced off Jung Hwa’s leg and was now crawling on the floor. Then she released the beetle out the window not far from the stage.

People grumbled about why she let it go instead of killing it. However, So Yeon just smiled brightly and returned to her seat.

Even after everyone sat back down after straightening the fallen chairs and the disorderly atmosphere, they were all preoccupied with anxiously examining their feet.

Yoo Jung Hwa, who considers human lives as unimportant as a fly’s. The people who went along with her to look down on one person were making such a fuss over a mere insect.

It wasn’t even funny.

Nevertheless, So Yeon smiled softly.

Among the cast, the only person smiling composedly was Eom So Yeon.

Perhaps because the unexpected situation just filmed was much more interesting than what had been recorded so far, the PD signaled to the host to keep this scene.

The host’s question was directed at So Yeon.

“Miss Eom So Yeon, are you not afraid of cockroaches?”

“If it’s a bug, I’d also be startled. But that little guy was probably more scared. People just get surprised and that’s the end of it, but the long-armed beetle could have been stepped on and died.”

“Ah! So it wasn’t a cockroach but a long-armed beetle?”

“Yes. The precious long-armed beetle must have felt so wronged. It’s a natural monument, but it was even mistaken for a cockroach.”

“……….”

The host, who seemed to have gained some realization from So Yeon’s story, closed his lips tightly for a moment. Including himself, the people here felt pathetic.

Killing or making a fool of someone for no reason.

They had all condoned intentional bullying, hadn’t they? Everyone should have felt ashamed towards Eom So Yeon.

The host’s gaze, fully conveying that apologetic feeling as he looked at Eom So Yeon, was very respectful.

“You’ve been quietly sitting as if you weren’t here the whole time, I hope it wasn’t too uncomfortable for you.”

“Not at all. The senior colleagues’ words were so interesting and there was a lot to learn, so I was listening intently.”

So Yeon’s attitude as she spoke with a stable gaze and voice was flexible, and light shone from her entire being.

On the other hand, as the recording progressed, Yoo Jung Hwa’s presence grew fainter and more diluted.

The first part of the recording, divided into two segments, ended and a 30-minute break was given.

Returning to the car, So Yeon took off her cardigan and put on a zip-up hoodie over her t-shirt and jeans. The next filming location would be outdoors, so there was no more appropriate outfit than this.

Moving from the passenger seat to the back seat, So Yeon pressed the forehead of Do Soon, who was crammed into the corner of the car seat and not budging.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“Dunno.”

When So Yeon asked with a serious expression, Do Soon replied briefly in a weak voice.

“What do you mean you don’t know, your forehead is burning up!”

“Ah, gosh, don’t worry and just go. I’ll be fine resting in the car for a bit.”

“This is driving me crazy! The kid who raises hell even when I’m a little sick, why are you acting so pathetic when you’re this ill? Stay still.”

It had been a couple hours since she sent a text to CEO Gu Won Hoo. It seemed like he saw the message, but there was no reply. Unable to blindly wait for a CEO who may or may not come, So Yeon hurriedly called the company.

“This is Eom So Yeon.”

– Ah, yes, Miss So Yeon. What’s the matter?

An employee from the support services department greeted her kindly.

“I’m at the filming location in Yangpyeong. Could you send someone over here? Manager Yeo Do Soon is sick, but I’m in the middle of filming, so I can’t take her to the hospital, and this place is so remote that I can’t get medicine separately.”

– Even if we leave now, it’ll take quite some time, so if it’s really urgent, calling an ambulance would be faster for you.

“Ah, should I do that then? I understand.”

So Yeon, who had to film here today and tomorrow, had thought to at least send Do Soon back to Seoul. However, realizing that it wasn’t easy, So Yeon hung up the phone without protest and said to Do Soon,

“Do Soon, can you bear it a little longer?”

“Why?”

“I asked someone I know for help earlier, but if that person doesn’t come, let’s go to the hospital together after filming.”

“I’m saying this just in case, but what hospital. You just focus on filming well.”

“Anyway, keep that in mind.”

After fully covering Do Soon with a blanket, So Yeon, who now got out of the car, immediately took brisk steps. The stage for the new filming location was set up in the front yard of a building with a thick scent of forest.

15 minutes before shooting.

As So Yeon got on stage and tried to sit at the very end like before, Oh Min Jung suddenly bumped into So Yeon’s shoulder and passed by, sitting down on a chair with her legs crossed.

Not only did she rudely not apologize after touching someone, but the way she called So Yeon with a flick of her finger was very arrogant.

“Miss Eom So Yeon.”

“Yes.”

So Yeon answered without changing her expression.

“This.”

Min Jung wiggled the card held between her fingers.

It was clear she meant for So Yeon to take it, but what was she supposed to do with the card? As So Yeon looked at her with a puzzled gaze, Min Jung ordered in a sharp tone,

“Do an errand for me. You see that cafe cart over there? Buy me a hot Americano.”

“Coffee…?”

“Why are you making me say it twice? My mouth hurts.”

“……”

What about your own manager and why are you doing this to me?

It was obvious she was trying to humiliate So Yeon, but So Yeon reached out towards the card without much complaint. However, at the same time, Min Jung dropped the card at her feet with a flick.

Then Yoo Jung Hwa also tapped So Yeon’s shoulder and sat down next to Oh Min Jung.

How could Jung Hwa be exactly the same as Min Jung, ordering So Yeon around as if it was only natural? So Yeon, who could only be dumbfounded, paused for a moment, and Min Jung suddenly raised her voice,

“What are you doing not moving quickly? Miss Yoo Jung Hwa, a senior colleague, also wants one!”

To pick up the card, So Yeon had to lower her head to Min Jung and Jung Hwa. This was the power play between actresses.

As So Yeon remained motionless for a while, realizing the two women had conspired to create this situation, the people around them ended up becoming spectators, unable to intervene.

“What, you don’t want to run the errand? You were just saying you’re listening intently to your seniors’ words, but your true feelings are that you think seniors are worse than dirt, right?”

Min Jung raised her voice nastily, and Jung Hwa added,

“There are those who don’t know it’s shameful to seduce men and even have a child, but raise their self-esteem high for tiny things. Disgusting people whose nature is cheap but pretend to be expensive.”

“……!”

So Yeon glared fiercely. At Yoo Jung Hwa who spouted insulting words with an indifferent expression.

However, Jung Hwa, who coldly stared at So Yeon without being fazed, raised one corner of her mouth.

‘That’s exactly you.’

It was a sneer that pointed directly at So Yeon.

At the knocking sound on the car window, Do Soon, who barely moved her arm, fumblingly unlocked the car. It must be Eom So Yeon, she thought.

It was because of an entirely unexpected voice that her heavy eyelids sprang wide open.

“Why are you like this! If you’re sick, you should go to the hospital first no matter what!”

“Uh-oh!”

A very irritated-sounding voice. The one who opened the car door and swiftly lifted Do Soon up in his arms was none other than Gu Won Hoo.

“Huh? CEO, why are you here…?”

“Be quiet, let’s go to my car for now.”

“Ow, ow ow! If you came to help, be gentler!”

Without any more nonsense, Won Hoo, who plopped Do Soon into the passenger seat, strode around the hood and got into the driver’s seat.

“Seeing you yelling, I guess you’re still alive and kicking.”

“That’s because I’m sick!”

Actually, Do Soon’s condition wasn’t good even before leaving for Yangpyeong. And after arriving at the filming location, the chills and fever worsened. If it was a cold with body aches, that was all.

But as soon as Do Soon saw Won Hoo’s face, she wanted to act really sick even if she wasn’t. She wasn’t sure if this feeling was love or what, but for the first time ever, she wanted to whine and act spoiled.

“You’re not faking it, are you?”

“No, I’m not! Everything hurts here and there, there’s not a single spot that doesn’t hurt! I feel like I’m about to die, but you think I’m exaggerating!”

“Alright. I was just asking, so let’s be quiet now. What if your tonsils swell up too from all that?”

“Aha- are you worrying about me right now? Is that why you rushed all the way here?”

Won Hoo, who received So Yeon’s text, got in his car and drove like crazy. And by the time he came to his senses, he was already in Yangpyeong.

It absolutely wasn’t because he liked her. It felt like the reason Do Soon was sick was definitely because of him. No, it had to be his fault for relentlessly pushing her for two days straight. He repeatedly explained to himself that that was why he came all the way here.

“Miss Eom So Yeon even sent a text saying Miss Yeo Do Soon is sick, so how can I, as the company CEO, ignore it?”

Won Hoo, who answered similarly, started driving the car straight towards the nearby city as soon as he fastened Do Soon’s seat belt.

“Where are we going now?”

“Let’s go to the ER and at least get an IV drip.”

“Do you perhaps… like me?”

“!”

“I’m asking if you love me.”

“!”

At the sudden question, Won Hoo closed his mouth tightly and increased the car speed even more.

“Never mind then! Don’t make me talk, I’m sick!”

Do Soon, as if that was that, took her gaze off Won Hoo and shut her eyes tight.

Saying to go to the hospital, what’s with this love talk? She must be so sick that even her mind was going haywire, it was clear.

Some time later, Won Hoo, who arrived in front of the emergency room, lifted Do Soon up in his arms.

“I’m not so sick that I can’t walk.”

“Since I’m already holding you, let’s just go.”

As she was being carried and reached the hospital entrance, Do Soon asked again,

“Why are you being so nice to me? Can you do this without liking me?”

“Let’s stop before I throw you down hard.”

Won Hoo, who abruptly stopped walking, stared down at Do Soon’s face.

Her dry lips were pouting and her fever-flushed eyes were boring into him. Won Hoo suddenly put Do Soon down on the ground as if throwing her.

“Eek!”

As soon as she regained her balance from the impact, Do Soon demanded,

“If not, then fine, but no matter how much you hate it, you’re hitting me like this? Embarrassing me?”

“That’s not it…”

Ah, I must be crazy! Why do I suddenly want to kiss a sick woman?

“Tsk, how much do you hate me that you stop mid-sentence. Hmph! I’m done too!”

“……”

If that mouth hurts, would it move non-stop? Anyway, I let it slide since you’re sick.

“Let’s go in without any more nonsense.”

Gu Won Hoo, irritably grabbing Yeo Do Soon’s wrist firmly, opened the emergency room entrance.

“Oh my, why are you grabbing my wrist? Could it be that you…”

“Shut that mouth!”

“Yessir!”