The day to leave Marbella had arrived.

Water jets from the fountain at the entrance soared towards the cloudless blue sky.

“Adiós, hasta pronto. (Goodbye, see you soon.)”

As Seo Jun and So Yeon got into the sedan, the butler and staff at the foot of the stairs bid them farewell.

“Adiós, dar gracias. (Goodbye, thank you for everything.)”

Seo Jun responded and gently pressed the accelerator.

So Yeon, waving continuously at the mansion and its people until they reached the gate, finally closed the car window and sat upright.

When did I first realize So Yeon’s friendly and warm nature? Probably instinctively when I first saw her. Her youthful face and cute smile were so endearing.

Reminiscing about her first impression brought a natural smile to Seo Jun’s face.

“What are you smiling about all by yourself?”

At some point, So Yeon’s gaze had settled on his finely chiseled face.

“You.”

Seo Jun’s reply was short and clear.

“…….”

However, So Yeon’s expression looked complex.

What did we do in this place? Perhaps it’s because of the blurred reality while staying in this mansion. So Yeon was still struggling with her lingering feelings.

But now, past midnight.

The time for Cinderella to dance with the prince to the waltz was over.

It was time to return to the sharp reality.

Seo Jun seemed unwilling to end things yet, but So Yeon, constantly swayed during her stay, had no choice but to give up on her feelings.

From now on, she’d only see Seo Jun professionally. No more longing, hurting, or tormenting herself with false hopes. She’d bravely walk forward, looking ahead for her child and herself.

These were So Yeon’s initial resolutions.

More than anything, So Yeon knew too well. Overreaching was more dangerous than doing nothing, a poison that might cost her everything precious, including her family and simple joys.

Such thoughts constantly hindered her feelings for him, repeatedly weakening her desire to rush to him.

“I can hear your thoughts loud and clear.”

While driving, Seo Jun glanced at her and joked.

“Huh?”

“I’ve thought about it, and it just won’t work.”

“Our relationship?”

“Yes. You’re thinking about ending it. But it won’t go that way. I’ve never lost a deal before.”

Last night, Seo Jun had proposed continuing their relationship. However, So Yeon kept repeating that it wasn’t possible.

And this tug-of-war continued.

“…….”

So Yeon’s lost gaze settled on Seo Jun’s large, long-fingered hands on the steering wheel.

Seo Jun turned on the audio system.

Soft music filled the car’s silence, and after a short while, he spoke again.

“Can you drive well, Ms. So Yeon?”

“Why?”

“I might need to borrow a hand.”

The distance to Cádiz from their current location wasn’t short. Understanding his implication to take turns driving, So Yeon immediately apologized.

“I’m sorry. I was so preoccupied that I left my international driving license at home.”

“It’s not about that.”
Seo Jun’s thick fingers interlaced tightly with So Yeon’s, pushing their way through to the very end.

“Why…….”

“Is there a need for a reason to want something?”

“…….”

So Yeon’s face, unable to firmly hold or push away his hand, gradually turned rosy.

They stopped at a small rest area while driving on the highway.

After refueling the car’s depleted diesel, Seo Jun and So Yeon resolved their lunch at an outdoor table in the diner. While recharging with coffee, the reignited conversation intensely frustrated Seo Jun.

“I feel like I’m hitting a wall right now.”

“…….”

“Why do you keep saying no? Frankly, So Yeon isn’t a married woman, and as you said, a woman raising a child alone can’t even meet a man?”

“…….”

So Yeon had told him she would focus solely on parenting and work when her child returned to Korea from her parents’. And that was not just an excuse; it was her genuine intention.

For So Yeon, protecting her child was the top priority. She didn’t want to create even the slightest possibility of losing her child.

Unable to answer Seo Jun’s questions, So Yeon exercised her right to silence.

“Is it because you still can’t forget the child’s father?”

“It’s not because of him.”

Seo Jun, not pleased with her silence, blurted out words his pride wouldn’t usually allow. But why did she react immediately to the mention of that man?

His black eyes sparked with anger.

A whirlwind of desire surged, wanting to abandon everything, find that unknown man, and destroy him.

Do you still like the guy who abandoned you?

Say it!

Say you’ve forgotten that guy!

Tell me there’s no other man in your head, that I’m the only one, that you want to cling to me!

He couldn’t voice these excessive demands, these crazy thoughts. Seo Jun calmed his agitated heart while gazing at the surrounding mountains.

“If you want to push me away, give me a valid reason.”

Realizing her own evasive behavior, So Yeon bluntly spilled her thoughts.

“Seo Jun and I don’t match. I’ve always thought that, especially after seeing the portrait in the mansion.”

“Why is that.”