The groundbreaking ceremony for the new building was the first official event for Arin and Jaehyuk as a couple after getting married.

Memories from that time unfolded in Arin’s mind.

On the day of the groundbreaking ceremony.

Before Arin took part in her first official event, she busied herself with preparations.

“Your baby bump doesn’t show. Even if you wear luxury brands, your baby bump won’t show. If you act like this, our VAN Group will get criticized. So, behave properly.”

Madam Jung disliked Arin, but she knew well that if she sent Arin out looking shabby, she would be criticized.

Arin was adorned in luxury from head to toe while enduring Madam Jung’s nagging.

“Trust Director Park. He can create a person.”

Pushed by Madam Jung, Arin went to a makeup shop for the first time in her life to get her makeup done.

“Oh, you’re here.”

It seemed like Jaehyuk entered the makeup shop, causing a commotion on the first floor.
The hands of the staff handling Arin became busy. The makeup artist, Director Park, put earrings on her and said, “[Today, our lady is the most beautiful here. So, stand tall, got it?]”

A little later, Jaehyuk entered the VIP room, saying, “[I’ll be back when you’re ready.]”

When Jaehyuk came in, Director Park deliberately moved away. Arin felt awkward being alone with Jaehyuk in the narrow space. Jaehyuk’s scent lingered at the tip of her nose, and her heart pounded wildly with tension. She was unsettled.

‘What if I say something strange? Oppa might think I’m strange.’

Jaehyuk stared intently at Arin. Uncomfortable with his gaze, Arin lowered her head.

And how much time passed? Jaehyuk’s voice echoed above her head.

At that moment, she couldn’t properly hear what he was saying.

Arin’s face, searching through memories, frowned.

“What did Oppa say at that time? Maybe I can’t remember because it was something bad?”

No matter how much she thought, Arin couldn’t recall the last thing Jaehyuk had said.

“Of course not. You can’t remember because it was a hurtful thing. There’s no need to remember bad things.”

As Arin tried to push away memories of Jaehyuk, Jiyoon entered the shop.

“Arin-ah. Have you arrived already?”

“Jiyoon…”

Arin was about to call Jiyoon.

Arin suddenly recalled that moment.

The voice of Jaehyuk saying ‘beautiful’ resonated vividly in Arin’s mind.

‘Impossible.’

Arin covered her mouth with her hand.

‘Did he really say that at that time?’

She had hoped for Jaehyuk’s attention and love beside him. Though not as much as she thought, she expected him to think of her a little, didn’t she?

She hoped and hoped. However, she soon became disappointed by Jaehyuk’s indifference and hurt by his coldness.

Yet, during that time, she endured and endured, comforting herself with his actions, rationalizing them.

‘But did Oppa ever express his feelings to me? Was it something I didn’t hear?’

Arin’s heart surged. In the overwhelming emotion, she bit down on the delicate flesh inside her mouth.

Just once, even if it was just a formality, she wanted to hear ‘pretty’ from Jaehyuk.

However, Jaehyuk not only never said ‘pretty,’ but he had never even said anything nice.

Arin thought Jaehyuk was truly indifferent.

“Well, that’s how it was…”

Suddenly, Jiyoon, who sat across from Arin, asked with a worried voice.

“Arin-ah, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Arin knew Jiyoon was concerned, but she couldn’t say anything.

The next day.

One team leader entered Jaehyuk’s office with a deeply troubled face.

“Chairman Min suggested not to proceed with the LW Department Store acquisition.”
In front of the large office desk, the team leader said, “Jaehyuk, there was no change in his expression even with the team leader’s report. He tapped the desk lightly with his long fingers.

“This is the reaction I expected.”

Jaehyuk’s casual response made the team leader unexpectedly emotional.

“There was no need to go this far. Wasn’t it something you could have done after the department store acquisition was complete?”

“Nothing would have changed. If I refused the marriage after the acquisition, they would have called it a marriage scam.”

“That’s true, but!”

“In any case, Chairman Min would have been angry, and there would have been some damage.”

The team leader couldn’t deny Jaehyuk’s words. Of course, there was a possibility that things would have gotten worse if he had received everything and then betrayed them.

However, somehow Jaehyuk seemed different than usual.

“It’s not like Vice Chairman.”

In response to the team leader’s words, Jaehyuk looked at him. The team leader knew better than anyone that Jaehyuk couldn’t forget Arin. Of course, at first, he understood Jaehyuk.

It was more regrettable to lose a past love because he couldn’t do anything.

But a considerable amount of time had passed since Arin left. One year, the time they passionately loved each other was enough for love to change.

The team leader couldn’t understand why Jaehyuk couldn’t forget Arin so much now. It was challenging to comprehend.

“What’s wrong with me?”

Jaehyuk asked in a strange voice.

“For someone who was more rational than anyone, worried about his business, to act emotionally in this matter, I’m concerned.”

The team leader didn’t miss Jaehyuk’s cold gaze.

‘But I still have to say it. Especially this time!’

The team leader respected Jaehyuk, as a senior, as a man, as a businessman.

But now Jaehyuk seemed different from the man who had been followed from behind.

“What difference does it make if it’s over anyway? Wouldn’t Chairman Min know that even if you did this? Will Madam understand how hard you’re struggling and sacrificing, Vice Chairman?”

“Team Leader.”

Jaehyuk said firmly as if to stop him.

“Did Manager Min ask you to do this? Why can’t you do it yourself and ask Vice Chairman to break off the marriage? Then you should bear the consequences yourself. Frankly speaking, you asked Chairman Min for help because you didn’t want to bear the loss, right?”

The team leader, who had never exploded his emotions directly in front of Jaehyuk, couldn’t endure this time. He was angry. The team leader had known for a long time how much Jaehyuk wanted LW Department Store.

VAN Department Store had been in the perennial 2nd place. It had never surpassed TES Department Store in sales even once. If VAN Department Store acquired the 3rd place LW Department Store, surpassing TES Department Store wouldn’t be a big deal.

It was a golden opportunity.