But if she completely rejected his proposal now, there was no room for futile hope anymore. Faced with the fact that there was no chance, he might fall into despair and struggle.

The foolish heart that still engraved only one woman continued to beat rapidly as if it were naïve.

Under the table, where no one could see, Jaehyuk clenched his fist so tightly that his blood vessels bulged.

In his throbbing heart, Jaehyuk reassured himself several times.

‘Whatever words. So that Arin won’t feel burdened. So that she can leave comfortably even if she rejects. Like that.’

Now she was within reach if she stretched out her hand.

He couldn’t guarantee when he would see her this close again.
No, this time, there might not be a next.

A lump formed in her throat.

‘So, as long as it’s allowed, I need to capture Arin in my eyes. To live for a lifetime with just the memories of now, this moment…’

This time must be an unbelievably happy time.

Jaehyuk bit down on the soft flesh inside his mouth.

‘I wish I hadn’t said anything.’

The short silence felt like an eternity. If Arin came to a conclusion in any direction, there might not be a time to steal glances at her like this.

Silence would be better.

Arin felt Jaehyuk’s gaze vividly and lifted her head.

In his black eyes that seemed to suck everything in, what was reflected clearly was the trembling Arin herself.

“I’ll accept the proposal.”

She clenched the small fist on her knee.

Jaehyuk looked at her blankly without saying a word. After a while, as if he couldn’t believe it, he asked.

“You’re accepting the proposal now?”

Nodding her head firmly, she said with the most determined expression she could muster.

“But don’t get me wrong. Accepting Mr. Jaehyuk’s proposal doesn’t mean accepting Mr. Jaehyuk’s feelings.”

She spoke in the most composed voice she could muster.

This was a message to both him and herself.

“…”

He remained silent. His eyelashes were trembling. Even though he tried not to show it, Arin noticed that Jaehyuk was hurt.

It didn’t matter. No, if she let herself be swayed by trivial emotions like revenge or whatever, she wouldn’t be able to do anything. It didn’t matter.

“There’s a condition.”

“Tell me.”

“I want you to clearly set a period. Last time, it was initially one year, but it could be longer depending on the situation. I don’t like that. If you promise to set a period and, after that period, completely let each other out of our lives, I’ll accept Mr. Jaehyuk’s proposal.”

Jaehyuk blinked slowly. After a moment, his lips parted.

“If that’s what you want, let’s do it.”

Arin noticed that Jaehyuk’s voice was moist. But there was nothing she could do.

“Making it clear would be good for both of us.”

“Uh…”

Her own speaking speed wasn’t that great.

‘Since there’s no chance of Oppa and I getting along well anyway, I don’t want to get hurt anymore.’

Arin pushed a piece of paper toward Jaehyuk.

“I added what I wanted to the contract Mr. Ban Jaehyuk gave me last time.”

The reason was unclear. Even though she was doing what she wanted, for some reason, it felt uncomfortable, as if something was stuck in her throat.

He took the document.

‘I have to make sure about the contract.’

Writing on the contract wasn’t because she didn’t trust him.

‘Don’t rush into merging with him like this. Remind yourself that this relationship is just a contract.’

It was a warning to him and a warning to herself.

Standing by his side was ironically to protect herself.
The desire for revenge against Madam Jung and the threat from those who were once called family ignited Arin’s heart.

So far, there was no power to resist Madam Jung. There was no one who could help sever the ties with these people called family.

No matter how much money she made, she couldn’t seize the power to confront Madam Jung.

Madam Jung would appear in front of her at any time to torment her. She didn’t want to hide, endure, or be victimized anymore. She wanted to completely break free from this unfortunate fate.

Arin had accepted his proposal with the idea of setting up Jaehyuk as her shield.

“I hope Lady Jung will no longer be a part of my life. The same goes for other people. I hope Ban Jaehyuk becomes that defensive wall for me.”

Jaehyuk stared at Arin without a response.

“So, if you don’t like that…”

“No, do it.”

Jaehyuk said before she could finish her sentence.

“Did you hear me correctly? I’m going to use you.”

“Yes.”

“Did you correctly hear that you’re accepting being used by me?”

“Yes, I heard it exactly. But, I don’t have any regretful conditions. Even if you use me, I gain more benefits from this contract. It’s the matter of VAN Group coming into my hands.”

Arin remained silent.

“Moreover, accepting this proposal means agreeing to live with me. It must be very uncomfortable for you.”

Jaehyuk’s face as he said that was dark.

“So, I can accept any unfair conditions you present. But from my perspective, what Arin says is not unfair at all. I would even welcome more.”

“Even if I told you to completely reject Lady Jung?”

A self-deprecating smile appeared on his face.

The relationship between Jaehyuk and Madam Jung had become irreparable since Arin left him.

He didn’t want to burden her unnecessarily.

Jaehyuk, who swallowed the words lingering in his mouth, said,

“Mother’s affairs are regrettable. I heard about it this morning too. From now on, I’ll make sure she won’t approach you again. I’ll take care of it.”