Eun Chae shifted her gaze away from Ki Joo, turning her head. She didn’t want to draw attention to the one personal story he had shared with her back then.

“The wedding has been postponed for a few days, but I actually wish it would happen sooner. I’ve decided to just accept all the trials and pains that come my way from now on.”

Feeling his gaze on her, Eun Chae looked back at Ki Joo.

“I’ve realized that if you have nothing, you can only accept what’s given to you.”

He opened his mouth as if to say something but then closed it again.

Eun Chae, referring to his earlier words, came to a conclusion.

“So, I guess I don’t need our deal anymore.”

“Song Eun Chae.”

“I think it’s better to forget about the brief moments we enjoyed together in the past.”

She admitted it. There were days when things were good for ‘us.’ Even if it wasn’t ‘us.’

And she and he both knew that such days wouldn’t come again.

Why not dismiss what happened as if it never occurred?

Life was boring, uninteresting, and depressing anyway. That would’ve been the case even if Ki Joo hadn’t interfered in her life.

Would it be fun to hurt him and face the time ahead?

Coming to that conclusion, Eun Chae saw Ki Joo looking intently at her as if time had stopped. He spoke calmly, so it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment statement. He knew it better than anyone.

All he could do was softly call Eun Chae’s name and then he sighed heavily, bowed his head, and looked up at the sky, tapping his foot on the ground.

His thick Adam’s apple moved up and down in his taut neck.

Soon, Ki Joo’s dark pupils rolled towards Eun Chae.

“You don’t trust me.”

It was an abrupt statement.

Eun Chae paused for a moment but then straightened up. It was sudden, yet an obvious fact. But before she could respond, Ki Joo continued.

“And you won’t in the future.”

He said it as if talking to himself, then chuckled softly and nodded his head.

“That’s understandable.”

Silence followed.

“Don’t believe me if I say I’m sorry. A vile bastard, self-centered. Just don’t.”

Eun Chae finally shook her shoulders slightly and clenched her fist, while Ki Joo, who had been biting back curses, slowly looked up.

“But you need to believe this.”

His voice grew firm, as if it was imperative that she understood.

“I like you.”

Silence.

“I can’t forget you, no matter what.”

Eun Chae felt as if she was losing her balance.

Silence.

She couldn’t even breathe, though her mouth wasn’t shut.

The world seemed to blur around her.

As soon as she arrived home, showered, and changed clothes, Eun Chae headed to her sanctuary, the greenhouse. She then saw Ham An Daek, holding a broom and dustpan, coming out of the greenhouse and hastened her steps.

As Eun Chae approached, Ham An Daek awkwardly smiled and gestured towards the greenhouse.

“I cleaned up the soil on the floor that wasn’t properly sorted yet.”

Eun Chae’s expression darkened at Ham An Daek’s words.

“From now on, you don’t have to worry about the greenhouse. I know why what happened last time occurred. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

Ham An Daek, seeing Eun Chae’s guilty expression, waved her hand.

“No, it’s alright. Ki Joo told me I could do as I wish. He said he got permission from the chairman.”

“Really?”
“Oh dear, I told him not to worry you with such matters…”

Ham An Daek covered her mouth with a hand, realizing too late that she had inadvertently mentioned Ki Joo’s involvement. She remembered the time Ki Joo had summoned her to the greenhouse, telling her she could resume her duties of managing it as before.

Despite her protests, he was adamant.

“Was it the young master’s request?”

“Don’t worry about leaving your job anymore. The greenhouse… I don’t think he’d like others meddling with it, so please focus mainly on its care. I’ll assign the household chores to someone else.”

“Thank you so much. Are you doing all this for Miss Eun Chae?”

Watching the greenhouse from a distance, Ki Joo smiled faintly.

“Yes, I think about her quite a lot.”

Ham An Daek, touched by his last words, emphasized this to Eun Chae with a friendly smile.

“He’s a good man. A strong supporter for you.”

Eun Chae remained silent, listening to Ham An Daek. If there was any reaction, it was her nervously biting her lips.

Sensing Eun Chae’s discomfort, Ham An Daek called out to her, and Eun Chae managed a forced smile.

“Don’t worry about the greenhouse anymore. I’ll take responsibility for it, even after you get married.”

Wiping her eyes, Ham An Daek continued.

“Our Miss, it’s hard to believe it’s time for you to marry.”

Tears glistened on the back of her hand. Eun Chae hugged Ham An Daek’s shoulder, resting her head against it.

“I’ll visit often.”

“If the food doesn’t suit you, send it with the driver. Don’t skip meals.”

Eun Chae nodded with a smile.

“There are still a few days left.”

“Blink, and it will be time. Oh dear, I’m being sentimental.”

Ham An Daek sobbed, embracing Eun Chae.