Before the automatic door fully opened, Ji An quickly stepped off the cable car, inhaling the cold air to calm herself.

As expected of a ski resort in its peak winter season, the summit was bustling with a considerable crowd. Skiers and snowboarders mingling with regular tourists created a scene so crowded that a momentary distraction could lead to bumping shoulders with someone.

“Executive Kang, just a moment!”

Ji An, who had been busy blushing inside the cable car, emerged outside and buzzed around like a fish in water. She excitedly jumped like a rabbit, declaring that she could see the Gangneung sea, and then slipped through the crowd, escaping Kang Hyun’s loosened grip.

Kang Hyun, following Ji An who adeptly navigated through the narrow spaces between people with her small frame, struggled to calm his wildly fluttering heart.

The place was noisy, crowded, and chaotic, the very environment Kang Hyun, who had always wanted to keep Seo Yoon under control, despised. He had a history of spewing venomous words and outbursts when Seo Yoon tried to break free from his confines.

“Ji An.”

As he awkwardly looked around, feeling lost like a dog without its owner, Ji An suddenly appeared, having found a spot with an open view.

“Executive Kang, come over here. You can see everything so clearly from here.”

It was at that moment he realized, she would always return to his side. Why had he been so desperate to keep her locked within narrow confines?

Although he gripped her hand a bit more firmly due to his anxiety, he refrained from showing any possessiveness beyond that.

The traffic light turned red in front of them.

Kang Hyun, who had gently applied the brakes, leaned on the steering wheel and watched Ji An, who was sound asleep. A slight smile curved at the corners of his mouth.

She slept peacefully.

They had spent the day laughing, talking, eating, and holding hands, enjoying their time together.

Kang Hyun, trying his best not to make any mistakes, had a sore heart all day, but it was worth it to see her smile.

He vowed never to indulge in the pathetic behavior of the past again.

After experiencing a despair worse than death, it was surprisingly easy for him to let go of his pathological obsession.

Turning the corner after the left signal, an old apartment complex came into view. Two speed bumps across the narrow road were the last obstacles.

“Why is there such a high speed bump in a slow-speed area?” Kang Hyun frowned as he glanced at Ji An while crossing the first bump.

He wanted to watch her sleep for just 30 more minutes, hoping she wouldn’t wake up until they reached home.

Although it was a sight he could see anytime he wanted, the fact that he had to be careful even crossing a speed bump made him feel bitter.

“Uhm…”

As he cautiously approached the second speed bump, Kang Hyun flinched slightly.

Despite his wish, Ji An, with half-open eyes, was looking out the window, having woken up as they passed the familiar entrance of the apartment complex.

“Did you sleep well?”

“My goodness, how long have I been asleep… I’m sorry.”

Ji An, who had fallen asleep while Kang Hyun was driving, looked a bit embarrassed.

“It’s okay. Let’s go inside and have dinner.”

Kang Hyun parked the car in front of the apartment complex and was the first to unbuckle his seatbelt. He wanted to feed Ji An a good dinner, but he had to go to the office as Prosecutor Jang Yeon Seok, who had agreed to take on the Gu Se Jun case, was waiting there.

“Executive Kang, you too. You must go in early and rest.”

Ji An, whose eyes were still red from sleep, gazed intently at Kang Hyun.

“I will.”

After repeatedly clenching and unclenching his hand, Kang Hyun turned his body towards the passenger side and reached for Ji An’s seatbelt buckle, pressing the button with a click.

Unlike the seatbelt, which smoothly returned to its place, Kang Hyun remained still in front of Ji An.

“You worked hard these past two days.”

Kang Hyun murmured softly, close enough for their noses to touch, and gently placed his hand on Ji An’s cheek.

Trapped in his intense gaze, Ji An wanted to rub her hot forehead, but she couldn’t move a finger.

Kang Hyun’s gaze, which had been fixed on Ji An, hesitated, unsure of what to say, and drifted towards her quivering red lips.

Sensing where his eyes were resting, Ji An clenched her neatly placed hands beside her thigh.

“Executive Kang…”

She meant to say he needed to move so she could get out.

But before Ji An could speak,
“Stop making a fuss and sit down, In Ma.”

Yeon Seok pressed down on Yeon Ju’s shoulder as she attempted to stand up abruptly.

Thud. Kang Hyun closed the drawer and returned to the sofa, taking a seat opposite Prosecutor Jang Yeon Seok.

“Seo Yoon’s traffic accident…”

Yeon Seok, familiar with Seo Yoon from her visits with Yeon Ju, called her name in a friendly manner, causing Kang Hyun to glare fiercely.

“Ah, look at him glaring. Can’t even say someone’s name?”

Yeon Ju sighed heavily and shook her head.