Ji-an’s vehement denial made Kang Hyun’s hand around his chin flinch.

She shook her head vigorously, realizing how foolish she must have looked, and sighed.

“I was just curious. I’m always curious. I never know what you’re thinking, Executive Director. I don’t know what you like or dislike, or why you get so stressed that it makes you sick…”

Her voice trailed off, filled with resignation and sincerity at the end.

Everything she knew about Kang Hyun was related to Seo Yoon.

She had accepted that she couldn’t completely separate him from Seo Yoon, but honestly, it made her anxious.

She liked Kang Hyun too much, and she knew her feelings would only grow, which made her even more concerned.

Even though she felt he wanted her, deep inside, her heart was tangled with various thoughts.

It still hurt a bit to think that he was still being destroyed because of Seo Yoon.

“Ji-an.”

His dark and deep eyes stared directly at her.
She refused his offer to take her home and even his escort to the first floor, thinking of Kang Hyun’s physical condition, but her feet glued to the shoe cabinet struggled to leave.

“Okay, be careful on your way.”

Kang Hyun, holding back his reluctance, didn’t insist and bid her goodbye gently.

“Director, aren’t you coming in?”

“No, there’s a lot of work.”

“What if you get sick?”

“I wouldn’t have been discharged if I was still sick.”

Can I really leave him alone like this? Someone should be taking care of him.

Ji-an’s feet, refusing to budge as if glued, turned halfway around before looking back at Kang Hyun again.

His sleep-deprived state during his hospital stay weighed on her mind.

“I’ll take you home.”

“No, I’ll go. I’m going.”

Ji-an quickly opened the door and stepped out.

If she delayed any longer, Kang Hyun might just grab his car keys and follow her.

Leaving Kang Hyun alone under the sensor light and closing the door, her vision blurred.

“What a fool, really.”

Tears streamed down her face as she quickly entered the arriving elevator and pressed for the first floor.

I must be crazy.

Ji-an, wrapping her arms around herself, leaned against a side of the elevator, her shoulders hunched.

It wasn’t about the porridge, it wasn’t about eating.

Even though she wasn’t alone in that empty house, an odd lump formed in her throat.

Thanks to Kang Hyun resolving the house issue, Ji-an could repay the loans from the second financial sector with the remaining lease deposit.

Although it was uncomfortable to receive financial help, the relief on her parents’ faces as they packed up made her feel at ease.

“Ji-an, did you pack the important things?”

Removing his work gloves and downing a glass of cold water, Do-cheol called out to Ji-an, slumped on the sofa with a gloomy expression.

“Yeah.”

“What’s wrong with your face, is something bothering you?”

Having finished some of the sorting, Jeong-hye also came into the living room and stood beside Do-cheol.

Looking back and forth between Do-cheol and Jeong-hye, Ji-an stood up as if making a firm decision.

“Mom, Dad. I have something to tell you.”

“Is something really wrong?”

Ji-an pushed her parents back onto the sofa and stood in front of them, clenching her fists.

“I’ll sort out the move tomorrow and then I’ll go away for a week, no, maybe two weeks!”

“Are you, are you leaving home? Ji-an, did you remember something?”

Jeong-hye’s face turned pale in an instant.

“No? It’s not that. Executive Director Kang is very ill.”

“That’s right, how is he now? Has he been discharged?”

Worried that Ji-an might have regained her memory, Jeong-hye fidgeted uneasily until Do-cheol, holding her arm, asked.

“He was discharged today. He still needs rest. He doesn’t like strangers for a caregiver… He’s very sensitive and in pain… But when he’s alone, he doesn’t eat properly or take his medication. He also has insomnia.”

Ji-an strung together all sorts of excuses, glancing around to gauge the reaction.

Jeong-hye finally let out a sigh of relief, beginning to understand her daughter’s words.

“So, you’re going to stay at Executive Director Kang’s place now?”

“Yes.”

“No way.”

Do-cheol grimaced and shook his head decisively.
“Anyway, I have to commute to and from his house daily. I’ll be going early in the morning and staying till late at night. It’s much more efficient to just stay there, Dad.”

“But still, going to a man’s house where he lives alone…”

“Is this really about a man and a woman now? The Executive Director took great care of you when you were hospitalized, Dad. He even arranged for a better hospital room.”

Do-cheol, feeling as if he had received a harsh reprimand, swallowed hard.

“He even arranged our house for us…”

As Do-cheol hesitated, Ji-an pouted her lips and pulled out her trump card.

“…”

I never thought it would come to this. Receiving a house in a difficult situation, even a father with a daughter can’t help but be swayed.

It felt like a disloyal act, but right now, the ailing Kang Hyun was her priority.

“Dad, this is part of my job too. If the Executive Director is healthy and continues to go to the main office, then I remain an employee of a big corporation.”

Leaving the contemplative Do-cheol, Jeong-hye gave Ji-an a signaling look.

It was a probing gaze, asking if there really was nothing between her and the Executive Director.

Ji-an shook her head slightly.

She had no intention of hiding it, but the timing wasn’t right.

Revealing her relationship with Kang Hyun now could jeopardize getting the desired outcome.

“Still, two weeks seems too long. What’s wrong with him that his recovery is taking so long?”

“He had surgery for a stomach issue.”

As Do-cheol sighed and scratched the tip of his eyebrows, he eventually nodded.

“I trust our daughter and I’m giving my permission. Just don’t make me worry.”

There, done!

“Of course. Thank you, Dad!”

And I’m sorry…

She was a grown adult, too grown to not do anything.

Suppressing a smile that was about to burst out, Ji-an went to her room and picked up her phone that was vibrating.