Sun Ah stared at Eun Seo with an incredulous expression.

“When we were young, there was a huge fuss about a chaebol wife’s disappearance case!”

“Ah!”

There was no way Eun Seo didn’t know. It was all over the news, and back when she was searching everywhere for Eun Ho with her mother, she had encountered people looking for that lady several times.

What she didn’t know was that the missing person was Kwon Seung Joo’s biological mother.

“So that incident was related to our company…”

The search continued for several years after the disappearance, causing a commotion. Even when the police had practically given up on Eun Ho after a few years, they were still mobilized for such a long time for that wealthy lady, which left a bitter memory.

“So, in the end, they never found her?”

Sun Ah nodded.

“After 5 years, she was declared dead, and that’s how it’s been until now.”

A missing person is declared dead after 5 years of disappearance. This declaration of disappearance is legally equivalent to death. It was a fact that Eun Seo knew better than anyone.

“As soon as she was declared dead, the chairman remarried his second wife as if he had been waiting for it, and that’s the representative’s stepmother.”

“If it’s a remarriage, why do you call her the second wife?”

Sun Ah rolled her eyes.

“The second son born from the new mother is only three years younger than the representative!”

“Ah…!”

Eun Seo almost slapped her knee. Now she understood Kwon Seung Joo’s intense reaction from the morning. Of course he would hate a new mother who came in through an affair claiming to be his mother.

“Anyway, Eun Seo. It’s something the whole nation knows, but the employee herself didn’t know? That woman’s nickname is the ‘national second wife’.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know.”

Eun Seo was quite ignorant about worldly affairs. With all her attention focused on finding her brother, she had no room to be interested in other matters. She was often treated like an alien by her friends at school who didn’t know her situation, for not knowing the popular dramas or songs.

“By the way, Eun Seo, when was the last time you had meat?”

Suddenly, Sun Ah pressed Eun Seo. Eun Seo replied, wondering why she was asking this when they had just eaten lunch together.

“We just ate earlier, the spicy stir-fried pork.”

“That tough, lean meat without a shred of fat is not real meat. I’m asking when was the last time you had proper meat, sizzling on a grill plate, not something like that.”

When Eun Seo laughed instead of answering, Sun Ah rolled her eyes as if she had expected it.

“See, see. You haven’t eaten any since we ate together 2 weeks ago, right?”

“…”

“At home, you just cook some rice and mix it with water and kimchi, right?”

“…”

Sun Ah sighed and declared,

“I’ll buy some meat and come over on the weekend. Let’s grill some pork belly in your yard.”

Knowing that Eun Seo didn’t eat properly and often skipped meals, Sun Ah would step up and take care of her like this from time to time. Of course Eun Seo was grateful, but she quickly waved her hand.

“No, it’s okay. I have to prepare for moving this weekend too.”

“Moving? Why all of a sudden?”

“The landlord is tearing down the house and building a new building there. I have less than 2 weeks, so I need to prepare quickly.”

“What, they notified you suddenly?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

“Wow, what an evil landlord. Kicking someone out overnight!”

Sun Ah, who had no idea that the landlord she was cursing was none other than Kwon Seung Joo whom she adored, clenched her fists in outrage.

“So, do you have a place to go? You don’t have money, Eun Seo.”

“I have the rental deposit. I can look for a monthly rental studio with that.”

In truth, Eun Seo was deeply worried about having to pay monthly rent on top of her already tight finances, but she deliberately spoke brightly, not wanting to worry Sun Ah.

Sun Ah said decisively,

“Anyway, then I definitely need to come. We can have pork belly and then pack your things together. I’ll even stay the night and help you.”

“Are you sure that’s okay? You need to rest on the weekend too, won’t it be tiring?”

Even while thinking it was shameless, Eun Seo’s ears perked up. She had been worrying about sorting through her belongings as she had lived in this house for so long. If she had more time, it would be one thing, but now there were only about 10 days left until demolition.

“What are you saying, there’s no need to be considerate between us.”

When Sun Ah rolled her eyes, Eun Seo felt her nose tingle for no reason. Although they met after entering society, Sun Ah was a better friend than any of her school friends, better than anyone.

“Thank you, Sun Ah.”

As she said that, Eun Seo suddenly thought,

‘Should I tell Sun Ah the truth?’

She considered telling her about Kwon Seung Joo’s accident, but quickly shook her head. She felt like Sun Ah would worry too much if she knew, and most of all…

‘What? Why did the representative get hit by a car instead of Eun Seo?’

She could vividly imagine Sun Ah’s wide-eyed, pressing expression as she demanded answers.

‘Yeah, I don’t know either.’

Eun Seo muttered to herself and let out a small sigh.

*

When Eun Seo got home from work, there was a large man standing blankly in front of her gate. Wondering who it was, she approached and almost cried out in surprise.

“…!”

It was Kwon Seung Joo.

She had only ever seen him impeccably dressed in suits to the point of being uptight, so she didn’t recognize him at first glance in casual clothes. In the morning, he had been wearing a hospital gown, but now he was wearing a sweater that seemed a bit tight on his body and cotton slacks.

‘Looks like he was discharged already, but why did he come to my house?’

Eun Seo’s heart sank. Right before his accident, the last thing she had said to him was this:

[It must be so easy for you, being born as the eldest son of a chaebol family and getting a director position right after joining the company. You must find everyone else pathetic and foolish, making it to the representative position in just 4 years.] [Someone like you has probably never experienced pain in your life. Never had trouble sleeping, never cried clutching your chest.] [Let me give you some advice. Someone like you shouldn’t be giving advice to others.]

Thinking about it now, it was a tirade of harsh words. How angry must he have been to come all the way to her house as soon as he regained his senses?

“Um, are you feeling better now?”

When Eun Seo asked carefully, filled with fear, Kwon Seung Joo stared at her blankly.

“Thank you very much for saving me.”

Eun Seo bowed her head deeply. Although the resentment of being kicked out before her contract period ended hadn’t completely disappeared, the fact remained that he was her savior.

“I apologize for my rude behavior that day. I’m grateful for letting me live comfortably for a long time, and…”

She had intended to say she would move out quietly. But Eun Seo couldn’t finish her sentence.

“Who are you?”

Kwon Seung Joo suddenly asked out of the blue.

Thinking he was being sarcastic, Eun Seo’s heart sank. There was that saying, ‘Who are you to act so familiar with me?’

Of course, there was no way he would let it slide after she had poured out such rude and harsh words. Judging by his sarcastic tone, she wondered if he was planning to fire her from the company. If she lost her job on top of being kicked out of her house…

“I’m truly sorry. I wasn’t in my right mind that day because I was so angry.”

Even though Eun Seo bowed deeply, he had a wary expression for some reason.

“Why did you come to our house?”

At the landlord’s sudden assertion of ownership, Eun Seo timidly objected.

“Well, of course you’re going to demolish it soon, but… right now I’m the tenant, so… legally, it’s my house during the contract period…”

Whether he heard the rest or not, the man reacted intensely to just the first part.

“Demolition? Who’s demolishing it without permission?”

What’s with the sudden act? Eun Seo also slowly began to feel indignant.

“What do you mean who, you ordered it, Representative.”

“My father did?”

Suddenly, he looked angry.

“Go tell my father clearly. Doing this won’t make me come back to his house.”

“Pardon?”

Eun Seo asked, perplexed.

“This is my house that Grandmother gave me. Father has no right to touch it.”

“…?”

“If he wants to demolish it, tell him to try. I’ll pitch a tent here and wait for Mom.”

She couldn’t understand a word he was saying. She had no idea why he was suddenly bringing up the chairman when he had clearly given the order himself.

The only thing she could tell was that his face was filled with hostility for some reason. Eun Seo felt intimidated by the different kind of menace from his usual cold expression.

“Excuse me, I don’t know what you’re talking about… Your father?”

Only then did Kwon Seung Joo ask, seeming confused.

“Aren’t you Father’s secretary?”

What kind of nonsensical question was that all of a sudden? There was no hint of joking in his demeanor, and Eun Seo sensed dark clouds slowly approaching from somewhere.

“No, I’m not.”

The large man then looked flustered and at a loss, and suddenly bowed his head.

“I’m really sorry. I thought Father sent you to bring me back…”

The one who was startled was Eun Seo.

He bowed his head? Kwon Seung Joo? To me?

What the hell is going on? As Eun Seo stared in shock, he cautiously asked,

“Um, Miss. Sorry, but could I borrow your cell phone for a moment? I lost mine.”

The impact of the previous statement was so intense that she didn’t even register what he said next.

Miss?

“I need to call the academy and tell them I’ll be absent today.”

When Eun Seo remained frozen without answering, Kwon Seung Joo asked again anxiously.

“Miss?”

He spoke naturally, but Eun Seo felt her hair standing on end.

A myriad of thoughts raced through her mind in an instant.

“Uh, well, this is a very rude question, but…”

Eun Seo asked, trembling with fear.

“How old are you this year…?”

The large man answered without a second of hesitation.

“I’m 18, a second-year high school student.”

Even though her eyes were clearly open, everything went pitch black.