Last night, Jaehwa had mentioned the weekend.
Nayoon, having finished getting ready to go out, sat in front of the mirror and suddenly thought of Jaehwa.
“So let’s go look at dresses together this weekend.”
“Dresses?”
“Sera scolded me, you see.”
He once said he was the one who scolded her…
Nayoon paused with her peach-colored lip balm in hand, her lips curving up in a small smile before she could stop it.
Wiping the smile away, she calmly applied the lip balm across her lips.
As she left her room right on time for Jaehwa’s arrival, Jurang spoke as though she had been waiting.
“Are you all ready?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Do your best today.”
Do her best… for what?
Nayoon wanted to ask what that even meant, but instead she simply curled her fingers into her palm and answered.
“I will.”
“Are you clenching your fist?”
Suhyuk came out from the kitchen with a glass of water, laughing lightly.
Jurang’s gaze followed his to Nayoon’s hand, and Nayoon replied calmly.
“So what if I am?”
“Oh, nothing. You just looked like you weren’t too thrilled.”
“Not thrilled? With CEO Koo?”
Jurang’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
The direction of suspicion was all wrong. That’s not what she meant.
“Look at this girl…”
Her lips curled up slowly as a thought came to mind—her recent conversation with Daeun.
“CEO Koo seems really into Nayoon.”
“Come on, really?”
“I’m serious. That workaholic keeps dropping by our company just to see her. But Nayoon’s reaction has been lukewarm.”
“No way…”
She really thought it wasn’t possible—but what if it was true? That would actually be ideal.
A touch of color returned to Jurang’s lightly wrinkled face.
“You’ve only just started seeing each other, and you’re already talking about love? Well, that can happen. Just remember to keep your heart in check. Don’t give everything away just because someone asks.”
Knowing exactly what Jurang meant made Nayoon feel even more humiliated.
Seeing Nayoon’s expression harden, Jurang came closer and whispered, maybe thinking she hadn’t understood.
“Until you have everything of CEO Koo’s in your hands, don’t ever give your body. Wait until he’s desperate.”
Her slow smile and smug gaze were disgusting and repulsive.
Just then, a housekeeper approached, interrupting the moment when Nayoon had no words to respond.
“Ma’am, a guest has arrived.”
“Oh, that must be our CEO Koo!”
Jurang passed by her cheerfully, and Nayoon exhaled the breath she’d been holding.
“Mom’s so thoroughly mistaken. That’s not why I clenched my fist.”
Suhyuk walked over casually, as if he could see right through her.
“Exactly. It’s not that you dislike Jaehwa.”
His mocking tone faded as he clenched his teeth.
“But that bastard has such filthy rumors…”
“Are they any filthier than yours?”
Nayoon scoffed coldly and brushed past him. Suhyuk grabbed her arm roughly.
“Hey, Jin Nayoon.”
She shook off his grip and said coldly:
“Didn’t you say we’re complete strangers? Not a drop of blood between us?”
“…”
“Then let’s live like it. Like strangers.”
Turning her eyes away as if she’d seen something disgusting, Nayoon headed toward the front door. Watching her walk away, Suhyuk seethed.
As she stepped outside, she heard Sera’s voice coming from the garden. Sera was chattering warmly with Jurang, showing no sign of difficulty.
“I came because I wanted to help pick out my sister-in-law’s dress myself!”
“Oh my, how sweet of you. But I already chose the dress. Today’s just for a size check.”
“Oh? Really? I’m sure it’s beautiful then. You have such a good eye.”
“What a charming way you speak.”
Sera turned and spotted Nayoon standing a bit away. She waved enthusiastically.
“Oh? Sister-in-law!”
Nayoon resumed walking, her expression relaxing into a soft smile as usual.
“I could’ve just come out myself.”
“Oppa’s on an urgent call in the car, so I came to get you.”
“I see.”
“But sister-in-law, what’s with your face?”
“My face?”
“It looks like something’s wrong…”
As Sera studied Nayoon’s expression, Jurang cheerfully cut in.
“Oh my, we’ll be late. You’d better get going, right?”
Nayoon felt Jurang’s hand press against her back and moved forward, blinking as she glanced at Sera.
“Let’s go, to look at dresses.”
“Ah, yes.”
Sera, a little dazed, picked up her pace—perhaps having overheard Jurang’s muttering behind them.
“Well, at least she’s pretty. That’s useful.”
Nayoon bit her lip hard.
Jaehwa knew about her situation. How long could Sera stay in the dark? It was only a matter of time before the news reached Jaehwa’s house too.
What if they opposed the marriage?
Anxiety surged. She glanced at Sera, who was distracted admiring the flowers along the garden path.
“Aren’t the flowers beautiful? Wildflowers blooming like this are so pretty. Oh, right! Oppa actually really likes flowers. Bet you didn’t know that?”
“Oh, really? He likes flowers?”
“Loves them. Especially….”
Sera’s eyes sparkled with mischief as her lips curved into a grin.
“Tulips. You know, those kinds.”
Not realizing Sera was teasing, Nayoon responded earnestly, surprised by the contrast with his outward image.
As Sera continued chatting animatedly about Jaehwa, Jurang’s harsh words faded into the background. The two women got into the car—Nayoon in the front seat, Sera in the back.
“You should’ve called when you arrived. I would’ve come out right away.”
Jaehwa looked at her quietly, sensing something off—but he smiled as if he hadn’t noticed and started the car.
“My mighty bodyguard insisted on coming to pick you up.”
“Oppa!”
Sera leaned forward, glaring at Jaehwa with slitted eyes. Jaehwa gently pushed her face back with his palm.
“Ugh.”
“Put your seatbelt on. We’re heading out.”
Sera slumped back with a groan and muttered, “How could someone like sister-in-law end up with a brother like that…” while Jaehwa ignored her, as if this had happened a hundred times before.
Watching the two of them, Nayoon finally couldn’t hold back her laughter and let out a short chuckle.
