Episode 19
The next morning, Harin woke up in Mihyun’s arms and slightly lifted her head to look around at the remnants of last night scattered around the bed.
She tried to get up, but her whole body ached, and she didn’t have the strength to move.
They had done it so many times through the night that she had lost count. Eventually, she fell asleep from exhaustion. The only thing she faintly remembered was Hyun whispering “I love you” in her ear as she drifted off.
The traces on the sheets and the marks left on her body were proof that what happened last night wasn’t just a dream.
But she didn’t feel disgusted or nauseated.
She didn’t want to reject it either.
Instead, she felt loved.
This was what it felt like to be intimate with someone you love—not the kind of touch that makes you recoil or want to run away, but one that makes you want to snuggle closer, be held tighter, and stay longer in their arms.
Harin stared at the sleeping Hyun.
She found the man who had shown her what true love was utterly lovable.
Being in his arms still felt unbelievable, and just the fact that she was loved by him filled her heart completely.
Then, without her realizing, Hyun had opened his eyes and was looking straight into hers.
“Did you sleep well?”
Startled, Harin tried to sit up, but a moan escaped her lips as pain from last night’s aftermath shot through her body.
Seeing this, Hyun quickly lifted himself up.
As he rose, the blanket slipped off, revealing his well-toned body that had been hidden beneath. Harin’s face turned red all over again.
“You’re still shy after seeing everything last night?”
Hyun teased her mischievously. Harin pouted.
“Well, thanks to all that ‘seeing,’ I can’t even move my body now.”
Hyun found her adorable and stroked her cheeks as she sulked.
“Don’t go to work today. Just rest and regain your strength. I’m still not done with you yet.”
“Whaat? Don’t joke like that. I almost died last night.”
“That’s why I told you not to come over. If you did, you should’ve been prepared for it.”
Harin had nothing to say in response, so she just buried her face in the blanket.
That morning, even though he had barely slept after holding her all night, Hyun looked more energized than ever as he left for work. Ji-hyuk, who noticed it, found it odd.
“You seem to be in a great mood. Where’s Harin? You left her at home and came to work looking so cheerful.”
“Why do you care where my woman is? Just focus on your report.”
“…Right. Here it is.”
Ji-hyuk began reporting his findings.
“Turns out the hotel CCTV footage after Secretary Choi left was completely wiped. Looks like someone on the police side tampered with it. I’ll need to look into that more.”
“And even though you and Harin are listed as the last people to see Kang Doyoung alive, I found out that Secretary Choi met with him too. A neighbor said they saw Doyoung talking to a woman in front of the convenience store, and her description matched Choi perfectly. I don’t think the police looked into this properly.”
“They probably didn’t bother. The outcome was already decided.”
Hyun smirked as if none of this surprised him.
His reaction was too calm. Ji-hyuk, who was his friend, sometimes felt like Hyun was a bit unhinged.
“Aren’t you too calm about this? The investigation concluded that Doyoung died because of you. Weren’t you the one who said you’d protect her no matter what this time?”
Normally expressionless and cold to people, Hyun had one day in the year when he completely broke down.
November 15th.
That was the day his biological mother had passed away.
On that day every year, Hyun would act like someone possessed—either behaving strangely or disappearing completely.
Years ago…
Annoyed by Hyun’s unexplained disappearances around the same time every year, Ji-hyuk had once gone to his house to confront him. What he saw was shocking—Hyun, drunk and disheveled, sprawled across the sofa.
“Hey, Seo Hyun! What the hell is wrong with you every year at this time? Say something so I can understand and figure out what to do!”
“Oh… I never told you? This is the day my mom died.”
Hyun’s voice was calm, but it carried deep sadness and longing.
“If I had been just a little older back then, I could’ve protected her.”
He covered his eyes with his arm. A moment later, a single tear slipped down his cheek.
Seeing someone as perfect as Hyun—flawless family, looks, reputation—suffering such pain was both surprising and heartbreaking.
That was the moment Ji-hyuk decided to help Hyun no matter what, so he wouldn’t lose someone precious again.
But now, Hyun’s reaction seemed too indifferent. Ji-hyuk was the one getting worked up.
“What if the Chairman believes Ji Yeon and her mother’s lies and stops your marriage with Harin? Do you think they’ll just leave Harin alone then? Ji Yeon… it’s still just a suspicion, but she might have even killed someone. If she did it once, what’s stopping her from doing it again?”
“My grandfather only trusts Ji-hyuk. He has a good eye for people—though not when it comes to his wife. That’s the real problem. He’s powerless when it comes to her.”
“So what’s the plan? All the evidence is gone. There’s no way she still has the phone she used to contact Kang Doyoung. The CCTV is erased. We underestimated Ji Yeon. We thought she was just a spoiled rich girl, but she was willing to kill for you. What’s so special about you, anyway?”
Ji-hyuk stared at Hyun with disbelief from head to toe.
Good looks, rich family—sure, he had it all—but was that really enough for someone to kill over?
“Don’t even try to understand. Her brain doesn’t work like a normal person’s. That’s why she can think of such things. By the way, did you send that thing I asked for yesterday?”
“Oh… I did, but… are you sure this is okay?”
“To deal with a crazy person, I need to go a little crazy too. If all the evidence is gone, we have to hit them where it hurts. It’s a dirty move, but fair, isn’t it?”
“I still can’t believe it even after seeing it myself. Ji Yeon’s mom and the CEO of Jiah Group… having an affair?! And now they want to marry their kids? They’re not even blood-related! Why go through all this trouble?”
When Ji-hyuk looked at him, baffled, Hyun answered shortly.
“To take over S Group.”
At that moment, the office door burst open.
“Looks like you sent it properly. You really are something, Secretary Cha.”
Hwaran walked in, carrying a luxury handbag in one hand and a document envelope in the other. Her face was clearly seething with rage.
“Secretary Cha. Leave us. I need to have some words with my son. I doubt your mother would enjoy tea in this mood.”
“Yes, ma’am. Then I’ll leave you two.”
Ji-hyuk gave them a slight bow, then passed Hwaran and shut the door behind him.
“You… what is the meaning of this?!”
As soon as the door closed, Hwaran exploded, hurling the envelope at Hyun.
Photos spilled out and scattered across the marble floor of the office.
