“Was it me who hit your car…?”

“What were you thinking, suddenly running out like that?”

Except for the headache pounding at her temples and the aches all over her body, she didn’t seem seriously injured. It wasn’t a life-threatening car accident.

“You weren’t trying to die, were you? Or were you being chased by someone…”

Her whole life felt like running endlessly through a dark tunnel.

She’d even thought that dying might be better than continuing to live like this.

Living forever under the weight of debt, poverty, and the shadow of Choi Byung-tae—it might just be better to end it all.

“Is this… your place?”

“As you can see.”

“What happened?”

Taeseok handed her a wallet that was placed on the small table.

“Why do you have this…?”

“I found it in the hotel lounge. I finally get to return it to its owner.”

At his words, she remembered pushing away the men who came to her house and running away in a panic.

“I owe you again, unintentionally.”

Taeseok’s gaze settled on her face as she spoke.

Clear, pale skin, sharp features, lips tinted like she’d used lip tint.

And then he saw it—

A look in her eyes, trembling with fear or sorrow, he couldn’t quite tell.

Taeseok found himself unable to look away.

“The doctor said it was due to stress and lack of sleep. You should take care of yourself. The IV should help a bit.”

Iseo, who barely managed to sit up, spoke in a low voice.

“I don’t know why these things keep happening… but thank you, anyway.”

As she stood, her body swayed, and Taeseok quickly grabbed her arm.

“You’re planning to go alone in this condition? Don’t you realize it hasn’t even been 30 minutes since you regained consciousness?”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Haven’t you thought about who brought you here?”

Taeseok picked up the coat draped over the chair.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you.”

“No, you don’t have to.”

“Whatever the reason, you collapsed in front of my car. I’d feel too uneasy letting you go alone. So don’t argue—just come.”

He suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Why are you holding my hand…?”

“Well, I can’t carry you. But from the looks of it, you’re ready to collapse again at any moment.”

Led by Taeseok’s hand, Iseo followed him outside.

When they reached the parking lot, she couldn’t protest any longer and got into his car.

Taeseok reached over and fastened her seatbelt.

“I can do it myself.”

“You think I’m doing this because you can’t?”

The car started slowly.

A cool breeze blew through the half-open window and brushed her cheeks, her hair fluttering across her face.

After a while, the car stopped in front of Iseo’s neighborhood.

“Are you really okay like this?”

“I’m fine.”

Taeseok got out of the car and followed her.

His eyes scanned the narrow, dark, and clearly dangerous alleyways.

“Thank you for everything.”

As Iseo turned and walked away, Taeseok’s gaze remained fixed on her back.

He didn’t know why, but watching her made something stir quietly in his chest.

* * *

“Iseo, are you alright?”

The manager asked, watching her closely.

“You look really pale.”

“I’m okay. I was going to tell you anyway—I’m quitting at the end of this month.”

They say everything comes from the heart.

After loan sharks came looking for her again, Iseo had been suffering from recurring nightmares every night.

“Well, it’s true someone like you shouldn’t be doing this job for long. Planning to find something else? Did you get a good offer?”

“I’ll have to look.”

“You’re making the right choice. Honestly, I’d like to keep working with you, but I’d feel guilty trying to stop you. With your skills and looks, you’re way too good to be stuck in a place like this.”

“I’ll take care of the job this weekend.”

“You sure? It pays more than usual, but it’s kind of a rough one.”

She wasn’t in a position to be picky.

She needed money if she wanted to get away.

Just finish this one last job—and then leave.

“Let me know the time and place.”

Weekend.

Standing in front of the hotel, Iseo adjusted her clothes.

“The client is from the Cheongsol Group. She’s dating someone already, but her family keeps setting her up with other men.”

Iseo recalled the manager’s words and let out a soft sigh.

“Typical of these rich families. Anyway, you’re just supposed to act like her friend and turn the guy down politely. If it all goes smoothly, she’ll pay well.”

It was true.

The Cheongsol Group client was in love with someone else but was being forced into a matchmaking meeting. She just wanted someone to reject the man on her behalf.

Iseo arrived early and took a seat in a quiet corner of the coffee shop.

Apart from a few scattered people, the shop was eerily quiet.

A moment later—

“Miss Kang Hanna?”

At the sound of a voice, Iseo stood up.

And froze in place when she saw the man before her, her eyes trembling with shock.

‘W-What’s going on…?’

Her face flushed red with panic.

Standing before her, looking at her with a cool expression—

Was Taeseok.

She knew the match was with Han Taeseok of the Kanghwa Group… but she hadn’t expected him to be that Taeseok.

It was too late to regret not asking for his full name earlier.

Unlike the flustered Iseo, Taeseok looked amused, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

“Let’s sit.”

Even as they sat down, his eyes remained fixed on her.

“Did I mistake you for someone else? You look a lot like someone I know.”

“…”

“Well, let’s introduce ourselves properly. I’m Han Taeseok, CEO of Kanghwa Group. And you must be Miss Kang Hanna, who looks suspiciously like someone I already know?”

The unexpected reunion sent Iseo’s mind into chaos.

“I didn’t see a photo since it was a pointless match anyway, but you’re clearly not Kang Hanna. So what’s going on?”

“Uh, well, that is…”

They say even if a tiger bites you, stay calm and you might survive.

This man wasn’t a tiger, but the situation definitely called for her to stay sharp. Iseo swallowed hard and let out a slow breath.

“Our policy is to keep all client information strictly confidential, but under the circumstances, I can’t keep lying.”

“Client?”

“My name is Choi Iseo.”

Taeseok’s brow twitched as he touched the cup in front of him.

“I work for a proxy agency. Today’s meeting with the Cheongsol Group was a job.”

“A proxy agency…”

The wedding she’d attended on someone else’s behalf… the bouquet she’d accidentally caught… the rude woman who thought she was a thief…

Hearing “proxy agency” made everything fall into place, and Taeseok let out a dry laugh.

“The client asked me to make it clear she’s seeing someone and isn’t interested in marriage. I didn’t expect to run into you here, though.”

Taeseok’s dark eyes glittered with curiosity.

“I wasn’t here to seriously date, so whether Kang Hanna has a boyfriend or not doesn’t matter to me. I’m actually more interested in you, Choi Iseo.”

His gaze never wavered, and her face only grew hotter.

“So this agency… do you do anything the client asks?”

“Anything but murder.”

What on earth is this man thinking?

Taeseok tapped his cup, his lips curled in amusement.

“So that means I can request something too?”

“As long as it’s legal…”

His narrowed eyes grew even sharper as he stared at her.

“Interesting.”

“…Sorry?”

“I prefer excitement over boredom.”

Was she the only one who felt awkward in this situation?

Iseo looked down, avoiding his eyes.

“So, to summarize, Kang Hanna has a boyfriend and doesn’t want that known yet. I’ll handle this meeting accordingly.”

With that, Taeseok stood up.

“‘Nice meeting you’ doesn’t feel right… but I’ll see you again soon.”

She wanted to ask what he meant by “see you again,” but instead, she just pursed her lips tightly.