Chapter 55
The doctor’s diagnosis was a mild concussion, but as time passed, various aches and pains began to surface.
The sting of her scraped wounds was now joined by muscle soreness, making it difficult for Iseo to even move her body.
At that moment, when Taeseok’s expression darkened upon seeing the bruises and vivid scratches all over her body—
A soft, warm sensation touched the edge of a wound.
In a fleeting instant, the thick warmth passed over her slender back, leaving traces on her shoulders and arms.
Taeseok gently kissed each of Iseo’s small and large injuries, and then wrapped her tightly in his arms.
She could feel his heartbeat—faster than usual—and the more she felt his warmth and steady rhythm, the more her anxious heart calmed.
Just as she was about to close her eyes, hesitating between falling and staying, the first face that came to mind was Taeseok’s.
The thought that she might never see that face again brought a rush of fear.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Just… feeling grateful.”
A faint smile spread on Taeseok’s lips as he brushed his hand through her soft hair.
Today, her familiar scent felt even sweeter than usual.
Whether she knew he was barely restraining himself or not, the woman leaning against him as if seeking comfort was unbearably lovable.
Taeseok kissed her cheek gently with his soft lips. Outwardly, he looked composed, but inside, he was battling a storm of desire.
“You said it was a small company, but not even stuntmen get this banged up. What kind of work are you doing?”
He felt pathetic for not even knowing the name of the company his wife worked for.
As if regretting the way he had pretended not to care in the past—worried his attention might become a burden—he asked casually, still holding Iseo close.
“Well… I work as an art director. I’m in charge of a debut project for a new idol group. We were shooting a pictorial when the accident happened. The company is NY Entertainment.”
Taeseok’s face, still cradling Iseo, slowly began to stiffen.
“Did I hear that right?”
“Art director?”
“Not that. The company name.”
“NY Entertainment. You know it, don’t you?”
It was such a ridiculous situation that he nearly laughed in disbelief.
“I didn’t expect to pass the interview at all, so getting hired still feels like a dream.”
A thick vein bulged at Taeseok’s temple as he listened without showing any emotion.
“It’s late. You should get some rest. I’ll get some air and sleep later. Don’t think about anything and just sleep first.”
Iseo, likely exhausted, fell asleep soon after, but Taeseok couldn’t fall asleep easily.
The fact that Han Ji-tae’s spouse was the company’s CEO, Kang Hye-mi—and that she had once been his own blind date—buzzed in his head as he watched Iseo sleep peacefully, unaware of it all.
The cold dawn wind brushed over Taeseok’s body, and the calm on his face twisted sharply. Under the soft lights, his eyes flashed with a fierce glint.
Iseo woke from a deep, uninterrupted sleep and glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was nearly 7 a.m.
Even though it was early, Taeseok was already gone. When she turned on her previously powered-off phone, she saw a message from him saying he had left early for work and telling her to rest well today.
Among Taeseok’s messages was one from Jian as well.
I was worried, so I left a message. I hope you’re okay. I ended up contacting Han Taeseok. I didn’t tell your mom, since she’d only worry. Let me know when you’re feeling better.
Iseo got out of bed, took a quick shower, and changed her clothes. Thanks to Taeseok’s tender care the night before, the stinging in her wounds had eased significantly.
Now that the scorching heat of midsummer had faded…
When she opened the window, the bright sunlight poured in, making the necklace around her neck shimmer even more.
The view from that same window was still just as beautiful as always.
On the console, a vase was still full of mini delphiniums that hadn’t yet wilted.
When she answered a knock at the door, Aesook entered.
“How are you feeling, young madam?”
“Much better, thanks to you. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“I’m just glad it wasn’t anything serious. You have no idea how shocked I was when I heard.”
Aesook set a tray with a simple breakfast on the small table.
“The chairman and the madam went out on business. I prepared easy-to-digest food, so take your time and eat.”
Her words carried the gentle reassurance that Iseo shouldn’t feel burdened with the adults away, and a soft smile formed on Iseo’s lips.
“I could’ve come down myself. Sorry to trouble you.”
“It’s no trouble at all, madam. The CEO was very worried about you. Even as he left, he asked me several times to take good care of you.”
A warm smile spread across Aesook’s face as she relayed the message.
That same morning, Jian fidgeted with his phone after leaving Iseo the message.
This whole incident had made one thing painfully clear.
That the only real protector in Iseo’s life was Han Taeseok.
As Jian made the call to Taeseok, his heart filled with indescribable emotions.
Seeing Iseo right before him, yet being unable to do anything for her, he let out a hollow chuckle.
It was the moment he realized—deep in his bones—that the man to protect Choi Iseo from now on wasn’t him, but Han Taeseok.
Taeseok was lost in thought, rhythmically tapping the desk with his long fingers.
He stared ahead with a cold glint in his eyes when—
“P-President.”
Secretary Min entered with a clearly troubled expression, and behind her appeared Hye-mi.
“I told her it wouldn’t be possible without an appointment, but—”
“It’s fine.”
As the secretary left, a chilling silence filled the space between the two.
Hye-mi let out a strange smile as she glanced around the office.
“I know I came without an appointment, but is it okay to keep a guest standing like this, Mr. Han Taeseok?”
Taeseok’s brow tilted slightly as he looked at her.
“We’re not exactly on the kind of terms to be facing each other like this.”
His cold words, devoid of emotion, echoed through the room.
Just like the day he had humiliated her—nothing had changed.
In fact, Taeseok’s face looked even colder now than it had then, and Hye-mi’s gaze fixated on him.
He was so chillingly indifferent to her, yet she couldn’t forget the warmth in his eyes when he looked at Iseo.
Something deep inside her stirred.
Hye-mi, now seated across from him, narrowed her eyes sharply.
“I didn’t plan to see you again either. But life’s unpredictable. Here I am.”
Thinking of how Iseo had risked herself for someone like this, Taeseok’s anger flared again.
The icy stare from Hye-mi clashed violently with Taeseok’s even colder glare.
“You know I’m marrying your brother soon, right?”
The way she so casually said “your brother” left him speechless.
His gaze, once composed, now froze into something far more glacial.
“That’s not why you came here.”
“I happened to learn something… interesting. Turns out the woman who saved me during that accident—the one who might’ve saved my life—was none other than your wife, Choi Iseo.”
Hye-mi said this with a crooked smile, biting down hard between her words.
“So?”
Taeseok scoffed lightly.
“You’re saying my wife being Choi Iseo is enough reason to show up uninvited? Shouldn’t you be grateful if she saved your life?”
“Of course I’m grateful. She’s a valuable talent at our company too. I didn’t know she was your wife when she joined, but… maybe it’s fate. Still, knowing she’s your wife makes it feel… different.”
Hye-mi uncrossed her legs and leaned slightly forward.
“You must’ve had a reason for rejecting me and choosing Choi Iseo. I just can’t figure out what it is.”
“If you’d spent any time with her, you’d know. She’s someone who genuinely believes everyone is as pure and honest as she is. Someone like you wouldn’t understand.”
“And that’s why the CEO of Kanghwa Group chose… a woman like her? That doesn’t add up.”
“A woman like her? You haven’t changed—you still don’t know when to hold your tongue.”
Taeseok stood up coldly.
“She’s superior to you in every way, so stop speculating and fantasizing.”
Every word from his mouth struck Hye-mi like a slap.
Dusting off his suit jacket indifferently, Taeseok continued in a firm, low voice.
“If that’s the reason you came, then I hope you don’t show up uninvited like this again, Ms. Kang Hye-mi. Since you’re marrying into my family, I’d like to remind you—we’re nothing more or less than in-laws now.”
“Of course. Not that it’ll be so easy to act like it.”
Hye-mi turned with a bitter smile.
“Out of curiosity, what’s the real reason you chose Choi Iseo?”
Taeseok’s icy gaze locked on her face.
“Because I love her. Very much.”
Just seeing her face made him furious. Not wanting to spend another second in the same space, Taeseok left immediately, and the final words he spoke burned vividly in Hye-mi’s ears.
