Episode 4
Christine froze for a moment, then quickly snapped out of it and called out.
“Y-You’re…”
Seimon turned to look at her. He didn’t look pleased—actually, his eyes seemed a little off, unlike usual.
Christine swallowed nervously and asked,
“How did you find this place?”
“You always ask that,” he said with a dry laugh, shoving his hands into his pockets. He tilted his head slightly and stared coldly at Reat.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“W-What? What did I do… Why are you being so aggressive?” Reat stuttered, trying to act tough despite Seimon’s intense presence.
When Seimon looked like he might get even closer, Christine stepped in to stop him.
“Seimon, please don’t do this.”
“What am I doing?”
Christine had never seen him act violently, but his eyes were clearly full of anger. She felt she had to stop him.
‘But why is he so angry at Reat…?’
People around the bar started to whisper and glance their way.
“Isn’t that the CEO of Deirt, from Chester?”
“No way. Why would someone like him come to a place like this?”
Wearing a deep navy suit with his dark hair slicked back, Seimon stood out—handsome and exuding presence, people couldn’t help but stare.
Even though he wasn’t doing anything now except glaring at Reat, his expression looked dangerous—like he could explode at any moment.
Christine got up and tugged at his arm.
“Seimon, let’s go.”
But he wouldn’t budge.
“I said let’s leave!”
“Christine,” he said, leaning in and gripping the edge of the table. He looked straight at Reat and then quietly said to her,
“Is this really the kind of man you want to hang around with? Getting harassed like that… Are you really okay living like this?”
Christine’s face turned red.
She was angry at Seimon for criticizing her, but more than that, she felt pathetic—at herself.
She turned her head away.
“Whether it’s pathetic or not, it’s my life. It’s none of your business.”
“None of my business?” Seimon’s jaw tightened.
“Yes. We’re strangers now.”
Christine said it calmly, but her voice was shaking.
‘I’m the one who said it, but why does it hurt so much?’
“I know. We’re strangers now. But still…”
His gaze turned icy. He looked down in silence, then turned to Reat.
“Then how about you answer. Is this my business or not?”
“W-What?”
“Answer me.”
Reat blinked nervously, scared of Seimon’s intense tone.
“Y-Yes. I guess… it is your business…”
Christine sighed deeply.
She found Reat pathetic—weak to the strong, but strong to the weak.
‘Unbelievable.’
She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment.
“It is your business,” Reat repeated.
“Good. Then get lost.”
Seimon jerked his chin toward the door.
Reat quickly grabbed his things and ran out of the bar in a panic. Watching him go, Seimon let out a mocking laugh.
“He didn’t even pay. That’s the guy you were on a date with? And he harassed you too? Your standards really dropped, Princess.”
“We weren’t on a date!” Christine said, rubbing her forehead in frustration.
Then she saw the judgmental look in Seimon’s eyes.
“I’m serious. Don’t misunderstand. It’s upsetting.”
“Misunderstand? You think anyone here doesn’t assume you two were about to go sleep together? Didn’t you notice his creepy eyes?”
“Creepy… seriously?” Christine laughed bitterly, but Seimon kept going.
“If you didn’t follow, I bet he would’ve forced you. And probably done worse.”
‘What?’
She couldn’t believe the things coming out of his mouth. She wanted to tell him how inappropriate he was being.
But before she could speak, he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him.
His hand was so warm it almost made her gasp.
“W-What are you doing?”
As he led her toward the door, he gave her an annoyed once-over.
“Let’s go home. Do you even know what time it is? You’re pregnant, for god’s sake.”
Reflexively, Christine looked at the time. It wasn’t even 9:30 p.m.
She was shocked at how he treated her like a child.
“I’m an adult. I don’t need your permission to go out. I take care of myself.”
“Oh yeah? That’s why you couldn’t even handle one disgusting guy?”
“…Mr. Deirt, are you done talking?”
As the tension between them stretched, Seimon’s secretary, Andrei, stepped in quietly.
“Let’s leave. Everyone’s watching.”
Christine looked around. The place had gone completely silent.
Her face turned red with embarrassment.
She had never argued with Seimon like this before. Why were they fighting like children?
She spoke quietly.
“Let’s go.”
“I said that from the start,” Seimon said smugly, pulling her along.
Before stepping out, he looked back.
“Andrei. Pay the bill.”
Unlike Reat, Seimon didn’t forget to pay.
Christine found herself in Seimon’s black luxury sedan, parked in front of the Ashlert Hotel—one of the most expensive and elegant in the area.
Lights twinkled around the garden, highlighting the grand structure. Christine sighed.
“Why did you bring me here?”
“I’m staying here. Someone like me should stay somewhere like this, right?”
He was clearly dodging the question. Christine sighed again and rubbed her temple.
She was tired.
“I want to go home.”
“Wait.”
Just as she reached for the car door, Seimon spoke again.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Tell me?”
“Yes. It’s important.”
His face looked serious. He didn’t seem like he was lying.
Christine hesitated, then nodded.
“Okay. Say it.”
“Not here. This is a car.”
He tilted his head slightly and smiled.
“I’m not that cruel to a pregnant woman. It’s cramped in here. Let’s talk inside.”
What a twisted excuse.
“Seimon… ha. Fine.”
She was emotionally and physically drained. Rubbing her eyes, she got out of the car, planning to just take a taxi home.
“Please… just hear me out, Christine.”
His voice behind her trembled slightly.
She turned and looked into his eyes, glowing even in the dark.
“Hear what?”
“Me.”
He paused.
“They said I’m going to die.”
“…What?”
It didn’t sound real.
Christine let out a stunned laugh.
“Die? You?”
Seimon’s face stayed expressionless, but inside he was struggling to contain a flood of emotions.
At first, he too thought it was a joke. But as time passed, the joke turned into a terrifying truth—one that was slowly suffocating him.
He still couldn’t believe death was coming so close.
But not in front of Christine. He wouldn’t fall apart in front of her.
He straightened his voice and added coldly,
“My father doesn’t know yet.”
Christine’s eyes began to shake.
What?
He told her before even telling Duke Duran Deirt? Why?
No—more importantly, he said he’s dying?
“You mean…”
“Yeah. I have a terminal illness.”
Terminal.
She knew what the word meant. Still, her mind tried to make sense of it in some other way.
Her fingertips felt cold.
Seimon… was going to die? Not just divorce and separate—but leave this world entirely?
Christine’s eyes shook like reeds in a storm.
“Why…?”
Her trembling voice barely came out.
But Seimon said nothing more.
Christine stared at him for a moment in silence.
He still looked handsome. Still neat and strong.
He didn’t look like someone dying.
That made it scarier.
Because… maybe it really was true.
