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    Loves Balance

    It wasn’t even the late monsoon season, so why was it raining so heavily? Those who glanced out the window at someone’s muttering agreed silently. Thick raindrops pounded the tiled eaves. Judging by the swaying shadows of the garden trees, the wind was also picking up. The sprawling garden of the Woosung Group’s main house felt particularly desolate on dark, overcast days. Perhaps it was because the mansion’s lights couldn’t reach every corner of the vast garden. After briefly gazing outside, the staff resumed their bustling preparations. It was almost time.

    About an hour before midnight, cars with headlights illuminated the dim road, one after another, entering the mansion grounds. Those who emerged were all dressed in black, some in white hanbok.

    They headed towards the eastern end of the outer house. There, a photo of a young couple hung on the wall, a picture of bright futures, tragically juxtaposed with the memorial table set before it.

    Once everyone had gathered, an elementary school student, barely reaching an adult’s waist, walked in. Dressed in an ill-fitting black suit, the child stood closest to the memorial table.

    The chief mourner was a twelve-year-old boy who had lost his parents five years prior.

    “Baekyeon!”

    The shy nephew merely nodded at his uncle, a response earned after months of bi-weekly visits. The adults, hoping to exchange a few words with Baekyeon after the ceremony, could only retreat from the child, whose shoulders were hunched as if on the verge of tears. “Oh dear, I was being insensitive…” they murmured.

    As the people withdrew, the child’s sullen expression returned. Even at ten years old, Baekyeon had a face that made it difficult to distinguish whether he was a girl with short hair or a pretty boy. And he knew how to use this ambiguity to his advantage.

    Therefore, his uncle, Woo Jonghun, had been researching other ways to win his clever nephew’s favor. Baekyeon’s eyes widened as Woo Jonghun revealed what he had hidden behind his back.

    Two packages of Pokemon bread, a junk food craze recommended by his driver, whose son was a year older than Baekyeon. Apparently, they contained collectible stickers, and were incredibly popular among elementary school students.

    His nephew could buy anything in the world, but waiting in line for an hour at a convenience store was out of the question.

    “Do you like Pokemon bread?”

    “Yes.”

    “It’s popular with your friends, right?”

    “Yes.”

    Baekyeon accepted the two packages with a noticeably more polite demeanor, graciously allowing himself to be lifted onto his uncle’s hip. Even though he was small, he was old enough that his head would stick out above an adult’s when carried, yet he seemed accustomed to being held. A fitting image for the sole young master of the Woosung family.

    Baekyeon had been too young when his parents passed to fully grasp the significance of their loss. In two years, he would have lived more of his life without them than with them.

    The sorrow of the memorial ceremony belonged to those who had known the couple for over thirty years, not the child who had only spent a short time with them. He had moved on from his grief, which was perhaps for the best.

    Woo Jonghun carried Baekyeon as he walked. Baekyeon frowned, realizing they were returning to the room where the others were gathered.

    “Can’t I just go to bed? I’m sleepy…”

    “What time did Secretary Cha tell you to stay?”

    Secretary Cha Youngho was Chairman Woo’s direct subordinate, responsible for Baekyeon’s care.

    “…Until the guests leave.”

    “He promised to let you skip school tomorrow, didn’t he? Then you have to be patient.”

    “I want to show this off at school.”

    Baekyeon clutched the bread packages tightly. Woo Jonghun made a mental note to give his driver a hefty bonus.

    Including his severance pay.

    The driver had offered his advice, adding the unnecessary comment, “Must be nice. The only thing the Young Master can’t have is that…” There was no reason to keep someone who harbored ill feelings towards Baekyeon.

    “Baekyeon.”

    “Yes?”

    “Am I your favorite uncle?”

    Baekyeon looked down at him and answered, as if to justify the price of the bread.

    “Yes.”

    That was enough.

    Back in the hall, the chairman was waiting. He always stayed away during the ceremony, claiming it was unnatural for a parent to hold a memorial for their child, but he appeared as soon as the table was cleared. He was the true reason everyone was here today.

    “It’s still hard to believe, even after all these years.”

    “It’s fortunate, Chairman. You have another grown son…”

    These were words Woo Jonghun didn’t want Baekyeon to hear. Such insensitive talk in front of a child, even if it was a practical observation.

    Even if he inherited the Woosung Group, Woo Jonghun wouldn’t neglect his dear, pitiful nephew. He had doted on Baekyeon since he was a baby, compensating for his brother and sister-in-law, who had prioritized work over family. Back then, Baekyeon would often call him “Dad, Dad.” He had felt the same joy as any parent.

    Especially after discovering that Baekyeon, like him, was left-handed, he had even wondered if his own son had been born out of order. Given the circumstances, he was even willing to legally adopt Baekyeon as his son. Then he would hear Baekyeon call him “Dad” again.

    “What are you talking about? I have my eldest grandson.”

    The chairman’s voice made Woo Jonghun pause.

    “Baekyeon will be an adult in eight years. I can take care of him for another ten years after that. Even if we skip a generation, there will be no gap in Woosung’s leadership. My eldest grandson will inherit everything his father had.”

    “Uncle, can I open just one?”

    After the chairman’s voice, a small left hand appeared before him. Baekyeon’s face showed he had finished his intense deliberation over which bread to eat first.

    Suddenly, the arm holding his nephew felt heavy. Too heavy, as if carrying something he couldn’t bear.

    “…Sure. But let’s hide. Over there.”

    Baekyeon quickly nodded, as if he could well imagine who would try to confiscate the bread if he was caught. Meanwhile, others, having overheard the chairman, walked towards them, unable to contain their indignation.

    “Father, we are your children too!”

    “How can you say that! Is only your dead brother’s child your grandchild?”

    “Silence! It was never yours to begin with, so why are you raising your voices?!”

    Everyone turned their heads at the chairman’s bellow, except Baekyeon, whom Woo Jonghun had just set down on a nearby sofa.

    “Just imagine the fights that would erupt between the children here, and those yet to be born. What chance would they have against my eldest grandson, who is as clever as his parents?”

    “But…”

    “That child was born knowing that everything belonged to him. He wouldn’t show mercy, even if you fought him with all your might. He’s more ferocious than any of you. Don’t you understand? This is all for the next generation.”

    “…….”

    “Give up your greed. Just as your older siblings patiently received their inheritance, so too will Baekyeon and his cousins.”

    “Why should my child suffer because of that twisted logic? Why?!”

    Finally, the chairman’s eldest daughter, only two years younger than his deceased son, burst out. Her husband and younger siblings tried to calm her, but their resentment towards the chairman was palpable.

    Father was truly too much. His stubbornness and self-righteousness were unshakeable, even when proven wrong. He mistook them for pride.

    But they were all fools.

    The old man’s outdated words held a clue.

    The solution was to have this child. Ultimately.

    Woo Jonghun shielded Baekyeon from the murmuring crowd searching for him. Baekyeon was examining the character on the sticker wrapper, a disgruntled expression on his face. The cheap, sweet smell wafted through the air.

    He had chosen this mere child.

    No. That wasn’t it. Baekyeon was so lovable.

    The chairman, however, didn’t know how to protect or cherish Baekyeon. If Baekyeon wasn’t his eldest grandson, he wouldn’t even give him a second glance. That wasn’t true love.

    Woo Jonghun reached out to the small head. Baekyeon.

    “You’re mine… I’m your only family… you don’t need anyone else… if you find someone more precious than me, I’ll kill them…!”

    “Whoa! What the—!”

    The realistic acting suddenly emerged during our sparring session, as I listened to his story. Goosebumps rose on my skin, despite being drenched in sweat. He seized the moment my guard was down, landing a solid body blow. It sounded like a balloon popping where his glove connected with my stomach.

    I slumped against the ring post and tapped the floor. I give up. I never stood a chance against a former boxing champion.

    “Already done? You were boasting about how you could win.”

    “Ah, you never know until the final bell.”

    “Are you confident you could last all night? You seem to have quite the stamina.”

    “No. I’m going home and telling Baekyeon all about this.”

    “…….”

    The head of security narrowed his eyes. I took off my gloves and placed them beside me.

    “If you’re feeling cheated, let’s settle this with baseball. Then I won’t be embarrassed to tell on you even if I lose.”

    “You can’t defeat a madman with a fair sport like baseball.”

    “That’s prejudice. I’ve taken down bad guys with a bat before.”

    “Ah, right. You did look impressive in that alleyway. I thought then, that student will definitely achieve great things.”

    He tossed me a water bottle as he spoke. He complimented me as if he had witnessed it himself, even though he wasn’t there, which felt insincere.

    I gulped down the 500ml water and wiped the sweat from my brow.

    “Anyway, thanks for sharing. That guy’s a psychopath.”

    “The chairman will send Woo Jonghun back overseas. He snuck back into the country while surveillance was lax. It will be like before: he’ll be kept in Korea while the Young Master is abroad, and sent to an overseas branch when he returns.”

    “That’s not a fundamental solution…”

    The head of security sat down beside me, leaning against the ring.

    “Still, it’s true that the chairman genuinely cares for the Young Master and is consumed by guilt. A terrible thing happened between his youngest son and his grandson, and he agonizes over the choices he made that day.”

    “…….”

    “It’s too late to admit he was wrong.”

    He nudged my shoulder with the water bottle.

    “Still, thanks to the chairman, you were able to meet me at the company that day and avoid going back.”

    “Why is that thanks to the chairman?”

    “I occasionally visit the Young Master on the chairman’s orders. He asks me to check for things like listening devices in his office, any potential dangers. That day, as you know, I happened to be there when Woo Jonghun visited the cafe.”

    “…….”

    I suddenly remembered the chairman’s question during the Lunar New Year holiday: What should I have done for him? Do you know the right answer? I hung my head, clutching my damp hair.

    “I wish he had just been locked up.”

    “I agree.”

    “The statute of limitations has expired anyway.”

    “The statute… did the Young Master tell you?”

    “Yes. Baekyeon has already accepted it, while I’m the only one still fuming.”

    “…….”

    A strange silence fell over the ring. I looked over, and he was buttoning his shirt cuff, having averted his gaze.

    “They say the law, while seemingly clear-cut, is a product of efforts to minimize injustice.”

    “…Excuse me?”

    What was he talking about? It felt like too much to expect from someone who clearly slept through social studies.

    “Sending Woo Jonghun overseas, despite the risk of him scheming from afar, is for the Young Master’s sake. Not just to physically separate them, but also… just in case, for the future.”

    “What does that mean?”

    “Who knows?”

    Huh? What? But the head of security brushed off his clothes and stood up.

    “Well, the statute of limitations is an issue, but the bigger problem is that most of the evidence has been destroyed. Too much time has passed.”

    “I know. That’s why…”

    I also stood up, brushing off my clothes.

    “I’m going to make Baekyeon so happy he’ll forget all about the past.”

    With all my heart.

    💍

    I filled a large tumbler with latte and wrapped it in an insulated bag, which I then placed deep inside my own bag.

    Woo Baekyeon said it was his. Don’t make me laugh.

    It was mine. I would make him undeniably happy with my own hands. I would ensure the rest of his life was a path strewn with flowers. Whether that man was chased overseas or stubbornly returned, he would hear about our happiness every single day. That man would never again be a part of Woo Baekyeon’s life.

    And I would make him smile as much as he had suffered.

    As a first step, I arrived at the Woosung Electronics building and met Secretary Shin, with whom I had been secretly communicating. Then I stood before the director’s office.

    Knock, knock.

    “Who is it?”

    His “director voice.” I opened the door and peeked inside.

    “Coffee delivery.”

    “…….”

    Woo Baekyeon studied me as I approached his desk, as if trying to assess the situation. Finally, he declared,

    “You’re empty-handed.”

    “No, I’m not. It’s right here.”

    “……?”

    I rested my chin on my hands, leaning my elbows on his desk.

    “Your personal caffeine boost, guaranteed to make your heart race.”

    “What are you doing here all of a sudden…”

    He muttered as if exasperated, but I saw the corners of his lips twitch. He liked it, pretending not to.

    “How did you get here?”

    “I have my connections.”

    “No wonder Secretary Shin cleared my schedule for today.”

    I dodged his outstretched hand.

    “Ah-ah, no touching. You haven’t paid for your coffee yet.”

    He pulled out a sleek black card from his inner pocket, the kind you only see in dramas, and placed it on the desk. Then he pulled my chin towards him and kissed me.

    Whoa.

    I hadn’t expected this in his office, and I was momentarily flustered. The scent of his cologne, faint after a long workday, was stronger now, followed by the familiar scent of our shared bathroom products.

    His lips parted slightly, then pressed against mine again, lingering for a moment. A tingling sensation made me open my eyes to meet his gaze. With his hair slicked back for work, he looked different today.

    “You’re… showing your neck.”

    “Ah. I’m here as your spouse today, so I don’t need to hide it.”

    He traced his fingers over his name on my neck, just above his shirt collar. We were intimate enough that it shouldn’t have… aroused me, but something about the gesture felt intensely sensual, especially with the soft smile on his face.

    “Director, Mr. Jung Hankyung. May I come in?”

    Thank goodness for good timing. A minute later, and I might have ended up a drama or movie protagonist, having an affair in the office.

    Secretary Shin took the coffee and poured it into a delicate cup, making it look twice as luxurious as it did in my tumbler.

    Woo Baekyeon took a sip, then gazed into the cup.

    “You made this.”

    “How did you know?”

    “I just know.”

    “Does that mean it’s good?”

    “Yes.”

    “Oh… that’s a relief.”

    “Why?”

    “That asshole said my cafe’s menu tasted cheap on his way out.”

    Woo Baekyeon’s hand froze, his face hardening.

    “He said that? And you’re worried about it?”

    “Well, I know he meant it maliciously, but… He’s the chairman’s son, he’s probably used to fine dining, so…”

    Woo Baekyeon placed his cup down with a sharp clink.

    “Jung Hankyung. Listen carefully.”

    “Hmm?”

    “I studied abroad in England, the home of tea. During my ten years there, I tried most of the famous coffees in Europe. I know far more than he does. Don’t pay any attention to his words.”

    “…….”

    “They’re not even worth remembering, so forget about it.”

    I smiled at his serious expression.

    “I know. So you, Woo Baekyeon, shouldn’t pay any attention to worthless words either.”

    I hadn’t intended to say it with a smile, but his earnest concern made me laugh. He looked so beautiful like that.

    Woo Baekyeon seemed to realize my intention. He stared at me for a moment, then looked down and finished his coffee.

    “It’s a good thing if it tasted cheap. I’m glad he didn’t get to enjoy something delicious.”

    “It’s delicious, I’m telling you.”

    “Okay, okay.”

    He picked up his cup again, his expression still slightly tense. I was relieved that the mention of that man didn’t evoke fear in him.

    “Jung Hankyung, what about your cafe today?”

    “Temporarily closed.”

    “Consistency and reliability are key for local businesses.”

    “I heard that running a business with an air of nonchalance makes people think, ‘Ah, this place must be confident in its quality.’”

    The stern director gave me a look that said, “Don’t be ridiculous.”

    “Of course, I have plenty to be concerned about, so I put up a notice three days ago saying I’d be closed today. I even texted my regulars.”

    “So you and Secretary Shin have been conspiring behind my back for at least three days. You could have left it to your part-timers.”

    “The one who works weekday afternoons got a full-time job, and the one who works weekends, Ms. Heeyeon, is traveling with her saved-up wages. I’m on my own at the cafe for now.”

    I needed to hire new part-timers, but after the recent incidents, I was hesitant to bring strangers into the cafe. I planned to manage on my own for a month or two, adjusting my days off.

    Woo Baekyeon placed his empty cup down and refilled it from the teapot.

    “How much longer will you be at the office?”

    “Secretary Shin said you have no meetings today. Can’t we hang out here until it’s time to leave?”

    “How much have you been talking with Secretary Shin?”

    He gave me a disapproving look, then picked up his cup and stood up.

    “Stay here. I have to finish some work.”

    “Do you have a lot of work?”

    “It’s just… similar.”

    “What? I thought you were up all night working after you moved me from upstairs in the middle of the night.”

    Woo Baekyeon, who was heading towards his desk, turned around with a grumpy expression. It didn’t suit his stiff suit, but it was the expression that best represented Woo Baekyeon, at least to me.

    “Don’t say I ‘moved’ you.”

    “Then what do you call carrying a sleeping person without their consent? Did I walk out on my own two feet?”

    “You slept for three days with the lights on. Get some proper rest, at least for a day.”

    “I told you, I can fall asleep anywhere as long as my head has somewhere to rest. Anyway, I was going to cancel my visit here after waking up annoyed this morning, but since I had already announced it would be a holiday, I made a special trip. I’m still a little peeved.”

    “…How can I make it up to you?”

    “Show me some aegyo, pretty Director.”

    “I can’t do that.”

    He returned to me and gently lifted my chin with his finger, then lightly brushed his lips against mine. His eyes flickered with uncertainty.

    “All my annoyance is gone. Do I have to do this every time you’re upset?”

    I reached behind him and patted his butt playfully. He flinched and pulled away, the muscles beneath his suit tensing under my touch.

    “Hey, why are you touching me like that? Even between spouses, there needs to be respect for personal space. You can’t just…”

    “You’ve stripped me naked and groped me for far longer.”

    “…….”

    He blushed and turned away, muttering, “That’s different…” It was the start of a sweet, impromptu date. A boisterous start, typical for us.

    Murmurs arose around us, growing louder as we walked. If every stare left a mark, we would be walking shadows.

    At lunchtime, we went down to the company cafeteria. My goal was to experience what it was like to date Woo Baekyeon at his company… but it ended up feeling like an encounter between the final boss and a stranger. No matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, the vast majority of people in this space created that atmosphere with their stares.

    No one sat near us, forcing an intimate meal amidst the crowd. Woo Baekyeon handled the cafeteria’s round, stainless-steel chopsticks with textbook-perfect form. I watched him pick up a black bean and pop it into his mouth with a satisfied smile, then our eyes met.

    This was it. The time to deliver on my promise of a happy relationship.

    “What does my princess eat to be so beautiful?”

    Hands at a nearby table paused mid-meal, then professionally resumed eating. Woo Baekyeon, the natural-born princess, picked up another black bean with his chopsticks and replied,

    “…The same as you.”

    Why was he so shy and coy for such a simple answer? I heard someone nearby whisper, “Oh my.”

    After lunch, we left the building and strolled around the neighborhood. As he had said, the area around his company was a mix of businesses and upscale residential areas. We walked among the office workers on their lunch break.

    Lingering Christmas decorations dotted the streets, remnants of the holiday season, which had ended earlier than usual this year. Since we hadn’t spent Christmas together, we played the part of a couple enjoying the lingering festive atmosphere.

    I spotted a sign for a strawberry cake shop. If I wanted my cafe to thrive, I should start offering homemade desserts. I had dismissed Woo Baekyeon’s consulting offer before, calling it absurd, but now I too fantasized about working hard and moving my cafe to the first floor of his company building.

    Bringing him a cup of tea to his desk every morning, meeting him at the counter at lunchtime, being coyly urged to go to lunch together.

    Most importantly, if my cafe was on the first floor, I could jump out and protect him if any strange person tried to target him.

    “Do you want cake?”

    He asked, seeing me staring intently at the sign.

    “Ah. I’ve been wanting to try new things lately. And it seems a waste to leave the big oven the previous cafe owner left behind unused.”

    “I see.”

    Woo Baekyeon looked back and forth between me and the inside of the shop. I knew what he was thinking. I leaned my head on his shoulder.

    “Will you buy me one?”

    He looked a little surprised, even though I could see the outline of his wallet in his coat pocket.

    “I… want to, but why are you saying something so unlike you, Jung Hankyung?”

    “If you’ve changed, I should change too.”

    He was my partner, capable of providing for me and finding joy in doing so. I couldn’t keep stubbornly refusing. I needed to practice accepting loving gifts without hesitation.

    We pushed open the small glass door of the cake shop.

    “One strawberry cake, please.”

    “We have two sizes, 1 and 2. Which would you like?”

    “The large one, please.”

    “Wow, so cool, my princess.”

    “…Don’t make a fuss.”

    The cafe had only two tables, and Woo Baekyeon’s presence made it seem even smaller. He glanced around the shop, then turned back to me.

    “How much does this place cost?”

    “Hey.”

    He was getting sidetracked again.

    Carrying the cake box in one hand, we returned to his office.

    Sitting on the sofa, facing each other like when I first arrived, the cake sat between us, one corner already eaten. It was delicious, filled with fresh strawberries, but Woo Baekyeon put his fork down after only three bites.

    “Jung Hankyung, I heard what happened from the security guard who stopped you that day.”

    “Oh, did he say anything bad? He was just doing his job.”

    If I were him, I would have thought someone barging in and demanding to see the director was crazy.

    “No. He just explained the situation. But, listening to his account…”

    Woo Baekyeon leaned back against the sofa, an air of composure about him.

    “It seems things would have been resolved much easier if you had memorized my number.”

    …Huh?

    Well, yes, I would have borrowed anyone’s phone if I had…

    “Do you have mine memorized? No one memorizes phone numbers these days…”

    “010-XX34-XX78.”

    “…I’ll memorize it right away.”

    I quickly pulled out my phone and entered the eight digits after 010. My fork, which had been diligently delivering sugar to my brain, missed its target.

    “Hmm?”

    Woo Baekyeon had moved the cake plate aside.

    “Aren’t you eating too much?”

    “…What?”

    “Stop eating.”

    “You bought the large one, and now you’re scolding me for eating it?”

    “I didn’t think you’d eat it all. Just eat some and take the rest with you.”

    “It’s half fruit anyway. How can I not finish it?”

    “Pig.”

    His insult had no effect, and I defiantly took another bite. I always had a hearty appetite, enjoying both spicy and sweet foods. He didn’t stop me but watched with disapproval.

    “I’m not scolding you about eating, it’s the sugar. It’s not healthy.”

    “Ah, I exercise a lot.”

    “Sugar intake has a significant impact on lifespan.”

    “I’ll eat more cake and die first. People don’t always die in order. Live long and prosper, my princess.”

    “…….”

    He brought the cake back to the center of the table, cut it precisely in half with a knife, and took another bite.

    “Let’s go together.”

    That was enough to shut me up, after needlessly teasing Woo Baekyeon.

    He wouldn’t know how much affection was contained in those unconscious words of his.

    Now that he knew there was no need to hide his feelings, Woo Baekyeon, expressing them so directly, was unbearably lovely.

    So much so that I’d gladly lose the light alongside him for the rest of my life.

    “Why aren’t you eating?”

    “I suddenly want to live a long life. You stop forcing yourself too.”

    “So fickle.”

    “You’re right.”

    “…Why are you smiling?”

    Again, the answer was, “You’re right.” Had the sweetness of the cake filled my entire being?

    💍

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    Home > Woosung Electronics Gangnam > Free Chat

    (New) My supervisor caused a scene lol

    She was walking down the hallway, then like she was possessed, followed some guy…

    Then she’s like, “Excuse me, you’re my ideal type. The way your eyes disappear when you smile, your dimples, your toned muscles filling out that knitwear…” and asked for his number lol

    Turns out, it was Woo B. Yeon 24’s husband lolololol

    She seems pretty chill about it, though, we’re comforting her

    —What does it matter if she’s chill? It’s the married person who needs to be chill…

    └(OP): There’s work that can’t be done without her. Delete this before she quits…

    (New) He’s undeniably handsome

    I was wondering what kind of man could stand next to 24

    Turns out opposites attract

    As expected, if his face is good enough for 24’s name, they must be on the same level

    —Seriously, they must have had a love match lol if they both look like that, they were bound to fall in love lol

    (New) Anyone who said that chaebol name couple didn’t seem as close as other couples needs to come forward

    According to witnesses, he’s calling him “Lee Princess” or something

    —What’s Lee Princess? Is that a North Korean nickname or something??

    └(OP): Woo’s last name is Lee

    └└Holy shit lol

    (New) Who’s the top? (Poll)

    They’re both men, there must be positions

    Who’s the top and who’s the bottom? Height!!!

    Poll: Who’s the top? (No subject)

    1. Pretty ■
    2. Handsome ■■■■■■

    —This is on the company forum?; Isn’t this sexual harassment?

    └Guess they’re YOLOing today…

    └(OP): Lol look at the poll numbers quietly rising lol we were all curious

    (Post deleted)

    (New) What was that about the director’s name partner yelling in the lobby the other day??

    Several people must have seen it??

    Couple’s fight????

    —It seemed more serious than just that

    └Must be single

    └└Probably single

    └└A couple’s fight after marriage is the most serious moment in life

    └Their loud fight makes me more convinced they had a love match +1

    └They fight, they make up, they go back and forth… chaebols are just like us lol

    “Oh…”

    Woo Baekyeon seemed to be quite the celebrity within the company. Screenshots of the bustling online forum were already circulating. As expected, I wasn’t the only one who found him beautiful. His secretary’s office would deal with the posts that crossed the line.

    Anyway, it was incredibly frustrating that people perceived our positions that way. Not that I wanted to switch now, but no one would ever believe the story of how the pretty one devoured me from head to toe with ferocious intensity.

    I could see Heaven’s Castle in the distance outside the window. After a half-day date, we were on our way home in a limousine because Woo Baekyeon had some urgent work to review. He scrutinized his tablet for a while, then closed it with a sigh.

    “Are you done?”

    “Mostly. I can handle the rest tomorrow.”

    “Good work, Director.”

    Secretary Shin took the tablet from Woo Baekyeon, who was sitting in the passenger seat. The limousine left the Han River road and entered a side street. The cold snap had broken, and the weather was milder today. Thanks to leaving work early, it was still bright outside. I nudged his thigh, clad in navy suit pants.

    “Want to walk the rest of the way?”

    “Why?”

    “We couldn’t hold hands while walking near your office. I want to hold your hand.”

    “We’re not children, why would we… Driver, please stop here. We’ll walk from here.”

    I didn’t understand why he bothered playing hard to get.

    “Director, are you sure?”

    “Yes. Don’t worry. I’m not going alone.”

    The driver pulled over. Woo Baekyeon reassured the worried Secretary Shin and got out of the car.

    “Hey, Woo Baekyeon. Are you sure you’re not sick or something?”

    “No.”

    He sighed and replied.

    “This route passes by the spot where I last saw Woo Jonghun. Secretary Shin is worried about that.”

    “…Ah.”

    The car stopped under the streetlight in front of the parking lot, his unsteady descent from the driver’s seat.

    “Sorry. I was being thoughtless. Do you want to take a detour?”

    “No. I told you I’m fine.”

    He offered me his hand instead.

    “You said you wanted to hold hands.”

    I took his hand, and he squeezed it tightly, pulling me forward. A block away, I could see the main gate of Heaven’s Castle. Both of us, usually taking long strides, slowed our pace.

    “Your hands will get cold walking like this in winter. Do you know what to do?”

    “Hold tighter?”

    “No.”

    I slipped our joined hands into my jacket pocket.

    “Like this.”

    “…….”

    His hand twitched inside my pocket. I held his slightly cold fingertips tighter, and he turned to look at the wall on my other side.

    “Baekyeon, are you cold?”

    “No… why?”

    “Your ears are red.”

    “…Don’t tease me.”

    Even walking as slowly as we could, we reached the main gate, and soon, the spot where it happened. I quickened my pace, tightening my grip on his hand in my pocket.

    “Jung Hankyung.”

    He stopped me.

    “If I can’t even handle this with you by my side, I’ll never overcome anything.”

    “…….”

    “I’m fine.”

    True to his words, he walked past the parking lot without flinching and entered the apartment building. The elevator ascended. Even inside, away from the cold, neither of us removed our hands from my pocket.

    We spent the evening together downstairs, and then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I went upstairs. Woo Baekyeon followed with a sigh of exasperation, but he didn’t stop me.

    I climbed onto the bed and lay on top of him. He wrapped his arms around me without complaint.

    Our bodies fit together perfectly, like puzzle pieces. The closeness didn’t feel uncomfortable. His warm breath tickled my cheek.

    It felt like we were hidden away in a cave built just for us. It was a rather brightly lit cave, but in fairy tales, caves sometimes had grass and light. It made sense; it was fit for a princess.

    Four fingers tapped the back of my head. He gently stroked my hair with almost unnerving care.

    “You seem to be thinking happy thoughts.”

    I endured the tickling sensation for a moment, then wrapped my arms and legs around him.

    “My princess.”

    “Yes.”

    He answered without protest, as if he was used to it now.

    “How did you endure it when you realized the statute of limitations had expired?”

    His hand paused, then resumed stroking my hair.

    “Was it that hard?”

    “…….”

    “I had already accepted it long ago, so it didn’t really affect me.”

    “When was the date the statute of limitations expired?”

    He looked at me, the corners of his lips twitching almost imperceptibly. It was hard to tell if he was smiling or just tensing up.

    “I don’t know. I wasn’t counting.”

    “Ah… it’s better that way. It’s good that you’re not dwelling on it.”

    “Yes. You shouldn’t dwell on Woo Jonghun either. We agreed on that.”

    The rustling of my hair against his would only be audible to him, so close.

    “It started getting a little easier after I met you again at the wedding.”

    “…Why?”

    “I thought the world had sent you to me in his place. So it was okay.”

    His words resonated deep within me, a painful ache in my chest.

    See? No matter how much I tried to be there for him, Woo Baekyeon’s love, the emotions overflowing from him, were far greater than anything I could offer.

    “Hey, what do you mean ‘met again’ at the wedding? Did we really meet somewhere before?”

    “It’s a secret. Find out yourself.”

    He turned away abruptly. Come on, tell me already. No, go away. We wrestled playfully on the spacious bed for a bit, then fell asleep under the bright lights.

    “Huh… uh… ah, it hurts…”

    The sound woke me, and I sat up immediately.

    It was a good thing I had fallen asleep pressed against him. I hadn’t missed his faint whimper, a nightmare expressed in stifled sounds.

    I turned on the bedside lamps, which he stubbornly insisted on turning off before sleeping. The already bright room became almost blindingly white. Then I found his left hand beneath the covers and held it. As expected, it was stiff and rigid. I traced the protruding bones, then brought his hand to my neck.

    “Woo Baekyeon, we’re the only ones here.”

    “Ha… huh…”

    “I’m here, too.”

    My body was much warmer than his, cold with a sheen of sweat. I stroked his skin, trying to soothe his tense muscles.

    He suffered for a long time. His quiet whimpers seemed to express the cries he had been holding back. As I lay beside him, waiting for dawn, my eyelids heavy with sleep, I muttered,

    “Liar. You said you were fine.”

    He closed his eyes, as if acknowledging the rebuke. After a long while, the color returned to his face. I brushed his hair back from his forehead.

    “Jung Hankyung…”

    With that final whisper, his body relaxed. I didn’t know how he escaped the nightmare, but I was there at the end.

    As I lay back down, he wrapped his arms around me.

    Unlike when we were awake, I was enveloped in his embrace, and I closed my eyes again.

    Woo Baekyeon was so lovely and precious, a thought struck me.

    Is it okay for me to be the savior of your wounds?

    I had never lacked confidence, yet his unwavering faith in me made me feel vulnerable.

    Why did someone so lovely have to carry such scars?

    I was the one who had said let’s forget the past, and yet, I felt a surge of anger.

    💍

    The next day, a welcome guest visited my cafe.

    “It was noisy and annoying when Noona was here, but now that she’s in America, it’s too quiet. I’m bored.”

    I had expected as much. They were always bickering, yet inseparable.

    “Noona doesn’t even reply to my messages…”

    “Maybe it’s the time difference. She’ll start contacting you soon, missing home.”

    “Judging by how much fun she’s having, I doubt it… That’s why I’m bragging that I saw you today, hyung. They don’t have a Jung Hankyung in America.”

    Chaesung, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, was wearing a different uniform. Instead of the gray uniform he wore throughout the time I was his bodyguard, he was wearing the dark green uniform of his new high school.

    It looked familiar. It seemed he had gone to the school next to mine. It was a prestigious school, one Chaesung was more than qualified to attend. The uniform hadn’t changed in over ten years.

    I hadn’t told Chaesung, who was sulking about not hearing from his sister, but I had received photos and video calls from Chaelin… She had exclaimed, “It’s fun, but the food is so salty and greasy!”

    Anyway, Chaelin had safely become an adult, and Chaesung a high school student. This kid, acting all childish in front of me, was now tall enough that the top of his head reached my nose when he stood up.

    On a whim, I ruffled his hair. “Ah, hyung!” he complained, then laughed, his hair messed up.

    “I’m just… really glad.”

    “Glad about what?”

    “I’ve never regretted saving you and putting those guys in jail, and I feel even stronger about it now. You did the right thing confronting those kidnappers.”

    Thinking back, it was a miracle he had only suffered a shoulder injury; he could have been hurt much worse. There had been another student there, who had quickly called the police, if I remembered correctly.

    Ah, right. That student was also wearing the same dark green uniform.

    Looking at Chaesung, something felt… familiar.

    “Hyung, what’s wrong?”

    “Hmm? Nothing.”

    I leaned against the counter and sighed.

    “Just thinking… I would have been so angry if those kidnappers had gotten away.”

    “…It would have been much harder for me too.”

    “If they hadn’t been caught, the statute of limitations would have expired by now. I’m really glad they were.”

    Although he was much better now, there was a time when Chaesung would freeze whenever a large car approached him in an alleyway. Every time I comforted him, clinging to my waist, I reassured him that the perpetrators were in jail and could never hurt him again.

    I wished I could say the same to Woo Baekyeon.

    “Oh? No, hyung.”

    “What do you mean, no?”

    “The statute of limitations. Even if the kidnappers hadn’t been caught, the statute of limitations would still be in effect.”

    “What? The statute of limitations for kidnapping is over ten years? When I searched, it clearly said…”

    “No, it’s different for crimes against children. They changed the law because of child abuse or something. Hold on.”

    Chaesung tapped on his phone, searching for something, then showed me the result.

    “…!”

    “For crimes against children,”

    My jaw tightened as I read the words. Chaesung continued, seeing I was speechless.

    “The statute of limitations begins when the child victim becomes an adult. When they are capable of reporting the crime themselves.”

    Wait, that meant…

    Woo Baekyeon was twenty-eight this year. Furthermore, the statute of limitations is suspended while the perpetrator is overseas. That man had clearly told me he was coming from abroad when we first met.

    ‘Sending Woo Jonghun overseas, despite the risk of him scheming from afar, is for the Young Master’s sake. Not just to physically separate them, but also… just in case, for the future.’

    Was that… a hint?

    After seeing Chaesung off to his academy, I was lost in thought. The chairman and the head of security definitely knew about this. No, they must have orchestrated this situation. I wasn’t sure about Woo Jonghun. Even if he knew, he wasn’t the type to be cautious.

    Then what about Woo Baekyeon? My clever, cautious husband?

    The man who, with his meticulous nature, had said he didn’t know when the statute of limitations expired…

    …He must have known.

    He probably knew, but had accepted the impossibility of the situation and hid it from me, so I wouldn’t needlessly struggle.

    Foolishly. After all that suffering he endured.

    As if he knew I had been thinking about him all day, a familiar limousine arrived just as I was closing up. I wiped my damp hands on my apron and went outside, where Secretary Shin was waiting.

    “Mr. Jung Hankyung, we’ll escort you home today.”

    “…Excuse me? Why?”

    “I’ll explain on the way after you finish closing up.”

    Since I was almost done, I quickly finished my closing tasks. The atmosphere in the car wasn’t good.

    “Woo Jonghun escaped surveillance at Incheon Airport, where he was supposed to depart today.”

    “What?”

    “The chairman has deployed people to search for him. Given his past actions, he might try to harm you or the Director, so please be careful…”

    “What about Woo Baekyeon? Is he okay?”

    “He’s waiting for you at home. Additional security personnel from the main house have been deployed around your residence.”

    “Ah… I’m glad. What is that crazy bastard up to now?”

    “…The last thing Woo Jonghun was looking at on his screen was a news article about the two of you. There have been many eyewitness accounts within the company, and some media outlets published articles. He probably saw that…”

    That lunatic. He couldn’t stand seeing us so happy?

    I arrived home safely, thanks to the limousine, and opened the front door. Almost simultaneously, quick footsteps approached from the inner door.

    Woo Baekyeon reached me before I could even take off my shoes. His eyelids fluttered as he looked down at me, his eyes searching my face, desperate for reassurance.

    “Woo Baekyeon, are you okay?”

    “…Yes. Did you hear?”

    “What is that lunatic doing? Let’s go inside.”

    As we reached the living room, the warmth and aroma of food wafted from the dining area. He pulled my wrist.

    “You barely ate anything.”

    “You made this for me? Wow, my princess is the best.”

    “Just sit down and eat.”

    The sensitive princess easily saw through my exaggerated reaction.

    He ate unusually slowly tonight. He picked up minuscule portions with his chopsticks and chewed for a long time. He didn’t seem to have much of an appetite, as if he was only eating because of me.

    “Do you want to sleep after eating?”

    “Huh?”

    “I’m going upstairs right after this.”

    Despite the blatant invitation, Woo Baekyeon made no move towards intimacy after we finished eating and went upstairs. He kept a slight distance, perhaps to hide his anxiety.

    I pulled him into a hug. He relaxed in my embrace, letting out a long sigh.

    “Was it that obvious?”

    “No. I just wanted to hug you.”

    “…….”

    He might have nightmares again tonight. Woo Jonghun might somehow find his way back to Korea and terrorize him again.

    Woo Baekyeon had been forced to become resilient before his twelve-year-old wounds could heal, learning to hide his long nightmare.

    He was still hurting, and his abuser, unpunished, was ready to reappear at any moment.

    This thought made the person in my arms tremble.

    Ah.

    I couldn’t stand it anymore.

    I can’t do this anymore, Baekyeon.

    I can’t leave you like this any longer.

    I pressed my fingers against my eyes, then opened them. Woo Baekyeon, who had been sleeping soundly just a few hours ago, had turned to face me.

    I quietly slipped out of bed and went downstairs. I went into my room, which I barely used anymore, and rummaged through a box of belongings I had brought from my old apartment. I found a few items from my First Guard days.

    💍

    “He’ll probably try to show up in front of you or me. I’m harder to reach inside the company, but you… be really careful.”

    Woo Baekyeon said he would deploy sufficient security around my cafe before opening hours. It was 6:30 AM now, and he was about to leave for work. My cafe opened at 10. I was waiting by the door to see him off.

    “Jung Hankyung, make sure you take a car when you go. Okay?”

    “I told you, I’m strong. Stop worrying and go, my princess.”

    “…….”

    He leaned in and gave me a light peck on the lips.

    I worried that he might sense my anxiety. I forced a smile.

    “I shouldn’t see you off anymore. My princess doesn’t want to leave me. Don’t cry even if you miss me, princess.”

    “Why would I cry?”

    He turned away with a huff, then stopped and looked back at me after taking a few steps.

    “…Not just when you see me off, but also when you’re sleeping, I don’t want to leave, so I stay a little longer.”

    His cheeks flushed as he looked at me.

    “So send me pictures.”

    Having delivered his message, the princess turned and walked out.

    The smile I had been wearing faded after the door closed. It was time for me to start my early work preparations.

    The weather was nice. The streets outside were bright and bustling with people. I noticed there were two separate groups of security personnel guarding the cafe in the afternoon.

    I assumed one was sent by Woo Baekyeon and the other by the chairman. Most of them seemed unfamiliar with each other. If someone infiltrated the group, they could easily pass as a member of the other team. This wasn’t good. The security chief couldn’t be unaware of this.

    Was he expecting me to handle this discreetly?

    Or… was he giving me an opportunity, assuming I had already figured something out?

    “…….”

    Then I’d play along. I had no intention of avoiding this anyway.

    I stepped out of the cafe and approached one of the nearest guards.

    “There aren’t many customers today, and I’m feeling a bit uneasy, so I’m going to close up early. You can leave now. Thank you for your hard work.”

    “Then we will escort you home.”

    “Ah, we can escort him. The director will be displeased if we leave it to the main house.”

    “That would be difficult for us as well…”

    “Hmm… I don’t mind either way, and I still have some cleaning to do. It would be great if you two could come to an agreement in the meantime.”

    I left the two groups to their discussion and went back inside. As word spread that I was closing early, the security detail gathered outside the cafe.

    After cleaning the tables, I went to the staff room and slowly changed my clothes. Even at the beginning of March, when the weather was milder, the sun set early. I put on my jacket and slung my messenger bag over my shoulder, then lowered the blinds on the large cafe window. The moment I turned around, the cafe lights went out.

    “…….”

    The quiet hum of the heater and refrigerator faded away. To fix this, I needed to go to the electrical panel located inside the building, on the opposite side of the entrance.

    I knew that, but the fact that they used turning off the lights to lure me out felt deliberate, and it made me grit my teeth.

    I gripped the cold metal doorknob, then slowly twisted and opened the door. The outside hallway was also dark. As I stepped into the darkness…

    “Mmmf.”

    A damp cloth covered my mouth. I held my breath and went limp. Someone dragged me away.

    “Mr. Jung Hankyung!” I faintly heard someone calling my name, running towards the cafe. But my captors were faster, dragging me towards a vehicle.

    They snatched my messenger bag, emptied its contents, and threw me inside. The car sped off. I squinted, trying to see where I was. I was in the back of a van. Several men were in the front, none of whom looked like they held regular jobs. Their gaunt faces, cast in shadow, scanned their surroundings nervously.

    They didn’t seem like professionals. Their search had been limited to my bag; they hadn’t even checked my jacket pocket, where my phone was. If they had, I would have had to stop pretending and fight back.

    The van sped down the road. The dim light filtering through the tinted windows cast shadows of trees. The ride became bumpy as they left the paved road. I had glimpsed a sign that said Paju. They must be heading into the mountains.

    The van finally came to a stop. I was dragged out, my shoulders gripped tightly. A familiar voice echoed above me.

    “You brought him safely. What about being followed?”

    “Their internal squabble made it easier than expected to lose them.”

    “Hmm. When will he wake up?”

    “Ah, come to think of it… for a man his size, he should have woken up a while ago…”

    “…….”

    My hair was yanked back, my head snapping up. I opened my eyes and stood on my own two feet. As expected, the person in front of me was…

    “I wasn’t invited, but thanks for the convenient ride. The atmosphere is a bit tense, though.”

    Woo Jonghun’s smile faltered at my demeanor, then returned.

    “You must be used to this sort of thing, given your previous job. You knew it was a trap, so why did you act so foolishly?”

    “My horoscope said Sagittarius has good luck in love today. I figured I’d let myself get caught, beat up a kidnapper, and earn some brownie points with my husband.”

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