Chapter 19
At that time, Eunha was at the hospital, caring for Eunpyo.
She wiped his body with a clean wet towel, changed his sheets with the nurse’s help, and dressed him in fresh clothes.
She could have hired a caregiver, but she wanted to repay even a little of the love her father had given her all these years.
Once she got married, she’d have no choice but to hire help—but she didn’t want to entrust her father to someone else just yet.
“All done! My dad looks so handsome now!”
Eunpyo looked so much better cleaned up that Eunha couldn’t help smiling in satisfaction.
“Dad, it feels good to be all clean and dressed up, right?”
She kept talking to her unconscious father.
She had heard that even patients without consciousness could sometimes respond to voices around them, so she tried to keep talking—about anything at all.
“My dad always hated feeling sticky or dirty… sorry I can’t do this for you more often.”
She wanted to do it every day, but it was hard on her and the hospital didn’t encourage it either.
Still, she was grateful that at least her father could stay in a comfortable VIP room and receive every treatment he needed without worrying about money.
“Come to think of it… tomorrow’s the family meeting, isn’t it…”
Suddenly, Dohoon came to mind, and when she checked the date, sure enough—it was almost time for the formal meeting between their families.
She’d spent so much time in the hospital that she’d almost lost track of the days; realizing how close it was made her shiver.
Then the nervousness hit her.
She had to make sure neither family found out about their contract marriage, and just the thought of seeing Dohoon again made her heart race.
“Dad, tomorrow’s the family meeting. You remember him, right? The guy I said I liked…”
While gently massaging Eunpyo’s arms and legs, she told him about it.
Even if he couldn’t hear, she couldn’t bring herself to say it was a fake marriage—so she just said it was with someone she liked.
“You know Jeil Group, right? He’s the grandson. Your daughter really made it big.”
Eunha smiled wryly.
If only her father hadn’t had the accident… and if she were truly marrying someone she loved… how wonderful would that be?
The thought left a bitter taste in her heart.
“It would’ve been nice if you were healthy enough to come to the meeting with me. I’ll do well, okay? I just hope it all goes smoothly and we make it to the wedding without any problems.”
That was her most earnest wish.
She was nervous that someone might find out about the fake marriage, or that the Jeil family might oppose her.
Or worse—what if Chansook made some mistake that gave them away?
So many worries filled her head.
She prayed everything would go well—that nothing would go wrong, and that the wedding would happen as planned.
That way, Eunpyo’s treatment could continue, and she could finally breathe a little easier, free from Chansook’s control.
While she was quietly chatting to Eunpyo about the upcoming meeting, her phone buzzed.
[Choi Dohoon]
Her heart pounded just seeing his name—perhaps because she had just been talking about him.
But when she read the message, her heart didn’t just race—it dropped.
[Be at Jeil Hotel Room 2301 by 7 p.m. tonight.]
At first, Eunha couldn’t believe her eyes. A hotel? Out of nowhere? Anyone would be startled.
Even more so because Room 2301 at Jeil Hotel was the place where she and Dohoon had spent the night together after making the marriage deal.
Just seeing the room number made her heartbeat quicken as she remembered that passionate night.
Should she call and ask what this was about?
Or should she just go?
Or maybe… text him instead?
Eunha bit her lip, staring at the message like it was an impossible riddle.
Then, her phone rang—it was Dohoon.
She tried to calm her pounding heart and answered.
“Yes, it’s Eunha.”
—I just sent you a message. Check it.
“…I saw it.”
—Then I’ll see you later.
The fact that he called her directly only made her more curious.
“Um, Dohoon?”
Afraid he might hang up, she hurriedly called out to him. Luckily, the line stayed open.
—Go ahead.
“I was just wondering… why you wanted to see me.”
She wanted to ask why at a hotel, but couldn’t bring herself to say it.
She didn’t want to seem overdramatic—or as if she was misinterpreting him.
But his answer caught her off guard.
—Does there have to be a reason for lovers to meet?
“…”
—Be there by seven.
Even though it was all an act, the way he said “lovers” so naturally fascinated her.
He didn’t sound like he was forcing the word—it rolled off his tongue softly, warmly, like he really meant it.
Eventually, Eunha found herself in the Jeil Hotel lobby before 7 p.m.
He had called her himself; there was no way she could refuse.
As she entered the grand lobby, she couldn’t help but be awed again by the hotel’s elegance. She followed his instructions, collected the key, and went straight up to Room 2301.
—My meeting might run late. Have dinner and relax while you wait.
He had called about ten minutes before she arrived to say that.
Eunha felt oddly relieved.
She had been so tense for no reason—now she could at least relax and have some quiet time alone until he came.
“Wow… so this is what it looks like.”
This time, she noticed details she’d missed before—the spacious living room, the stunning city view through the wide windows, the luxurious interior.
Even the bathroom looked different now. She hadn’t paid much attention before, but now she admired the marble bathtub gleaming under gold fixtures—it looked so elegant she wanted to bathe immediately.
Back at the hospital, even a quick shower was a luxury. This felt like paradise.
‘Since he said he’ll be late anyway… I might as well take a bath and rest.’
After a brief look around, she ran a hot bath and sank into the water.
It had been so long since she felt this relaxed—the fatigue seemed to melt away.
Later, as she stepped out of the bathroom and gazed at the night view, someone rang the bell.
“Who could that be?”
It couldn’t be Dohoon—he wouldn’t ring. So it had to be someone else.
She pulled her bathrobe tightly around herself and went to the door.
“Who is it?”
—Room service.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t order anything.”
She turned to leave, thinking it was a mistake, when—
“Mr. Choi Dohoon ordered it for you.”
Startled by Dohoon’s name, Eunha froze.
So he hadn’t eaten yet?
Either way, if he’d ordered it, there was no reason to refuse.
She opened the door, and a smiling hotel staff member rolled in a cart and began setting the food on the table.
The delicious aroma filled the room, making her suddenly realize how hungry she was.
She hadn’t even eaten lunch properly, and it was nearly 8 p.m.
“Please enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
Eunha looked over the table full of food, swallowing hard.
What was this amazing smell?
She was tempted to lift every lid immediately but restrained herself, checking her phone instead.
Sure enough, a message from Dohoon awaited her.
[I ordered room service. Eat.]
Huh?
So… all this was for her? Alone?
The message made it sound like that—but there were nine different dishes on the table.
“Well, I’m hungry anyway. Can’t let it go to waste.”
Honestly, it felt easier to eat comfortably without him there.
Eunha’s face lit up as she began opening the lids one by one.
Each dish looked beautifully plated and mouthwatering—she couldn’t help but gasp.
“Wow… so this is Jeil Hotel.”
Though its glory days had faded, Jeil had once been considered the best hotel in the country.
Even its room service was on a completely different level.
The meal was perfectly divided into Western, Korean, and snack-style dishes.
Western: steak, pasta, and gambas.
Korean: kimchi stew, bulgogi, and bibimbap.
Snacks: tteokbokki, soondae, and cute little dumplings.
The Western and Korean sets seemed like signature hotel dishes, while the snack set felt random—but Eunha loved snack food, so it was a delightful surprise.
Each portion was just right—enough for her to try everything without overeating.
“Looks so good…”
She sat down, stomach growling, and began eating in order—Western, then Korean, then snacks. The combination was perfect.
“Ah, I’m so full. That was amazing.”
Before she knew it, she’d nearly cleared every plate. The food wasn’t overly rich, and each dish was just right in portion and flavor—it was impossible to stop.
“When will Dohoon get here, though…”
Surely there was a reason he’d called her to the hotel. But now she’d eaten alone, and he still hadn’t arrived.
It felt a little strange—but her body was too relaxed to care.
Maybe it was because she’d eaten so well for the first time in ages; sleepiness soon washed over her.
“Maybe I’ll just close my eyes for a bit. It’s fine, right?”
Unable to fight the drowsiness, Eunha curled up on the sofa and drifted off to sleep.
