Chapter 30

Even amid the chaos, time didn’t stop—it just kept flowing.

Friday, two days before the wedding.

Jian’s expression wasn’t exactly bright as he looked at Iseo.

“Do you have time today?”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“It’s been a while since we had a proper meal together…”

Iseo trailed off, but Jian—sharp as always—knew what was going on.

“You’ve set a wedding date, haven’t you?”

“Knew you’d figure it out. So, I wanted to have dinner together tonight. But if it’s awkward for you, I can just eat with him.”

For some reason, the word “friend” grated more than usual today.

“No, it’s fine. Why would it be awkward?”

He tried to play it cool, but a cold emptiness stirred in the corner of his heart.

Starting around 5 p.m., a light rain began to fall—and soon grew heavier.

Caught without an umbrella, Iseo’s white chiffon blouse clung to her skin, revealing her bra strap and the shape of her chest.

Jian quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“I’m fine, really.”

“Can’t you think beyond yourself? Think about how others see you.”

They walked into the restaurant together, right on time.

Taeseok, who had arrived earlier, turned his eyes toward them.

Just then, Iseo slipped slightly on the wet steps. Jian grabbed her arm quickly to steady her.

“I told you to be careful.”

“It’s slippery because of the rain.”

Watching the scene unfold, Taeseok’s eyes narrowed sharply from his seat.

His hand gripped the cup in front of him tightly.

He didn’t know why, but whenever he saw the two of them together, something hot and turbulent rose up inside him.

“I tried to hurry, but the rain caught me. Hope I’m not too late.”

“What’s with the outfit?”

“Huh? Oh.”

Iseo took off Jian’s jacket and handed it back to him.

“We meet again.”

“Please, have a seat.”

Taeseok’s sharp and cold gaze lingered on Jian, his brow furrowed.

“There was no rain in the forecast—must be a sudden shower.”

Thunder boomed outside the large glass windows, lightning flickering through the sky.

Taeseok’s gaze moved to Iseo’s still-damp blouse. He took off his own coat and draped it over her shoulders.

A familiar, strong scent from the jacket tickled her nose.

“You’ll catch a cold going around soaked like that.”

His deep, low voice resonated through the private room.

Soon, the food arrived.

Breaking the awkward silence, Taeseok spoke first.

“I heard you’re Iseo’s closest friend. Sorry I haven’t properly introduced myself before.”

The way he naturally referred to her as “our Iseo” made Jian freeze.

Jian’s gaze bore into Taeseok’s face, scanning every inch of him with narrowed eyes.

Meanwhile, Taeseok pulled Iseo’s plate toward him and began cutting her steak into bite-sized pieces.

Wearing a summer suit, Taeseok was flawless despite the gloomy weather—like a sculpture come to life.

Iseo put one of the neatly cut steak pieces in her mouth.

“You must’ve been hungry. Didn’t even notice it was on your lip.”

Taeseok raised a long finger and gently wiped the corner of her mouth.

Just that slight touch made Iseo’s cheeks begin to flush.

“I tend to be a bit messy when I eat, you know.”

Embarrassed, she quickly grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth.

“You must really love Iseo.”

“Isn’t that obvious? I wouldn’t marry someone I didn’t love.”

“I’m glad. I want our Iseo to be loved more than anyone else.”

For some reason, Jian found it hard to swallow the steak tonight.

The year he realized his feelings for Iseo… If only he’d had the courage to confess then—would things have been different?

He knew it was too late, but the thoughts kept spinning in his mind, his face growing stiffer by the minute.

“Sunday at noon. If you can, I’d like you to come.”

So, the moment had finally arrived.

“Bit sudden, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s all a bit too sudden, really.”

“It’s just a small ceremony—only close family and friends. But I really hope you’ll be there.”

Today, the meat felt particularly tough in his mouth.

“Of course. It’s your wedding, after all.”

Jian’s thoughts tangled like a knotted ball of thread.

He’d always known Iseo would one day become someone else’s wife—but witnessing it in real time made the shock hit harder.

“We didn’t prepare formal invitations—people use mobile ones these days anyway.”

Just family, no invitations either.

“Ijian, are you listening? What are you thinking so hard about?”

Before she could finish her sentence, Taeseok handed Jian a business card.

Jian’s pupils shook as he read it.

“Han Taeseok, CEO of Kanghwa Group.”

This man was the CEO of Kanghwa Group?

What the hell is going on?

Stunned, Jian managed to recover and replied,

“Oh, sorry. I left my card in the car. I’ll give it to you next time.”

His thoughts were spiraling like an unsolved puzzle in his head.

A mysterious man he’d never heard of. Loan sharks who suddenly vanished.

She moved out of her tiny studio and the wedding was happening in a flash.

The moment the final piece fell into place, Jian knew.

This marriage wasn’t just about love—there was another reason behind it.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing. But how did you two meet? You never mentioned having a boyfriend—especially not someone like Han Taeseok.”

“Lately, a lot of people are curious about how we met.”

Taeseok smirked with a tilted lip, the kind of smile Jian found impossible to like.

Facing a formidable opponent, Jian clenched his lips tightly.

“It wasn’t something I could just bring up at work, and we didn’t really have a chance to talk. We just met by chance one day… and, well, here we are.”

Lies lead to more lies.

“Wait… you’re not saying…”

Jian’s gaze toward Iseo began to waver.

“Whatever you’re thinking—if you’re her closest friend, then act like one and congratulate us. Even if this wedding seems sudden and unbelievable.”

Tension hung heavy between the two men, their sharp stares clashing.

“Come on, let’s not make this weird. Jian, how about a glass of wine? I can call a driver for you.”

As Iseo picked up the bottle to pour wine into Jian’s glass, Taeseok suddenly snatched it from her hand.

“I really don’t like it when my woman pours drinks for another man.”

His gaze turned cold and slanted.

Taeseok poured wine into Jian’s glass himself, then picked up his own and drank it in one go.

“I hear you joined the company recently. As your senior and colleague—pleased to work with you.”

“The pleasure’s mine. Iseo pretends to be strong, but she’s actually quite sensitive. I may not understand everything yet, but she’s the dearest friend I have. Please take care of her so she won’t get hurt.”

Their words to each other were measured and sincere.

“Marriage, huh… So it’s really happening.”

Across from Jitae, Hyemi gave a strange, unreadable smile.

“You’re not even curious about who the woman is? You were once set up with her, remember?”

“Not really. I’m more curious why Han Taeseok—who hated the idea of marriage—suddenly changed his mind. Maybe he fell in love after all.”

Jitae’s eyes lingered on Hyemi’s face, despite her sarcasm.

A stunning face, flawless body. The only daughter of NY Group—one of the top three conglomerates.

If anything, Taeseok dumping her after their matchmaking date felt like a gift.

“You’re really not coming to the wedding?”

“We’re not at that stage yet.”

He’d wait—until the time came.

A life with no failures. The shame and humiliation he experienced for the first time.

Hyemi’s lips curled upward uncontrollably, savoring the thought of the day when she would pay him back—twice, no, three times over.

After saying goodbye to Jian, Taeseok and Iseo stepped outside.

Having nearly finished two bottles of wine alone, Taeseok’s cheeks and neck were flushed from the alcohol.

“I told you not to drink so much alone. Even wine can get you drunk.”

The driver got out of the parked car and rushed toward them.

“Sir, are you all right?”

“Guess I overdid it today.”

“This never happens to you.”

The driver supported him gently.

“The CEO has a low alcohol tolerance.”

“Really?”

“He’s not much of a drinker. I suppose he was just in a good mood ahead of the wedding.”

The driver smiled, thinking how under normal circumstances, a sober Taeseok would’ve scolded him for speaking out of turn.

“Please take care of him.”

As Iseo turned to leave, Taeseok suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t go.”

The warmth from his hand flowed into hers.