Chapter 37

Hot breaths came with ragged gasps.

Taeseok’s lips that silenced Iseo’s words were overwhelmingly sweet and gentle.

The kiss that started through their slightly parted lips made her head spin.

Her trembling body, unable to even push him away, was met with a heart pounding wildly as if it would burst.

Strands of Iseo’s soft hair slipped through Taeseok’s long fingers.

“W-Wait a second.”

“I have something to confess.”

Taeseok’s deep and intense gaze met Iseo’s eyes.

“Actually… this is my first time too.”

“…What?”

“Rumors are just rumors. You’re my first.”

His words said one thing, but the sweetness of his kiss was enough to make her dizzy.

His hot and soft lips moved between Iseo’s lips and her pale neck, and his unhesitating steps headed straight for the bed.

“Put me down.”

“Nope.”

Before she could push him away, the soft bedding touched her body, and Taeseok’s cautious hands and focused gaze locked onto her face.

Her uncontrollably racing heart just kept rising and falling in her chest.

Taeseok’s long fingers traced down Iseo’s eyes, nose, and lips.

“C-Calm down.”

“Do you really think I can stay calm with such a lovely woman in front of me?”

Unlike the cool sheets, Taeseok’s body was overwhelmingly hot.

“Try to think rationally.”

For a moment, Iseo’s mind tangled like a ball of yarn.

They had started this marriage out of mutual necessity, not love.

Surely he hadn’t forgotten that, and yet the closer he came, the more uncontrollable emotions surged.

Same space. And she wasn’t the only one losing her composure.

Iseo, too, felt her mind grow hazy in the presence of Han Taeseok. Her heart reacted first.

Trying to push him away, Iseo spoke with a trembling voice.

“Don’t you know we shouldn’t be doing this?”

“That may be easy for you, but it’s impossible for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Separating body and heart—I can’t do that.”

He didn’t know exactly when it began, but whenever he looked at Iseo, an unfamiliar desire to possess her boiled within him.

Unable to suppress his emotions, Taeseok left red marks across Iseo’s neck with his hot breath.

“Stop.”

Even as she tried to push him away, her body, heated from his touch, was sinking deeper into an unknown place.

Just as her senses were overwhelmed to the point of delirium—

A strange, unfamiliar sensation bloomed for the first time.

“Taeseok…”

The words Iseo gasped out faded into nothing, and Taeseok instinctively explored every inch of her.

Heated breaths spilled from Iseo’s half-open lips, and a heavy, tingling sensation settled in her lower abdomen.

Every cell in her body seemed to stand on edge.

The more she resisted, the deeper Taeseok burrowed, leaving her no space to recover her thoughts.

Time deepened. The night grew hot between just the two of them.

* * *

Buried in soft, white sheets, Iseo slowly opened her eyes.

Her entire body ached with a mixture of soreness and stiffness.

Last night had been hot and a little rough, and Taeseok had left red marks across her body.

“Are you awake?”

Seeing his soft smile and deep, warm eyes focused on her face, she finally realized that everything from last night had really happened—it hadn’t been a dream.

Because Taeseok continued to look at her without averting his gaze, Iseo’s cheeks began to flush.

“Are you okay? How’s your body?”

The corners of Taeseok’s lips curved up with satisfaction, as if recalling the passion of the night before.

Seeing Iseo shyly pulling the blanket up to her chest made her look especially lovely today.

“Why did you do that?”

“What?”

“Last night…”

“We’re married. Isn’t it natural?”

At the end of his words, Taeseok pulled Iseo into his arms.

“Choi Iseo, don’t forget—you’re my woman now.”

His smiling face and low, gentle voice made her heart flutter.

She knew better than anyone that they weren’t a typical married couple. But the more she tried to resist, the more she was drawn to him. Her heart beat only for him.

Trying to regain her senses, she turned her head to look at the clock on the wall.

And her eyes widened in shock.

“Oh no, it’s already past nine!”

“What’s the big deal? You’re not going to work today.”

“But it’s the first day. You should’ve woken me up!”

“I told you. The maids will take care of everything.”

Unlike the flustered Iseo, Taeseok remained completely calm.

With a loving gaze, he gently brushed the hair from her cheek behind her ear.

“How about one more round?”

“Are you crazy?”

Blushing furiously, Iseo quickly sat up, pulling the blanket around herself.

“Could you… turn around for a second?”

“Why?”

“Well… can’t you see?”

The floor around them was scattered with traces of the night before.

“It’s embarrassing! Just turn your head.”

At that, Taeseok let out a short laugh.

“Want to shower together? I need one too.”

“What are you even saying? I’ll go first. You come in after me.”

“Married couples are supposed to do everything together.”

“If we go out late together, your grandmother will definitely be angry.”

Dodging Taeseok’s sticky gaze, Iseo rushed to the bathroom and started her shower.

As the water flowed over her, she could still feel his sweet scent lingering on her skin.

Sitting on the living room sofa, Pilsoon’s brows were deeply furrowed.

It was well past nine, and Iseo hadn’t shown her face. The heat rising in her chest was near boiling.

“Maybe she’s just really tired after the trip.”

Even Hyejeong’s words couldn’t calm Pilsoon’s mind, which was swirling with thoughts.

What if they ended up having a child?

Tapping her fingers in annoyance, Pilsoon’s mood grew worse and worse.

Just then, as she let out a deep sigh with arms crossed—

Iseo entered the living room in a rush, and sharp glares immediately met her face.

“S-Sorry. I meant to wake up early and help with breakfast, but I was too tired…”

Seeing her, Hyejeong’s lips curled up in amusement.

“I understand. That’s what being newlyweds is.”

“That’s why family education is important. This isn’t a house for just the two of you. Do I look invisible to you?”

Pilsoon’s sharp, irritated voice rang through the room.

“I’m sorry, Grandmother.”

“Don’t call me that! Who’s a grandmother here?”

“That’s why I told you to call her Chairwoman.”

Before anyone noticed, Taeseok appeared behind them and took Iseo’s hand.

“Starting tomorrow, come help with breakfast at six.”

“Mother, the new bride starts work tomorrow.”

“She’s the one who insisted on working.”

“But we already settled this, didn’t we?”

“Then she can just get up an hour earlier.”

“Are two housemaids not enough?”

“Since you mention it—Yongsan’s daughter-in-law gave birth, so I sent the maid home.”

A brief smile flickered across Taeseok’s face at Pilsoon’s words.

“With a new family member in the house, why would we need two maids?”

“What a pity—I’d love to help, but the art center’s been so busy lately.”

Taeseok’s cold gaze turned to Hyejeong’s vague smile and narrowed eyes.

“Since Mother always has her tea before breakfast, I suppose Iseo will need to come early to prepare her tea.”

“Summer’s already started, and we haven’t even done a proper deep cleaning. Start with washing the blankets, and since the sun is good today, dry them outside—no using the dryer.”

Clearly determined, Pilsoon and Hyejeong continued their barrage.

“She should also help Aunt clean out the dishes. Might as well throw out what we don’t need. No point in keeping it.”

“Is there more?”

“What?”

“Maybe you’ve forgotten, but she didn’t come here as a maid.”

A cold glare. Taeseok’s heavy voice was directed at both Pilsoon and Hyejeong.

“Iseo, as you can see, doesn’t have the strongest stamina.”

His words trailed, lips curving slightly.

“If we need a new maid, I’ll handle it. And until remodeling is done, we’ll eat separately in the annex. No need to keep having uncomfortable meals together, right?”

Iseo gently squeezed his arm.

“I’m sorry for being late. I’ll make sure I’m on time starting tomorrow.”

Pilsoon’s clenched jaw showed how furious she was.

After the couple left, Hyejeong cautiously asked,

“Mother, what if Chairman Han really leaves?”

“Did you forget? He agreed to stay here for a year as part of the marriage deal.”

“You’re really not going to call the Yongsan maid back?”

“Of course not. You passed along my message properly, right?”

“Of course.”

Outside, Taeseok took Iseo’s hand and led her to the car.

“Where are we going?”

“Starting today, we’re doing it right.”

“…Doing what?”

He smiled, a mysterious expression on his face.

“What do you mean?”

“Dating.”

After the rain, the sky was especially clear and blue.

“You and me. A real relationship—starting today.”

In the sunlight, Taeseok looked dazzlingly beautiful.