Chapter : 11
Jo Taeseo was naturally sensitive and suspicious. He couldn’t help but find it strange that his fiancée’s attitude had changed so suddenly during the three months he was away on a business trip. But he never imagined that she might actually be someone else.
“What do you mean by that?”
Kiseokhyun’s trembling eyes flicked between Eunyoo and Jo Taeseo. His clearly odd reaction looked strange even to Eunyoo.
If he couldn’t lie, he should have said nothing at all. Instead of helping, he only caused suspicion.
Eunyoo first observed Jo Taeseo’s reaction. The sharp, piercing gaze he turned on Kiseokhyun sent a chill down her spine.
She felt tense, unsure what he might say to Kiseokhyun. Her throat was dry, and her fingertips went cold under the pressure, as if something was squeezing her neck.
If her identity were exposed now, how would Jo Taeseo react? Since he never wanted to marry, would he immediately call off the engagement?
One second, two seconds… time dragged, and her anxiety grew. Her mind was crowded with endless thoughts. One word from Jo Taeseo could ruin everything.
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about! Can’t you see? If I wasn’t Eunwoo, why would I even be here?!”
Kiseokhyun shouted desperately. He had wanted to stop Jo Taeseo’s marriage at all costs, and yet, Eunyoo had just claimed to be Eunwoo in response to Jo Taeseo’s questions.
Eunyoo didn’t think Kiseokhyun was trying to help her. She believed that only by remaining as Eunwoo could she pour out her lingering regrets and resentment.
“Is that so. I see.”
Jo Taeseo spoke calmly, surprisingly indifferent. His gaze remained sharp, but he seemed to accept Kiseokhyun’s words, at least for now. Still, it was impossible for him to fully trust the reaction.
“Listen carefully, Mr. Kiseokhyun. If something like this happens again, we will meet in court.”
Instead of handing Kiseokhyun over to the police, Jo Taeseo chose to warn him. Making a bigger fuss would only bring loss to everyone.
There was no better material for gossipmongers.
Jo Taeseo or Kiseokhyun might not care about being talked about, but for Eunyoo, it was different.
An adoptee from a gangster family. Engaged to Jo Taeseo, a man with hidden intentions. And now, an old lover appearing as well.
The rumors spreading would be far more serious than the minor snubs in a restaurant.
They wouldn’t care about the truth. They would twist it however they liked, speaking freely and recklessly.
After Jo Taeseo’s warning, Kiseokhyun said nothing more. He didn’t want the situation to escalate, because then it would reveal that Eunyoo wasn’t Eunwoo.
It didn’t matter if he used Eunwoo as an excuse or Jo Taeseo’s engagement as a reason. He was simply satisfied to see a face identical to Eunwoo’s.
“Let’s go.”
Jo Taeseo let go of Kiseokhyun and took Eunyoo’s hand. He should have sent her home, but instead of ringing the bell, he brought her into his car.
He placed her in the passenger seat and then got in himself. He even took out the coat that had covered her legs and draped it over her again.
He didn’t take her home yet. Their car went back out into the alley. Kiseokhyun was visible through the window, but quickly faded from view.
“Where are we going?”
Unable to hold back, Eunyoo asked. Jo Taeseo remained silent, focusing on driving.
“But… how did you come back here?”
Even if he didn’t tell her the destination, she wanted a reason. It was unexpected that he appeared again after returning home.
“I saw Kiseokhyun when I left the alley.”
Earlier, he had noticed Kiseokhyun near Eunwoo’s house late at night and had turned back toward the house.
It was a strange sense of déjà vu. Even though Eunwoo should have been home by then, the very fact that Kiseokhyun appeared in the alley filled her with unease.
If Jo Taeseo hadn’t come, she didn’t want to imagine what could have happened.
It was reassuring that he came back, but she hadn’t expected him to be so concerned. Wasn’t he someone who normally didn’t care about Eunwoo?
He didn’t want to marry, and yet he was acting considerate. This wasn’t a man who would change his mind so easily because of what happened at the hotel. If he were, he would have married Eunwoo long ago.
After driving for a while, the car stopped in front of a high-end villa complex. Security was strict; vehicles were scanned and checked before entry.
The car passed several buildings and entered a villa parking area. Once inside, an automatic gate opened for them.
“Get out.”
Jo Taeseo parked skillfully, turned off the engine, and got out. Eunyoo followed his command.
Judging from the situation, this seemed to be Jo Taeseo’s house. Unlike him, Eunyoo didn’t know his address. If Eunwoo had, the secretary would have told him, but she hadn’t received any such information.
To be brought here after the incident with Kiseokhyun… Eunyoo didn’t know how to interpret it. But his actions clearly signaled a change in their relationship.
She followed him from the parking lot to the elevator. Each floor required a personal card or fingerprint to access. He lived on the highest floor.
It was a luxury villa using an entire floor, with few actual residents. The condition was always better than a hotel, with concierge services available upon request.
This was a place people with money wanted to live, but entry wasn’t guaranteed. Only those who met strict standards could live here.
Jo Taeseo living here indicated he was a man of worth. Even Chairman Jung with all his money couldn’t necessarily live here.
Inside, Eunyoo thought the clean, stylish interior suited him well. As she looked around, he said:
“Wait here.”
Without further explanation, he went somewhere, leaving her in the living room.
“Change into this. The bathroom is that way.”
Soon, he returned with a new, unopened t-shirt and pants, and a new toothbrush.
Eunyoo just stared at him. She wanted him to explain the situation.
“After the mess with Kiseokhyun outside, I don’t know what he might do next. I can’t just leave you at a hotel alone either.”
Despite his usual coldness, he was kind in his own way. Eunyoo accepted the clothes and headed to the bathroom as instructed. She washed in warm water, exhausted from the day’s events.
She never thought she’d shower in someone else’s home, especially Jo Taeseo’s.
“If Chairman Jung knew, he’d be overjoyed.”
Jung had wanted to manipulate Jo Taeseo into marriage. If he found out she was here now, he might be ecstatic. But she had no intention of telling him.
After finishing her shower and drying off, she realized a problem.
“What should I do…?”
There were no undergarments in the clothes Jo Taeseo had given her. It felt awkward to go without, and she couldn’t wear her own clothes either.
Still, she had no choice. She wore the clothes, which were far too large. The t-shirt was fine, but the pants were too long. She folded them up to her ankles, but the soft fabric soon slipped down again.
To be continued in the next chapter ▶
