Chapter 19
Jinwoo held Seoha’s hand and said in a desperate voice.
“I love you—not just as a friend, but as a woman.”
It had to be a joke. Or maybe he was just messing around.
“I really love you, Seoha.”
Seoha tried to avoid facing the reality, but Jinwoo wouldn’t let her.
With his repeated confessions, her mind went blank, and a sigh of frustration built up inside her.
Seoha knew well that Jinwoo treated her differently from the other Rhymes.
He was so openly biased toward her that only a fool wouldn’t notice.
But she had never once thought that Jinwoo saw her as a woman.
She had always assumed he treated her kindly because they had grown up together—as childhood friends, like family.
His gentle and attentive personality played a big part in it too.
But now he said he liked—no, loved—her as a woman.
It was absurd and ridiculous. Seoha stared at him blankly for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.
“Not me.”
“Seoha…”
“You might love me as a woman, but I don’t see you as a man. To me, you’re just a friend, and my future clan head.”
That was all. Seoha didn’t think of him as anything more or less.
“So give up.”
As Seoha spoke firmly, Jinwoo looked at her with deeply hurt eyes. His trembling brown eyes were pitiful.
“Seoha…”
Even his voice was sorrowful, so Seoha couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsher.
Not because her heart wavered—if anything, it was sympathy.
She did feel guilty. Jinwoo had given her so much, and yet here she was, pushing him away. It hurt her heart, but it didn’t change the conclusion.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t accept your feelings.”
“Is it because I’m a beastkin and you’re a Rhyme?”
“That’s part of it.”
It was customary for beastkin to marry among themselves. That way, their children would also be beastkin.
While it was possible for a child to be born a beastkin even when one parent was human or Rhyme, the chances were as slim as winning the lottery.
And for a Rhyme to become a beastkin later in life? Practically zero.
Betting on such odds when there was a sure path was foolish.
Moreover, Jinwoo was the future head of the Cha clan. He had even more reason to marry a fellow beastkin.
“But the biggest reason is still that I don’t see you as a man.”
“You might not now, but who knows what could happen in the future?”
Seoha shook her head firmly.
“No. That won’t ever change. So give up.”
“I told you—I won’t give up.”
“Then let’s not see each other until you do. Distance makes the heart forget.”
Jinwoo scowled.
“Do we really have to go that far?”
“Yes. It’s better for both you and me.”
“You…”
Jinwoo opened his mouth to say something, but Seoha didn’t wait to hear it. She turned and walked away quickly.
Ethan woke up and reached to his side before opening his eyes.
He felt the soft bedding, but not the warm skin he had hoped to touch.
His eyes turned sharp instantly.
He opened his eyes wide to check beside him.
Wrinkled blankets, pillows tossed on the floor, and faint lingering scent—there were signs Seoha had been there, but she herself was gone.
He even checked the bathroom, just in case—but she was nowhere.
Don’t tell me… she left again. Without a word.
His brows furrowed. It wasn’t even the first time she left him like this. Twice now—no wonder he was upset.
Ethan immediately tried to call her, but he couldn’t find his phone.
Where did I put it?
As he scanned the room, he remembered leaving it on the sofa table and opened the bedroom door.
Just then, he heard rustling from the smaller bedroom. Could she be over there?
His tight lips relaxed.
[You’re up?]
But that hope lasted only a moment. The person in the small room wasn’t Seoha—it was Noah. Ethan’s lips twisted.
[Where’s Seoha?]
The moment he saw Noah, he asked about Seoha. Noah raised an eyebrow.
[Déjà vu? I swear you asked the same thing yesterday.]
[Did you see her or not?]
[Didn’t see her. You were alone when I got here.]
[What time did you arrive?]
[I don’t remember exactly… maybe around 7?]
Which meant Seoha had left even earlier.
What time did she leave? She could’ve at least told him—why sneak out like a thief?
Ethan clicked his tongue in irritation. That woman really was annoying in every way.
So why the hell did he keep getting drawn to her?
[How are you feeling? If anything hurts, I can get Arthur—]
Ignoring Noah’s babbling, Ethan headed straight to the sofa table. His phone was right where he left it.
He quickly called Seoha, but only got the cold automated message: “The number you’ve dialed is currently turned off.”
No matter how many times he called, it was the same.
Why is her phone off? Did something happen?
His irritation turned to worry in an instant. I need to check if she’s okay.
Ethan went back into the bedroom, grabbed his coat, and came out.
[What? You’re going out?]
Noah blocked his path as Ethan headed toward the door.
Ethan scowled.
[Move.]
[You’re going to that Seoha girl, aren’t you? Isn’t she at work now?]
Ethan checked the time on his phone. Friday, 11 a.m. Yeah, working hours.
[Her phone’s off.]
[Maybe she turned it off to focus on a patient. Or she’s in surgery.]
[Still, there’s no need to turn it off.]
[That’s just your opinion. Just stay put. If you go now, she might get annoyed with you.]
At the mention of Seoha possibly hating him, Ethan’s scowl faded into a sullen expression.
Seeing this, Noah frowned even more.
[Don’t tell me… You don’t actually have feelings for her, right?]
Normally, Ethan would’ve laughed it off or told him not to be ridiculous. But this time, he was silent.
That silence deepened the wrinkle between Noah’s brows.
[No way. You’re not seriously thinking what I’m thinking, right?]
[Thinking what?]
[That you might be in love with her or something.]
Ethan chuckled and sat on the sofa.
“No way.”
[Well… good.]
Noah let out a sigh and started nagging.
[Seriously, pull yourself together, Ethan. The meeting is on Tuesday. That’s only four days from now!]
[…]
[Once the meeting is over, we’ll go back to England. Just behave until then.]
Noah pleaded like he was spilling blood, but Ethan just fiddled with his phone, half-listening.
His mind was full of Seoha.
When’s lunch at her hospital?
Probably noon. Perfect timing to drop by.
[Are you even listening to me?]
Noah suddenly shoved his face close to Ethan’s, pulling him out of his thoughts.
[Get out of my face.]
Annoyed by the proximity, Ethan pushed Noah’s face away.
[You know the Lord himself will be at the meeting, right?]
Noah kept nagging.
[This is your chance to impress him, Ethan. If you blow it, our family’s finished.]
[Don’t care what happens to the family.]
Ethan’s indifferent reply made Noah explode.
[Hey! You’re the head of the family—how can you be so irresponsible?!]
[I never asked to be the head.]
He had only taken the role because everyone begged him after the tragedy 10 years ago left him as the last beastkin.
Of course, it was under the condition that he wouldn’t actually do any of the tedious work.
Ethan hadn’t even wanted to attend the meeting in Korea—but it was mandatory for the family head.
Still, meeting Seoha made it worthwhile.
Exploring his mother’s homeland was a nice bonus.
But that was all. He had no intention of buttering up the Lord or acting like a real head of house.
He never understood why the wolf clans were so obsessed with impressing the Lord.
A woman chosen by the guardian deity.
What was so amazing about that, anyway?
But as always, the minority voice got buried—especially when that minority was just Ethan.
[By the way, what’s with that suitcase?]
Knowing Noah wouldn’t listen no matter how much he argued, Ethan changed the subject.
It was obvious he was trying to change the topic, but Noah let it slide.
Pestering wouldn’t work on Ethan anyway.
[What do you think? It’s my luggage. I’m staying here from today.]
Ethan’s brows immediately knit together.
[What about your room?]
[Oh, that? I checked out.]
[Why?]
[So I can stick to you like glue and keep an eye on you.]
His blunt answer was enough to make Ethan curse under his breath.
[No.]
[Too late. It’s already been decided.]
[By who?]
[The Elders, obviously. You’re the one who gave them all the authority.]
“It’s your own fault,” Noah said teasingly, and Ethan stood up with a grim expression.
He grabbed Noah’s suitcase and opened the balcony door.
[Wait! I was wrong!]
Noah quickly hugged Ethan’s waist, panicked that he was about to toss the suitcase outside.
[I won’t tease you again! I swear! Please forgive me!]
[Then get out.]
[P-please, let me stay!]
When Ethan refused, Noah tightened his grip and desperately brought up a topic Ethan might be interested in.
[Hey, remember those guys who attacked you and that girl—!]
