Episode 7
“No, you’re not going to a hotel.”
“But…”
“This house is yours.”
“…What?”
“I mean, if someone has to leave, it’s me, not you. If you’re uncomfortable, then I’ll—”
“No, no!” Chaerang waved her hands quickly. How could he even think of kicking himself out for her? She was the uninvited guest here.
Left without words, she bit her lip.
Joo-hyuk added, “And clothes…” but trailed off. Obviously, he didn’t have women’s clothes lying around.
He could go buy some, but it was late and he didn’t want to leave her alone.
“Anything’s fine. I’ll just wear yours.”
“Alright then.”
Seeing her squirm shyly, he chuckled.
They’d already spent the night together once, but somehow the idea of living together properly made her nervous.
“You wash up first. I’ll bring your clothes to the bathroom.”
“…Okay.”
Her heart thumped at the thought of “washing up first.”
Something was definitely wrong with her.
Flustered, Chaerang rushed into the bathroom as if running away.
Later, they sat facing each other across the table.
Chaerang fiddled nervously with her hands under it.
After a moment’s hesitation, she stole a glance at him.
‘Just like yesterday…’
Fresh out of the shower, Kwon Joo-hyuk was dangerously attractive.
His damp black hair brushed his long lashes, and his wet eyes looked even more sensual.
When their gazes met, she turned her head away fast.
Her mind was full of the sharp Adam’s apple on his throat, the veins across his hand, and those soft lips that looked like they’d melt if she touched them.
She must be cursed.
A lustful curse.
Meanwhile, his eyes roamed over her quite openly.
His oversized shirt hung loose on her, and the glimpse of her collarbone drove him crazy.
Part of him worried she looked too thin.
But the other part—the beast inside—just wanted her.
For years, he’d only imagined, but now he was burning with the urge to act.
He sighed heavily.
Chaerang lifted her innocent face at the sound, making him feel both irritated and helpless.
How could she want to leave him when he reacted to every little thing she did?
Then she tried to escape again, just like yesterday.
He wondered if she might actually feel the same way and decided to tease her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh? Nothing. Do I look weird? I’m fine. Um… but earlier, when you said this house is mine, what did you mean?”
The more she tried to deny, the more she babbled.
Joo-hyuk swallowed his laughter.
“Literally. This house is under your name. And your face looks like it’s about to explode right now.”
Her eyes widened. She hadn’t known that.
But she cared less about the house and more about escaping the man who saw right through her.
“Do you have a fever? Or… were you imagining something you can’t say out loud?”
“I wasn’t…”
“Why be embarrassed? That’s normal for a married couple. Honestly, I’ve imagined it countless times.”
“…Imagined what?”
“What do you think? Want me to show you right now?”
Her heart dropped.
Danger.
This man was pure danger.
Just standing still, he was temptation itself.
But now he was deliberately seducing her.
She was trying so hard to give up—so why did he keep shaking her?
Because she knew.
If they broke up, she’d look back on even this moment, like she had the last six years.
And she knew how painfully bittersweet it would feel.
“Why so serious?”
“Because words like that don’t suit you. Teasing like that… it shakes people.”
“So, were you shaken?”
When she looked away in a rush, his lips curled up. But the smile vanished just as quickly.
“I’ll give you what you want. I’ll divorce you.”
“….”
Her eyes trembled. It was what she wanted, yet the words made her feel strangely hollow inside.
“But live with me for just one more year.”
“…What do you mean?”
He laid some papers on the table.
“Remember what my lawyer said yesterday about a grace period? I thought about it. I know your feelings won’t change right away, even if I beg.”
“….”
“So live with me for one year. After that, I’ll let you go.”
Her gaze dropped to the documents.
At the top: One-year grace period.
“Of course, during that year, I’ll be doing everything I can to win you back.”
“…What did you say?”
Had she heard wrong? Was he seriously talking about seducing her?
His eyes pinned her in place.
“You barged in demanding a divorce, so you should’ve been ready for this much.”
“….”
She couldn’t speak.
All she knew was that she felt like prey, surrounded with no way out.
Maybe stepping into this house had been the mistake from the start.
“Run if you want. But I’m not letting you go anymore.”
“…N-nothing will change.”
“We’ll see.”
His voice was steady.
Her mind was in chaos.
She hadn’t expected him to resist the divorce.
‘This must be about the succession issue…’
But the way he said “win you back” wouldn’t leave her head.
“Well? What’s your answer?”
“…Fine. One year. Exactly one year. After that, we divorce for real.”
“Good.”
The tension eased a little. He reached out his hand.
“Let’s get along from now on.”
“…Sure.”
But when she tried to pull away, his grip tightened.
He leaned closer, whispering,
“You’d better be ready. I plan to do all the things we never did in the past six years.”
She blinked at him, confused.
His lips curved lazily.
“First step—sharing a bed. Like in that little fantasy you had earlier…”
Her eyes flew wide as she slapped her hand over his mouth.
She half-climbed across the table to stop him.
“Why are you being like this? You never used to be this shameless!”
“So, you hate it?”
He pulled her hand down lightly, smirking with absolute confidence.
How could she possibly say she hated it?
“…Please control yourself.”
“I’ll try.”
“….”
“But don’t expect much.”
Despite the teasing words, his kiss on the back of her hand was warm and sweet.
The next morning.
“Ma’am, would you like a cup of coffee?”
“….”
“Ma’am?”
“Ah, yes.”
Chaerang finally responded, flustered.
“I asked if you’d like some coffee.”
“Yes, sure. Actually, I’ll make it myself. Do you like it sweet?”
“That would be lovely.”
The housekeeper had come after Joo-hyuk left for work.
The morning sun was bright, but Chaerang still hadn’t gotten her head straight.
“One year…” she muttered while making coffee.
Was agreeing to this really a good idea?
Last night, she’d just been swept up by his intensity.
The real reason must be obvious.
‘He wants time to settle the succession matter. That’s what this is about.’
When he said he’d do everything they hadn’t done in six years, it must’ve been tied to that.
After all, the chairman believed a good businessman came from a good family.
If she and Joo-hyuk looked like a normal, loving couple, maybe the chairman would trust him with more.
Of course, Joo-hyuk knew that.
That’s why he said what he did.
“A loving couple, huh…”
It was something she couldn’t even imagine.
Beep—beep.
The coffee machine finished.
She carried two cups to the table.
“Coffee’s ready. Drink it while it’s hot.”
“Thank you,” the housekeeper said warmly.
She’d worked in the chairman’s home before, but moved here about three years ago at the chairman’s suggestion.
As they drank, the housekeeper added with a smile, “I’d only heard about you before, madam.
I didn’t expect to meet you like this. By the way, the boss looked so bright today. Happiest I’ve ever seen him.”
