UB 26

CHAPTER 26…………………………..

. Tonight, Let’s Sleep in Each Other’s Arms.

The moment his soft lips drew in her lower lip, and the moment her eyes met her husband’s half-lidded gaze—Taeryeong’s trembling eyelids slowly closed. His warm, tender lips and the faintly drunken breath pressed in like a quiet tide.

She had started the kiss, but at some point, her husband took the lead—gently, carefully, stealing even the breath from her lips as if soothing her. His calm but powerful advance overwhelmed her like a surging wave, and she tried to pull her face away. But his large hand slid to the back of her neck, firm and insistent. Her lips parted helplessly.

“Mmm…”

As the sensation sank deeper, her dry cheeks burned. Her small hands slid down from his face, lingered briefly on his firm shoulder, then clutched desperately at his suit collar. In her mind, in her chest, in her whole body, a hot echo pounded—I think I really love this man. I want him. I’m jealous. I want to make him mine so badly it’s driving me mad.

…What should I do?

The emotions she had tried so hard to suppress finally exploded. Taeryeong turned her face away, avoiding his relentless lips, and whispered,

“Enough… that’s enough.”

No more. Her heart already wanted him this badly—if her body did too, it would feel too unfair, too cruel. So it has to stop here.

“Not enough,” he murmured in a hoarse voice, pressing his lips to hers again.

“I said no.”

As she pushed against his shoulder, he whispered coaxingly against her lips,

“…You said this was a dream.”

Then it’s okay, isn’t it? His next words melted into her mouth. Their lips met again, hot breath mingling, his warmth flooding into her once more—piercing her heart, filling her mind, awakening every nerve in her body.

Then, a loud crash echoed through the parking lot. Taeryeong barely managed to pull away from his arms. Crazy—how could we, in public? She covered her flushed face with both hands, flustered, but her husband drew her back into his arms.

“…Come here.”

Pressed against his chest, she slowly calmed as she listened to the strong thud of his heartbeat. I hate this, she thought. That I can feel so safe here.

The car engine stopped, a door opened, then closed. She thought the intruder who’d appeared so noisily would leave just as quietly.

“Park Kyungjin? Jang Jaewoo? What the hell are you two doing hiding over there?”

Until she heard those familiar names. There was a short exchange of voices at the entrance before silence returned. When she carefully lifted her head, her husband was already asleep. Relieved, she got out and approached the entrance.

“Gentlemen, you can come out now.”

At her calm voice, the two men sheepishly stepped forward.

“How long have you been watching?”

They nudged each other with their elbows until Jaewoo finally confessed.

“Uh… since that woman started getting angry?”

So they saw everything. Taeryeong narrowed her eyes, and Jaewoo quickly stammered,

“Kangjun suddenly disappeared, so we came looking for him! The staff said he was drunk and left with a lady, so we thought—”

“…”

“There are so many women after him… we just wanted to rescue him and bring him back to you. Would you believe that?”

The two men looked at her with pleading, puppy-like eyes. But that wasn’t what mattered to Taeryeong.

“So you saw us kissing, too.”

Their mouths dropped open. Oh my God. She really said it. Their expressions said everything. Taeryeong continued calmly,

“I’d appreciate it if you kept what you saw between us a secret. If you two stay quiet, Kangjun won’t remember anyway.”

“Kangjun… won’t remember?” Kyungjin asked cautiously.

“When he drinks that much, he blacks out.”

Her sharp gaze caught their uneasy reaction.

“That’s what I’ve been told. Or am I wrong?”

Jaewoo jumped in before Kyungjin could speak.

“No, you’re right! He asked us not to tell anyone, but I guess you already knew.”

“Then… could you keep it secret, too? He’s so proud—he’d die of embarrassment.”

Taeryeong’s voice softened again.

“Of course I’ll keep it secret. So you’ll grant me the same favor?”

“Who would dare refuse? We’re on your side, not Kangjun’s. That’s why we called you—and we’ll keep doing so.”

“Absolutely!” Kyungjin nodded emphatically beside Jaewoo.

“One more favor—could you help me get him into the car?”

Before she even finished, the two men were already moving. Lifting Kangjun’s tall, heavy frame—188 centimeters, 78 kilos—wasn’t easy, but they managed to get him into the passenger seat.

Taeryeong thanked them and slipped into the driver’s seat. The slender woman, delicate enough to be blown away by a puff of wind, drove off smoothly in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Only after she disappeared did Kyungjin mutter with a strange look,

“Jang Jaewoo… does Kangjun look like the type to black out from alcohol to you?”

“Of course not. The guy’s survived chemical gas training—no way he’d lose to booze.”

“Ha. I thought he was just good at acting—but apparently that includes this kind of acting too. What a sly bastard.”

Their conversation faded, but one question lingered in both their minds—
They’re clearly in love, so why are they wasting time like this?
Is love hard… or is marriage harder?

It was late at night when the photo shoot finally ended. Jinwoo hadn’t had a drop of water all day to keep his abs sharp, even sneaking in push-ups between cuts. Yet he still greeted everyone around the studio with a bright smile.

“Great work, everyone!”

Soft waves of brown hair, long eyes with a single crease on one side, a sharp nose, an easy smile—dimples and a gentle gaze. This was Jinwoo, the “Nation’s Puppy.”

“It was an honor to shoot with you, sunbaenim,” he said. Seo-jin, the top model ranked among the country’s best, smiled back. Her cool beauty and perfect figure could make anyone dizzy, yet even she melted a little in front of Jinwoo’s disarming warmth.

“Jinwoo,” she called as he was turning away. “I’ve got half an hour free—want to grab a coffee?”

“I have to head out right away, and it’s breaking my heart! But I’ll save that coffee you mentioned right here in my heart. Next time, I’ll treat you to something better!”

His smiling eyes and playful finger heart made even Seo-jin laugh helplessly.

“Then… maybe your number—?”

“Oh! Director, great work today!”

Without a trace of regret, he turned to greet another staff member. Later, once he was in the van, the fatigue finally hit him.

“God, I thought I was going to die.”

But even as he sighed, a smile crept over his face when he looked at a photo on his phone.

“Hang in there, my little one. Your oppa’s out here making bank.”

Beside a smiling girl in the photo was another—expressionless, distant. Jinwoo had been in love with that girl for thirteen years.

He didn’t even know why. She was cold, tough, obsessed with money. But maybe because it was his first love—he’d been patient, careful. He’d wanted to confess like a man, once he’d grown enough to be responsible.

Then the army came. He thought it’d be shameless to ask her to wait, so he planned to confess after discharge—but by then, his “little one” had become the successful CEO of a booming online shop.

“Why’s that tiny thing so damn good at business…” he muttered.

In a brutal online market, she was earning over five million won a month. His pride wouldn’t let him confess unless he earned more than her. But she kept soaring, year after year.

Recently, his modeling career had taken off—he thought maybe now he could tell her—until she suddenly vanished. Even her sister, Jinkyung, refused to explain.

But lately, he’d seen someone who looked exactly like her—twice.

“No matter how I look at it, that’s my little one.”

The style was different, but her aura was the same. He’d seen her first at a fashion show after-party, and again in the lobby of Inno Fashion. A manager whispered that she worked in the executive secretary’s office.

He’d made up an excuse to go meet the CEO but got kicked out before he could even say hello—thanks to some handsome man who showed up out of nowhere.

Now that he finally had time to think, the pieces started to come together.

“Inno Fashion was supposed to buy Dora Mall with a massive investment…”

The timing of her disappearance, the sudden rise in Inno’s stock, her sharp business instincts, her meticulous personality, her position in the secretary’s office, the CEO’s trust…

One by one, the dots connected. Maybe it was all part of her grand plan.

The only thing left was to confirm it—with a visit to that secretary’s office.

“Kim Jinkyung, you think I won’t find her just because you won’t talk? I already have a hunch.”

He grinned.

When they got home, Kangjun went straight to the bathroom. Though he staggered like he might fall at any moment, he refused her help, making Taeryeong’s heart lurch more than once.

She pressed her ear to the door, ready to burst in at the slightest crash. It was ridiculous, but she couldn’t help herself.

After a while, the sound of vomiting, a flush, then the shower. Only then did she exhale in relief and head to the upstairs bathroom.

When she came back down, Kangjun was asleep in bed. She quietly climbed in beside him, watching his sleeping face.

“Even asleep, you’re too handsome,” she murmured.

I could live off that face forever.

She chuckled softly. Confessing when he’s drunk, stealing glances when he’s asleep—what was she even doing?

Then she whispered her newly born wish into his ear.

“I hope you’ll divorce me in six months.”

She hoped he wouldn’t be Alicia Barton’s husband anymore. She hoped he’d meet a woman so wonderful she’d be jealous—fall in love, get married, and be happy. So that she’d have no right to want him anymore.

She sighed faintly and started to turn away—

—but a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his warmth.

“Your body’s so cold,” he murmured against her hair.

“Mine’s burning up.”

His low whisper vibrated against her body.

“So tonight, let’s sleep holding each other.”

His voice was heavy, languid—was it drunkenness, sleep, habit, or longing? Confused, she looked up. His face was calm, as if he were still asleep.

“Are you… still drunk?” she whispered.

“….”

“Kangjun?”

Half-lidded black eyes stared quietly into hers.

“If that’s easier for you to think, then sure.”

His gaze was so deep she swallowed without realizing.

“…Let’s just say you’re drunk, then.”

She nestled quietly into his arms, blinking slowly. Better to wait until he was asleep before slipping away.

As long as she didn’t fall asleep first…

But her body relaxed, soothed by his warmth, by the comfort of his embrace. It was too cozy, too safe—and she drifted off.

She stirred faintly when he moved. She couldn’t open her eyes, though—his touch was too careful as he laid her down properly and pulled the blanket over her.

Then his clumsy hand brushed her hair.

“…!”

Awkward, but tender. His fingers trembled slightly as he stroked her hair.

“I think… I’m in love with you,” he whispered, voice low and steady, like a sigh.

“I’m trying to let go, but… it’s not working.”

Was this still drunken honesty—or was she dreaming?

His hand moved away, the door closed softly behind him.

When Taeryeong finally opened her eyes and checked the time—5:30 a.m.—her pupils quivered.

Too late for dreams.
Too early for drunkenness.