Chapter 15: Just Close Your Eyes Once

After wrapping up the late-night radio news, I headed straight home.

Suppressing the drowsiness slowly washing over me, I set a glass of iced coffee down on the living room table.

— Did you download the files?

“Yes. I just opened them now.”

Jae-Ha’s voice came through the phone.

I was sitting on the sofa, reviewing the documents he had sent regarding Hojin Group’s business restructuring and investment plans.

— I’ll explain it in a way that’s easy to follow. The reason Seo Ji-Han is trying to invest in Intech is…

Just as I was about to scroll down, the doorbell echoed through the apartment.

“Hold on a second. I think someone’s at the door.”

I checked the intercom, and there stood a familiar face.

“…Ha.”

A sigh slipped from my lips.

— Who is it?

“It’s Seo Ji-Han. I should go see what he wants. I’ll call you back.”

Closing my laptop, I ended the call with Jae-Ha.

As I walked to the front door, Ji-Han kept pressing the bell relentlessly, clearly sure I was home.

“It’s late. You show up unannounced at this hour?”

There he stood, past ten at night, nonchalant as ever. Behind him stood a line of bodyguards.

“I came to move my stuff in. Figured it was time we just combined everything.”

“And you’re just springing that on me now? Hold on.”

We hadn’t even had a proper conversation, and he showed up with boxes?

Ji-Han hadn’t changed one bit—still acting entirely on his own terms.

“Good evening, ma’am. Apologies for the intrusion.”

His chief of staff, Mr. Kim, bowed politely, then reached over and opened the door I was holding.

“It won’t take long. I only packed the essentials.”

“Stop it.”

But my words were completely ignored as the guards carried his belongings inside.

In less than five minutes, they re-emerged with the chief of staff.

“All done, sir. Sorry to have startled you this late. My apologies, ma’am.”

“That’s enough. You’re dismissed.”

Ji-Han waved them off with a flick of his hand. Once the group disappeared down the hallway, silence returned to the corridor.

“Sigh… You should leave too.”

Stubborn, as always.

Once he set his mind on something, Ji-Han wouldn’t back down until he followed through. Seeing no point in continuing this headache of an exchange, I turned away.

But he stepped forward and grabbed my wrist.

“…Seo Ji-Han!”

“Could you not look at me like that?”

“…What?”

…Is he drunk?

I hadn’t noticed from afar, but now that he was closer, the strong scent of alcohol hit me hard.

Despite his half-complaining tone, there was no malice in his eyes—on the contrary, he seemed amused.

“You’re not usually so prickly, are you?”

“…Huh?”

“Like it or not, we’re going to be married. We should try to get along.”

Get along? He must be insane. Was this the alcohol talking?

Lately, he had probably started to notice how much I had changed.

He was finally letting his real face show. And he kept smiling, as if all of this somehow pleased him.

“What’s making you so happy right now?”

“Ah, it’s a meaningful day.”

I had already heard from Park Hyeon-Ik that Ji-Han had made contact with Vice President Kim Young-Min.

A meaningful day, huh…

Right. Today was the day your place as Hojin Group’s heir had become secure.

“Anyway, I want to come inside. I’ve got some things to talk about.”

His voice was light, his expression relaxed—as though backing me into a corner brought him joy.

How far did he plan to push me…?

The sound of a neighbor’s door opening made him finally let go of my wrist.

What impeccable timing.

“…Come in.”

Left with no other option, I let Ji-Han into my apartment.

He trailed in behind me, watching as I turned briskly away from the door.

When I went into the kitchen and drank a glass of water nonstop, I could feel his gaze on me.

Then, he turned his eyes away and glanced around the apartment before asking, “Is the house comfortable?”

“……”

“I received the report after construction, but it’s my first time seeing it in person.”

Complete indifference.

The interior renovations had been finished ages ago, and he hadn’t set foot in the place once.

He was probably too busy building a life with Chae Seo-Rin to care about this place.

I let out a dry laugh. There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes now as he finally took interest in his supposed home.

“Funny timing for you to start asking.”

“I’ve been busy… Once the shareholder meeting’s over, let’s start living together.”

Was he actually serious about moving in? He had already brought his things—so clearly, he thought of us as a real married couple.

What was I supposed to do with this man who fully believed in that fantasy?

Once he finished looking around, he sat across from me and met my gaze.

After a long silence, he asked, “Have you been seeing my brother again? Someone said they saw you two out together.”

My hand trembled slightly as I held the glass of water.

Lowering the glass back to the table, I met Ji-Han’s unwavering eyes.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You went back to work, didn’t you? I heard you rejoined the radio news team.”

Ji-Han picked up the overturned water glass beside me and poured himself some water.

“I didn’t think you wanted to work that badly… Fine, I won’t stop you from returning.”

“……”

“But I’d rather you didn’t keep secrets from me.”

So, he had found out I’d returned to work.

From the chill in his voice, it seemed he might also know I had met with Jae-Ha last night.

Secrets, huh?

Talk about double-faced.

“There are more eyes on you than you realize.”

“…Ha.”

Whoever reported back to him, they should’ve at least gotten the facts right.

I looked straight into his cold eyes and said,

“Didn’t he tell you? It was purely coincidental—we happened to run into each other at the station.”

“……”

“And why exactly should I have to explain my meeting with Jae-Ha to you?”

My sharp tone made his gaze briefly harden.

No… not yet. Don’t suspect me yet, Ji-Han.

He had to believe me until the shareholder meeting—so the betrayal would cut deeper when it came.

I took a deep breath and brushed my lips to hide the disgust that surged within me.

“My parents… aren’t doing well.”

“What?”

“They’re in a coma, and things got worse overnight.”

I had just gotten word from Dr. Kim, and the chairman had called me shortly after to check in.

Even your grandfather is worried about me, Ji-Han.

And yet, you—my soon-to-be husband—show up only to accuse and interrogate?

“Yesterday was also my first day back at work. I had to go visit them, but I was too exhausted to drive.”

That’s when his frozen expression started to soften.

“Jae-Ha gave me a ride to the hospital.”

He’d probably already heard the doctor’s prognosis by now.

“You say you want to be my husband… And you come here just to accuse me?”

My eyes welled up, and he looked startled, quickly shaking his head.

His cold demeanor finally eased, seemingly convinced by my answer.

“I was wrong. I didn’t think it through. I didn’t come here to corner you.”

He lifted the glass and downed the rest in one gulp.

“The marriage registration form I gave you—did you fill it out?”

He set the glass down and looked at me.

As if I’d filled that out.

My face must’ve given me away, because Ji-Han sighed faintly. “I figured you hadn’t yet.”

He stood and walked over to where I was still standing, gripping the edge of the table.

“I know now’s not the time, but we can’t stay engaged forever. Public perception matters, and it’s better for you to settle down, too.”

He took my trembling hand into his, feigning concern. But each time his cold fingertips touched mine, I flinched.

“Let’s have the ceremony next year and invite the family. Just fill out the registration with no blanks—I’ll submit it.”

A deep, burning anger surged from within. I could barely contain myself as he spoke with such casual arrogance.

“I don’t think anything will happen to your parents, but… you never know.”

“……”

“I’ll become your family. You’re not alone.”

His words weren’t slurred—they were steady and deliberate.

He wasn’t just talking about marriage. He was promising to be my husband, my guardian, and to take over W Group.

But was any of that sincere?

The promise to become my family, to be my shelter—it was all a lie.

You’re the one who kills me in the end…

I had been hit by a car driven by one of the men he hired.

I still remember his expression as he looked at me on the courthouse steps after the accident.

And now, the man before me, smiling gently—he terrified me.

Sigh…

It was disgusting to have to hear this garbage and pretend to smile. But the timing wasn’t right yet. So I swallowed my fury.

Even though my heart ached, I forced myself to endure it—with everything I had.

“I know you’re busy, so once the shareholder meeting ends tomorrow, I’ll fill it out.”

As he stood, he picked up the briefcase he had left on the stool.

“Send it through your secretary. Or give it to me directly—better yet.”

“…I will.”

Satisfied with my answer, he nodded.

“Ji-Han.”

As he turned to leave, I called out to him and stepped into his arms.

Just this once… Close your eyes.

He flinched slightly, surprised that I embraced him. The scent of alcohol mixed with his cologne made me sick to my stomach.

But if I thought about the future, it was something I could endure.

“Thank you… I’m glad you’re here. Honestly… I’m scared for tomorrow.”

The words barely made it past my lips.

There was a moment of silence.

“…Don’t push yourself too hard.” He gently patted my shoulder a couple of times.

When I lifted my head, our eyes met—his expression unreadable.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. Let’s go to the meeting together.”