g M

t opened directly into his penthouse. Unlike Jiho's flashier style, Ji-hoon's home was a study in underst

ly, leading me toward what must be a guest suite. "There should

fall to the marble floor with a wet slap. My reflection in the mirror shocked me, mascara streaked down my cheeks,

y another surge of pain as memories of Jiho's betrayal crashed through me. By the time I emerged,

led me. "Min-ah? I brough

ndle of clothes, a soft t-shirt, and sweatpant

ile that felt foreign on my face. "For e

position," Ji-hoon

, the words bursting out before I could stop them. "Five years, o

at his sides. "The fault is his

rt, I graduated at the top of my class, and I am accepted into an executive track internship at Lum

e," Ji-hoon said quietly, something u

ly curious. "Have you ever

ash of vulnerability quickly masked. "Get

to my knees, the sweatpants requiring multiple rolls at the waist to stay up. I felt

e childhood. The domesticity of the scene struck me forcefully. Here was one of Seoul's most p

the smile that spread acros

ted Min-ho," Ji-hoon replied, returning my smile. "Even when yo

eaming bowl he placed before me. "Those parties were so boring. Sneaking away

business theories with Ji-hoon while slurping noodl

aid fondly. "Always arguing, a

softly. "Not as Song Tae-woo's princess or Min-ho's bab

ways been extraordinary, Min-ah. Anyone w

my breath catch. Ji-hoon broke it first, turning away to fetch water. When

," I said carefully. "To Park Yo

ed visibly. "It

ed, my natural curiosity tempo

his pocket and placed a platinum ba

. "Why aren't

hoon said bluntly, the admissio

"Then why are y

nchalance but achieving only resignation. "Her family's pharmaceutical company has pat

ough my grief. "You're thirty years old, not some

e marries for love, Mimi," he said, using the

"You deserve that. Someone who challenges you, who sees you for who yo

y life had just imploded, and here I was, lecturing Ji-hoon about h

Ji-hoon asked, his v

ing. I'm just upset an

netrating gaze. The silence stretched between us,

g the subject. "The guest suite is yours, and this penthouse has bette

an arrange to have the family house opened early. I don

mphasis on the word "fiancée

re," he said flatly. "Th

est. I quickly suppressed it. "Still, I should ca

. "Jiho might not surv

. "Appa trusted him. I trusted him.

d it away angrily. "I hate that I'm still

rs, Min-ah. You're

y composure crumbling again. "In our bed. The

r and pulled me into his arms. I buried my face against his chest, the so

" Ji-hoon murmured, strokin

r faces inches apart.

cheek. "Because you loved him. Genuinely, completely. That's who you are,

tely aware of his hand on my face, the subtle spice of his c

eart suddenly racing for reasons

said, his voice rougher than b

ightly around me. "Thank you again," I said so

Min-ah," Ji-hoon promised, his

ngle. Betrayal and heartbreak over Jiho's infidelity. Anger at

her, arrange to open our Seoul house early, and begin piecing my life back together. Tomorrow I

the rain still pattering against the windows and the faint s