Ji-

ors. I had barely slept, my mind replaying the events of the previous night on an endless loop: Min-ah's broken voice on the pho

kitchen island. The city spread out below me like a living map, buildings catching th

in-ah emerge, still swimming in my clothes, her hair tousled from sleep,

rm at corporate events, but in a raw, undeniable way that made my chest tighten. Her natural be

She's Min-ho's little sister.

s a woman with a business degree, dimples that could stop hearts, and

, attempting a smile that

hing inappropriate thought

ng to the coffee mach

pensive Italian espresso maker. She'd always been observa

enly, her back still to me as sh

n across my knuckles tigh

those hazel eyes

d simply, the truth slipping

of tension between us. Min-ah turned back to it,

kno

t dark liquid. As she handed one to me, our fingers b

king about the punch. "For being there last nigh

ffee to hide my ex

hing primitive took over. All I could see was her tear-streaked face, the devastation in her eyes when she'd called me. All I c

egun, backing away nervous

backward. The pain shooting through my knuckles was nothing compared to the

near her again, if you so much as breathe in her direction, I will dismantle

I was capable of. The Kang name carried weight in Seoul, and

," I added, straightening my

ith surprise, a flash of something else...respe

" she asked, no real

plied simpl

h said now, cradling her coffee

refully. "Do you want me

." She paused, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "I lef

o get them," I said imme

today. Get

isted. "And after we get

ne, if small, smile. "I don't think the heir to Lumière Cosmeti

humor. "How about this, I'll take you shopping, then to

ng determined. "I'm not letting

of steel beneath the sunny personality and dimpled smile. It was one of the many things I

id, moving to the refrigera

ed a modest but elegant outfit for her first day at Lumière: a cream silk blouse, tailored navy trouse

she asked, emerging f

n girl in my sweatpants to the poised businesswoman she was beco

eyes and revealed those devastating dimples.

I was struck by the change in her demeanor. The vulnerability of last night was still there, bene

thout answering, but the reminder of my own complicated situation damp

asked, those percepti

business. Are you ready to get

d, but she nodded. "As

ion radiating from her slight frame. When we pulled into

you," I offered, par

h. "No, I need to do thi

her decision. "If you're not back

a shaky sm

ng settling in my stomach. Min-ah was strong, but she was