Chapter 4

　　“Huh? Where?”

　　She stood up, following his lead without thinking, her eyes wide with confusion.

　　Jihun tossed their empty plates and cups into a nearby bin.

　　“Where else?” he said lightly. “The hotel.”

　　“Already? We just got here!”

　　It had only been two hours since they’d escaped their room. They hadn’t gone for a walk or a swim yet. She watched him dust off his hands, her jaw agape.

　　“You said you were curious,” he said, turning to her. “About our child.”

　　“Huh?”

　　“Even if we make one right now, we won’t see them for ten months. Shouldn’t we get started?”

　　“Hey, you can’t be serious. We can’t just make one right now. That’s ridiculous!”

　　A child wasn’t made so easily. She dismissed it as a joke and chuckled, but he grabbed her hand, his grip firm but gentle. His dark eyes were completely serious.

　　“I’m in a hurry, Saebom.”

　　The gravity in his voice made her burst out laughing. He was truly an impossible man. Giving in to his relentless charm, she let him pull her along, swallowing a wave of sweet, blissful happiness.

* * *

　　Late that evening, Yura emerged from the hotel’s Japanese restaurant with a satisfied smile. She was so full that her dress belt felt uncomfortably tight. She turned to Minwook, who followed her out.

　　“Thanks for dinner. You really spoiled me. I’ll treat you to something even better next time.”

　　“You’d better,” Minwook teased, tapping her shoulder lightly before tucking his wallet into his suit jacket. “Do you have any idea how much sushi you ate?”

　　He loved to act like he was keeping score, but whenever they went somewhere nice, he never let her pay. Yura watched him walk ahead, hiding a smile. Just looking at him made her happy. Even if this was all she could do, just watch him.

　　Her eyes followed his retreating back as she hurried to catch up.

　　As they crossed the quiet hotel lobby, Minwook pulled his phone from his pocket, his steps halting as he checked the screen.

　　“Sorry,” he said. “I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”

　　“Okay. Go ahead.”

　　After he left, Yura opened her phone’s camera to check her reflection. Her cheeks were flushed. The single glass of sake she’d had was enough to send a pleasant warmth rushing to her face.

　　My lipstick is completely gone. Yura tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, studying her reflection in her phone’s dark screen. Just then, someone slammed into her shoulder.

　　“Ah!”

　　The sharp sting of the impact made her head snap up. A familiar face looked down at her. Her eyes widened in recognition. It was her ex-husband.

　　She never dreamed she would run into him like this, without a shred of warning. Yura stared blankly up at the man with his imposing build and fierce eyes just as she remembered them. Her ex-husband, Hyungwook, raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the encounter. He wasn’t alone; a woman was practically glued to his side.

　　“Well, fancy meeting you here,” he sneered, the corner of his mouth twisting into a nasty smirk. “What, are you here for a little fun with a man, too?”

　　At his vile insinuation, Yura gritted her teeth. He hadn’t changed a bit. A shudder ran through her as she looked at him, his tone as vulgar and snide as ever.

　　“Your mouth is as foul as ever.”

　　“What?”

　　“Don’t waste your time on me. Just go about your business, Hyungwook. I’ll be on my way.”

　　He was the last person on earth she wanted to see, and the encounter was revolting. But her wish was not so easily granted. Before she could leave, he grabbed her wrist.

　　Hyungwook tightened his grip, baring his teeth. “You can’t be serious. You’re as insolent as ever.”

　　“What did you say?”

　　“You’ve always been a pain in the ass. So damn arrogant, always coasting on your father’s connections.”

　　Yura’s lips tightened. He had belittled her from their very first meeting, and they had never clicked, not even at their arranged introduction. If not for her father’s insistence, she never would have married him.

　　Her expression hardened as she recalled his transgressions: how he’d begun carousing the day after their wedding, his infidelity a daily ritual that kept him from ever coming home. Hyungwook was a man with a short fuse, quick to use his fists when things didn’t go his way. For years, Yura had endured it all in silent fear. The day he threw an ashtray at her, splitting her forehead open, was the day she finally filed for divorce, desperate to escape the miserable marriage.

　　Returning to the present, Yura twisted her wrist, trying to break free. At that moment, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

　　“It’s been a while, Mr. Park.”

　　She turned to see Minwook approaching, his expression a cold mask. Only then did Hyungwook release her, his attention shifting.

　　“Well, look who it is. If it isn’t Lawyer Minwook Seo, the one who handled our divorce.”

　　“We meet again,” Minwook said evenly. “Seoul’s a small town, I guess. But what’s this? Did you two come here together?”

　　He scoffed, his gaze darting between her and Minwook. “Ah, now I get it. You two had something going on from the start, didn’t you? You framed me as the cheater to clean me out, is that it?”

　　He must have jumped to that conclusion after seeing them together. Yura shot him a look of pity, disgusted by his ridiculous assumptions.

　　Minwook just laughed lightly. “You should watch your mouth. Surely you don’t think we’d be as sordid as you, Mr. Park.”

　　“What?”

　　“They say you only see what you know. I suppose this is a perfect example of that.”

　　“You’ve got to be kidding me! You bastards, ganging up on me!” Enraged, Hyungwook yelled and lunged at him.

　　But that was as far as he got. In one swift motion, Minwook caught Hyungwook’s arm, subduing him.

　　“You should go before you cause a bigger scene,” he advised calmly. “Don’t make a scene in front of your date.”

　　At Minwook’s suggestion, the woman beside him, fidgeting, linked her arm through Hyungwook’s, urging him to leave. It seemed she had no desire to be further humiliated.

　　“Tsk, what rotten luck,” Hyungwook growled, brandishing a fist he didn’t dare use before finally stalking away, the woman in tow.

　　Only then did Yura let out a long sigh of relief. She was grateful Minwook’s intervention had kept things from escalating. He turned her to face him, his voice gentle.

　　“Are you okay?”

　　“Huh?”

　　“Are you hurt? He grabbed you.”

　　His worried gaze made her heart flutter.

　　Yura shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. “I’m fine. Really.”

　　But he immediately took her hand, his eyes falling to the red marks on her wrist where Hyungwook had gripped her. He frowned.

　　“What do you mean, you’re fine? Your wrist is bright red.”

　　Seeing his serious expression, a smile spread across her lips. Yura covered her mouth with the back of her hand, trying to stifle a laugh.

　　“What’s so funny?” Minwook asked, his touch gentle as he rubbed her arm. He looked genuinely puzzled.

　　Yura let out a bashful giggle. “I’m happy.”

　　“What?”

　　“Because you were worried. Because you got angry for me. That makes me happy.”

　　She could read the affection in the furrow of his brow, and it thrilled her. She loved being the sole focus of his attention. Grinning, she met his eyes.

　　“You find happiness in the strangest things. How can you laugh right now?”

　　Hyungwook had already vanished from her thoughts. Her mind was filled with Minwook. Unable to control her smile, Yura looked up as he gave her a playful tap on the forehead.

　　“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

　　His voice was like honey to her ears.

　　As he let go of her hand and started to exit the hotel, Yura rushed forward and threw her arms around him from behind. Her heart pounded wildly as she buried her face in the expanse of his back. Startled by her sudden embrace, Minwook made a flustered sound.

　　“Hey.”

　　“I’ll wait,” she whispered into his coat. “I’ll wait for you to like me back. I’ll do my best.”

　　It was okay if she couldn’t win his heart right away. She would just have to try harder. Yura tightened her arms, hugging his waist fiercely.

　　“I like you. I like you so, so much.”

　　She couldn’t control the feeling that burst inside her like a firework. She inhaled his scent, a subtle fragrance clinging to his brown coat. She wouldn’t mind if time stopped right here, in this perfect moment.

　　“Silly girl,” he murmured. “Couldn’t even wait a little while to confess again, could you?”

　　“But…”

　　“I like you, too.”

　　At his low voice, Yura’s eyes widened. She released her hold, and as he turned to face her, she met his gaze, needing to confirm what she’d just heard. He must have read the question in her eyes, because he spoke again.

　　“I said, I like you, too.”

　　His sweet voice washed over her, and the chilly wind rustling through her hair seemed to disappear. Standing there, completely dazed, Yura asked in a trembling voice, “Really…?”

　　“Do I look like the kind of person who jokes about something like this?”

　　“No, but… how?” She had no idea he felt the same way. She’d never sensed any sign of it, and they’d never shared any real physical affection.

　　“Why else would I go on dates with you all the time?”

　　“That’s because I kept pestering you to make time for me.”

　　“I don’t have dinner with just anyone. And I’m even pickier about who I have drinks with.”

　　Yura blinked rapidly. Come to think of it, Minwook had never once refused her. He’d never said no to her suggestions to eat or see a movie. So all of that was because he was interested in me?

　　Her lips slowly parted.

　　“At first, I just thought of you as a close friend,” he admitted. “But I was wrong. You’re on my mind.” Yura was speechless as he continued. “The way you follow me around like a puppy, the way you try so hard to make things work between us. The way your expression changes with my every word, my every look… all of it.”

　　A faint smile touched Minwook’s lips as he regarded her astonished expression.