Yeonghwadang was bustling from early morning.
Today at lunchtime, CEO Jung Taeon would have a blind date at the Yeonghwadang annex. The counterpart was Han Jisoo, the youngest daughter of the eldest son of the Hanseong Group, and they had heard countless times to serve her with utmost care.
Sahee was assigned to clean the annex with Uncle Bang. While Cheoljun was usually the one encouraging Sahee not to cower in front of Chae Hyunji’s family, he looked shocked when Sahee appeared.
As they walked towards the annex, alone together, he asked in astonishment:
“Why did you come?”
“Aunt called saying they were short-handed.”
“Short-handed? That’s just the usual excuse! You could’ve just said you were busy with work!”
“Why bother?”
Sahee looked at Cheoljun with an expression that said he was making a fuss. Even as he opened the door to the annex, Cheoljun looked at Sahee with concern. Sahee, limping over the threshold, said bluntly:
“It’s over.”
“Huh?”
“Yesterday. It’s over.”
“Really?”
“I told you it wasn’t serious.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Just for a while?”
“Yeah.”
“Like a casual fling?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“Jung CEO? Seriously?”
Sahee glared at Cheoljun for a moment, and then Cheoljun let out a chuckle. He seemed somewhat relieved by the news that it was over.
If it were Madam Chun, she wouldn’t believe it, having seen CEO Jung Taeon looking after Sahee, but Cheoljun, not knowing the specifics, found it plausible to be relieved.
“Our Sahee is really amazing. My heart was pounding like crazy, you know?”
“What. Let’s just get ready. We’re busy.”
“Unya Unya.”
“……What was that?”
“It’s a trend with my girlfriend these days. Unya Unya.”
Sahee’s face scrunched up in an instant. She genuinely seemed relieved. Cheoljun exaggeratedly pouted his lips, babbling in a cute way.
“Isn’t it cute?”
“Not at all.”
“Unya Unya.”
“Oh…”
When Sahee showed true disgust, Cheoljun burst into laughter, throwing his head back. Sahee shook her head but eventually broke into a small smile.
As they entered further, she looked out through the large windows of the annex building. She easily imagined the two people who would soon be sitting across from each other. For a moment, the cherry tree still shedding its petals looked cruel.
It would be nice if there was a downpour, but spring was as clear as if painted. It was a perfect day for something to begin.
* * *
By the time they finished cleaning the annex, it was almost 11 o’clock.
Sahee checked the time on her phone and stretched her stiff back. Coincidentally, Cheoljun also seemed to have finished tending the yard, waving at her from the other side of the window.
Time to go back.
Sahee walked out of the annex at a slow pace. Due to not sleeping well, fatigue layered on her shoulders. She wanted to go back and rest.
“Uncle.”
“Uh, go on.”
“What about you?”
“I have to check your cleaning before I go, kid.”
Cheoljun approached briskly, looking down at her with the scrutiny of a strict inspector. Even when Sahee glared at him, he just puffed out his chest, snorting, “What are you going to do about it?”
The door opened at that moment. As the noise flooded in, both Sahee and Cheoljun turned their heads simultaneously. Min Yeojin entered the annex with Madam Chun beside her. Sahee flinched, exchanging a glance with Madam Chun.
“Ah, Madam!”
“Cheoljun, and Sahee is here too?”
“……Hello.”
“I haven’t interrupted, have I? I came to see how the preparations for the annex are going.”
“No interruption at all. We’re almost done.”
Cheoljun smiled affably and quickly ran over to Min Yeojin’s side. Sahee had no choice but to step back and watch the scene unfold.
“Hmm, looks good.”
“Did you go to the kitchen as well?”
“Yeah, I checked that too. Over there, right?”
Min Yeojin looked at the window connected to where the blind date would take place today. It was the same window Sahee had checked earlier.
“Yes. The cherry blossoms haven’t all fallen yet, so it’s pretty, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. Cheoljun must have worked hard.”
“Would you like to see inside? I’ll show you around.”
“Would you?”
“Please come this way.”
“Thank you.”
The three of them were walking side by side. Sahee stepped back cautiously. She lowered her head to avoid Min Yeojin’s notice, waiting for her to pass by.
“Ah.”
“……”
At that moment, Min Yeojin stopped. Slowly turning to look at Sahee, Sahee felt a chill in her heart.
“Sahee.”
“……Yes, Madam.”
“I actually had something to tell you, and here we meet. That’s fortunate.”
“You had something to say to Sahee?”
Madam Chun asked, surprised, looking at Min Yeojin. Min Yeojin, without even looking back at Madam Chun, kept her gaze fixed on Sahee and responded with a nod.
“Is Sahee busy today?”
“Huh? Why…”
“I’d like Sahee to serve at today’s meal.”
“……”
“No. I specifically want Sahee to serve.”
Min Yeojin looked at Sahee and smiled gently.
“Sahee? We’ve known each other for a long time, so it’s fine for us, but Sahee’s leg…”
“Her leg? Who cares about that these days? Madam Chun, Sahee might feel offended.”
“……It’s an important occasion, I’m worried she might make a mistake.”
“I’ve seen Sahee work well, why?”
“……”
“Is there any reason she can’t?”
Min Yeojin looked at Madam Chun with wide eyes. It was a petty threat, but for Min Yeojin, it wasn’t the time to discuss such things.
The news her secretary had delivered from Seoul three days ago.
Her son, who was seen going into a hotel room with a woman, holding her hand, not even trying to hide the limping woman, as if he wanted everyone to know. It made Min Yeojin burst out laughing in disbelief.
In his room, the condoms were gone, leaving only cute fairy tale books. The name on the cover scratched at her nerves.
Yeon Sahee.
This girl’s name.
****
By the time they finished cleaning the annex, it was nearly 11.
Sahee checked her phone and stretched her stiff back. Coincidentally, Cheoljun seemed to have just finished tidying up the yard. He waved at her through the window.
Time to head back.
Sahee walked out of the annex at a slow pace. A poor night’s sleep weighed on her shoulders. She just wanted to rest.
“Uncle.”
“Yeah, go on.”
“What about you?”
“I need to inspect your cleaning, kid.”
Cheoljun approached briskly, peering down like a stern inspector. Even when Sahee glared, he puffed up his chest and smirked like, what are you gonna do about it?
The door opened. Noise poured in, and both turned their heads. Min Yeojin entered the annex with Madam Chun beside her. Sahee flinched slightly, exchanging a glance with Madam Chun.
“Ah, Madam!”
“Cheoljun. And Sahee’s here too?”
“...Hello.”
“I haven’t interrupted, have I? I came to see how preparations were going.”
“No interruption at all. We’re nearly done.”
Cheoljun beamed and hurried to Min Yeojin’s side. Sahee instinctively stepped back, watching the scene unfold.
“Hmm, looks good.”
“Did you check the kitchen as well?”
“Yeah, I went by. Over there, right?”
Min Yeojin looked toward the window facing the area where the blind date would be held—the same one Sahee had looked through earlier.
“Yes. The cherry blossoms haven’t all fallen yet, so it’s quite pretty, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. Looks like Cheoljun’s done a great job.”
“Would you like to see inside? I’ll give you a quick tour.”
“Would you?”
“Please, this way.”
“Thank you.”
The three walked side by side. Sahee quietly stepped aside, lowering her head to avoid Min Yeojin’s notice.
“Ah.”
“...”
Min Yeojin paused. Slowly, she turned toward Sahee—sending a chill down Sahee’s spine.
“Sahee.”
“...Yes, Madam.”
“I’d actually been hoping to speak with you. Lucky we ran into each other.”
“You had something to say to Sahee?” Madam Chun asked, surprised.
Min Yeojin didn’t look at her. Her eyes stayed locked on Sahee.
“Are you busy today?”
“Huh? Why...”
“I’d like you to serve at today’s lunch.”
“...”
“No. I want you to serve.”
She gave Sahee a gentle smile.
“Sahee and I go way back, so it’s fine for us, but... her leg—”
“Her leg? Who even cares about that nowadays? Madam Chun, she might take offense.”
“...It’s an important occasion. I’m worried she could slip up.”
“I’ve seen her work—she’s fine.”
“...”
“Is there any reason she can’t?”
Min Yeojin widened her eyes at Madam Chun. A petty threat, but Min Yeojin wasn’t here to debate.
The news her secretary had brought from Seoul three days ago still clung to her.
Her son—caught entering a hotel with a woman. Holding her hand, not even hiding the limp, as though flaunting it.
It made Min Yeojin laugh, bitter and stunned.
In his room: no condoms, just children’s storybooks. The name on the cover scraped at her nerves.
Yeon Sahee.
That girl’s name.
How long had this been going on? Not knowing made her insides boil, even as she stood facing Sahee. She was surprised at herself—how could she still smile so generously?
“……No. There isn’t. I’ll go in and serve.”
The question was directed at Madam Chun, but it was Sahee who answered.
Min Yeojin shifted her cold, piercing gaze to her.
Sahee’s face was unreadable. That was a relief. If she had looked pitiful and shaken her head, saying she couldn’t do it, Min Yeojin might’ve grabbed her by the collar.
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s no big deal.”
“Thank you. I didn’t want to burden anyone, but suddenly I thought it would be nice if Sahee served. She’s so pretty, after all.”
Right?
Min Yeojin turned to Madam Chun and Cheoljun as if looking for agreement. Though it was clearly just a pretext, both of them smiled broadly and nodded with forced enthusiasm.
Having secured her upper hand, Min Yeojin finally smiled sweetly.
“Cheoljun, you were going to guide us?”
“Ah! Yes! This way, Madam.”
Cheoljun rushed to open the annex door. Madam Chun followed, glancing back at Sahee with concern.
Sahee shook her head slightly to reassure her. After a faint smile, the door closed.
It was going to be a long day. But perhaps it would help her sort out her feelings. A quiet exchange of looks would be enough to bring it all to an end.
Limping as she moved, Sahee lowered her gaze. A sharp pain clenched one side of her chest.
****
Thud, thud.
Taeon tapped his phone screen as he sat.
Did you sleep well? How are you feeling? — his early morning messages had gone unanswered.
She said she was tired. Maybe she was still asleep.
He considered calling Sahee but stopped. Her schedule was always unpredictable. It was foolish to expect consistency from an artist.
Still, the thirst inside him wouldn’t subside.
If she didn’t hate being seen with him so much, he’d have already whisked her away, tucked her in, curled up beside her. If she didn’t have a job, he would’ve given her a place—let her live on his lap. The thought of slipping his hand under her skirt or holding her sleeping body made his lower back ache.
Just then, Secretary Kim burst in. Taeon lowered his phone and looked up.
“CEO.”
He looked flustered. As he walked over quickly, his face grew even more serious—far too pale for a simple lunch update.
“What’s wrong?”
“They say Hanseong is arriving today.”
Taeon’s eyes, turning cold, fixed on him.
“Say it clearly.”
“……Madam forgot to tell us the blind date is today.”
“Oh, she forgot.”
Taeon let out a dry laugh.
“……Miss Han Jisoo’s party is already here. They’re asking you to get ready and join them.”
“So this is her revenge.”
He clicked his tongue softly, shaking his head. So petty—it meant she was bothered after all.
“Fine. Let’s eat first, then go.”
“Yes, I’ll make preparations.”
Taeon stood, pausing as he thought of the woman who hadn’t replied.
Yeon Sahee—still silent.
She often helped in the kitchen when she was bored. She probably hadn’t even been told about the blind date.
Picking up the phone again, Taeon called her.
Just one ring—then the automated voice:
—The customer you are trying to reach is unavailable. Please try again later…
Blocked? Or declined?
His lips twisted. His eyes turned steely.
He recalled how she had avoided him last night.
She had laughed off the broken bed, feigning embarrassment.
She’d accepted his card without resistance—only to get him to leave faster.
“CEO?”
Secretary Kim’s voice broke in, tentative.
****
“CEO!”
But Taeon didn’t stop walking.
He exited the annex, heading in the opposite direction of the blind date venue.
To her place.
Yeon Sahee’s corner of Yeonghwadang—secluded and worn—was now so familiar he could find it with his eyes closed.
Her quiet space, always a little neglected, always welcoming. He stepped inside the small annex without hesitation and opened her door.
She wasn’t sleeping. In fact, she wasn’t there at all. There was no warmth left.
Just her pajamas draped on the chair like a discarded shell.
Taeon let out a cold laugh and turned away.
Outside, Secretary Kim was on the phone, watching Taeon anxiously. Taeon motioned him over while slipping on his shoes. Kim bowed to the caller as he approached.
“Ah, yes. Madam. The CEO is on an urgent call with the head office. We’ll escort him shortly. Yes, understood.”
Taeon snatched the suit jacket from Kim’s arm.
“Was it my mother?”
“Yes. Miss Han Jisoo has arrived. Shall I take you there?”
“No. Stay here, Secretary Kim. Let me know when Yeon Sahee returns.”
“Excuse me?”
“The annex.”
“……Yes, sir.”
“Understood.”
Taeon left the small annex with wide strides.
By the time he walked away, the wildness in his posture had strangely calmed.
****
Jung Taeon showed up at the blind date venue twenty minutes late—after the guest had already taken her seat.
Min Yeojin’s secretary peeked into the makeshift kitchen and signaled to Sahee. She had been waiting silently after serving tea and now stood up. Both Madam Chun and Uncle Bang watched her with worried eyes.
There were too many other helpers around to say anything aloud, but even being glared at felt better than reacting to every whispered comment.
Ignoring the stares, Sahee gripped the cart handle. The freshly warmed dishes had been stacked in order by her aunt.
“I go out by floor, right? In the order they’re stacked?”
“Yes, yes. But Sahee… will you be okay?”
“What can I do? She asked for me.”
“That Madam. She knows your leg’s no good. Why make you serve? Rich folks are always a bit off. Want me to go instead?”
“No. It’s my job. No need.”
“True. But be careful.”
Her aunt muttered as she placed the last dish on the cart.
Tension had stiffened Sahee’s back. Jealousy surged where resignation once lived, crashing in without regard for its place.
“Just set them out according to the table and come back.”
“Understood.”
“Cheoljun, take the cart to the front for her.”
“Ah! Yes!”
Cheoljun, who had been watching her with concern, rushed over. He took the handle from Sahee and rolled the cart out of the kitchen.
Sahee limped after him. The sound of the wheels on the marble floor rang unnaturally loud.
Not far ahead, Min Yeojin stood waiting. She smiled warmly as Sahee approached the entrance.
“Cheoljun, here.”
“Uncle, give me the cart.”
“Huh? Oh…”
Cheoljun handed the cart back. Sahee gripped the handle tightly, leaning into it. Min Yeojin gently patted her tense shoulder, urging her to relax.
“Please.”
“……Yes.”
“Go in.”
Her breath caught for a moment.
Sahee gave a short bow before turning. Cheoljun knocked on the door, and a clear, cheerful female voice replied, “Come in!”
The woman who might marry him.
Sahee pushed the cart forward, her steps heavy. She leaned into the handle as she entered.
“Excuse me.”
She bowed politely, then lifted her head—and met CEO Jung Taeon’s gaze. Sahee looked at him as though waking from a long dream.
He was there. She was here. Everything had fallen into place. The man on the hill was now clearly visible.
What he was thinking, she couldn’t know. But perhaps to him, she had looked the same from the first day they met until now.
The woman from the old, worn annex. The servant who shared a night with him.
No kiss or embrace changed that. That thought made her feel incredibly small where she stood.
In the end, she was the first to look away. She pushed the cart forward with force. As she stepped closer, the fresh scent of fruit filled her lungs.
The same scent had lingered when she served tea earlier to the woman now seated here. After returning to the kitchen, the smell had clung to her hair. That was when the loathing bloomed. That was when she realized:
Min Yeojin had pushed her here to see.
To recognize the cliff she must never forget. Even in the same room, they lived in different worlds. To stop deluding herself.
“I’ll serve the meal.”
Sahee bowed, eyes downcast.
“Thank you. The tea was lovely too.”
“Yes.”
Han Jisoo smiled warmly. Sahee felt foolish and petty for not being able to smile back.
She focused on her work, taking dishes from the cart and placing them one by one on the table. She felt Taeon watching but did not turn.
At last, the final dish was set. Her task was done.
Now, as a supporting character in the story about to begin, all that remained was to clear the tea-stained cups. She reached for them.
“Have a nice time.”
Then it happened.
“Here.”
“……”
“Fill the water too.”
Taeon called out, gesturing to Han Jisoo’s glass, his eyes still on Sahee. For a moment, her gaze faltered.
He looked at her—waiting, as if to ask if there was a problem.
There was no time to process the humiliation. No time to compose herself. Before she could answer, Han Jisoo’s soft voice erased her.
“I tried not to show it, but I guess I did. My mom told me not to embarrass myself.”
“Is that so?”
Taeon’s eyes left Sahee.
“Yes. But I can’t help being nervous.”
Following his gaze, Sahee looked at Han Jisoo and bowed again. Even as she ignored the girlish confession, her heart felt scraped raw.
Bending to get the water jug from the cart, she remembered bowing beneath Min Yeojin’s gaze.
“You’re not used to this sort of thing?”
“No. I’ve done blind dates. I’m just nervous… because it’s you.”
Sahee quietly filled the glass. Clear water, almost trembling in its surface tension.
“Didn’t you hear? My mom told yours. I was so embarrassed. Why would she say that?”
“What?”
“That you were my first love.”
“Ah.”
“Of course, that’s not everything. So don’t feel pressured. I’ve had three loves before.”
Taeon gave a soft chuckle.
And that was when Sahee’s eyes turned back, unbidden. It was only a brief laugh, but seeing him genuinely amused with another woman—it shattered something inside her.
Jung Taeon and Yeon Sahee had never been something real. What he gave her, he could easily give to someone else. Maybe this—this gentle humor—was closer to his true self. Still, she wavered.
She had thought it was over. But perhaps a part of her believed it wasn’t.
Blocking his number, pretending indifference—she had recalled the man who sometimes held her too kindly. Had she thought she could hurt him too?
She’d mistaken her longing for desire. That was her delusion.
Before the feeling deepened, Sahee looked away.
“Oh, was that inappropriate? I know this is a blind date. I’m not being too serious—just saying, it was a brief thing.”
“No, it’s fine. I like your honesty.”
Han Jisoo smiled bashfully, relieved.
Sahee gave a short bow and turned, careful not to interrupt. But she dragged her foot out of habit. There wasn’t time to hide it, and the shame came quickly.
Even if she hadn’t limped, it wouldn’t change what they were. Whether she stumbled or walked tall—it was the same each time she wished to disappear.
The sound of wheels and her uneven steps created a broken rhythm as she escaped.
She set the cart down and opened the door quietly.
Min Yeojin was there, as if waiting. Their eyes met through the crack.
If she had come to witness Sahee’s despair, she had chosen the perfect moment. Min Yeojin smiled at Sahee’s stiff expression.
Click.
The door closed. Their voices faded.
At the same time, Cheoljun approached. He reached for the cart—but froze when he saw her trembling hand still on the handle.
“Sahee, thank you. You worked hard.”
“It’s nothing.”
“I kept a busy person too long. You can go now.”
“……Yes. Then I’ll head back.”
Sahee placed the cart near the entrance and bowed deeply. Min Yeojin finally smiled with satisfaction, her voice lighter, as if a burden had been lifted.
“It’ll take them a while to finish their meal and talk. I should have some tea too.”
“Oh, oh, would you like that? I’ll serve you.”
“Yes, that would be nice. Cheoljun, why don’t you keep me company today?”
“Of course. Madam, please come this way.”
Min Yeojin walked past Sahee with light steps. Sahee, still standing, took a steadying breath and stepped forward.
As she left the annex, she could no longer recall what foolish hopes she had clung to. From the moment she lay in the same bed as CEO Jung Taeon, she should have known—there would be no closeness. Sharing that night meant staying forever apart.
It didn’t matter what he thought. Even if he could shamelessly face her again, she was no longer that person. She no longer wanted to see CEO Jung Taeon—even if only briefly, even in passing while serving.
Perhaps this was exactly what Min Yeojin had intended. And not defying her wishes any further came as a strange kind of relief. Sahee steadied her trembling breath with one long exhale.
He might be watching through the window. Until she left the annex, she wouldn’t allow herself to break.
****
“Actually, I was worried.”
Click. As the door shut, Han Jisoo slumped her shoulders. Taeon, eyes still on the blind date table Sahee had prepared, slowly lifted his gaze.
“About what?”
Han Jisoo’s wavering expression softened as Taeon offered a faint smile.
“Jiyoon oppa. My cousin—he went to the same university as you, right? He was really against me coming here. Said you’re not the kind of man who could give me the married life I want.”
“Ah, Han Jiyoon.”
“Yes. He said every time you date, you act all domineering. Asked if I could handle that. Seriously.”
Han Jisoo pouted, clearly annoyed.
She remembered how passionately her cousin had tried to stop the date. At a family gathering, he’d called the idea absurd, arguing that Taeon’s relationships were always one-sided.
When someone asked why Jiyoon himself only dated older women in college, he’d said it was because they didn’t cling. But even that sounded more like domination than detachment—he’d cut them off cold if they didn’t yield.
He’d scoffed, “If you’re serious, you can’t handle a man like Jung Taeon.”
During the twenty minutes she waited, Jisoo had briefly wondered if he was right. But… hadn’t he smiled at her? Those eyes, cold and distant, might seem rude—but that was just his way.
“But maybe he just scared me too much.”
She smiled brightly, visibly relieved.
Domineering, huh.
Taeon’s lips quirked at the same moment as hers. Through the window, Yeon Sahee was still visible. Her back, straight and unshaken, never turned once.
He had blocked her, ended it—but her eyes had trembled at just a short laugh. A dry, ironic smile pulled at his lips.
This had Min Yeojin written all over it.
He had walked around Seoul with Sahee like it was nothing. Thinking Min Yeojin wouldn’t notice had been naive. Maybe she had warned him, and he’d just ignored it.
In the end, he was the one who brought Sahee here. It was all meaningless now. He no longer found thrill in provoking her for a reaction.
The childish idea of making her stand before this wall from start to finish had collapsed before the silent weight of Yeon Sahee, who floated in this space like someone uninvited.
“This place, Yeonghwadang, is really beautiful.”
Jisoo followed Taeon’s gaze, smiling as she looked out at the cherry blossoms.
“I was nervous when I heard it used to be a shaman’s house. But the road here—lined with cherry blossoms—it was the most beautiful spring walk I’ve ever taken. Like walking through petals.”
“The chairman put a lot of care into it.”
“I’ve heard bits of the story. I don’t get all of it, but I can feel it.”
Jisoo laughed, as though the connection between Yeonghwadang and the Jeongmun Group meant little to her. Taeon tilted his head and smiled, then gestured to the food.
“It’ll get cold. Let’s eat first.”
“Great. I was starving. Everything looks amazing.”
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, full of sincerity—or at least well-meaning charm.
The staff at Yeonghwadang might not match the hotel chefs she was used to, but this was flattery. Yet for Taeon, it wasn’t entirely false.
He glanced at the dishes, neatly arranged on the table, and picked up his chopsticks.
He chewed slowly—as if savoring the taste of Yeon Sahee’s resignation that had been served along with the food.
Ironically, it was delicious.
Just like her pale fingertips when she’d set down the final plate.
****
Leaning against the annex wall, Sahee slowly slid down.
She glanced around—no one was watching. The sky was clear. Leaves rustled in the wind.
This, now, was the backdrop for today’s two leads inside the annex. The memory of the woman’s cheerful voice chattering over the silence of pouring water made Sahee let out a bitter chuckle.
“I should go.”
She pressed her palms to her reddened eyes. Using the wall for balance, she stood.
She wanted to go home. To hide where no one could see her miserable face.
If she’d really felt nothing, she would’ve cried quietly in her room. But she’d insisted to Cheoljun that she was fine—and now, those words stabbed like betrayal.
Even that plan, though, was thwarted.
Secretary Kim stood waiting in front of the annex.
“Ah! You’re back!”
Why was he here?
Sahee had stepped into the courtyard hoping to breathe—but seeing him, she frowned and sighed sharply. Her discomfort was obvious. Secretary Kim shrank a little under her stare.
“Why are you here?”
Even if she already knew whose order it was, she asked anyway. Secretary Kim looked troubled.
“The CEO waited for you, then left. He asked me to let him know when you returned…”
“I’ve already seen him.”
“Huh?”
“I was coming back from the annex.”
She had seen him there. At Sahee’s words, Secretary Kim finally understood and parted his lips slightly.
At that moment, she remembered the items she had packed into a small shopping bag that morning. A strange relief. Maybe she should even thank him—for saving her the pain of going to find him.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
“Huh? Oh, okay.”
Sahee stepped past him and onto the threshold. Sitting to take off her sneakers, she noticed the door was slightly ajar.
“……”
Had he waited? Had he casually opened it?
Even so, he had only waited about twenty minutes. Whatever he’d intended to say—that was the extent of it.
A wry, hollow laugh escaped her.
She opened the door without hesitation and went inside. She picked up the small shopping bag she had prepared that morning.
The watch. The card. The anklet.
They were all in there—items that now felt unbearably heavy.
She looked at the bag sitting on the corner of the desk for a long time. To CEO Jung Taeon, these things were probably just items to give and take without a second thought. Just like her name, which to him was likely no different than any other woman’s.
Sahee stepped out of the room. Secretary Kim, typing something on his phone, quickly looked up. He hurried over as she put on her sneakers.
“Where are you going?”
No—she was returning. Returning to where Yeon Sahee belonged.
Without answering, she stood and held out the shopping bag.
“Give this to him.”
“Huh?”
When she pushed the bag toward him with a firm look, he reluctantly took it. After a quick glance at the contents, his expression turned awkward.
“Now, please leave.”
“……”
“Whatever you tell the CEO, I’m uncomfortable with you standing here in my private space.”
As she looked at him, Secretary Kim slowly backed away. He glanced over his shoulder once but then turned and left the annex.
Sahee stood there, watching him for a long time.
To face the end by looking at the back of his secretary instead of the man himself—how pitiful. Even the passing breeze seemed to scrape at her chest.
The moment she turned away, tears spilled down her cheeks. She wiped them with the back of her hand, hard—but they only fell faster.
She rushed into her room. Only after locking the door did a narrow sense of relief settle in. At last, she was alone.
This was her only chance to be sad.
Even through the blur of tears, the sight of the bare wall made her laugh. The gaze that once poured over this room had finally broken her to her knees.
“Ugh…”
She shouldn’t have been proud. She should have just been easy. She should have laughed like it didn’t matter. Her feelings meant nothing anyway.
Burying her head in her knees, she was overcome with pointless regrets.
The scent of fruit from that woman in the annex still lingered in her memory. It made her stomach turn. Her chest ached, and a low sob escaped as she clawed at her throat.
“Ugh…”
The woman who turned back when Sahee served tea had a radiant face. Her “Thank you,” spoken with smiling eyes free of shadows, humiliated Sahee just to witness.
The fact that someone in the world could wait for him without a trace of hesitation—it crushed her.
“Fill the water, please.”
That simple command had laid bare the chasm between them. It made her reel.
She had only ever seen him in a dream. That wasn’t a meeting—it was an illusion.
With that realization, her ankles throbbed. The old anxieties returned, and tears filled her eyes again.
She hugged her knees. Pressing her face to them, she cried in silence.
The sunlight that had passed noon scattered across her bowed head.
Even that was too much of a tragic love for someone never meant to be more than a supporting role.
****
About an hour for lunch. A couple more for the formal meeting. After that, Han Jisoo, who had supposedly enjoyed her time with his mother, spent another three or four hours in meaningless conversation.
By the time it all ended, the sky had begun to lean into evening.
As Han Jisoo left to say goodbye to his mother, Taeon checked his phone. A message from Secretary Kim.
[She’s back.]
1:27 PM.
If she had returned to the annex right after serving, that timing made sense.
He remembered the clock behind Han Jisoo as she went on about what dish she’d liked best. Taeon stretched his neck, slowly.
“Taeon.”
Just then, his mother’s clear voice rang out across the annex courtyard. Looking up, he saw her beside Han Jisoo, smiling brightly. The two were putting on their shoes, helping each other like a mother and daughter.
“When are you going back to America?”
“In three days. I’ll miss it.”
“I know. Tell your oppa to visit sometime. It would be nice to show him around campus.”
“He’s busy, isn’t he?”
“I wouldn’t throw a busy man at our precious Jisoo.”
Min Yeojin patted Han Jisoo’s hip playfully. Han Jisoo replied with a shy smile.
She had said she didn’t need to see her again, and now here she was, playing the perfect mother-in-law.
It was hard to hide the ironic curve at the edge of Taeon’s lips. She was doing it on purpose, of course.
“Son, go see Jisoo off.”
Min Yeojin gently positioned Han Jisoo beside him with a sweet smile.
“I’ll call when I get there, ma’am.”
“Please do. And thank you, Jisoo, for coming all the way here. You worked hard.”
“No, it was a nice break. And lovely to see you.”
Min Yeojin hugged Han Jisoo, patting her back fondly. For a moment, it seemed like no one could tell who the blind date had been for.
She was so warm, so sincere, that even her hidden motives became unreadable.
“Let’s go.”
Taeon, eyes cold, said curtly.
“Yes, I’ll head out.”
“Take care!”
She was overly enthusiastic even while leaving the annex. Taeon, pretending to be annoyed, let out a quiet laugh and gave a nod toward her. As they stepped out, the attendants bowed.
“Oppa, today was fun.”