Ji Han asked me with an audacious look if I had nothing to say to him.
“No, I do not.”
There was no way I would want to say anything more to him. Turning away after firmly declaring that, I felt Ji Han grab my wrist.
“No, you must have something to say.”
I sensed the curious glances of passersby briefly flick toward us. His intense gaze made it clear he would not let go, so I reluctantly followed him. After all, causing a scene right outside the broadcasting station would not do either of us any good.
Not a single word was exchanged as we walked to Ji Han’s car parked within the company premises. Once inside the car, Ji Han was the first to break the silence.
“You are planning to return to work?”
“Yes. That is what I want.”
“But did we not agree you would resign from the broadcasting station?”
I remembered then. My in-laws had wanted me to focus on supporting him, so I had decided to quit. Back before my regression, I had not known anything, so that decision had been made by my past self. Turning my body toward him, I saw his face, staring straight ahead, looking slightly angry.
“My mind has changed.”
“Then why did you not tell me about it?”
Ji Han’s tone was clearly irritated as he pressed me about our earlier conversation.
“And the same goes for showing up at the shareholders’ meeting.”
He looked frustrated, as if he could not understand me at all while bringing up old matters.
“You have been acting strange lately. It is like you have become a completely different person overnight.”
Well, of course. The woman he had known was already dead in front of the courthouse. After leaving the broadcasting station, he seemed to be heading toward the newlywed apartment where I was staying. At a red light, he turned his head from the road ahead toward me.
“I understand your attachment to the anchor position. You took it despite your family elders’ objections.”
You understood?
“But that is not the case anymore.”
Apparently, he had done quite a bit of research about me before our marriage.
“People are already watching you closely. I do not want my wife becoming gossip fodder.”
His piercing eyes bore into me fiercely. Though he carefully wrapped his words in gentleness, his true meaning was clear: do not do anything.
“Mr. Seo Ji Han, I will handle my own affairs.”
“How can it be just your affair? You are now the face of Ho Jin too. Do not say such irresponsible things.”
At my words, spoken after a long silence, his face hardened instantly. Through the car window, the familiar view of my apartment complex came into sight. Before I could say anything, my phone vibrated and lit up in my hand.
“Mr. Hyun Ik.” I saw the familiar name on the screen.
Ji Han, having just finished parking, glanced toward the ringing phone. Pretending not to recognize the name even though he clearly saw it, he asked, “Are you not going to answer?”
“I will call back later.”
When I did not pick up, the call ended, and shortly after, a text message arrived.
“Seems like you have been in frequent contact with Attorney Park lately?”
The Ji Han who had just raised his voice was gone. Now he seemed as rational as ever. When I looked up from my phone, he was staring intensely, as if trying to dig into my thoughts.
“He is W Group’s legal counsel.”
I grabbed my bag and unbuckled my seatbelt. Just as I reached for the door handle, I heard Ji Han’s quiet voice.
“Wait a moment.”
He stopped me before I could get out. Ji Han turned and pulled something from the back seat.
That is…
It was the wedding ring he had never managed to put on my finger at our wedding. Ji Han took the ring from its case and slid it onto my ring finger.
“I heard most brides feel uneasy before their wedding.”
He glanced at me briefly before continuing.
“If even ordinary brides feel that way, it is understandable for you. You have been through something major.”
But that is not why at all.
How dare you pretend to care, pretend to understand me?
“I am genuinely worried you will get hurt in the midst of all this turmoil.”
Ji Han gave me a sorrowful look, as if he pitied me more than anyone else.
“You do not have to do anything, Yeo Jin. Just stay as you are.”
Had he ever called my name so tenderly before? I knew his words were meant to break down my guard, yet my mind grew hazy. I had thought I was well-prepared, but seeing that ring made all my efforts dissolve. I nearly burst into tears again.
“Just stay right where you are, like a sheltered flower, knowing nothing.”
As easily as I will take it all away.
It felt as if Ji Han, the man who had stolen everything from me in my past life, kept whispering into my ear. His smile as he looked at me filled me with genuine revulsion, because I knew exactly what lay hidden beneath his gentle words.
“Lean on me and rest.”
Back at home, burning with unresolved anger, I opened the wine cellar. I lifted the half-empty bottle and drank straight from it, wine spilling down my throat and soaking into my blouse.
“Ha.”
I drained every last drop from the half-full bottle. Yet my thirst and the heat suffusing my body refused to subside. If only I could get drunk. Instead, my mind felt unnervingly sharper. Resting my forehead on the dining table, I caught the glint of the wedding ring Ji Han had placed on my finger.
It was a designer piece, famed for its intricate diamond cut, said to be one of a kind in the world. I pictured Ji Han slipping this same ring onto my finger in my past life. I saw myself once again, comforted by this ring.
“Why did I believe you? Why?”
The memory of that version of myself made my chest ache unbearably. How could I not have seen through his obvious hypocrisy? Now, the brilliantly gleaming ring was nothing but a shackle on my finger. Staring at the ring, as if it whispered that I would gradually let go of everything, I let out a groan.
There would be no concessions this life. Not the anchor position, not W Group. Not to either of them.
“I will not let things unfold as you wish.”
My phone lit up brightly on the island countertop with a vibration.
“Hello?”
It was Jae Ha. He had called first after reading my message saying I wanted to meet. I did not expect you to reach out so suddenly. You really want to meet now?
“Yes. If possible, I would like to see you today.”
There was a brief silence on the other end at the word today. Have you eaten?
“No, not yet.”
Then come out. Let us have dinner.
I heard Jae Ha’s low voice through the phone. Not in the mood for food, I remained seated on the stool, staring at the empty wine bottle before me.
“Let us skip dinner.”
Even after drinking nearly the whole bottle, I was not drunk. I wanted to drink enough to forget everything. Staring at the marriage ring, shimmering with an oddly delicate light, I slipped it off and placed it on the table.
“How about just a drink instead?”
Jae Ha’s car, which had been driving silently, began to slow as we neared our destination.
A hotel?
I looked at Jae Ha as the car came to a gentle stop at the hotel entrance. But he stepped out casually and walked around to the passenger side, tapping on the window.
“Get out.”
“We are drinking here?”
I rolled down the window and pointed toward the hotel behind us. Jae Ha gave a lazy smile at my pointed question and leaned through the open window.
“Then what did you have in mind?”
I gestured toward the hotel, meeting his meaningful gaze.
“No, it is just that the place feels a bit…”
“The atmosphere here is nice. Come on, get out. It is already late.”
Well, it was a five-star hotel, so of course the ambiance would be pleasant. Ultimately, losing the will to argue further, I followed him inside. For an impromptu meeting, the setting felt oddly well-prepared.
“Did you make a reservation?”
The lobby was bustling with people during dinner hour. Glancing around, I asked Jae Ha, who was walking ahead of me.
“You must have reserved it, right? You cannot just walk into a place like this without booking. Besides, look at the timing.”
He turned back with an expression that said it was obvious.
“It is peak hour.”
“You are thorough.”
“That is just how I am.”
Fair enough. But his completely unfazed agreement left me so dumbfounded I let out a hollow laugh. Jae Ha offered a faint smile and walked over to a staff member at the wine bar.
“Are you Mr. Seo Jae Ha?”
“Yes.”
I followed the attendant for a few steps before stopping. Right by the floor-to-ceiling windows was a table marked reserved. A small scented candle cast a soft glow over the table.
“This is your reserved seat, Mr. Seo Jae Ha. Have a pleasant evening.”
Beyond the large window, the headlights of cars driving along the Han River created a breathtaking view. After ordering wine and a simple starter, Jae Ha finally turned his attention to me. Soon after, two wine glasses were placed before us along with the bottle.
“Oh, just one glass is fine.”
I handed back one of the glasses to the server.
“I do not plan to drink.”
“You are not drinking?”
“No.”
His firm answer caught me off guard. I had not expected it. After all, I had come here assuming we would drink together. Just as I was wondering whether to change venues, Jae Ha spoke.
“I have a car, and it is late. I cannot send you home alone.”
His casual remark, paired with a slight nod in my direction, sent a flutter through my chest. Once the server left his silent, steady gaze seemed to ask what was going on. But his decision not to press first felt considerate, so I gave a faint smile.
“To be honest, I was drinking wine alone at home earlier.”
“There is a position I want to reclaim, but it is not going well.”
Was it the atmosphere of this place? Or perhaps facing each other in the dim light of a single candle? Before I realized it, I had started sharing my story.
“Why not?”
“They said the spot has already been promised to someone else.”
Jae Ha, who had just picked up his water glass, made a subtle shift in expression at the word promised.
“You want to return to work?”
He set his glass back down after taking a small sip, his tone calm as he asked. I was startled. He had anticipated my desire to return before I had even mentioned it.
“How did you know that?”
I stared at him, eyes wide. Just as Jae Ha began to speak, his expression suddenly changed as he looked past me. It was abrupt, as if he had just noticed something.
“What is wrong? Is someone there?”
“Seo Ji Han.”
Following Jae Ha’s rigid gaze over my shoulder, I turned around. At the end of his line of sight stood a man all too familiar, staring right at us.
It was Ji Han. Our eyes met for a brief, awkward moment as he frowned in surprise. Then, a sweet female voice came from behind him, and the figure blocking my view stepped aside.
“Oppa, where is our seat?”
Hoping against hope, I turned my head, and saw the only reservation card in the packed bar, sitting on the table right beside ours.
Ha.
“You said it was by the window.”
Her cheerful voice suddenly cut off as she finally noticed us at the adjacent table. Startled, Seo Rin hastily let go of the sleeve of Ji Han’s jacket she had been holding.
Say something. Give an excuse, an explanation, anything, Seo Ji Han.
Ji Han’s eyes, which had widened with momentary surprise at first, gradually settled. No, instead, he lifted his chin more boldly and met my gaze head-on. He offered no explanation, no excuse whatsoever. I nearly blurted out a harsh curse before catching myself. Clenching my fists to endure it, I forced the corners of my mouth into a tight, trembling smile.
“What are you two doing together?”
I pretended not to know as I addressed my fiancé, standing silently before me. What are you doing here? Despite my attempt to maintain composure with a calm smile, my eyes had turned icy cold. I had already known from photos and reports, but seeing them together in person was unbearable.
Betrayal from the man who had once been my husband, and endless humiliation crashing over me. Unlike the flustered Seo Rin, my fiancé met my gaze coolly, saying nothing. The memory of him placing the wedding ring on my finger flashed vividly in my mind, revulsion rising within me.
You say those words to me, and then come to a hotel?
“We came to have a drink and talk things over.”
After standing motionless for a while, Ji Han finally opened his tightly shut lips. With a brief, unembellished explanation, he gestured toward their reserved table with his chin. Then, as his eyes fell on Jae Ha seated across from me, the slightest crack appeared in his composure.
“I would like to ask you the same. Why are you here with my older brother?”
This time, he was the one asking.