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Chapter 12
“Sorry for showing up like this without an appointment.”
“…No. It’s fine.”
“…”
“I assume you’ve been working day and night trying to find the culprit behind my wife’s case, so I should be cooperating at least this much.”
At Tae-wook’s polite response, something about it felt strangely sharp, as if laced with thorns.
Why was that?
Won quietly studied him, and Tae-wook spoke first.
“By the way, what brings you here?”
His deep voice—pleasant even to a man’s ears—echoed through the room.
At his question, Won took a tablet out of his bag and placed it on the table.
Tae-wook’s brows twitched at the unexpected action.
“Could you take a look at this first?”
After tapping the tablet a few times, Won showed him footage from the day of the accident—both in winter and summer.
In the dark alley, the two figures’ faces were hard to see, but it was clear that Winter was following behind Summer.
Winter, smaller in build than her younger sister, was trotting along behind Summer.
“Is there no audio?”
Tae-wook asked calmly.
Won nodded with a regretful expression.
“There is audio, but it was recorded from too far away to identify anything. I had it sent to specialists, but they said the noise interference is too severe.”
At his answer, Tae-wook looked back at the tablet.
As he watched the two figures, Winter suddenly stopped walking and looked at something ahead.
Frozen as if nailed to the ground, she stood still. Summer turned around.
Winter then pushed Summer’s back as if urging her forward and hurried toward the car.
Reluctantly, Summer began moving while pointing upward with her finger.
That was the moment.
From the crackling audio, a loud engine sound began to emerge.
A car suddenly appeared from somewhere, speeding toward them without hesitation.
And just before impact—Winter hugged Summer.
Won quickly paused the video at that frame.
“What happened after that is as you already know.”
He continued cautiously.
“The reason I came to Chief Ju today is not for anything else.”
“….”
“I was hoping you might help me meet Han Gyeoul.”
He made the request with urgency, even while knowing Tae-wook might refuse.
To him, Won might look like someone digging up the wounds of a woman barely escaping from an accident.
A heavy silence settled in the room.
Won clasped his hands tightly on his knees, anxious.
Tae-wook remained silent, staring at the darkened tablet screen.
Finally, he spoke.
“Actually, I also have a few questions for the prosecutor… if that’s alright?”
“Yes. Please go ahead.”
“I understand that no prosecutor has been assigned to the case involving the accident my younger sibling was in.”
“….”
“The fact that no one has been assigned even after so much time suggests the prosecution is being cautious due to the seriousness of the matter.”
“….”
“Why are you investigating a case that hasn’t even been officially assigned to you?”
His eyes sharpened.
Won met his gaze without flinching.
Lies would not work on this man.
Won’s fist tightened on his knee.
“Because it’s the accident of someone I love.”
At those words, Tae-wook’s expression hardened.
In his mind, the image of Winter lying in Won’s arms under moonlight surfaced.
“Han Yeo-reum.”
“…?”
“The person who died in that accident.”
“….”
“My lover until three months ago… no, still my lover now.”
A name he did not expect slipped from Won’s mouth.
Taken aback, Tae-wook fell silent, confusion flooding his mind.
Too many unanswered questions filled his thoughts.
* * *
Sang-woo frowned while staring at a table so clean it looked untouched by dust.
How did things end up like this…?
“Mr. Sang-woo, would you like some coffee?”
“Eh? Ah, yes.”
“Good.”
With a whirring sound, the espresso machine came to life.
Winter skillfully inserted the portafilter filled with finely ground beans.
Soon, espresso began pouring into the shot glass with a soft gurgling sound.
She poured hot water into a large mug, mixed it with the espresso, and walked over.
“It might be hot.”
“Oh, I’ll enjoy it.”
Winter, wearing a playful smile he had never seen before, placed the coffee in front of him.
The rich aroma of premium Arabica beans filled the house—beans Tae-wook always preferred.
How did things end up like this?
Sang-woo glared at the mug as if he wanted to break it.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand how the situation had turned out this way.
Fifteen minutes earlier—
He had come to deliver a newly activated phone of the same model and color as Tae-wook’s to Winter.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang, and soon Winter’s voice came from inside.
“Who is it?”
“Ju Representative’s secretary, Lee Sang-woo. I came to deliver something Mr. Ju asked for.”
After he explained, the door opened.
That part had been exactly as expected.
He had only intended to hand over the phone and leave.
Through the gap in the door, Winter peeked out and met his eyes.
“I was asked by the representative to deliver this phone to Ms. Han Gyeoul.”
She was technically Tae-wook’s wife.
But Sang-woo avoided calling her “madam” because he did not want to acknowledge her as Tae-wook’s wife.
Yet today, Winter—who usually could not even meet his gaze—was looking directly at him.
Her changed attitude made him think she might have noticed his dislike of her.
“Then I’ll be on my wa—”
“Wait.”
Winter stopped him.
She studied him carefully, then tilted her head and asked cautiously.
“Can I ask you something? Ah, is it okay if I call you Mr. Sang-woo?”
“Eh? Ah… yes. Call me whatever you like…”
Mr. Sang-woo?
Even that casual address felt strangely bold.
She always respectfully called Tae-wook “Representative,” yet now she was speaking so differently.
Ignoring his confusion, she frowned slightly as if thinking hard.
“I think I know something because you’re Tae-wook’s secretary.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know how I can contact actress Kim A-rin?”
“Pardon?”
“She came to my house last night, saying she was worried about me. I wasn’t feeling well so I couldn’t talk properly…”
“…”
“There were things I didn’t finish saying, so I wanted to meet her.”
What was going on with this woman?
Her casual tone toward Tae-wook, the sudden familiarity, and this shameless request—it was all disorienting.
Even more confusing was how she smiled as if nothing was wrong despite his cold attitude.
Sang-woo’s mind became a mess of confusion and doubt.
“…If it’s Kim A-rin, she’s under AK Entertainment, so you can contact her agency.”
“Really? Then could you maybe—no, actually, come inside first.”
“Huh?”
Winter stepped aside from the doorway, smiling brightly.
For Sang-woo, who had never seen her smile since meeting her, his face suddenly felt hot.
Like a warm sun in the middle of a cold winter.
Before he knew it, he stepped inside.
“Is the coffee okay?”
“Yes… it’s good.”
“I can tell you haven’t even touched it.”
And at her teasing remark, he froze.
“W-well… I meant it would taste good even without trying.”
“Then thank you.”
She laughed softly, amused by his awkward response.
His face turned red again.
Just then—
♬♪♩—
The phone rang at the perfect timing.
Sang-woo jumped up as if saved.
“I-I’ll take this call.”
“Yes.”
He hurriedly left the room, hiding his flushed face.
Somehow, he felt like he was being completely thrown off balance by her.
Was it really possible for someone to change this much after surviving such a serious accident?
A strange feeling lingered in his chest.
