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Chapter 29
Yu-eul’s eyes, looking up at him, trembled noticeably.
In them, confusion and fear coexisted.
Ji-hyeok’s chest sank as if he were looking at a puppy just adopted and brought home.
Seeing her so flustered by the sudden physical change, he quickly averted his gaze and opened the first-aid kit.
He took out an ointment and applied it to the wounded area.
Each time the ointment-soaked cotton touched her skin, Yu-eul flinched, whether from stinging or itching, he couldn’t tell.
Unconsciously, Ji-hyeok gripped her hands tightly with his free hand, unsure of what to do with her.
Her rapid, hot breaths brushed against his face, as if her tension had intensified.
From that breath came the same faintly sweet scent that had greeted him when she first arrived at the house.
She ran a bakery, and it seemed her body carried a rich, sweet, pleasant scent.
Against his will, his legs subtly shifted closer to her.
Since she had positioned herself in a way that made it impossible to move away on the bed, she lowered her gaze, unable to breathe freely.
Her trembling eyelashes and the tiny, cute fluff around them tickled his heart.
Although the ointment had been fully applied, he found he didn’t want to pull away.
His instincts overpowered his reason, leaving him unsure of what he was doing.
“…I think the director is a really good person,” she said softly, her words spilling from her lips.
In that moment, Ji-hyeok’s world seemed to stop.
It was as if his brain interpreted her words as “I like you,” sending an electric thrill through his whole body.
He unknowingly leaned his upper body a little closer.
His heated chest drew nearer to her.
He was only embarrassed by how both his body and heart seemed to tilt toward her.
Unaware or perhaps intentionally ignoring this, Yu-eul continued:
“At first, I thought you were just crazy, or stubborn to the point of being unreasonable. But now, thinking back… I guess it made sense for you to act that way because I was being so reckless myself…”
She probably didn’t intend it, but her words kept pulling his heart toward her.
“Still… thank you for letting me see Doha like this. And even though I came without a plan… you let me see him, even just a little…”
Yu-eul slowly lifted her head.
At this slightly closer distance, her breath touched his skin more distinctly.
Unconsciously, he almost leaned closer just to feel it.
Her eyelids fluttered slightly in the narrower space between them, but she showed no other reaction.
She didn’t recoil, look more startled, or push him away.
It was him who felt restless seeing her like that.
“…Also…”
Her tempting lips moved again.
“You applied the medicine… and really… I think you are a good person. Thank you.”
Even though he was holding her so dangerously close, she still managed to say everything she wanted…
Han Yu-eul—was she a bear? Or a fox?
He couldn’t tell.
Just then, a baby’s voice called out from outside the door: “Oh, ooh!”
Reluctantly, Ji-hyeok leaned back and released her.
It seemed that Doha had woken up and Mrs. Kim was carrying him, pacing nearby.
This room was quite far from the living room, so why had they come here?
Annoyed at the interruption, Ji-hyeok silently blamed Mrs. Kim and Doha.
Yu-eul, unaware of Ji-hyeok’s feelings, sprang from the bed, her eyes sparkling.
“Doha must have woken up!”
She whispered, even brighter than when she had looked up at him before.
Her expression was both cute and a little irritating, but not unpleasant.
Seeing Yu-eul make his heart flutter, Ji-hyeok couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing Ji-hyeok’s lowered gaze, Yu-eul quickly avoided it.
“I’m just going to play with Doha for a little while! Just… 10 minutes!”
Ji-hyeok grabbed her wrist as she tried to leave and handed her the ointment he had applied.
Yu-eul’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
“Apply this to the wound regularly so it doesn’t dry out. That way, it won’t scar.”
She looked up at him, blinking quickly, seemingly touched.
Her expression reminded him of a cat from an animation with a green monster, and he couldn’t help but give her another carrot.
“And forget 10 minutes. Stay as long as you want. You couldn’t come last weekend, anyway.”
“Eek!”
Yu-eul leaped in joy, then realized her exuberance and covered her mouth with her hand.
But her sparkling eyes and smile couldn’t be hidden.
She ran out to the hallway, beaming, eager to see her nephew.
Even after she left, Ji-hyeok lingered, staring at the door.
Then he turned toward the bathroom to wash up, catching a glimpse of his reflection in the wall mirror.
He flinched—his face wore the same kind of smile Yu-eul had been wearing.
In the living room, Yu-eul greeted Doha, who was carried on Mrs. Kim’s back.
“Doha! Auntie’s here, huh?”
Doha smiled brightly at the sight of her, and all the tension and unease from earlier melted away.
Of course, Ji-hyeok had helped ease some of it earlier.
“You’ve seen Mr. Doha before, haven’t you?”
Mrs. Kim asked, and Yu-eul hesitated, worried about saying the wrong thing.
Remembering Ji-hyeok had introduced her as his girlfriend at the door, she responded smoothly:
“Yes. I’ve come a few times to see him with my brother. Isn’t the baby adorable, ma’am?”
Thanks to Yu-eul’s friendly response, Mrs. Kim warmed up and engaged in more conversation:
“Oh, no doubt. The first time I saw the baby, he was so plump and cute. It wasn’t tiring at all to watch him!”
“Really? Last time I came, he fussed quite a bit. You must be good for him, ma’am~”
Yu-eul smiled, gently stroking Doha’s cheek.
Doha reached toward her with his little hands, mouth slightly open like a baby bird.
Finding this adorable, Yu-eul asked Mrs. Kim:
“May I hold Doha for a bit?”
Mrs. Kim nodded, loosened the swaddle, and Yu-eul carefully lifted Doha into her arms.
“Oh, Doha. You’ve grown so much!”
He felt heavier than last week.
“Kids grow so fast. Next week, he’ll be even heavier. Want me to give you a baby carrier? You might hurt your back.”
The previously stern Mrs. Kim seemed to like Yu-eul, treating her warmly.
As they chatted about Doha, the two quickly became comfortable in the living room.
Gradually, Yu-eul relaxed and placed Doha on the living room mat.
At this age, Doha was fascinated by toys; he eagerly put a spider-shaped ball into his mouth and played.
Watching him with fondness, Mrs. Kim cautiously asked:
“Um… but what’s with your lips and the area near your eyebrows? Did… something happen?”
Her glance shifted toward Ji-hyeok’s room.
Yu-eul sensed something odd but smiled, brushing it off casually.
“I haven’t known you long, Yu-eul, but you seem about the same age as my daughter.”
“…Yes?”
“Even if the director seems composed usually, he has a temper. Your life is precious, so don’t get too caught up in money, okay?”
Yu-eul blinked, then laughed.
It was obvious her injuries near her lips and eyebrows weren’t from falling—they looked like someone had hit her.
Mrs. Kim probably assumed Ji-hyeok had been violent on a date.
It was random, but since it came from concern, Yu-eul didn’t take it badly.
“Mrs. Kim, these are from somewhere else.”
Even explaining truthfully, Mrs. Kim’s suspicious gaze didn’t waver.
“Ji-hyeok oppa didn’t do this. He’s such a good person. I’ve never seen anyone as kind and handsome as him! So don’t worry!”
At that moment, she sensed movement from the hallway.
