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chapter 7
Several hours passed like that. The only thing she had eaten all day was a cup of coffee from the café earlier. She just couldn’t bring herself to eat anything more.
Click.
At that moment, she heard the sound of the door opening.
Yeon-seo couldn’t bring herself to look in that direction. The heavy sound of polished shoes grew closer to the side of the bed.
He stood before her and looked her over, asking,
“Don’t you like the clothes I sent you?”
His low, languid voice sank into her ears. Yeon-seo slowly lifted her head and met his gaze.
“The same clothes I wore yesterday.”
Do-hun’s fingers traced her jawline. Yeon-seo exhaled softly before replying.
“They feel… too much for me.”
“Do you think these are gifts? Don’t get the wrong idea. I sent them strictly for the contract.”
She sensed that if she tried to refuse his words, he would scold her for letting petty pride interfere with fulfilling the contract.
Yeon-seo lowered her eyelids and nodded.
“Alright. I’ll wear the clothes you sent starting tomorrow.”
“Good. You’ll have to take them off soon anyway.”
He spoke while undoing the buttons of his shirt, revealing his firm, sculpted chest. Yeon-seo quickly turned her head, pretending not to look.
“I’ll shower, so get ready. You can take them off yourself if you want—no trouble for me.”
When he entered the bathroom, the sound of water splashing could be heard.
Yeon-seo let out a shallow sigh and felt her thin arms tremble. The thought of standing naked before his piercing gaze—like he could see through everything—gave her chills.
Aside from visiting the public bath in her neighborhood as a child, she had never shown her body to anyone. Yet this man’s touch was confident and skilled, as if he had shared himself with countless women.
“He probably doesn’t even care. He’s likely seen countless women and could laugh openly at this.”
Unlike him, she imagined herself shrinking at even the smallest touch or gaze, reacting awkwardly.
“I don’t want him to see me like that.”
She turned off all the lights in the room, leaving only the faint light filtering in from outside.
The events that were about to unfold felt like they would consume her. If she failed to perform her role properly, the contract might be broken.
After a while, he emerged in a shower robe. It was dark, but she could make out his silhouette. Yeon-seo sat on the edge of the bed, staring at him.
His defined abs were visible through the open robe like a sculpture crafted by the gods.
Even in the dark, his high-bridged nose and mesmerizing eyes, along with the seductive line of his lips, made Do-hun seem almost unreal.
He lifted Yeon-seo and seated her on his lap. She fit comfortably within his arms. Warm breath brushed the back of her neck.
Yeon-seo flinched slightly but stayed still, following his lead.
“You’re a bit stubborn, aren’t you?”
His words seemed to scold her stiff posture. And, in truth, she couldn’t argue with him.
Her cheeks burned.
“I’ll try,” she replied, her voice tense. She had to prove somehow that she was necessary to him.
A low laugh escaped Do-hun.
The sound of a zipper sliding down revealed Yeon-seo’s upper body. She nervously bit the tender flesh of her lips as anxiety surged.
The unfamiliar actions that were about to follow felt overwhelming just to imagine, as though they would destroy her.
“Well, that’s kind of interesting too.”
The strap of her underwear slipped from his fingers as he pulled it down in one swift motion. His large hands caressed the raised flesh, catching the reddened “fruit” between his fingers.
“Ah…”
Yeon-seo shivered, trying to adjust to the strange sensation. He stroked her gently from neck to back to waist.
“Get up.”
He lifted her by the waist and turned her around. By the time he gestured a few times, nothing remained of her clothing, exposing her bare skin.
“Good.”
Do-hun’s eyes dimly reflected in the darkness. The cold, calculating gaze he usually wore seemed almost to lose reason at times.
He lingered over her raised curves before moving downward toward her lower abdomen.
Yeon-seo tightly closed her eyes.
She didn’t want to hear that she was a mess again today. Though it was dark, the thought of showing herself like this to him made it unbearable.
“Ha…uh! Not there…”
Even as she pleaded, he continued, claiming territory across her body. Her waist arched like a bow, her body trembling from sensations she couldn’t easily reject.
He entered her trembling folds. Yeon-seo’s eyes snapped open, and a strangled cry escaped her lips.
“Ah…!”
“If it hurts, tell me. I’ll stop.”
Do-hun’s tone was patronizing, almost charitable.
Yeon-seo, pressed beneath his gaze, felt utterly helpless.
The thought that one of the people who had purchased the brooch was Executive Seo lingered in her mind. How he had acted as if seeing it for the first time, and that uneasy feeling—it all seemed certain now.
“Is it okay to continue this kind of relationship? Can I really find out the truth about my grandmother’s death? What if this man is involved…”
If he were involved in her grandmother’s death, or a co-conspirator with Geum Seon-ae, what would happen to her now that she had shared her body with him?
“By the time I realize I’ve fallen into a hellish pit, there will be no turning back.”
Thinking that gave her a headache, leaving her paralyzed. All she could do was give her best in the game that had already begun.
She bit her lower lip and barely managed to reply,
“Continue…please.”
As soon as he heard her, he closed the distance without hesitation. The more they touched, the sharper her cries became. His breathing grew heavier.
The first night passed like that. She could never forget it. Everything about him was intoxicating and confusing.
The same nights continued several more times. He arrived at roughly the same time each visit.
Yeon-seo kept the lights off. Otherwise, facing the perfect man while feeling so exposed made her feel utterly small.
At some point, he began bringing food from restaurants each time. Different restaurants every visit. She nibbled but eventually set her spoon down, feeling the weight of her thoughts pressing down even on her lower abdomen.
One day, as he was about to leave the hotel room, he slipped his arm into his jacket and spoke in a dry voice,
“Tomorrow. Be ready by 11 a.m. We’re going to meet Mrs. Geum.”
Wearing a form-fitting dress, Yeon-seo turned toward him, her eyes catching a flash of vivid blue. He looked polished and elegant, like any royal family member.
The day to finally meet Geum Seon-ae had arrived.
Myeongseonjae, which she visited for the first time in years, hadn’t changed much—except that her grandmother was no longer there.
Do-hun took her hand and led her. It was the first time they had walked holding hands. Perhaps noticing her hesitation, he spoke in a low voice, almost too soft to hear.
“Your hands are rough.”
“I like gardening and working with soil.”
“I’d rather you not do that anymore. Smooth hands look better to others.”
“…Yes.”
Yeon-seo lowered her gaze and replied, feeling as though her beloved pastime had been denied.
Her unfocused eyes sank toward the floor. The hand he held felt small and insignificant in comparison.
At that moment, a servant opened the door, as if waiting to greet them. With white hair, his age could be roughly guessed. He seemed experienced in handling Do-hun.
“Master Do-hun! The chairman has been anxiously waiting since morning… please come in!”
“Quite impatient, aren’t you…”
Do-hun muttered softly, resting his fingers on Yeon-seo’s slender waist. The thin organza dress transmitted his warmth directly.
Yeon-seo’s cheeks stiffened. She tried to breathe softly enough that he wouldn’t hear, but she couldn’t relax at all.
Following the servant’s guidance, they entered the study at the end of the hallway. As the door opened, a man with white hair was seated, turning a chair with his back to them.
“I’m here, grandfather.”
Upon hearing Do-hun’s voice, Chairman Seo turned to face them. Though paler than in the media, his presence was commanding, exuding an authority that ordinary people rarely emanate.
Yeon-seo immediately bowed slightly, greeting him politely.
“Hello, Chairman. I’m Yeon-seo.”
She tried to act calm, but her voice betrayed her nerves, trembling at the end.
