Eun Shin woke up after napping for about thirty minutes and saw Seung Jee beside her. She smiled, quietly studying his features. She reached toward him, but her hand froze at the memories of him getting hurt because of her rush. Her eyes twitched, and she slowly pulled back. But before she could withdraw completely, Seung Jee's hand closed gently around hers, making her flinch.
"Seung-oppa!" she gasped. He smiled without opening his eyes and guided her hand to his cheek. Her face flushed.
"If you want to touch it, then touch it. There's no harm in it," he murmured. Eun Shin gulped as she couldn't remove her gaze from him. She decided to move her thumb to feel just a tiny part of his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes and locked onto her eyes.
"I…" she began, then paused. Seung Jee sat up, leaning in, his lips nearly brushing hers. She tensed, jaw tight, gaze dropping as her blush deepened.
"Should I walk you home?" he whispered. She held her breath, undone by how close he was.
"I… I need to use the restroom," she said suddenly, bolting upright and hurrying to the door. Seung Jee chuckled, following to open it for her.
"Here you go," he said softly. She bowed quickly, still avoiding his eyes, and hurried toward the bathroom. Once the door shut behind her, she paused, then sank to the ground. Her hands covered her burning face as her heart pounded in her chest.
"He wasn't asleep?" she whispered, mortified. She recalled the way she had actually touched his cheek and the way their lips had nearly met. She groaned. "We… almost kissed. Again…"
Meanwhile, Seung Jee stood by the end of the hallway from the entrance door, staring at the bathroom, waiting for Eun Shin. He smiled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks at the thought of kissing her.
I wasn't trying to kiss her… not really. But that reaction... He chuckled to himself. Cute.
Leaning against the wall, he waited patiently, wondering how long she'd hide in there.
Eun Shin hid in the bathroom for fifteen minutes before mustering the courage to come out. When she came out, Seung Jee was still there, smiling at her. She embarrassingly covered her eyes, hiding herself. He helped her by grabbing her backpack and walking her home.
When they reached her front gate, she turned to him and smiled awkwardly.
"Thank you…" she whispered. He nodded.
"You're welcome. Get inside safely," he replied. However, before Eun Shin turned to the gate, Lim Rin stormed out with her fancy outing clothes and bag. She glanced at Eun Shin, then at Seung Jee.
"Mother?" Eun Shin said, trembling a little. Lim Rin then glared at Seung Jee.
"Home this late? Are you cheating on Jae Vin?" she asked in a vile tone. Eun Shin avoided looking at her mother.
"Mother, what do–"
"Sneaking around like this? What would Jae Vin's family think of you?" Lim Rin continued without letting Eun Shin speak. Seung Jee was traumatized by the reaction of Eun Shin's mother.
"Ajumma, I think you're wrong about us. I've walked her home, be—"
"I don't like you talking to me! She's my daughter. I am only talking to her! You, go away!" she screamed. Eun Shin clenched her fists, seething with embarrassment.
"Mother! Don't raise your voice at my friend!" she shouted, defending Seung Jee. He looked at Eun Shin from behind and could sense her emotions turmoiling on the inside.
"I'm fine. Get inside safely," he reassured her. Eun Shin gasped. Lim Rin scoffed.
"Raising your voice at the person who brought you to this world, huh? Aigoo, I didn't expect my daughter to be such an ungrateful child," Lim Rin said, tarnishing Eun Shin. Seung Jee suddenly felt the chill, feeling a little peeved.
"If a mother has nothing nice to say to her own daughter, especially in front of her friends, it clearly shows what kind of 'mother' you really are. Eun Shin has done nothing disloyal nor wrong. So don't you degrade her," Seung Jee responded coldly. Lim Rin's glare snapped to him, seething. Eun Shin shrank beside them, her breath caught in her throat. Seung Jee looked at Eun Shin. "You should go inside. Your father is probably worried…"
Eun Shin blinked in surprise, her heart catching. He wasn't just angry—he was shielding her. A faint smile broke through her stunned expression. She nodded and walked past her own mother and inside. Lim Rin was flustered.
"You—"
"Goodnight," Seung Jee said curtly, bowing once before walking away without looking back. Lim Rin watched him leave, her frustration only grew. She could neither speak to him nor control Eun Shin. Eun Shin stormed up the stairs. Yung Ji suddenly appeared from the office.
"Eunnie, you're home. How was school?" he asked warmly. Eun Shin paused, trembling, debating whether to turn and look at her father after everything. A mere thought of Seung Jee gave her courage. She turned to Yung Ji and smiled bittersweetly. She rushed into his arms and clung to him, like she'd been holding it all in for hours.
"Abeoji… School was okay today," she answered, gasping for air as she cried. Yung Ji was stunned and smiled at her. He hugged her back and patted her head.
"I'm glad. Welcome home," he said softly. His voice was warm, but something in his eyes said he knew that something had changed. Eun Shin nudged her head on his chest.
"I… I visited a friend's place today," she muttered. Yung Ji slowly smiled.
"That's good to hear. Someone other than Seok Jun-ah?" he wondered. Eun Shin smiled and nodded.
"Yes. A girl. Her name is Min Ying. She's very nice," she replied. Yung Ji sighed in relief.
"I'm glad to hear. My Eunnie made another friend," he said. He stared at her teary eyes.
"Abeoji… I need to wash up," she suddenly said, smiling nervously. He nodded as he leaned to kiss her forehead.
"Okay. I'll be here if you ever need anything," he reassured her. Eun Shin agreed and walked into her room to grab a towel and clothes before heading into the shower room. Yung Ji returned to his office and sighed in relief. He looked at the ripped drawing that Eun Shin drew, the one that Lim Rin ripped apart. He smiled warmly at it.
"My beloved princess. Who has made you shine so beautiful today?" Yung Ji wondered. Then he checked his phone, and a message came up from a purchase at the hotel. Yung Ji's bright face turned sour, smirking. "So you're choosing that path now… Lim Rin."
Lim Rin smiled at her young playmate, nearly twenty years her junior, as they entered the hotel elevator. Meanwhile, a paparazzi secretly took many photos of this infidelity. The paparazzi smirked.
"Judge Park, your wife's little secret is going to make one hell of a headline," he said to himself. Suddenly, a man approached him and snatched the camera. "Hey–"
"Secretly taking photos of anyone is against the law. Don't you think you should follow the law sometimes?" the man asked. The paparazzi groaned.
"Detective Goo Bin…" the paparazzi said, speechless. Bin then took the SIM card out and handed the camera back.
"If you're thinking of blackmail, forget it. Judge Park's already ahead of you," Bin stated firmly, then he walked away. Although Bin was frustrated, he just walked out of the hotel entrance and into his car. He pulled out his phone and texted a message to Yung Ji.
Bin: "Confirmed. Secured. Stored soon."
He groaned after he clicked send. He pulled his front hair back and leaned on the head cushion of the seat.
"Why marry someone like her? You should've known better… Must be a hard life," Bin muttered to himself. Suddenly, Han Tael walked into the car.
"Abeoji, Omma is going to go shopping. Can you take me to practice shooting?" Han Tael asked. Bin chuckled.
"My son. You need to focus on school. You're in your last year," Bin answered warmly. Han Tael smiled and scratched his head.
"School just started! We can go for a while," Han Tael persuaded. Bin shook his head while smiling.
"You're right. Only once," he surrendered. Han Tael cheered.
"Yes! Let's go!" Han Tael replied.
Bin took Han Tael to practice shooting at his department, spending quality time with his son while his wife enjoyed her time shopping for herself.
Meanwhile, Yung Ji stared at his phone and realized that he had to make sure to prepare for the worst. He walked to the hallway, staring at Eun Shin's room. Although he was anxious, he approached the door and softly knocked.
"Eunnie, are you asleep?" he asked. Eun Shin got up and walked to the door. She opened it just enough to see half of her body.
"No, not yet. What is it, abeoji?" she answered. Yung Ji smiled at her.
"Don't forget to eat. I have to attend some meetings with my clients. I'll be home late. Your mother might not come home, so let Jim Yae know what you want to eat. Okay?" he replied. Eun Shin nodded with a smile.
"Okay," she said, slowly closing the door. Yung Ji paused.
"Eunnie," he suddenly called before the door was shut. She opened it and leaned out of the door.
"Yes?" she waited, staring at him. Yung Ji took a deep breath and gulped.
"Hm…" he hesitated. "You're the best daughter I could ever have hoped for.. I love you."
Eun Shin froze, blinking back tears. She understood already, but didn't question why he was saying it. She smiled.
"I love you, too, abeoji," she replied. Yung Ji nodded with a smile and waved.
"Good night, my princess," he said. Eun Shin nodded.
"Good night, abeoji," she responded warmly. He turned toward his office to grab his coat. As he stepped out of the house, he hopped into the car, being his own driver. Before he started the engine, he dialed a number.
"Hello, why are you so late?" the other person answered. Yung Ji smiled.
"Se Jin, I need to meet. It's time I updated my will," he replied. Se Jin, on the other line, groaned.
"Really? Finally! You finally decided to do that this late!" she stated. Yung Ji chuckled.
"You and Bin are still the same… I'm glad to have good friends like you two," he said. Se Jin grunted.
"Speaking of the devil, he's here, waiting for you…" she informed nonchalantly. Yung Ji nodded.
"I'll be on my way," he replied, hanging up before starting the car.
Since you chose not to love your daughter, I won't give you anything. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and trusted the good in you… But now I know better. From now on, I'll think only of Eun Shin.
That night, Yung Ji met with Se Jin and Bin. With Se Jin's help, he revised his will, where everything would go to Eun Shin. Not a single penny to Lim Rin.