#93.

As the lights of the management office dimmed in the evening, Kang Jiwon’s footsteps echoed heavily. Lee Han’s gaze turned to her, and his hand cautiously reached out. First to her shoulder, then to her arm, and finally to her waist. Kang Jiwon’s breathing grew increasingly rapid.

Lee Han’s hand lingered on Kang Jiwon’s waist. His face slowly approached, and Kang Jiwon closed her eyes. Lee Han’s lips lightly touched hers. At first, it was soft and cautious. Kang Jiwon’s heart began to beat rapidly.

Gradually, the intensity of the kiss deepened. Lee Han’s hand moved up her back, encircling her neck. His tongue delved into Kang Jiwon’s lips, and she unconsciously opened her mouth. Their breaths mingled.

Kang Jiwon’s hand tried to push away Lee Han’s chest, but her strength gradually weakened. Instead, her fingers gripped his shirt tightly. Lee Han’s kiss grew more passionate, and Kang Jiwon’s body trembled.

A suffocating kiss continued. Kang Jiwon’s mind was in turmoil, and tears welled up in her eyes. A small moan escaped her lips.

As Lee Han’s fingers slowly moved along her back again, Kang Jiwon’s skin tingled. Her heart began to beat erratically, and her lips became parched. When Lee Han’s breath touched her neck, Kang Jiwon felt an unbearable thrill.

,Are you okay?” Lee Han’s low voice tickled her ear.

Instead of answering, Kang Jiwon closed her eyes. Her fingers unconsciously clenched and unclenched into fists. When Lee Han’s hand brushed against her thigh, Kang Jiwon’s body trembled slightly.

Disgust and embarrassment swirled in her mind. Shocked by her own reaction, Kang Jiwon bit her lip. Tears welled up in her eyes.

 ‘Why am I doing this… I shouldn’t be like this.’ Kang Jiwon repeated in her mind, but she felt deep self-loathing at the fact that her body was already reacting to Lee Han’s touch.

As their meetings repeated, Lee Han’s touch became bolder. What started as a light brush against her shoulder gradually turned into encircling her waist and stroking her back. Kang Jiwon tried to shake off his hand each time, but she felt her resistance weakening. Her body was slowly growing accustomed to Lee Han’s touch.

Each time Lee Han’s hand encircled her waist, Kang Jiwon instinctively trembled. But it became difficult to distinguish whether that trembling was due to disgust or some other emotion. Feeling embarrassed by her reaction, she thought of Park Minah’s face.

When Lee Han’s lips touched Kang Jiwon’s neck, her body thrilled. Although revulsion surged in her heart, she unconsciously embraced Lee Han gently.

 “Stop it…” Kang Jiwon said in a trembling voice, soon regaining her senses. Lee Han immediately stepped back, only showing a smile, and Kang Jiwon held back the tears that were welling up.

One day, Lee Han’s touch delved deeper than before. Kang Jiwon’s breathing became rapid, and her heart began to beat quickly. Her skin tingled, and her body trembled slightly. She herself was confused as to whether this reaction was rejection or anticipation.

Kang Jiwon closed her eyes tightly. She bit her lip to prevent any sound from escaping, but a small moan leaked out. At that moment, disgust surged in her heart. She was overwhelmed with self-loathing for the reaction her body was showing.

Her eyes grew hot. Kang Jiwon turned her head to hide her tears, but cold liquid flowed down her cheeks. Her hand wanted to push Lee Han away, but she couldn’t muster the strength. Instead, her fingers gripped the sofa cushion tightly.

Disgust, guilt, and an inexplicable sensation swirled in Kang Jiwon’s mind. In the midst of this vortex of emotions, she desperately recalled Park Minah’s face.

Kang Jiwon gritted her teeth. ‘It’s for Minah-ssi.’ Thinking of Park Minah, she endured this painful moment.

In this situation that repeated every night, Kang Jiwon fell into deeper and deeper confusion. In her mind, Park Minah’s face and Lee Han’s touch became intertwined. The disgust was still there, but her body was becoming more and more accustomed to Lee Han’s touch. Kang Jiwon felt deep self-loathing at that fact.

—

Late at night, Kang Jiwon was sitting on a bench under the streetlights in the apartment complex. Her eyes were full of fatigue, and her shoulders looked heavy. Then she saw Park Minah, and Kang Jiwon’s expression brightened for a moment.

“Jiwon-ssi, why are you here at this hour?” Park Minah approached and asked.

Kang Jiwon replied with a small smile. “Just… I have something to think about.”

As Park Minah sat next to her, Kang Jiwon’s tension gradually eased. The two began to share trivial everyday stories. Kang Jiwon quietly laughed at Park Minah’s stories, and her heart warmed at the sound.

“Something happened at work today…” Listening to Park Minah’s story, Kang Jiwon was able to forget her pain for a while.

As a cool breeze blew, Park Minah shivered slightly. Kang Jiwon unconsciously moved closer to her. At that moment, their hands brushed, and Kang Jiwon felt a sense of relief at the warmth.

“Jiwon-ssi, are you okay these days? You seem to be having a hard time.” Kang Jiwon’s eyes reddened at Park Minah’s worried voice.

‘This is why I can endure it.’ Kang Jiwon thought in her heart.

After talking for a while, the two slowly got up. Kang Jiwon leaned slightly on Park Minah’s shoulder as they walked. For that moment, everything felt right. Park Minah seemed slightly surprised, but gently supported Kang Jiwon.

“See you again tomorrow.” Park Minah said.

Kang Jiwon nodded and smiled. On the way home, her footsteps were light. Even knowing the pain ahead, her time with Park Minah gave her strength.

—

The midday sun streamed through the window of the management office. As Han Sujin opened the door and entered, Lee Han’s gaze went to her bulging belly. Han Sujin naturally stroked her belly and smiled.

“Lee Han-ssi, she’s especially active today. She keeps kicking,” Han Sujin’s voice was filled with pride.

Lee Han approached with a gentle smile. “Really? Can I touch it?”

Han Sujin nodded, and Lee Han’s hand carefully touched her belly. At that moment, the baby moved, and Lee Han’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Wow, she’s really strong,” Lee Han exclaimed. “But is it a son or a daughter?”

Han Sujin’s eyes sparkled. “It’s a daughter. So I want to give her a pretty name.”

Lee Han paused for a moment in thought. “A daughter, huh. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Lee Han-ssi,” Han Sujin said. “But… could you possibly help me decide on a name for the baby?”

Lee Han seemed momentarily flustered. “A name? Shouldn’t you decide that with Taeyoung-ssi?”

“Of course,” Han Sujin replied. “But I’d like to hear Lee Han-ssi’s opinion too. Please recommend a pretty name.”

Lee Han paused for a moment in thought. “Hmm… how about ‘Sky’? With the hope that she grows up to be a child with a broad and bright mind…”

Han Sujin paused for a moment in thought, then gave a meaningful smile. “But if she resembles her father, will she be able to have such a broad and bright mind?”

Lee Han’s expression momentarily stiffened, then softened. He read the hidden meaning in Han Sujin’s joke.

“She will because she resembles Taeyoung-ssi.” Lee Han replied cautiously.

A strange tension hung between the two. Lee Han looked at Han Sujin’s belly once more. Complex emotions were in his eyes.

“Isn’t it too early to decide on a name like this?” Lee Han said playfully.

“We’re just gathering opinions for now,” Han Sujin said with a coy expression.

Lee Han smiled as if he was used to Han Sujin’s appearance. Han Sujin slowly got up.

“Lee Han-ssi, you’ll continue to be with Sky in her life, right?”

Lee Han hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, of course.”

Han Sujin stopped for a moment as she walked towards the door. Her hand embraced her belly, and with her other hand, she fiddled with her wedding ring. Her eyes were filled with deep worries that could not be expressed in words.

Han Sujin gave Lee Han one last smile and left the office. As the door closed, Lee Han let out a deep sigh. He turned his gaze out the window. He saw a family laughing and walking in the sunlight.

—

Late at night, Kang Jiwon and Lee Han’s breaths mingled under the dim lights of the management office. Kang Jiwon no longer avoided Lee Han’s touch. When his hand encircled her waist, she trembled slightly.

Lee Han’s lips touched Kang Jiwon’s neck. She took a deep breath. ‘It’s for Minah-ssi…’ she repeated in her mind, but her body was already reacting.

Lee Han’s hand slowly slid under Kang Jiwon’s T-shirt. When his fingers touched her bare skin, Kang Jiwon inhaled sharply. Lee Han’s hand encircled her waist and moved up her back.

‘No… if I do this…’ Reason cried out in Kang Jiwon’s mind, but her body was already reacting. Her skin tingled, and her heart began to beat rapidly.

Lee Han’s lips traveled down her neck. Kang Jiwon unconsciously tilted her head back. A small moan escaped her lips.

‘Why am I doing this… I’m clearly…’ Kang Jiwon was confused, but her hand was already encircling Lee Han’s back.

Lee Han’s lips moved along her collarbone. Each time his tongue lightly brushed her skin, Kang Jiwon felt a thrill. She unconsciously leaned closer to Lee Han. Her fingers repeatedly gripped and released Lee Han’s T-shirt.

Lee Han’s hand slowly moved down from Kang Jiwon’s waist. His fingers moved gently along her leggings. Kang Jiwon took a deep breath.

As he stroked the outside of her thigh and slowly moved his fingers inward, Kang Jiwon’s body stiffened with tension.

As his fingers carefully slid under the waistband of her leggings, brushing against the edge of her underwear, Kang Jiwon let out a small moan.

Her thighs trembled slightly, and her heart began to beat even faster. Kang Jiwon closed her eyes tightly. Confusion, guilt, and an uncontrollable desire swept over her.

His fingers moved slowly along the top of Kang Jiwon’s underwear. Kang Jiwon’s skin tingled at his touch, felt through the thin fabric. She reflexively reached out to stop him in surprise, but Lee Han’s lips covered hers.

Lee Han’s kiss was deep and passionate. His tongue explored the inside of Kang Jiwon’s mouth, disrupting all her senses. Kang Jiwon’s body stiffened for a moment, then melted into his kiss. Her heart began to beat rapidly, and a thrill spread throughout her body.

Lee Han’s other hand wrapped around Kang Jiwon’s waist. The heat from his palm seemed to burn her skin. As Lee Han pulled her closer, Kang Jiwon instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

As their bodies pressed together, Kang Jiwon could feel Lee Han’s body temperature. Her chest was pressed against his solid chest, and she felt sensations she had never felt before. Kang Jiwon’s breathing became rapid, and her fingers dug into Lee Han’s neck.

Meanwhile, Lee Han’s fingers began to gently circle over Kang Jiwon’s panties. His touch slowly but surely stimulated her most sensitive areas. Kang Jiwon gasped. Her skin became hot and sensitive, and a strange heat rose from her lower abdomen.

Each time his fingers brushed against the curved part of her panties, Kang Jiwon’s body trembled slightly. She bit her lip, trying to suppress a moan, but a small sigh escaped. The muscles on the inside of Kang Jiwon’s thighs repeatedly tensed and relaxed.

Kang Jiwon’s breathing became increasingly rapid, and her chest rose and fell quickly. Her fingers unconsciously gripped Lee Han’s back tightly. She felt her body becoming more and more sensitive to Lee Han’s touch.

‘No… if I do this…’ Her reason was still resisting, but her body was already craving his touch. Kang Jiwon struggled between confusion, guilt, and an uncontrollable pleasure.

Gradually, she felt her panties becoming wet. Kang Jiwon closed her eyes tightly in shame, confusion, and an uncontrollable pleasure. A heated breath escaped her lips.

Lee Han’s touch suddenly stopped. Kang Jiwon opened her eyes and looked at him. Her pupils trembled, and her lips quivered slightly.

“Please come early on the weekend,” Lee Han’s voice rumbled lowly. “I think we’ll need more time.”

Kang Jiwon’s face flushed for a moment. Her hand unconsciously gripped and released Lee Han’s shirt. “O-okay,” her voice cracked.

Kang Jiwon quickly got up. Her hand was busy smoothing down her leggings and smoothing out the wrinkles in her T-shirt. Her fingers trembled slightly as she straightened her disheveled hair in front of the mirror.

As she left the office, Kang Jiwon gripped the doorknob tightly. She took a step, stopped, and turned her head to look at Lee Han once more. Complex emotions were in her eyes.

Coming outside, Kang Jiwon shivered in the cold night air. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. As she walked, she often looked back.

Suddenly stopping, Kang Jiwon leaned against the wall. Her hand covered her face. Her shoulders shook. “What am I doing…” Her voice scattered in the night air.

Kang Jiwon leaned against the wall and slowly sat down. Her shoulders trembled, and hot tears flowed down her face. She covered her mouth with her hand, but couldn’t completely hide her sobs.

Then a short ringtone sounded from her phone. Kang Jiwon took her phone out of her pocket with trembling hands. When she turned on the screen, she saw Park Minah’s name.

[How was your day today?]

Although it was a simple sentence, warmth spread through Kang Jiwon’s heart. A smile spread across her lips, and she wiped her tear-stained cheeks with her fingers.

Taking a deep breath, Kang Jiwon slowly got up. ‘I can endure it. For Minah…’ she repeated in her mind.

Kang Jiwon’s expression continued to change as she walked. Sometimes a determined will, sometimes a deep confusion flashed by. Her footsteps faltered for a moment as the thought of the weekend crossed her mind.

A complex mix of fear and anticipation overwhelmed her. Kang Jiwon shook her head hard. She repeatedly clenched and unclenched her fists, trying to push away that feeling.

Finally arriving at the apartment building, Kang Jiwon pressed the elevator button. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she took another deep breath. The door opened, and she stepped inside with faltering steps.