#122.

The noise that started on Sunday morning shook Lee Han’s peaceful daily life. He leaned back in his chair, fiddling with his coffee cup, and observed the women filling the management office. The usually quiet space had turned into something like a marketplace.

Park Min-ah and Kang Ji-won burst in first, followed by Han Su-jin, and finally Kim Eun-joo joined them. The laughter and chatter of the four women mixed together, creating a cacophonous harmony.

,Oh my, isn’t Jin-woo really cute?

Park Min-ah’s voice was met with laughter from the other women.

Lee Han frowned slightly, then quickly changed it to a soft smile. He had a headache coming on, but he didn’t find the situation entirely unpleasant. His eyes slowly scanned each woman’s face.

,Even if it’s noisy… they’ll quiet down with just one word from me.

A secretive smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. He knew exactly how these women would react to his every word and glance. Their affectionate gazes and undisguised desires slightly stimulated his ego.

,Anyone need more coffee? Lee Han asked softly.

The women’s gazes focused on him all at once. Feeling the affection and expectation in their eyes, Lee Han reaffirmed that he was still in control, even in this noisy situation.

The headache was still there, but a warmth seeped into a corner of Lee Han’s heart. A complex emotion, mixed with annoyance, affection, and a desire for control, filled his chest. He slowly got up and headed for the coffee pot.

The atmosphere in the management office was filled with cheerful laughter. Kang Ji-won and Park Min-ah sat side by side on one side of the sofa, subtly holding hands, drawing the attention of Kim Eun-joo and Han Su-jin.

,Wow, they’re really lesbians… Kim Eun-joo whispered in a small voice.

Han Su-jin nodded in response. ,Amazing. I wonder what it feels like…

Kang Ji-won sensed their curious gazes, but didn’t seem to care much, unlike before. Rather, she leaned her head on Park Min-ah’s shoulder, showing an even more intimate appearance.

,How should we prepare for our wedding? Park Min-ah asked softly.

At those words, the gazes of the four women focused all at once.

Meanwhile, Lee Han was busy playing with Jin-woo a little away from them. The child’s laughter occasionally leaked out between the women’s chatter.

After a while, Kang Ji-won slowly got up and approached Lee Han. Her eyes held a subtle expectation.

,Lee Han-ssi, will you pick out our rings? Kang Ji-won said softly. Her fingers lightly brushed Lee Han’s hand.

Park Min-ah smiled as she watched. ,It would be nice if you could pick them out together.

Han Su-jin and Kim Eun-joo touched their own wedding rings, looking envious. Complex emotions flashed across their faces.

Lee Han gave a soft smile and slowly nodded. His eyes scanned the faces of the four women in turn.

,Don’t worry. I have something I’ve been thinking about separately. Lee Han’s voice was low and soft.

At those words, Kim Eun-joo and Han Su-jin’s expressions brightened. Relief and expectation filled their eyes.

A secretive smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. Deep in his eyes, a cold, calculated light was still hidden. He felt a subtle satisfaction at the fact that he held the hearts of the four women in his hand.

The atmosphere in the management office suddenly changed with Kim Eun-joo’s cautious question.

,Su-jin-ssi, when is your due date?

Han Su-jin smiled softly and replied. ,Only 5 months left now.

At those words, Kim Eun-joo’s hand naturally went to her own stomach. A subtle expectation filled her eyes. Han Su-jin didn’t miss that look and noticed it.

,Could it be…? Han Su-jin’s voice trembled.

Kang Ji-won and Park Min-ah also paid attention to Kim Eun-joo. Their eyes were full of curiosity and expectation.

Kim Eun-joo nodded slightly, looking embarrassed. At that moment, the air in the room changed.

,Wow, congratulations! Han Su-jin said warmly.

Envy flashed across Kang Ji-won and Park Min-ah’s faces. Complex emotions filled their eyes.

,Thank you, Kim Eun-joo replied in a small voice.

Meanwhile, Lee Han was still playing with Jin-woo. There was no change in his eyes.

Han Su-jin whispered to Kim Eun-joo. ,Did you tell your husband?

Kim Eun-joo shook her head. Her gaze went to Lee Han. Complex emotions filled her eyes.

Han Su-jin smiled softly. ,Then we should give way to Eun-joo-ssi today. She carefully cradled her stomach and stood up.

Kang Ji-won also stood up. ,I guess we have no choice.

Park Min-ah grumbled slightly. ,Why am I the only one with no news…? But she reluctantly got up at Kang Ji-won’s urging.

The three said goodbye to Lee Han. His expression was still calm, but something flashed deep in his eyes.

The door closed, and only Lee Han, Kim Eun-joo, and Jin-woo remained in the office.

A sense of tension hung in the air. Kim Eun-joo’s hand stroked her stomach once again. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of expectation and anxiety.

Lee Han slowly raised his head and looked at Kim Eun-joo. His eyes were deep and dark.

,Is there something you want to say, Eun-joo-ssi? His voice was soft.

Kim Eun-joo took a deep breath and carefully opened her mouth. Her voice was trembling but full of expectation.

,Lee Han-ssi… I… I’m pregnant.

Lee Han’s eyes deepened for a moment. A smile slowly spread across his lips. The smile contained a mixture of satisfaction and complex emotions.

,Congratulations, Eun-joo-ssi. Lee Han’s voice was soft and warm.

Jin-woo was playing with toys next to them, so the two didn’t show any particular affection. But Kim Eun-joo’s eyes were filled with deep satisfaction at Lee Han’s reaction.

After a while, taking advantage of the fact that Jin-woo was completely absorbed in his toys, Lee Han and Kim Eun-joo looked at each other. Deep affection filled their eyes.

Lee Han carefully approached Kim Eun-joo. Their lips met softly. It was a short but intense kiss. As they parted, the two exchanged affectionate smiles.

,See you next time, Kim Eun-joo whispered in a small voice. Her eyes were full of expectation and excitement.

Lee Han nodded and smiled. His eyes were deep and complex.

Kim Eun-joo took Jin-woo’s hand and stood up. ,Jin-woo-ya, let’s go.

The door closed and a strange silence hung in the office where Lee Han was left alone. A smile still lingered on his lips, but his eyes grew deeper and deeper. Complex thoughts flashed through his mind.

—

The inside of the police station was as noisy as usual. The sound of ringing telephones, the sound of keyboards clacking, and the sound of colleagues talking filled Im Ha-yoon’s ears. She was buried in a pile of documents stacked on her desk. She had been mindlessly processing the work that had piled up since the weekend.

,Ha-yoon-ah, did you have a good weekend?

Im Ha-yoon raised her head at the sudden voice. Park Joon-ho was standing in front of her desk. A soft smile still lingered on his face.

,Ah, Detective Senior. Im Ha-yoon greeted him happily, but at that moment, the scene she had seen at the apartment last weekend flashed through her mind. Her smile momentarily froze, but she quickly put on a bright expression.

,Yes, well… so-so.

Park Joon-ho glanced at the documents on Im Ha-yoon’s desk and asked. ,Did something happen on the weekend? You look tired.

Im Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment. Park Joon-ho’s appearance at the apartment flickered before her eyes. Biting her lip slightly, she chose to lie.

,No, I just… rested at home. I guess I’m tired from sleeping in a bit.

Park Joon-ho nodded and smiled. ,Really? Then shall we have dinner together tonight? To relieve your fatigue.

Im Ha-yoon’s heart beat rapidly for a moment. She seemed to waver for a moment at his suggestion, but then shook her head.

,I’m sorry, Detective Senior. I’m a bit busy today…

Park Joon-ho’s expression froze for a moment. Disappointment flashed in his eyes, but Im Ha-yoon tried to ignore it. She turned her gaze back to the documents and pretended to concentrate on her work.

,Okay… then next time. Park Joon-ho’s voice was a little lower.

Im Ha-yoon nodded in response. Only after Park Joon-ho left did she let out a deep sigh. Complex emotions weighed down on her chest.

After Park Ho-joon left, Im Ha-yoon finished organizing the documents on her desk. Her hands moved quickly, but her mind was still complicated. The conversation with Park Ho-joon, and the clues to the hidden incident behind it… everything was tangled up.

As she organized the last document, Im Ha-yoon picked up her cell phone. After hesitating for a moment, she began to write a message as if she had made up her mind.

,Lee Han-ssi, hello. Could I possibly meet Park Min-ah-ssi this week? Please confirm.

The moment she pressed the send button, Im Ha-yoon’s heart began to beat rapidly. She placed her cell phone on her desk and waited anxiously. Time seemed to pass slowly.

,Quickly… please reply quickly…

Im Ha-yoon was unknowingly tapping the desk with her finger. Her eyes were staring intently at the cell phone screen.

Suddenly, the screen lit up with a vibration. Im Ha-yoon almost reflexively picked up her cell phone.

,Yes, Detective. I’ll see you at the management office this evening.

A smile spread across Im Ha-yoon’s face as she checked Lee Han’s reply. Her eyes brightened.

,Finally… I might be able to get a clue.

Im Ha-yoon felt a sense of anticipation rising in her chest. It seemed that the investigation, which had been stagnant for a long time, could now enter a new phase.

She checked the message once again and put down her cell phone. As she organized the documents on her desk, Im Ha-yoon’s mind was already filled with thoughts about the meeting that evening. What questions should she ask, what information should she get…

But at the same time, a small sense of unease was also taking root in one corner of her mind. Could this meeting really go as she hoped?

Im Ha-yoon took a deep breath. A determined will settled in her eyes.

,No matter what happens, I’m going to find out the truth this time.

She smiled as she looked at her cell phone once again. Tonight, she would be able to get one step closer to the truth. Im Ha-yoon began to wait for the remaining time with a mixture of anticipation and tension in her chest.