#63.

The door of the apartment management office opened, and Jung Seo-yeon entered. Lee Han raised his head and looked at her. For a moment, an interesting light flashed in his eyes.

,Hello, Seo-yeon-ssi. I requested a visit because I have something to ask you regarding your residency.”

Lee Han said with a gentle smile.

Jung Seo-yeon nodded slightly, as if in response to his smile.

,What’s the matter?”

Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of wariness.

Lee Han pointed to the sofa and suggested she sit down. As Jung Seo-yeon sat down, he lowered his voice.

,Seo-yeon-ssi, this might be a sensitive topic… I’ve heard some unpleasant rumors circulating in the complex lately.”

Jung Seo-yeon’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

,What kind of rumors?”

Lee Han acted as if he was hesitating for a moment.

,Um… it’s about Seo-yeon-ssi’s personal life. Especially with foreign men…”

He trailed off.

Jung Seo-yeon’s expression hardened for a moment, then softened again.

,Those kinds of rumors are a personal matter. I’ll take care of it myself.”

Lee Han watched her reaction carefully. “

But, Seo-yeon-ssi. If the rumors spread further within the complex… you know, these things can spiral out of control.”

Jung Seo-yeon looked directly into Lee Han’s eyes and said.

,If that happens, I’ll have no choice but to take legal action. I need to protect my reputation, too.”

Her voice was firm. Lee Han pretended to agree on the surface, but inwardly, he was even more intrigued by her strong demeanor.

,Yes, I understand. I’ll pass it on.”

Jung Seo-yeon stood up. A graceful smile lingered on her face, but her eyes were cold.

,Thank you. I appreciate your cooperation.”

After the door closed and Jung Seo-yeon left, Lee Han leaned back deeply in his chair. A faint smile spread across his lips.

,This won’t be easy…’

Immediately after Jung Seo-yeon left, the door to the management office opened again. Han Su-jin entered with a confident stride. Lee Han looked at her with a puzzled expression.

,What’s going on?” Lee Han asked.

Han Su-jin ignored his gaze and settled comfortably on the sofa.

,Pregnant women shouldn’t just stay at home. I’m taking a walk.”

Lee Han chuckled.

,So you came all the way here?”

Instead of answering, Han Su-jin gestured towards the door with her eyes.

,Who was that woman who just left?”

,It’s none of your business,” Lee Han replied nonchalantly.

Han Su-jin clicked her tongue and sneered.

,Changing them again? You’re so fast.”

Lee Han frowned.

,What’s really going on?”

,I’m the head of the women’s association, after all. I came because there’s something to do.”

Han Su-jin said casually.

,Bring me the documents.”

Lee Han sighed and found the documents, handing them to her. Han Su-jin took the documents and tapped the table with one hand.

,What now?”

Lee Han asked in an annoyed voice.

,Peel me some fruit.”

Han Su-jin said as if it were obvious.

Lee Han looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, but Han Su-jin gave him a ‘what are you going to do about it?’ look. In the end, Lee Han shook his head and started peeling fruit from the refrigerator.

Han Su-jin checked the documents and absentmindedly opened her mouth. Lee Han chuckled and picked up a piece of fruit with a fork, putting it in her mouth.

In the silence, the two focused on their respective tasks. Han Su-jin reviewed the documents, and Lee Han peeled the fruit. The tension between them was still there, but strangely, there was a comfortable atmosphere.

,This…” Han Su-jin suddenly opened her mouth. ,This part is a bit strange, isn’t it?”

Lee Han looked at the part she was pointing to. ,Ah, this needs to be corrected. Thank you.”

Han Su-jin smiled slightly. ,Well, it’s my job.”

The two continued to review and correct the documents. Their past and present, and their uncertain future, coexisted in this small office. Just as Han Su-jin’s belly was slowly growing, their relationship was also changing ambiguously.

–

The sound of the front door slamming shut echoed inside Seo-yeon’s house. She carelessly threw off her shoes and entered the living room. Her face was a mixture of anger and frustration.

,Shibal!”

Seo-yeon threw herself onto the sofa and cursed.

,How could this kind of thing happen? That manager is such a pain in the ass!”

Her fingers dug into the leather of the sofa. Her usual elegant and calm demeanor was nowhere to be found, and only raw emotion dominated her.

Seo-yeon looked at the ceiling and sighed.

,I used to let loose when I went abroad, but now it’s just domestic flights, so I don’t even have the chance, which is so frustrating…’

In her mind, desire and reality, stress and responsibility swirled together. She was conflicted between the title of a bride-to-be and her secret desires.

Suddenly, the phone rang, cutting through the quiet air. Seo-yeon picked up the phone irritably. When she saw the name on the screen, her expression changed instantly.

,Hello? Oh, honey.”

Seo-yeon’s voice changed 180 degrees. Her tone, which had turned soft and affectionate, showed no trace of the anger from just moments before.

,The wedding preparations are going well. Yeah, I want to see you soon too. See you later.”

After hanging up, Seo-yeon stared blankly at the phone for a while. A complex emotion flickered in her eyes.

,I should hold back today, unfortunately. But I need to find a way to relieve stress somehow tomorrow.’

Seo-yeon slowly got up and stood in front of the mirror. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed deeply. She was conflicted between the image of a perfect bride-to-be and her secret desires.

,Is this really the life I want?”

She muttered softly. But she shook her head and dismissed the thought.

Seo-yeon headed to the desk where the wedding invitations were placed. Her eyes gleamed coldly.

,At least for now….’

And so, Seo-yeon put on another mask and returned to her role as the perfect bride-to-be. But deep within her, the embers of desire were still burning.

–

In the evening, a secret meeting between Kim Eun-ju and Lee Han was taking place under the dim lights of the management office. Kim Eun-ju’s lips were enveloping Lee Han’s penis. Her head moved up and down rapidly, creating a rhythm. Lee Han’s breathing became rough, and his hand gripped Kim Eun-ju’s hair more tightly.

Suddenly, Lee Han’s body tensed and trembled. Kim Eun-ju didn’t stop moving and accepted his climax. Her throat undulated as she slowly swallowed.

When it was all over, Kim Eun-ju raised her head and looked up at Lee Han. She parted her lips slightly to show that she had swallowed everything.

Satisfaction spread across Lee Han’s face. He reached out and gently stroked Kim Eun-ju’s hair. No emotion could be read in her eyes.

,Good job, Eun-ju-ssi.”

There was a dangerous sweetness in his voice.

Kim Eun-ju slowly got up, wiped her mouth, and straightened her clothes. All of her movements were marked by mechanical indifference.

,How’s work?”

,It’s manageable since it’s still early in my return.”

Kim Eun-ju’s cold answer made Lee Han’s eyebrows twitch slightly, and a moment of fear flashed across Kim Eun-ju’s face. Seeing this, Lee Han continued in a softer tone.

,Don’t worry, Jin-woo is doing well at daycare.”

Kim Eun-ju’s expression brightened for a moment.

,How do you know?”

,It’s easy to keep an eye on since it’s the apartment daycare. I’m taking good care of him, so don’t worry about your son.”

Lee Han replied with a smile, and a look of relief crossed Kim Eun-ju’s face. Lee Han didn’t miss the opportunity and continued.

,If you just take your punishment well, I’ll help you with what I can, so don’t worry.”

Kim Eun-ju lowered her head and said in a small voice.

,Thank you.”

,Now, go pick up Jin-woo.”

Kim Eun-ju silently nodded and left the office.

–

Late at night, Lee Han’s footsteps, patrolling the apartment complex alone, cut through the quiet darkness. Unlike usual, he was alone today. Park Min-ah had an appointment with a friend, Han Su-jin was pregnant, and Kim Eun-ju had to spend time with her family.

,It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this,’ Lee Han thought. At the end of summer, a cool breeze brushed past his cheek. The apartment complex, bathed in the soft moonlight, looked peaceful.

At that moment, Lee Han’s ears perked up at the faint voices coming from a distance. He naturally moved towards the source of the sound. In the darkness, the silhouettes of two people gradually emerged.

A man was supporting a woman who seemed drunk. The man’s worried voice and the woman’s demure attitude were noticeable. Lee Han observed them with curious eyes.

,Are you okay?,” the man’s gentle voice was heard.

Instead of answering, the woman leaned more deeply on the man’s shoulder. Their appearance seemed somehow awkward.

Lee Han deliberately made noise as he approached. The man gave him a wary look at his sudden appearance.

,Hello, I’m the apartment manager.”

Lee Han said in a soft voice. His attitude was polite, but his eyes were sharp.

The man frowned and looked at Lee Han. The words that came out of his mouth were short and curt.

,Ah, yes.”

He pointed at Lee Han with his chin and said.

,Is there a problem?”

His voice was a mixture of annoyance and wariness. The arm supporting the drunk woman tightened.

Discomfort welled up inside Lee Han, but he perfectly controlled his expression. Instead, he carefully examined the woman with his sharp eyes.

,Jung Seo-yeon?’

He saw Jung Seo-yeon clinging to the man with half-closed, drunken eyes. But she couldn’t escape Lee Han’s eyes. Lee Han, who immediately recognized that she was acting, was dumbfounded. But he didn’t show it.

,It’s late. Please go in carefully.”

Lee Han said. There was no emotion in his voice.

,Yes, I understand.”

The man replied curtly.

Lee Han nodded and left the scene. He walked slowly, listening to the sound of the two moving away.

Before long, their footsteps disappeared completely. Lee Han stopped walking and turned around. A smile spread across his lips, and Lee Han headed to the management office at a brisk pace.