#85.

On a cool autumn night, the management office was filled with a feverish heat. Faint moonlight seeped through the window, illuminating the silhouettes of a man and a woman on the bed.

Park Min-ah slowly moved on top of Lee Han. Her insides were filled with Lee Han, and the sensation made her whole body tremble. Lee Han’s hands firmly gripped her waist.

,Manager-nim…” Park Min-ah’s voice trembled. Her eyes were filled with desire for Lee Han.

Lee Han gently squeezed Park Min-ah’s buttocks. “That’s right, Min-ah-ssi. Slowly…”

At his words, Park Min-ah adjusted her rhythm. The pressure and heat felt inside her grew stronger and stronger. Park Min-ah’s hands caressed Lee Han’s firm chest.

Park Min-ah’s breathing grew rough. Every time her thighs touched Lee Han’s side, an electric-like stimulation ran through her body.

Lee Han reached out and gently gripped Park Min-ah’s waist. His fingers slowly moved along her skin.

,Min-ah-ssi…” Lee Han’s voice rumbled low.

Park Min-ah reacted to Lee Han’s touch, leaning her body slightly forward. Her hand touched Lee Han’s chest, and at that moment, her insides tightened even more.

Lee Han lifted his upper body slightly and brought his lips to Park Min-ah’s neck. His breath tickled her skin.

Park Min-ah’s breathing grew rough. Her fingernails lightly scratched Lee Han’s chest, and Lee Han closed his eyes at the stimulation.

As the two bodies pressed closer together, the room was filled with feverish heat and heavy breathing. Park Min-ah’s movements grew faster and faster, and their passion was rushing towards its peak.

In an instant, Park Min-ah’s body arched like a bow. Her thighs began to tremble, and a small scream escaped her lips at the intense sensation that surged like a wave from within. Park Min-ah’s fingers gripped Lee Han’s shoulders tightly.

At the moment of climax, Park Min-ah’s vision turned white. Her whole body trembled as if convulsing, and a hot heat spread throughout her body from the parts that touched Lee Han.

,Ah…!” A long sigh escaped Park Min-ah’s lips.

As the afterglow faded, Park Min-ah collapsed weakly onto Lee Han’s chest. Her cheek touched Lee Han’s warm skin. Park Min-ah’s bobbed hair, wet with sweat, tickled Lee Han’s neck.

,I love you…” Park Min-ah said in a trembling voice. Her lips were touching Lee Han’s chest, and she could feel his heartbeat.

Lee Han slowly raised his hand and gently stroked Park Min-ah’s hair. At his touch, Park Min-ah clung to him even more.

The breathing of the two gradually stabilized. A small tremor from the remaining afterglow continued in Park Min-ah’s body, and Lee Han quietly hugged her.

In the silence of the night, the two felt each other’s body temperature and heartbeat, and did not say anything for a while.

As the afterglow faded, Lee Han slowly raised his body. His gaze turned to Park Min-ah.

,How is your relationship with Kang Ji-won going?” Lee Han’s voice was soft, but the hidden intention within could be sensed.

Park Min-ah paused for a moment in thought. “It’s going well. Ji-won-ssi… seems to care about me a lot.”

A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. “Good. I’m looking forward to it.”

Lee Han slowly lowered his body. His breath touched Park Min-ah’s face. Park Min-ah instinctively closed her eyes, and at that moment, Lee Han’s lips gently covered hers.

At first, it was a soft and cautious kiss. But it gradually deepened. Lee Han’s tongue gently swept across Park Min-ah’s lips, and Park Min-ah opened her mouth with a small moan. Their tongues intertwined.

Park Min-ah’s hands wrapped around Lee Han’s neck. Her fingers dug into his hair. One of Lee Han’s hands firmly held Park Min-ah’s waist, and the other gently caressed her cheek.

As the kiss deepened, Park Min-ah’s breathing quickened. Their bodies were so close that her chest touched Lee Han’s. While Lee Han’s lips were devouring Park Min-ah’s, his fingers slowly moved along her back.

Finally, as their breath reached their throats, the two parted their lips. Park Min-ah’s cheeks were flushed, and a flame of desire flickered in her eyes. Lee Han’s gaze was also deep and dark.

,Don’t worry. I’ll do well.” Park Min-ah whispered, catching her breath. Her voice trembled, but there was a firm determination within.

Lee Han smiled and lightly kissed Park Min-ah’s forehead. As his lips touched her skin, a shiver ran through Park Min-ah’s body.

Lee Han slowly lifted his waist. The moment the two separated, Park Min-ah felt a sudden emptiness. Her insides tingled with regret. Cold air brushed against the spot where Lee Han’s body heat had been.

Park Min-ah watched Lee Han’s movements, lost in the afterglow. Every single thing, from the way he carefully removed the condom to the way he tied it up and threw it in the trash, was engraved in her eyes.

At that moment, Han Su-jin’s face flashed through Park Min-ah’s mind. The image of Han Su-jin smiling brightly as she shared the news of her pregnancy when they happened to run into each other on the street last time was vivid. The image of her placing her hand on her stomach and looking happy came to mind.

,Maybe I too…’

Park Min-ah’s heart suddenly began to beat. Her hand unconsciously reached for her stomach. Although there was nothing there yet, a shiver ran through her body as she imagined the moment when she would hold Lee Han’s child someday.

Impulsively, Park Min-ah approached Lee Han from behind as he sat. The scent emanating from his back stimulated her. Park Min-ah carefully reached out and hugged Lee Han.

Park Min-ah’s heart beat fiercely. Her hand slowly caressed Lee Han’s chest. In her mind, she pictured herself with Lee Han’s child. Could she have Lee Han’s child like Han Su-jin? The thought alone made her whole body flutter with excitement.

,Manager-nim… I’m also now…” Park Min-ah’s voice trembled. Her lips were almost touching Lee Han’s ear.

Lee Han slowly turned his head at Park Min-ah’s soft voice. His eyebrows lifted slightly, and one side of his lips lifted slightly, forming a questioning expression.

,What are you talking about, Min-ah-ssi?” Lee Han’s voice was soft, but the hidden curiosity within could be sensed.

Instead of answering, Park Min-ah slowly caressed her stomach. Her fingers stroked around her navel in a circular motion. Her eyes were filled with earnestness and anticipation.

Lee Han’s eyes followed Park Min-ah’s hand movements. In an instant, his pupils dilated slightly. A light of understanding flashed across his face.

,Ah…” A small exclamation escaped Lee Han’s lips.

He slowly reached out and placed his hand on top of Park Min-ah’s. His fingers intertwined with Park Min-ah’s.

,Now I understand.” Lee Han’s voice rumbled low. A smile spread across his lips.

Park Min-ah’s eyes sparkled with hope. She held her breath, waiting for Lee Han’s reaction.

Lee Han slowly turned his head and met Park Min-ah’s eyes. His gaze was deep and complex. There was understanding, calculation, and perhaps even genuine affection mixed in it.

,Is that what you want?” Lee Han asked softly.

Park Min-ah nodded slightly. Her cheeks flushed red.

Lee Han slowly smiled. There were various emotions hidden in that smile.

,I see.” A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. “Then we need to finish this matter well, until the end.”

Park Min-ah’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. She leaned her face against Lee Han’s back and took a deep breath. As the two’s skin touched again, Park Min-ah’s heart began to beat rapidly.

—

Late at night, in the quietness of the apartment complex, Kang Ji-won sat on a bench, fidgeting anxiously with her fingers. Her eyes were constantly scanning her surroundings, and her heart was beating irregularly.

,It’s for Min-ah-ssi…’ Kang Ji-won repeated in her mind. Her heart ached as she imagined Park Min-ah’s sadness, but her determination to save her from that man was even stronger.

Footsteps were heard in the distance. Kang Ji-won’s body stiffened with tension.

Park Min-ah approached. A bright smile appeared on her face. “Ji-won-ssi, what’s wrong?”

Kang Ji-won’s heart wavered for a moment at that innocent-looking smile. But she quickly regained her composure.

,Min-ah-ssi,” Kang Ji-won’s voice trembled. “Who… who is that man?”

Park Min-ah’s expression was puzzled for a moment, but soon brightened as if she understood. “Ah, are you talking about the manager-nim? He’s the manager of the management office.”

Kang Ji-won carefully observed Park Min-ah’s reaction. Her answer was natural, but Kang Ji-won’s suspicion only deepened.

,What’s your relationship with him?” Kang Ji-won asked cautiously.

Park Min-ah answered without hesitation. A warm smile spread across her face.

,Manager-nim has been a really big help to me. He’s always been by my side whenever I’m having a hard time. At first, he was just the manager of the management office, but he gradually became a special person to me.”

Affection filled Park Min-ah’s eyes. She continued to speak.

,Manager-nim always listens to my stories. Whenever I feel lonely, he hugs me warmly and listens to my concerns seriously. Thanks to him, I’ve been able to live really happily in this apartment.”

Deep gratitude and affection were evident in Park Min-ah’s voice.

,Manager-nim is… a special person to me. I don’t know how else to express it beyond that.”

There was sincerity in Park Min-ah’s words, but Kang Ji-won did not know the complex relationship hidden within.

As she listened to Park Min-ah’s words, Kang Ji-won’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. Her intuition was warning her that something was wrong. The gap between the pure affection in Park Min-ah’s eyes and the secret scene she had witnessed in front of the management office before was too great.

The memory of that night flashed vividly in Kang Ji-won’s mind. The figures of the two women coming out of the management office, the secret glances exchanged between them and Lee Han, and the touches that brushed against each other’s bodies.

,That man… he’s not just being kind.’ Suspicion grew in Kang Ji-won’s mind. ‘He’s playing around with several women at the same time.’

Every time Park Min-ah spoke about Lee Han, and Kang Ji-won saw the affectionate light in her eyes, a protective instinct surged within Kang Ji-won along with anger.

,Min-ah-ssi doesn’t know. The real face of this man…’

Kang Ji-won’s hand clenched and unclenched into a fist. Her breathing became slightly rough. Kang Ji-won’s mind was confused about how to convey the truth hidden behind Park Min-ah’s innocent-looking smile to her.

,Min-ah-ssi…” Kang Ji-won opened her mouth and then closed it again. She hesitated about how to bring up the topic.

Kang Ji-won took a deep breath. Her hands were trembling. As if determined, she raised her head and looked at Park Min-ah.

,Min-ah-ssi, don’t be surprised. I… I have something to show you.”

Her voice contained a resolute will and a subtle tremor at the same time. Kang Ji-won carefully took Park Min-ah’s hand. Question marks filled Park Min-ah’s eyes.

Kang Ji-won slowly took out her cell phone. As her finger touched the screen, the photo she had taken that night appeared. A scene of Lee Han kissing another woman.

,This is…” Kang Ji-won’s voice trembled. “This is the figure of that manager-nim you mentioned.”

As Kang Ji-won held out her cell phone, Park Min-ah’s expression changed in an instant. Her eyes widened, and her lips trembled slightly. Park Min-ah carefully took the cell phone and stared intently at the screen.

,What… what is this?” Park Min-ah’s voice trembled.

Kang Ji-won felt her chest tighten. “Min-ah-ssi, this is that manager-nim. With another woman…”

Tears began to well up in Park Min-ah’s eyes. Her hands trembled slightly. “Why… why are you showing me this?”

Her voice grew louder and louder. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Kang Ji-won looked visibly flustered. “I just wanted to help Min-ah-ssi. I thought that person was using you…”

,Did I ask you to help me?” Park Min-ah retorted sharply. She roughly returned the cell phone to Kang Ji-won. “Why are you doing something I didn’t ask you to do?”

Kang Ji-won was at a loss for words. “I’m… I’m really sorry. I just didn’t want Min-ah-ssi to get hurt…”

,There’s no way that person would do that.” Disappointment was evident in Park Min-ah’s voice. “Ji-won-ssi, I trusted you…”

Park Min-ah couldn’t continue speaking and turned away, crying. She ran towards her house at a fast pace.

Kang Ji-won could only stand there and watch Park Min-ah’s back. Complex emotions swirled within her chest.

Slowly sitting down on the bench, Kang Ji-won let out a deep sigh. Tears welled up in her eyes as well. The night air felt cold.

,Did I make a mistake?’ Kang Ji-won asked herself. But in one corner of her heart, the embers of doubt were still burning.