#92.

At dawn, Kang Jiwon’s room was submerged in deep darkness. Only the faint moonlight seeping through the window illuminated her tossing and turning. Kang Jiwon was spending the night with her eyes wide open. The promise with Lee Han was constantly circling in her head, disturbing her sleep.

,Is this really okay…? ‘

Questions constantly arose in her mind. She wasn’t sure if her decision to sacrifice herself for Park Mina was the right one. But recalling Park Mina’s smiling face, Kang Jiwon steeled her resolve once more.

At 5 a.m., Kang Jiwon gave up trying to sleep and got out of bed. Her steps were heavy, and her shoulders were slumped. Standing in front of the mirror, Kang Jiwon looked at herself. A pale face, bloodshot eyes, and trembling lips. She felt like she was looking at a stranger.

Kang Jiwon let out a deep sigh. She slowly began to put on makeup. She covered her pale complexion with foundation and hid her bloodshot eyes with eyeliner. But she couldn’t hide the look in her eyes with makeup. A complex mix of anxiety, fear, and determination dwelled in her pupils.

Having finished preparing for work, Kang Jiwon paused in front of the front door. Her hand repeatedly grasped and released the doorknob. Taking a deep breath, she finally opened the door.

,I can do it, Kang Jiwon.’

She muttered softly and moved her feet.

Arriving at the kindergarten, Kang Jiwon greeted the children in a way that was different from usual. Her eyes were hazy, and her smile was awkward. The children quickly noticed their teacher’s strange appearance.

,Teacher, are you sick today?’ Jinwoo asked with a worried look.

Kang Jiwon forced a bright expression and replied. ,No, I’m okay. Teacher is fine.’

But her heart was far from fine. She constantly questioned whether her decision to sacrifice herself for Park Mina was the right one. Nevertheless, Kang Jiwon tried not to regret her choice.

,Okay, what shall we play today?’ Kang Jiwon asked, forcing a cheerful voice.

The children made various suggestions, but Kang Jiwon didn’t hear them well. Her mind was still filled with the promise with Lee Han.

,Teacher, are you listening?’ one child complained.

Kang Jiwon was startled and came to her senses. ,Ah, I’m sorry. Teacher was daydreaming for a moment.’

She started playing with the children, but her movements were awkward and her reactions were slow. Usually, she would have laughed and chatted with the children, having fun together, but today she just seemed to be moving formally.

Her fellow teacher, Kim Miyoung-ssi, approached Kang Jiwon. Her face was full of worry.

,Jiwon-ssi, what’s wrong? You don’t look good.’

Kang Jiwon sighed deeply and shook her head. ,Just… I’m a little tired.’

,Is it a man problem?’ Kim Miyoung-ssi asked cautiously.

Kang Jiwon was momentarily flustered. Her eyes widened, then she gave a sad smile.

,No… it’s not that.’

Kim Miyoung-ssi patted Kang Jiwon’s shoulder and said. ,If you have any difficulties, tell me anytime. I’ll listen.’

Kang Jiwon felt grateful, but her heart ached. She couldn’t tell anyone about this. This was a burden she had to bear alone.

,Thank you, Miyoung-ssi,’ Kang Jiwon said in a small voice.

Morning classes ended and it was lunchtime. Kang Jiwon helped the children with their lunch, but she kept glancing at the clock. As time passed, her heart began to beat faster.

,There’s not much time left now…’

Kang Jiwon bit her lip and steeled herself. She tried to focus on the children, but the meeting with Lee Han kept circling in her head.

,Teacher, give me more!’ one child held out their rice bowl.

Kang Jiwon was startled and came to her senses. She gave the child more rice and forced a smile.

,Yes, you have to eat a lot to grow big and strong.’

But her voice lacked its usual warmth. Kang Jiwon felt her heart ache as she felt her own change. She felt sorry for the children.

,Just bear with it a little longer. This is all for Mina-ssi.’

Kang Jiwon continued to comfort herself in her heart. But as time passed, her anxiety only grew. As the meeting with Lee Han approached, her heart became even more complicated.

—

Kang Jiwon’s hand gripped the phone in her pocket tightly. Her face was pale as she stood in front of the management office door, and cold sweat was beading on her back. With trembling hands, she took out her phone and turned on the recording function. ,It’s for later,’ she muttered in her heart.

,It’s for Mina,’ Kang Jiwon closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Park Mina’s smiling face came to mind. To protect that smile, she had to endure all of this.

Kang Jiwon slowly opened the door. With a click, it felt like her fate was being decided.

Lee Han was standing in front of the desk. A smile spread across his lips. ,You’ve come, Jiwon-ssi.’

Kang Jiwon nodded silently. Her throat was parched.

Lee Han pointed to the sofa. ,Please sit down.’

Kang Jiwon slowly walked towards the sofa. Her legs were trembling. As she sat on the sofa, Lee Han sat next to her. The distance between them was so close that Kang Jiwon found it hard to breathe.

Lee Han’s hand gently touched Kang Jiwon’s shoulder. At that moment, Kang Jiwon’s whole body stiffened. She instinctively flinched, but she couldn’t escape. ,Mina, Mina…’ She constantly thought of Park Mina and tried to endure the situation.

,Are you nervous?’ Lee Han’s voice rang out softly.

Kang Jiwon didn’t answer. Her gaze was fixed on the floor.

Lee Han’s hand gently lifted her chin. Kang Jiwon had no choice but to meet his eyes. Lee Han’s eyes looked warm, but the desire hidden within them made Kang Jiwon uncomfortable.

,Jiwon-ssi, you’re really beautiful,’ Lee Han whispered.

His face came closer and closer. Kang Jiwon closed her eyes tightly. Her heart began to beat like crazy.

Lee Han’s lips lightly touched her lips. It was a soft and warm sensation. Kang Jiwon’s stomach twisted. It was as if her whole body was rejecting it. This unfamiliar sensation, this foreign contact, was going against her instincts.

Disgust and fear swirled in Kang Jiwon’s heart. Her fingers gripped the sofa cushion tightly. Recalling Park Mina’s soft lips and the kiss she had dreamed of, which was so different from this moment, Kang Jiwon felt her soul slowly collapsing.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Her lips trembled, and it was hard to breathe. But she couldn’t run away. For Park Mina, she had to endure this pain.

Lee Han’s kiss deepened. His tongue tickled Kang Jiwon’s lips. Kang Jiwon instinctively opened her mouth, and soon their tongues intertwined.

Her body stiffened with tension, and her heart beat rapidly with fear. This situation, this unfamiliar sensation, confused her.

Lee Han’s hand stroked Kang Jiwon’s back. His touch was gentle, but it felt like terrible torture to Kang Jiwon. She trembled. Instinctively, she wanted to run away, but she gritted her teeth at the thought that she had to endure it for Park Mina.

Kang Jiwon closed her eyes tightly. She tried to endure this moment by thinking of Park Mina’s face. Fear and disgust tormented her. She tried to erase this terrible sensation by digging her fingernails deep into her palms. ,Just a little more, just a little more…’ She repeated in her heart.

,This is wrong,’ Kang Jiwon thought desperately. ,But for Mina…’

Lee Han’s hand slowly moved down and wrapped around Kang Jiwon’s waist. The heat from his palm spread across her skin. Kang Jiwon stopped breathing. Every time his fingers moved along her waist, Kang Jiwon felt goosebumps all over her body.

,Endure it, you have to endure it…’ She desperately steeled herself.

Lee Han’s hand moved further down and touched her thigh. As his fingers slowly drew circles, Kang Jiwon felt her body stiffen. His touch was gentle, but to Kang Jiwon, it was like walking on a hot iron plate.

A warning sounded in Kang Jiwon’s head. ,If it goes on like this…’

Her instinct screamed. A desperate feeling that she couldn’t take it anymore washed over her.

,No!’ Kang Jiwon shouted, squeezing out the last of her strength. She instinctively pushed Lee Han away.

Her voice trembled, but it was firm. Lee Han seemed momentarily surprised. Disappointment flashed in his eyes, but it soon turned into a soft smile.

,I’m sorry. I won’t rush you,’ Lee Han said. He slowly stood up. ,See you tomorrow, Jiwon-ssi.’

Kang Jiwon left the office with a confused heart. Her legs were trembling, and her skin was still burning where Lee Han’s touch had been. A myriad of emotions swirled in her heart.

Love for Park Mina, the pain of sacrificing herself for her, the disgust for actions that clashed with her identity, and the fear of this whole situation. All of this was intertwined, weighing heavily on Kang Jiwon’s heart.

,Is this really the right thing to do?’ she asked herself. But she couldn’t find an answer. Just thinking of Park Mina’s face, she comforted herself that she had to endure all of this.

Kang Jiwon took out her phone with trembling hands and stopped recording. She wanted to believe that this evidence would save her someday. But at this moment, her heart was filled with only confusion and pain.

Kang Jiwon left the management office and walked slowly through the apartment complex. Red-tinged maple leaves fluttered in the wind. Her heart was still confused, and the uncomfortable sensation from the meeting with Lee Han remained on her body.

,Jiwon-ssi?’

Startled by the familiar voice, Kang Jiwon raised her head. Park Mina, dressed in her company suit, was standing in front of her. She looked tired, as if she was on her way home from work, but she still had a bright smile on her face.

,Mina-ssi… are you off work?’ Kang Jiwon forced a smile.

Park Mina nodded. ,Yes, I was a bit late today. What brings you here at this hour, Jiwon-ssi?’

,Ah… I was just taking a walk for a bit,’ Kang Jiwon replied vaguely.

,Is that so? Let’s walk together. This autumn weather is really nice, isn’t it?’ Park Mina suggested.

The two walked side by side, talking. Their shadows stretched long under the orange streetlights. While Park Mina happily talked about what had happened at work, Kang Jiwon carefully watched her expression.

,By the way, Jiwon-ssi, you seem a bit tired these days,’ Park Mina said worriedly. ,Be careful not to catch a cold as the weather gets colder.’

Kang Jiwon felt her heart warm. ,Yes, you too, Mina-ssi. I heard you worked overtime today, don’t overdo it.’

,Ah..and lately..’ Park Mina suddenly said sadly, as if she had remembered something. ,The director-nim has been contacting me less often. I wonder if he’s trying to break up with me now. I guess this is the right thing to do, right?’

At those words, Kang Jiwon’s heart sank. She felt relieved that Lee Han seemed to be keeping his promise to her, but at the same time, she didn’t miss the sadness that flashed in Park Mina’s eyes. The subtle tremor in Park Mina’s voice and the forced smile made Kang Jiwon’s heart ache.

Kang Jiwon swallowed the words that were rising to her throat. ,That man doesn’t love you. You have to forget him.’ But she couldn’t say those words. Instead, she tried to maintain a calm expression and replied carefully.

,Is that so? That’s a relief…’

Kang Jiwon felt her words sound hollow. She reached out and gently patted Park Mina’s shoulder. At that moment, she saw a small tear welling up in Park Mina’s eyes. Kang Jiwon’s heart felt like it was being torn apart.

,Mina-ssi… are you okay?’ she asked softly.

Park Mina quickly wiped away her tears and forced a smile. ,Yes, I’m okay. I’ve already prepared myself.’

Kang Jiwon barely resisted the urge to hug Park Mina tightly. Instead, she gave a warm smile and said. ,Contact me anytime you want to talk. ‘

Gratitude welled up in Park Mina’s eyes. At that moment, Kang Jiwon was once again convinced that her choice was right. She vowed in her heart. ,I will definitely protect you, so that Mina-ssi can truly be happy…’

The two arrived in front of Park Mina’s apartment.

,It was nice meeting you today,’ Park Mina said with a smile. ,Let’s meet like this again next time.’

Kang Jiwon nodded. ,Okay, go in carefully.’

After Park Mina left, Kang Jiwon stood alone, facing the cold autumn wind. Her resolve grew stronger in her heart.

Kang Jiwon clenched her fist tightly. There was no longer any wavering in her eyes. Only a strong will to protect Park Mina was burning. With the sound of rustling fallen leaves, she slowly headed home.