The sound of Secretary Na's throat clearing was a stark reminder that they were not alone. The bubble of intimacy that had enveloped Hyun-woo and Hae-in in the office was instantly shattered. Hae-in's face, still flushed with a mixture of love and embarrassment, hardened into its familiar mask of cool professionalism. She pushed Hyun-woo's chest, her movements swift and decisive, putting distance between them.
"You have work to do, Director Baek," she said, her voice now back to its usual crisp, commanding tone. "Go."
Hyun-woo, a wide, knowing grin on his face, backed out of her office. He knew what she was doing. She was putting her walls back up, a little flustered and a little vulnerable, and trying to regain control. He didn't mind. He had already won. He gave her a final, playful wink before closing the door, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the ghost of their embrace.
Later that afternoon, the stress of the day finally got to Hae-in. She felt a familiar restlessness, a need to escape the confines of her office. She pressed a button on her intercom. "Secretary Na," she said, her voice a little softer than usual. "Let's go for a walk. I need some fresh air."
They walked through the luxurious Queens Department Store, a place that was both her kingdom and her prison. The polished floors and gleaming displays were a reflection of her power, but the constant pressure to maintain that power had left her feeling suffocated. She walked with a regal, purposeful stride, her gaze sweeping over the various brands and customers.
As they passed a small, chic coffee shop, a familiar figure caught her eye. It was Hyun-woo, and he wasn't alone. He was walking out of the cafe with a girl who was the epitome of "cute." She was young, with big, round eyes and a sweet, innocent smile. She was a new intern in the legal department, a fact that Hae-in knew from a quick glance at a recent hiring report.
Hae-in's internal alarm bells went off. She stopped walking, her eyes narrowed, her body going rigid with a familiar, cold possessiveness. The intern, so young and naive, was laughing at something Hyun-woo had said. As she laughed, she tripped, her foot catching on a small, barely visible divot in the floor. Her arms flailed, and she stumbled, a panicked look on her face.
Before she could fall, Hyun-woo, with the same swift, effortless grace he had used to carry Hae-in in the hospital, reached out and caught her. His hands went to her waist, steadying her, and he held her for a moment, a genuine, concerned smile on his face. The intern's face, so close to his, was a picture of wide-eyed adoration.
Hae-in's world went silent. The sounds of the bustling mall, the music, the chatter of the shoppers, all faded into a distant hum. All she could see was her husband, her "sexy menace," holding another woman. The anger, so quickly becoming a familiar companion, roared to life. This was no innocent gesture. This was a flagrant violation of their unspoken pact. He was flirting. And he was enjoying it.
A cold, dangerous calm settled over her. Her voice, when it came out, was a low, chilling whisper. A whisper that was more powerful than any shout.
"Baek Hyun-woo."
The sound of his name, spoken with such quiet fury, seemed to carry through the air. Hyun-woo, still holding the intern, froze. His body, so relaxed just a moment ago, went rigid. He slowly, reluctantly, turned his head. His eyes met hers, and he saw the look on her face. It was a look he had never seen before, a look of pure, unadulterated anger and betrayal. Her eyes, usually so fierce, were now cold and unforgiving.
He swallowed hard, the nervousness in his throat so thick he could barely speak. The playfulness, the smug charm he had been using, was gone, replaced by a raw, genuine fear. He let go of the intern as if she were a hot coal.
"Y-yes, honey?" he stuttered, his voice a strained, panicked whisper.
Hae-in's lips, which had been set in a thin, angry line, curved into a smile. A smile that didn't reach her eyes. A smile that was more terrifying than any frown could ever be. It was the smile of a predator.
"Run," she said, the single word a quiet, chilling command.
Hyun-woo didn't question her. He didn't ask for a reason. He didn't even say goodbye to the intern, who was now staring at him, completely bewildered. He took off, a panicked look on his face, his legs pumping as fast as they could carry him. He ran past the customers, dodging shoppers, his mind a single thought: run.
Hae-in, her smile still in place, watched him go. And then, she took off after him. Her high heels, usually a symbol of her power, were now a weapon. She ran through the mall, her pursuit a single-minded, furious purpose. The chase was on. And this time, she was not going to stop until she had him.