Chapter 84
It wasn’t a mistake.
‘I definitely unblocked him yesterday, but it’s blocked again.’
At this point, calling it a glitch would be stranger. Someone was deliberately blocking Baek Yeong’s contact on her phone.
‘It’s almost certainly Seo Do-gyeom. He threw out Ye Eun-seol’s gift once out of jealousy, after all.’
She wasn’t exactly angry, but the problem was him tampering with her belongings without permission.
A thief who starts with needles ends up stealing oxen—if she didn’t stop this early, it could grow into something bigger.
‘Early education is important. He probably doesn’t even realize it’s wrong and did it thoughtlessly.’
If Ye Eun-seol or Seo-yeol heard her, they’d be dumbfounded that she was treating Seo Do-gyeom like a child—but she was thoroughly smitten.
She hummed to herself. Everything felt like it belonged to her alone.
‘If I seriously bring up engagement, he’ll probably change his mind, right?’
She fidgeted with her fingers. Truthfully, more than the blocked contact, she wanted to change his stance on refusing engagement.
She didn’t want to force him, so calm conversation first.
‘But the Do Ha-jun issue is resolved now, so surely he’ll want to get engaged. Because he loves me.’
Baek I-hae smiled, cheeks faintly pink, and went downstairs looking for Seo Do-gyeom, who wasn’t in his room.
He wasn’t in the kitchen or living room either. Puzzled, she started walking.
‘Maybe he stepped out for a bit? Then I could visit Uncle.’
She had planned to ask about Jang Chung-won and Jang Seul-gi anyway—perfect timing.
Assuming he’d be in the study, she approached the door. Just as she reached for the handle, she heard Seo I-heum’s rare angry voice from inside.
“I clearly told you to stay out of it and that I would handle it. Why did you act on your own?”
What was he talking about handling?
Baek I-hae instinctively held her breath and listened. Thinking it might be directed at Old Man Oh, she frowned—then heard an unexpected voice.
“Because I didn’t want to let them live.”
It was Seo Do-gyeom.
Her stomach dropped at the chilling words.
Her heart thudded. It felt similar to when she’d seen him dealing with Jang Chung-won.
“You almost got both of you killed. I told you that being in organized crime doesn’t mean murder is acceptable.”
“Yes. But they put I-hae in danger and hurt her.”
There was no guilt or remorse in Seo Do-gyeom’s voice.
“If Father hadn’t stopped me, I would have killed them for sure.”
Baek I-hae stopped breathing. Even after Ye Eun-seol’s hint, she’d desperately denied that Seo Do-gyeom could be responsible.
‘He almost killed someone?’
She had told him clearly that she hated violence. Of course he was gentle with her… but what she wanted wasn’t gentleness reserved only for her.
‘They did wrong, but… they might be the only family I have left in this world.’
Am I the strange one, or is Seo Do-gyeom?
Her eyes wavered. They had tormented her, but she didn’t know if their crimes deserved death.
It felt like witnessing a truth she didn’t want to know. She wondered if she should pretend she’d heard nothing and leave.
“And while you’re so stingy with her, I don’t understand why you insist on getting engaged to another woman.”
Her heart plummeted again.
This shock hit even harder than the last.
Her hands and feet trembled.
‘He said he’d get engaged to another woman?’
Just yesterday he had whispered love, held her tenderly.
With those eyes, those touches that left no room for doubt.
“…”
Seo Do-gyeom neither confirmed nor denied Seo I-heum’s question.
He simply stayed silent. And that silence unsettled Baek I-hae deeply.
‘What should I do?’
Should she pretend she heard nothing, or confront him?
After a brief hesitation, she quietly climbed the stairs to the second floor and waited outside his room.
How much time passed?
The conversation seemed to have ended; she saw Seo Do-gyeom coming up the stairs. The moment he spotted her, a gentle smile spread across his face.
‘If you’re going to look at me like that, why do you keep pushing me away?’
She swallowed the resentment threatening to spill out. Seo Do-gyeom approached, stroked her hair, and asked,
“Why are you up so early?”
He caressed her hair, then her cheek, and bent to kiss her naturally.
Baek I-hae turned her head to avoid it. He flinched.
“…We need to talk.”
She motioned with her chin toward his room. He looked puzzled but nodded.
They entered his room; he followed and closed the door.
“Is something wrong?”
The casual question only fueled her anger. Baek I-hae rubbed her throbbing forehead and spoke.
“You touched my phone without asking. Baek Yeong’s contact was blocked.”
“Yeah, I did that.”
“Why?”
When she scowled, his eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hesitated, then tilted his head and asked,
“…If it upset you, I’m sorry. I didn’t like seeing his contact saved.”
“But I told you he helped me.”
“I know. But he likes you.”
Baek I-hae paused. She herself had been unsure about Baek Yeong’s sudden increase in affection, yet Seo Do-gyeom—who had barely met him—had noticed.
As she blinked in confusion, he frowned.
“His eyes follow only you. I hated it.”
“…But I like you. And it’s my phone, my relationships—you should have asked me. I don’t appreciate this.”
Though part of her was happy he expressed jealousy so openly, she spoke firmly.
Fortunately, unlike his conversation with Seo I-heum earlier, he apologized readily, looking genuinely sulky that he hadn’t realized she’d be upset.
Seeing that expression softened her anger a little. After a brief hesitation, she continued,
“I overheard your conversation with Uncle earlier. It wasn’t intentional.”
Should she be angry, or simply tell him she was hurt?
‘Maybe he’ll say again that he didn’t know I’d be upset, and apologize. He’s used to not considering others’ feelings, but he’s changing because of me.’
If that were the case, she wanted to understand.
“Why… did you tell him you’d get engaged to someone else? The Do Ha-jun problem—the root of your trauma—is solved now.”
“There’s no guarantee another guy like Do Ha-jun won’t appear.”
Contrary to her hopes, his voice was firm, completely different from moments ago.
As if he would not waver.
“Before you came, there were people targeting both me and Yeol. Father’s position is that dangerous.”
“But you said you’d choose a different career, not the family business. You’re even studying to attend the same university as me!”
“Until Yeol is ready to take over, I’m the eldest son and the most likely successor. An engagement with another woman would just be bait.”
“…Bait?”
The coldness in his eyes wasn’t directed at her, yet it still sent a chill through her.
His attitude said he didn’t care what happened to anyone else. Suddenly recalling the news about Jang Seul-gi, Baek I-hae clenched her fists.
“That makes no sense. To protect me, you’d use an innocent person as bait? That’s disrespectful to her and hurtful to me.”
“I-hae.”
“Even if it’s just formal, have you thought about how I’d feel seeing you with another woman? And if the engagement proceeds, what about marriage later?”
Her voice rose. She had started imagining a future with him.
No matter how much he claimed to cherish her, to the outside world Baek I-hae would be nothing more than a mistress.
“I hate it! I hate seeing someone else beside you, and I hate you sacrificing another person just to protect me!”
“Baek I-hae.”
Seo Do-gyeom called her name calmly.
“I wasn’t asking for your opinion. This is something I can’t compromise on.”
Despite her trembling eyes, he spoke resolutely.
