“Ha, she has a pretty face, a gentle personality, and was good at studies.”

And her cooking skills too, Do-hoon added, making Yoonseo uncomfortable.

“Do-ha is so lucky to have such a woman as his wife.”

Gripping her spoon tightly, Yoonseo wondered how Do-hoon could harbor such desires for Haeyeon, his brother’s wife, yet deny it because of fear.

“I won’t warn you again, but don’t get too ambitious and stay out of trouble.”

The sudden recollection of Chairman Yoon’s cold voice made Yoonseo snap.

“… Hurry up and shower. Are you going to be late again today?”

“Stop nagging,” Do-hoon retorted. Yoonseo regretted mentioning Haeyeon, taking her frustration out on him. She reflected on Chairman Yoon’s words, feeling trapped.

A trained dog can be eaten for a mistake.

Yoonseo straightened her back, biting her lip.

But Haeyeon.

To Yoonseo, Haeyeon was like a double-edged sword.

She hoped Haeyeon would be ousted from the Cha family, yet feared someone like Lee Soo-rin or another woman from a prestigious family might take her place. However, leaving Haeyeon alone was risky.

Her phone vibrated with a short message. Reading it, Yoonseo let out a sarcastic laugh.

“She doesn’t seem too relaxed either.”

Though she said this, Yoonseo furrowed her brow. The mere three characters of “Lee Soo-rin” had never seemed so troubling.

After her bath, Haeyeon swirled her glass on the veranda, enjoying the clinking sound of ice. Drinking sparkling water to ease her hangover, she smiled upon seeing a familiar name on her phone’s screen.

“Cutey”

Wondering when she had changed the contact name, Haeyeon smiled and accepted the call.

“Big sister!”

Do-hee’s playful voice came through, instantly bringing warmth to Haeyeon’s heart. Remembering the times she prepared snacks for Do-hee and her friends, Haeyeon’s face lit up with a fond smile.

If she had a sibling, would it have been like this?

Having never truly had a family, Haeyeon genuinely cared for Do-hee and Joo-ah, treating them like her own kin.

“I haven’t called her often lately.”
When Do-hee was a student, she used to call almost every day. Especially as the college entrance exams approached, she would hysterically call Haeyeon, who would then comfort and soothe her. But recently, with Haeyeon’s attention elsewhere, she felt a lot of guilt for being distant from Do-hee.

“Our lady, I missed you.”

[I missed you too! But, sister! How could you not tell me such big news about yourself working, and I had to hear it from Dad today!]

Haeyeon was puzzled by Do-hee’s sudden outburst.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“About your job!!”

Ah, that’s when Haeyeon realized why Do-hee had called her. Yesterday afternoon, after getting accepted at Dallikoffee, she was too busy running around and then drank in the evening, forgetting to tell Do-hee anything. Feeling sorry, Haeyeon cautiously spoke to Do-hee.

“I’m sorry, miss.”

[How could I hear the big news that my sister-in-law is working, and that too from Dad!]

That was the story. Do-hee, who had come home late last night, heard the whole story from her complaining father, Ki-jung, this morning.

Haeyeon felt guilty for having let Do-hee down, consoling her with affectionate teasing. However, Do-hee wasn’t easily appeased, so Haeyeon had to offer what she wanted to hear.

“Then, do you want to go shopping with me tonight?”

[I’d love to!]

Do-hee instantly brightened up, forgetting her grudges and excitedly telling Haeyeon about their plans for the department store visit that evening.

[See you tonight!]

“Yes, miss. See you later.”

After ending the call with Do-hee’s cheerful goodbye, Haeyeon got up, ready for their evening appointment.

Do-hee had called Haeyeon while having lunch with her friends.

“See you tonight!”

[Yes, miss. See you later.]

Despite her friends teasingly rubbing each other’s arms in mock horror at her affectionate tone, Do-hee, unabashed, declared that she would be occupied for the evening.

“I wouldn’t hold you back even if you didn’t say that.”

“Shoo, shoo, go away, traitor.”

“Why don’t you just leave and call Haeyeon unnie instead?”

Unperturbed by her friends’ heartless reactions, Do-hee stood up to make another call.

“I should call oppa too.”

Convincing herself that it’s a rare opportunity for the three of them to meet, Do-hee called Do-ha. As soon as the call connected, she instinctively cooed.

“Oppaaa.”

[Tell me.]

Unfazed by Do-ha’s terse response, knowing how much he adored her, Do-hee boldly stated her request.

“Can’t we make plans for tonight?”

[Why.]

“You have to treat me to a meal.”

[Meal?]

“Yes. I’ve already made plans with sister-in-law, so we just need you!”

She exaggerated, knowing Do-ha wouldn’t easily refuse, especially with Haeyeon involved. Excited at the prospect of spending time with her little brother and his wife, Do-hee’s enthusiasm was quickly dampened by Do-ha’s response.

[I have a prior engagement.]

“What? Really?”

Even with Haeyeon unnie joining? Do-hee made a pitiful face, as if Do-ha could see her through the phone.

[Can’t do it today. Let’s meet another time.]

“Okay…….”

Do-hee frowned as the call ended abruptly. If Do-ha, who usually agreed to anything involving Haeyeon and herself, was this insistent, it must have been something important.

She had wanted to treat Haeyeon and her little brother to dinner, using shopping as an excuse. Of course, her own ulterior motives aside, she genuinely wanted to do something nice for them, given how busy Do-ha had been.

“Blown off! Totally blown off.”

Resigned yet consoled by her plans with Haeyeon, Do-hee put her phone away.

“Are you done with your calls, Cha Do-hee?”

Her friend chided her for being on the phone too much, to which Do-hee quickly apologized.

“Sorry. But I’m all done now!”

Looking forward to her dinner plans with Haeyeon, Do-hee smiled brightly, her voice ringing with excitement.