That night.

In the Oaktree House, from where Eun Jo had departed, a silence lingered for a while.

Natalie, who had been staring at Jae Ha, who was drinking wine in silence all along, opened her mouth first.

“I know, I might have been a bit excessive.”
“You think?”
“If I made you feel bad, I’ll apologize.”
“It’s okay, there’s no good or bad feeling.”
“How can a person not have good or bad feelings?”
“I’m like that, Wiseman. I’m the great Alexis.”
Jae Ha, with a faint smirk, didn’t actually seem particularly upset. His voice was calm.

However, the air surrounding him was heavy, that was true.

Natalie, who was drinking tea instead of wine, let out a light sigh and straightened her waist.

“…Kyle, the thing is we’ve dragged the lie on for too long. Six years is way too long, even if it’s a long time.”
“So, you came here. To finally end it.”
“Yes. Grandfather won’t last long. I’ll tell everything before he passes away.”
“You should know that being honest isn’t always the best.”
“No, I’m going to show my honest self. That’s right. And I wish you’d be honest, too. That woman, it’s Eun Jo, right?”
“What are you talking about.”
“The woman you’ve hidden in your heart. Why won’t you acknowledge your feelings?”
“Hidden? You know that I’m not a person who hides things. And even if there were feelings, they’re all in the past. It’s a very old story. Satisfied?”
“Oh, Kyle finally, you’re being a bit honest. But here’s the thing, when she’s so pretty, and currently by your side, how can it be a past thing? Unless it’s because of her child.”
“It’s not that.”
“We’re real friends, aren’t we? I’ve first revealed my biggest secret to you, which others may criticize.”
“And… we’re engaged.”

“Yes, thanks to you, I’ve managed to avoid marrying a man. I admit that. And Grandfather likes you. But what about you?”
“…”
“What have you gained from maintaining this fake relationship with me for so long?”
“Freedom, just like you.”
“Yes, I was comfortable all along, free from an unwanted marriage. But from what were you? Or, should I say, from whom?”
“…”
“Kyle about 15 minutes ago, I saw the saddest face of yours I’ve never seen before.”
“…?”
“Yes, when Eun Jo had just left the house.”
“Nonsense.”
Jae Ha chuckled, as if it was absurd.

“But in fact, it seems like the real issue isn’t you. Why was her face so dark?”
“I can tell you exactly why. She’s in a lot of debt to me.”
“What kind of debt? Psychological? Or?”
“Both.”
“Oh, Kyle you’re not…”
“I need to stop. I’ll go up first.”
Jae Ha, who stood up from his seat, cleaned up the glass and bottle he had been drinking from.

“Kyle, I hope you’re happy. Really. And while I’ll come out as soon as I return to New York, I’ll leave the official announcement to you. All the responsibility for the divorce is on me.”
“Good night.”

.

.

Happy?

There was a time when I was breathtakingly happy.

Very short and intense moments.

But the more terrible the shock and sadness are,

Whether it’s happiness or love, its brilliant color tends to fade.

And then it can be forgotten altogether….

6 years ago.

As soon as he left Korea, he got engaged to his closest friend, Natalie.

It was a kind of escape for both of them.

Kwon Jae Ha, who wanted to push Yoon Eun Jo out of his memory as soon as possible, even if it was just for a day.

And Natalie, who found it hard to disappoint her family’s expectations.

When they decided on the engagement, they exchanged a handshake, not a kiss.

The marriage promise between the financial conglomerate and the oil tycoon.

The stock prices of both companies soared, and the two were satisfied with the fake engagement in many ways.

But now, no one believes they will get married.

The period of rampant speculation has passed, and their relationship no longer attracts the attention of the world.

It might have been a different story if one of them had cheated late.

Jae Ha thought it would be a natural way to quietly end the engagement at this point.

After all, it is right to terminate a contract if either party no longer wishes to maintain it.

However, he intends to keep his loyalty to her until the end.

“….”
Jae Ha, lying in deep and quiet darkness, couldn’t fall asleep for a while.

What exactly did I want to show Yoon Eun Jo?

Kwon Jae Ha, who loves his fiancée?

A happy Kwon Jae Ha, living well without you?

How did six years pass, yet you, as a woman, still make me such a fool?

You, always watching and waiting for a chance to escape.

Your bewildered eyes and frail gestures stir desire.

“….”
If I open the door to the cage.

You’d surely fly away without hesitation.

But I can’t just stand by and watch.

When it comes to Yoon Eun Jo, my reasons, goals, even the results,

I’m aware that my broken mind works on its own.

It makes no sense.

[Can I see you again tomorrow? I can’t say goodbye to you like this, we’re friends now, right?] Natalie remained kind to the end, but Jae Ha showed his displeasure several times by shaking his head at her words and actions.