Chapter 29
Check again to see if you forgot anything.”
Bora, who had been busy packing Kang Yoon’s suitcase for the past few days, looked through the luggage one more time as she spoke.
“As long as you have the important documents, it’s fine. If something’s missing, you can just buy it there, so don’t stress too much.”
“Still… when little things are missing, it bothers you more than you think.”
With his lower lip slightly pouting, Kang Yoon pulled Bora gently by the waist as she carefully checked the list.
“The most important thing is missing, though. I need to take my wife with me.”
“Oh please. That wife has mountains of work to do, you know?”
Lately, Bora had been extremely busy, staying by Chairman Han’s hospital room while also handling work at the silver town. Kang Yoon felt both grateful and sorry toward her.
“I didn’t get married to make you work this hard.”
“I got married to work this hard for you, Kang Yoon. Grandpa is completely smitten with me these days. Where else would he find a granddaughter-in-law like me?”
“That’s true. So, did you find out anything?”
With a faint smile, Kang Yoon rested his chin lightly on her shoulder. Startled by the sudden closeness, Bora’s cheeks flushed red.
“Well… I’m not sure yet. But there definitely seems to be some kind of secret. He keeps saying things like, ‘I have to reveal everything before I die.’”
“Hmm…”
“What about you? Did that detective find out anything?”
“A few things. Apparently, someone has been holding memorial rites for my late mother all this time.”
“What? Even now? Could it be someone from her family?”
“I don’t think so. According to the detective, she cut ties with her family after she became pregnant.”
“Then… could it be…?”
Bora’s round, dark eyes met Kang Yoon’s deep brown ones.
“I’m thinking the same, but it’s still just a suspicion.”
“…Where are the memorial rites being held? I’ll go take a look.”
“You?”
“You’re leaving for Dubai now. If I have time, I’ll go and see if I can find out anything.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
“For what? It’s my job.”
“It is, but if you put it like that, like employer and employee, your husband feels a little hurt.”
“Well, a contract has to be clear.”
“What’s clear? Even the marital relationship was supposed to be once a week, and you haven’t followed through…”
“It’s not that I haven’t… We’ve both been busy…”
“Bora. Look at me properly. Why can’t you meet my eyes?”
Chuckling softly, Kang Yoon tilted her chin gently toward him.
“W-What…?”
“It’s the night before your husband leaves far away. You’re not saying we’re just going to hold hands and sleep again, right?”
“Uh… um…”
Since their honeymoon, Kang Yoon had only joked about their marital relationship, but this was the first time he whispered seriously to her. Afraid he might hear how fast her heart was pounding, Bora pulled away slightly and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Th-Then I’ll go shower! If you’re tired, you can sleep first!”
She hurried into the bathroom and shut the door with a loud thud, clearly embarrassed.
“Ha…”
It was exactly the reaction he expected from her, and Kang Yoon let out a low laugh. He had joked about it before, but tonight, he was serious.
It hadn’t taken him long to realize how happy he felt waking up and falling asleep beside Bora every day. Even if their relationship was contractual and would one day end, he increasingly wanted to live like a real married couple—at least for now.
“Why am I so nervous over this?”
Neither of them clearly remembered their dreamlike first night on their honeymoon—Bora had been too nervous, and for Kang Yoon it had felt so surreal that he couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality. Besides, she had trembled so much that he’d ended up doing nothing but comforting her.
Glancing at the bathroom where the sound of running water echoed, Kang Yoon pulled out a box of contraception from the bedside drawer. He had bought it right after their wedding but had never used it. Would tonight finally be the night?
“…Do you want to shower too?”
Bora emerged in a bathrobe, her fair face flushed, asking in a barely audible voice.
“Ah, yes.”
At that small whisper, Kang Yoon suddenly felt a rush of heat and quickly headed into the bathroom.
Even after he went in, Bora, still embarrassed, reached for the hair dryer on the bedside table.
“What’s this…? Huh… He prepared it?”
She picked up the small box and, startled, dropped it onto the bed.
Come to think of it, Kang Yoon had been turning a blind eye to the fact that she hadn’t been fulfilling that part of their contract, out of consideration for her.
‘He always talked about how important the marital relationship was… but he only ever teased me. He never actually wanted it like this before. Maybe I was… a bit too much?’
On top of that, the family had even given them fertility medicine, hoping for a baby.
“What are you thinking about?”
When had he come out? Kang Yoon, wearing a bathrobe just like hers, stood in front of her.
“N-Nothing…”
“No, you were thinking something. Your face is red.”
“I was just… thinking maybe I’ve been a bit unfair.”
“Oh? Are you finally thinking about me?”
“That you bought this…”
She gestured at the box. Kang Yoon ran a hand through his damp hair and nodded.
“I bought it right after the wedding. Haven’t used a single one yet.”
“Um… I’m sorry. I only thought about myself…”
“No need to be sorry. Just make it up to me tonight.”
His refreshing smile had always looked handsome, but right now, it felt a little intimidating. Bora swallowed hard, watching as he tucked his damp hair behind his ear.
“If you tremble like that, I’ll feel like the bad guy.”
Ah, whispering like that right by her ear was unfair.
Bora let out a small gasp as goosebumps rose over her entire body.
“C-Can you turn off the lights?”
Even with her eyes tightly shut, she insisted. Kang Yoon turned off all the lights with the remote.
“They’re off. Need anything else?”
His large hand slowly caressed her face. Bora shook her head lightly, imagining absurdly that her racing heart might leap out of her chest.
“Then… can I do what I want tonight?”
“Yes… you can…”
Because we’re married.
Even if it’s a contract marriage, we share a home, a bed, and move toward the same goal. And we trust each other.
When Kang Yoon didn’t immediately respond to her answer, Bora slowly opened her eyes. In the dark room, the large silhouette before her looked strangely beautiful.
“Bora.”
“Yes…”
“You know, right?”
“Know what?”
“That I cherish you.”
Before she could reply, his lips met hers. Bora flinched in surprise, but his warm touch, as if soothing her, quickly calmed her down.
“Mmm…”
“Ha… I let the contract slide because I cherish you too much.”
“Mm…”
Even her soft, breathy response was sweet. That small sound was enough to stir him.
The thought of taking things slow and cherishing her gently, like savoring a piece of candy, burst like a popped balloon. Kang Yoon let his robe fall to the floor, and soon Bora’s followed.
Their breaths and warmth intertwined, burning brightly in the darkness.
After tonight, they would have to spend some time apart. It felt like such a waste.
As if understanding his heart, Bora wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Ha… Kang Yoon…”
“Yes, Bora.”
“Even if pretty foreign women try to tempt you… you can’t give in, okay?”
At her adorable words, Kang Yoon laughed without resistance. The most beautiful woman to him was only Yoon Bora—though she didn’t seem to realize it yet.
“I won’t. Then… can you relax your legs a little?”
Between Bora’s soft, slender legs, his strong body pressed close.
Bora took a deep breath and slowly relaxed.
Like a sturdy tree knocking gently on the door of delicate flower petals in greeting—
It was, in every sense, a thrilling night.
