Impossible Romance - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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49.

How much time had passed? Despite crying until I had nothing left, the world outside remained bright. After showering and freshening up, I checked my phone. Only then did I notice Seok-ha’s message.

[Something urgent came up. Don’t wait for me. Get some rest.]

Even on his day off, he was busy—he’d slipped out quietly without waking me as I slept.
What expression should I wear when I see him tonight?
Tangled in my thoughts like knotted thread, Han Seon-young’s cruel words echoed in my mind.

“Seok-ha, you’re quick to pick up on things, right? I’m not telling you to pack and leave today. Once the marriage is settled, then you go. You understand my request, don’t you?”

Right now Seok-ha was managing the company diligently, but there was no telling when things might go wrong and he’d change. The cause would likely be me, and Han Seon-young was worried about that.
Maybe I should just tell Seok-ha everything and ask for his help. He would certainly become a strong shield against Han Seon-young. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
My small conscience held me back, insisting I never do such a thing. I couldn’t ruin Seok-ha’s future just so I could be happy. Wasn’t his position as successor already precarious, pushed aside by his cousin?
I bit my lower lip hard. I needed to keep my wits about me now more than ever. I had to take care of my own life and find a way to live without him.
I swore I would stop crying. If tears could change the world, my world would have transformed more than a dozen times over.
From today on, tears were a wasteful luxury to me.
I know that tears shed in joy, sorrow, and emotion are more precious than jewels. But to me, tears are useless and futile. That’s what I decided to believe.
Because only then would I stop this foolish habit of being swept up in emotion and crying endlessly.
That resolve had an effect. After some time passed, I calmed down and left my room to eat dinner. Even without appetite, I was determined to force something down.
I believed that was more worthwhile than shedding tears. Tears can’t change the world, but if I move forward step by step, the world will have changed a little by then.
I’d finished a simple meal and was sitting blankly on the sofa when the entrance door opened and Seok-ha came in.
Perfect from head to toe, Seok-ha broke into a radiant smile when he saw me. Despite having been busy all day without rest on his day off, he showed no sign of fatigue.
Watching his long legs carry him toward me in confident strides, I felt foolishly excited. I smiled at him just as I’d practiced all day.
“Welcome home.”
“Work on my day off. I really hated it.”
He approached and wrapped his arms around me, pressing his lips to the nape of my neck. He ran his fingers through my hair, inhaling deeply, then found my lips.
For a moment, Han Seon-young’s image flashed through my mind and I almost turned away, but I barely stopped myself. I wanted to erase Han Seon-young from my thoughts as quickly as possible. So I reached up with both hands and pulled his neck closer, making sure he wouldn’t notice.
Seok-ha’s long, narrow eyes widened in surprise, then curved like a bow as his lips closed. He sucked on my full, plump lips as if he could devour them, then gently parted them.
Time flowed as our lips remained locked together. His hands caressed my back and swept down my waist. With each soft, tender touch, I felt tears threatening to spill.
Just moments ago, I’d sworn never to cry.
The tears I’d deemed useless rose up insistently, making their own argument.
His hand traced my side, then swept beneath my waist. He rubbed my soft thighs, beginning to press between my legs.
With my eyes closed, I clung to him. Because this love that would soon disappear was precious to me. Because it was a love that would melt faster than the ice cream in the freezer.

***

Kwon Seok-ha gazed quietly at Jun-hee sleeping soundly in his arms. Her pale, delicate skin flushed with fever was painful to witness.
Beneath her swollen eyes—unmistakably from crying—her thick lashes trembled faintly. He watched with helpless resignation, wondering if she was weeping even in her dreams. If only he could enter that dream world and erase everything causing her pain.
Today, as always, she had approached him with a smile, but he could never be deceived about her true feelings. She was forcing back her tears.
There were countless reasons for Jun-hee’s suffering. He wanted to sweep them all away at once, but his powerlessness infuriated him. Yet he couldn’t let that anger show. She would hate it.
‘What troubles you today, I wonder.’
Watching Jun-hee brought him joy and delight, but seeing her like this—it cut deep into his heart. When she cried, his chest ached as though it might tear apart.
He understood well enough not to offer comfort. The moment he tried to help, she would only retreat further away.
Jun-hee was a proud, resolute child. From her earliest years, she had strived relentlessly to stand alone, and whenever he extended a helping hand, she would grow angry instead.
It was a day from their childhood. A small girl stood on her tiptoes, straining with all her might to reach a box on a shelf beyond her grasp.
Kwon Seok-ha had playfully flicked the object down from above. Jun-hee glared at him indignantly, but when she picked up the fallen item from the ground, she couldn’t hide her delighted expression.
“Idiot.”
Not realizing I helped you on purpose.
Kwon Seok-ha gently tapped Jun-hee’s cheek as she slept deeply. She frowned slightly but remained lost in slumber, unable to wake.
Finding it endearing, he traced his fingers softly across her face and shook her gently. The tender sensation of her skin against his fingertips was so pleasant that he lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Not wanting to wake her, he satisfied himself with a brief kiss and lifted his head to gaze at her again. Her face was so captivating that time seemed to disappear when he looked at her.
‘I want to be your great rock.’
Remembering Jun-hee’s mother and older brother whom he’d met recently, anger surged through him and his fists clenched. They could solve everything with money, but how much had Jun-hee suffered through all those years?
‘Lean on me, Jun-hee. Don’t think about anything else.’
Kwon Seok-ha gently grasped her hand and held it firmly. Jun-hee remained asleep, undisturbed. Yet as if sensing his presence, she nestled deeper into his embrace.

***

A new week had begun. Kwon Seok-ha had external appointments scheduled, so instead of coming to the Company with Hwang Manager, he headed directly to his field assignments.
Thanks to that, Jun-hee found herself with a slightly more relaxed morning. The same went for the other staff members. While Seok-ha wasn’t an authoritarian boss, his absence somehow made the office air feel a bit lighter.
Jun-hee went to the Break Room and poured herself a cup of coffee. As she pressed the machine button, coffee began flowing with a soft hum. The rich aroma of coffee filled the Break Room, and her mind seemed to settle as well.
Just then, someone entered.
“Good morning, Jun-hee!”
At the voice from behind, Jun-hee turned her head. Park Hyun-sik and Kim Seok-ho were coming in.
“Hello. You’re here early again today.”
“Coming in early means avoiding traffic, and besides, the Executive Director is so diligent that we have to get here early too, you know. Right?”
Park Hyun-sik shrugged his shoulders and looked toward Kim Seok-ho as if seeking agreement.
At Park Hyun-sik’s words, Jun-hee smiled and placed a fresh cup under the coffee machine, then pressed the button.
“That’s true. By the way, haven’t you noticed the Executive Director’s atmosphere has changed a bit lately?”
While nodding in agreement with Park Hyun-sik, Kim Seok-ho brought up an unexpected topic.
Just then, the coffee machine’s sound seemed unusually loud. Perhaps it was the sound of Jun-hee’s heart pounding loudly instead.
At the sudden mention of Seok-ha, Jun-hee barely managed to maintain an indifferent expression. She handed the brewed coffee to Park Hyun-sik, placed a new cup again, and pressed the button.
“Changed, you say??”
But since staying silent felt awkward, she asked tentatively.
“In the past, he’d give a perfunctory greeting in the morning and just pass by. These days, it’s like… how should I put it. He greets people warmly and responds well, and he’s become incredibly kind.”
“That’s right. He smiles more now. Originally, his expression was so cold that when he just sat there quietly, he was the epitome of a cold-hearted man. But thinking about it, these days he’s like a spring breeze. Is he dating someone or something?”
At Kim Seok-ho’s words, Park Hyun-sik nodded and spoke, then looked toward Jun-hee.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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