* * *

“With three days left until the engagement ceremony, you should rest here for now.”

Baek Yigang didn’t clear away the medicinal herbs cluttering the room until he had confirmed several times—by lifting my eyelids, pinching my cheeks, and every other method imaginable—that I was truly okay.

I wasn’t sure what had transpired while I was unconscious, but judging by the sheer number of elaborate medicine containers piled up in the corner, it seemed many people had sent remedies.

Most of them were likely trying to curry favor with Baek Yigang. Typical.

Still, it was surprising.

Of all people, Baek Yigang had stayed by my bedside, unable to even lie down, fearing that I might die.

Such tender care, like nursing someone through the night, seemed more fitting for Anna than Baek Yigang.

Was this a rare moment of repentance for that cursed personality of his?

At this rate, I’d have to sincerely thank him first.

But just saying “thank you for taking care of me” felt irritating for some reason.

Shouldn’t he be the one thanking me instead?

Fine, I’ll say something nice instead.

“You know… when I… well, collapsed earlier, I had a thought.”

Baek Yigang, who had been kicking a pile of herbs aside, turned his gaze toward me.

Hmm… maybe this wasn’t the most appropriate thing to say in this situation, but…

When have I ever cared about timing?

“You know how they say, when a person is about to die, the face of the one they want to see most comes to mind?”

Of course, Baek Yigang wouldn’t have experienced a near-death situation, so he might not have heard of this.

But that wasn’t the point.

“That face… it was yours.”

“….”

The room was already silent due to the late hour, but with Baek Yigang saying nothing, the quiet felt twice as suffocating.

The only thing I could sense was his violet eyes fixed on me through the darkness.

“That’s all I wanted to say….”

Feeling awkward after essentially talking to myself, I scratched the back of my neck and turned my head away.

On the brink of death, the face that surfaced in my mind wasn’t my mom’s, dad’s, or even my sisters’.

It was Baek Yigang’s.

When I collapsed, he was the first to reach out to me.

Even as life slipped away, I could still feel the warmth of his touch.

Most people would think of their mother in such moments, right?

What a disgraceful son I am.

This fact is coming with me to the grave.

Suddenly, Baek Yigang approached.

As he crossed the boundary of herbs piled in the corner, the pale blue moonlight outlined his features.

The sharp, cold expression I was so familiar with since my possession came into full view.

But for some reason, as he drew closer, I instinctively inched back on the bed.

It wasn’t clear why, but I had a foreboding sense that if I stayed still, I might be devoured.

Call it primal survival instinct.

Before I realized it, my back hit the headboard. I had nowhere left to retreat.

“What… what’s wrong with you all of a sudden…?”

Ignoring my stammered protests, Baek Yigang continued approaching until he climbed onto the bed.

As I pressed myself against the headboard, my eyes widened in panic as I saw him settle between my legs.

What a fatal mistake.

If I was going to run, I should’ve gotten off the bed.

My hesitation had sealed off any escape route.

His face was now right in front of mine, and when our eyes finally met, he spoke in an uncharacteristically tender, almost pleading tone.

“If you hate it, push me away.”

Before I could ask what he meant, a wave of heat enveloped me.

My eyes shut involuntarily as his warmth overwhelmed me.

Soft and pliant, his lips moved against mine, leaving me utterly dazed.

I’d kissed before, but this… this was something else entirely.

Was it because it was Baek Yigang?

Or the surreal ambiance of the night?

I had no idea. And I never would.

‘This… I’m going to lose my mind….’

My thoughts went blank, completely white as if my brain had shut down.

If I hate it, push him away?

Did he mean that?

With a voice so vulnerable it seemed like he’d cry if I did?

But contrary to his words, he kissed me so fiercely, leaving no room to resist.

Even if I tried, it didn’t seem like he’d let me go.

“Mm…!”

When I tried to twist away, gasping for air, Baek Yigang pinned me effortlessly, his strength leaving me trapped against the cold, unyielding headboard.

The briefest pause let me draw in a shaky breath, tears streaming down my face against my will.

I hadn’t meant to cry.

But Baek Yigang lowered his head, brushing his lips against my cheek.

No, not just brushing—he was licking away my tears.

With those violet eyes, darkened with something almost feral, he stared up at me as he did so.

This damned, twisted bastard.

“What are you doing…!”

“You’re crying.”

The small, playful laugh that seemed to be enjoying itself shattered into the hot air, lingering in my ears like the heat waves of a summer day.

His laughter, echoing again and again, seemed to bind my mind.

“Ugh. Is this your first time seeing someone cry?”

“Try crying a little more.”

“What—”

“It’s actually kind of nice to watch.”

This trash really…!

“Get away!”

I tried to turn my head away as I pushed him, but Baek Yigang’s hand tightly gripped my chin, stopping me.

Ah, I was supposed to turn my head sharply and coldly at moments like this!

This damn, annoying guy!

Watching me struggle, Baek Yigang raised the corner of his mouth in a smirk, leaving a brief kiss on my lips before slowly backing away.

And at that moment, reality hit me.

What just happened…?

It felt like it passed so naturally…

How did I end up kissing Baek Yigang…?

Just as I was about to fall into delayed shock, Baek Yigang suddenly started taking off his jacket.

Why is he suddenly… taking off his clothes…? Is this not over yet…?

“Why… why are you taking off your clothes…?”

My voice trembled, unsure of what to do.

Baek Yigang turned back to look at me, a faint smile on his lips.

“Well, are we just going to sleep like this?”

“…Ah.”

Right. This is Baek Yigang’s bedroom.

I couldn’t even change clothes because he was taking care of me.

“You’re looking at me like you’re expecting something.”

“Absolutely not.”

My response was firm, but Baek Yigang just chuckled before continuing to undress.

His firm chest was revealed through the white cravat.

His abs were clearly defined on his otherwise flat stomach.

Wow, I also used to have abs, didn’t I?

I swear, I had them back when I finished my military service…

“How lewd. Staring at someone else’s bare body like that. Embarrassing.”

Baek Yigang’s violet eyes narrowed into a thin line, his expression completely arrogant, not at all matching his words.

It’s clear to anyone that he enjoys the fact that I’m checking him out.

“Don’t you think you’re the one undressing in front of me?”

“Do you want to touch?”

“Uh… No, no!! Don’t just say that so casually!”

I subconsciously nodded, then froze.

I had relaxed for a second and just blurted out ‘yes’!

What is wrong with me!

I frantically waved my hands, and Baek Yigang let out another small laugh.

What’s so funny?

Why is he grinning like that?

“You can touch, you know.”

“Why would I?”

“You’ll see worse things soon. This is nothing.”

With a mischievous and dangerous grin, Baek Yigang climbed onto the bed, still revealing his muscular body.

“Could you, like, wear something…?”

Clothes are made to be worn, aren’t they? Why not put something on?

“It’s better if you don’t wear anything.”

Baek Yigang gave me a teasing look, as if saying it didn’t matter.

Hmm. That’s true.

This looks just fine as it is.

His abs were perfectly defined, and his broad shoulders could easily hold a cup of water!

Truly, a body gifted by the gods.

Especially the slight curve of his hips beneath his chocolate abs—what the hell?

His body is perfect. Just amazing…!

…No, this isn’t it.

* * *