Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Ah… Because I was so distracted thinking about Dad, I forgot—again—to take the ring off.

I instinctively tried to slip my hand into the pocket of my padded coat, knowing exactly where that sharp gaze was aimed. Yes, I definitely meant to hide my hand, but Shin Chi-woo cut me off with a single, casual line.

“It looks good. Don’t hide it—just leave it on.”

I blinked, confused about what he thought looked good, and then realized he was talking about my hand. The ring wasn’t particularly flashy or stylish, and my hand wasn’t especially pretty either. It had gotten pretty rough from packing boxes all day at the factory. I even wondered if he was being sarcastic at first.

But maybe I was just being twisted again, unable to take his words at face value. I always started with suspicion whenever something came out of his mouth. Still, it wasn’t like he was asking anything difficult, so this much I could let slide.

I placed both hands on my knees and wiggled my fingers lightly, like I was playing piano. I did it on purpose, as if to say, “Here, look.” When I saw Shin Chi-woo smirk at my childish game and rub his brow like I was giving him a headache, I felt my irritation ease a little.

So I asked, casually. The bob-haired woman was driving, so I left the subject vague, but he’d know what I meant.

“This isn’t mine.”

“I know. Just keep it.”

“Why?”

“Because it suits you.”

So it hadn’t ended up with me by mistake—he remembered exactly which ring it was. Still, the fact that it was on my left ring finger made it impossible not to overthink it. Could it be that this guy really fell for me at first sight?

Well, if he were interested in me, it would explain a lot. Helping me because of my dad, but also acting like a twelve-year-old boy desperate for attention with his petty bullying—it all made sense.

But if I accepted that, the nature of our relationship would inevitably shift. Until now, I’d brushed everything off as us cooperating out of mutual interest. If the emotional temperature of what I considered a calculated alliance for survival changed, it would only be me left in trouble.

We’re going down different paths anyway, so what’s the point in holding on to feelings I don’t need? Just like I always told myself—this is just the suspension bridge effect. I wanted to keep a tight grip on myself so I wouldn’t get swept up in uncertainty. Otherwise, I was sure I’d be the only one hurt in the end.

“……?”

While my thoughts wandered over the ring, the car we were in began heading deeper into a more isolated area. Steadying the flutter in my chest, I stared out the window and swallowed hard.

Once you leave the city, all roads tend to start looking the same. Still, even in this dry winter landscape, there was a specific kind of eerie stillness that came with such silence.

If Dad was in hiding, it made sense that he’d be somewhere secluded, out of public view. But it struck me that even a national road in broad daylight could feel desolate, not just a mountain deep in the forest.

Andansan, huh…

Seeing a couple of countryside restaurants or chicken stew joints at the base of the mountain suggested that hikers weren’t entirely absent from the area. Still, maybe because it was a weekday or early in the morning, there were barely any people around, and the shops all looked like they hadn’t opened yet.

Then the car turned right, heading toward a building that stood out even from a distance, yet was tucked away in a rather secluded location. I had a feeling this was the destination—and I was right. I could feel the car gradually slowing down.

“Get out.”

“…Is my dad here?”

“You’ll see when we get there. Check for yourself.”

The car stopped. As always, the bob-haired woman in the driver’s seat got out first, and I turned to ask Shin Chi-woo a question. Of course, as usual, the answer was vague, but it did seem certain that my dad was in this motel. At this point, there was no reason for him to deceive or betray me by dragging me all the way here.

“Alright. I’ll get out.”

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“…Watch your step when you get out.”

“Okay…”

My dad was here. I’d wanted to see him for so long that the thought made my heart race.

As I hurried to unbuckle my seatbelt, Shin Chi-woo beat me to it. He was the kind of person who had to do everything himself—even something as simple as pressing a button to release a belt. Either that, or he just didn’t like the way I fumbled with it.

As soon as the belt came off, I practically launched myself out of the car. But once I stepped outside, I was momentarily taken aback by the overwhelming sight in front of me.

It was a garish, cheap love motel that seemed to pride itself on being as tacky as possible. Even if someone were boiling over with lust, the sight of this building would kill the mood in an instant with its chaotic, flashy lights and clashing colors.

Still, it somehow made sense that my dad would be hiding here. The mountain spread out behind the motel like a folding screen. In the worst case, he could escape into the woods and disappear.

“Go inside.”

“Okay.”

“Stick close. Don’t get lost.”

It wasn’t like we were hiking. Why would I get lost just trying to find a motel room? Even as he tossed out the line playfully, I narrowed my eyes and followed after him in small, quick steps.

The thought of finally seeing my dad filled me with both anticipation and anxiety. I had a feeling that when I saw his face, resentment would outweigh joy. I tried to calm my nerves as I followed Shin Chi-woo into the motel.

The inside was cleaner than I expected, but it couldn’t hide the wear and tear of time. The moment we stepped in, the air carried that musty, moldy smell unique to old buildings. Even though the floor wasn’t carpeted, the scent of dust was unpleasant and tickled my nose, making me sneeze lightly—unfortunately, without any subtlety.

“Everything alright?”

“Yeah.”

Inside a small room that passed for a front desk, a TV was playing. A man who must have been in there earlier was now standing at the entrance, waiting for us.

Just seeing this, who could possibly believe Shin Chi-woo—or Pyeonjae Trading, for that matter—was just a normal manufacturing company? He looked no different from a gangster. And thinking that Chairman Pyeon Jae-ho built a company out of people like this, including my dad—it was almost impressive.

“Is the room ready?”

“It’s cleaned up and ready.”

“Thanks.”

The man gave Shin Chi-woo a polite bow, then glanced briefly at me as I stood behind him. His expression said it all: Ah… so that’s Seo Kyoyong’s daughter.

I pretended not to notice and kept my head down, eyes fixed on the floor. If my dad really had been hiding here, it seemed like he’d been protected thoroughly. Though, it could just as easily be surveillance.

…Fifth floor.

When Shin Chi-woo pressed the button, the elevator doors closed. But uncomfortable moments always come without warning. While I stepped in with Shin Chi-woo, the bob-haired woman did not join us. Maybe she was staying behind to guard the entrance, but I soon understood the real reason.

Are motel elevators always this cramped? Even considering Shin Chi-woo’s broad build, it felt strangely full with just the two of us. That must be why she didn’t get in… but why did it feel like it was taking forever to reach the fifth floor?

“……”

The tension in a closed space with just the two of us felt completely different now. Compared to the chaos before I ended up on the island, so much time had passed between us.

As I stiffened from the awkwardness, his hand brushed the back of mine. At first, it felt like an accident—just hand against hand. But the second time, I clearly felt the touch of his fingers.

I tried to act like I didn’t notice the warmth of his skin against mine. I could feel him almost holding my hand, lightly tracing the faint veins along the back with his fingertip. My heart raced.

The sensation of fingertips versus fingernails was entirely different. When he gently ran his fingertip over my hand and then suddenly dragged a nail across, it sent chills down my spine. Not from ticklishness—but from a sharp thrill.

What is happening?

It wasn’t my face that was turning red—it was the area below my navel that felt warm for the first time. My mouth went dry, but my lower stomach felt tense, wet. I was just glad no one could tell what was going on with me.

I tried my best not to show how flustered I was, but the more I resisted, the more persistent Shin Chi-woo became. Now he was slowly touching between my fingers. If this continued, something was going to happen—something real.

The electric tension crawled up my spine and reached the top of my head—just as the elevator stopped. Thank god.

Room 502

Shin Chi-woo’s face didn’t change one bit. As shameless as ever, he stepped out of the elevator like nothing had happened. He walked just a few steps and stopped.