Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 48
Wasn’t this entirely the fault of this man who made her misunderstand?
“Seems like you wanted something else. Our Ga-eun.”
“No, I didn’t!”
Ah. Her voice raised unconsciously out of indignation.
Ga-eun took a small deep breath.
“You made me misunderstand, Mr. Kwon Si-heon.”
No response came.
But surely he was looking at her with that same expression he had given Yang Si-mon—that ‘Me? When?’ look.
She felt the hot sensation that had spread to her eyes now traveling down her cheeks.
Before her face turned completely red, it would be better to get away from this man quickly.
Besides, she didn’t want to show any more weakness.
If she didn’t appear to be a worthy partner in Kwon Si-heon’s eyes, he might instantly withdraw from the contract and leave.
She couldn’t lose this lifeline for living with her aunt like this.
“Anyway, I think I’ve calmed down now. So I’ll go home and rest.”
Yes, resting would be better.
In this state, she wouldn’t be able to concentrate on work, and if she made a mistake and gave Woo Ji-hyang something to criticize, it would be disastrous.
“Where?”
“What do you mean where? Obviously…”
“At that house?”
His words stopped her short.
If she went back home now, she wouldn’t be free from the watchful eyes of the live-in employees who served as Ji-hyang’s eyes and ears.
They would surely report every detail—when she entered her room, when she left, what she ate or didn’t eat.
And it was equally certain that she wouldn’t be able to properly rest, constantly on edge trying not to give them anything to report, just as always.
She couldn’t go to her aunt’s either. That too would be reported to Gye Young-cheol and Woo Ji-hyang.
Ga-eun bit the tender flesh inside her lip.
She had nowhere to “return” to.
“Stay here.”
At Si-heon’s words, she shook her head slightly with resigned eyes.
“…How could I?”
“Isn’t it better than staying with parents who arrange blind dates with middle-aged men and a sister who slaps you?”
“…”
“Consider it practice for what’s coming.”
Si-heon removed his hand from her eyes and pulled the sheet up to her shoulders.
“We’ll be living together soon anyway.”
She felt the heavy weight lift away. Si-heon had moved off the bed.
Was he going to leave now?
Would she… be left alone here?
Then she felt darkness fall over her closed eyelids.
When she slowly opened her eyes, Si-heon had completely closed the curtains and was looking her way.
In the darkness, the man became even more distinct.
“Why do you look relieved?”
Ga-eun’s pupils dilated then returned to normal.
Caught off guard, she was at a loss for words.
Right, this man had animal-like instincts and perception. She had forgotten for a moment.
“Among the men you met today…”
He tilted his head at an angle.
“The most dangerous bastard of them all is me.”
She was a woman who, despite showing a flushed face at his touch, never lost that subtle wariness.
Ga-eun, who always maintained an appropriate distance after heated moments, as if never forgetting her worth and their contract…
Now she was following him with her eyes, completely at ease.
For some reason, that gaze made his head feel hot.
“Since you seem to have forgotten.”
Si-heon’s lips curved up elegantly.
“You must have committed many sins in your past life, our Ga-eun. How ironic that the most dangerous bastard and the person you must trust most are one and the same.”
Ga-eun smiled bitterly inside.
Sins. Yes, it must be that.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have lost her mother, her aunt wouldn’t have become like a child, and she wouldn’t have had to put herself under Gye Young-cheol and Woo Ji-hyang for her aunt’s sake.
“I suppose so. That must be why I’m not only feeling at ease but trying to sleep in the most dangerous man’s house.”
It was a self-deprecating mumble spoken in a half-dazed state. When she suddenly came to her senses with an ‘oh no’ and looked up—
Si-heon was staring at her with amused eyes and a faint smile.
“Our Ga-eun really… knows how to increase her value. Better than most of the bastards working here.”
The woman who always maintained a calm expression and elegant demeanor would occasionally show such gaps in her guard.
Like at the blind date with the middle-aged man.
When asked who named her, she had the same look in her eyes as she asked, as if talking to herself.
She was truly a woman who knew how to capture his interest.
“Perhaps we should do business together. It’s rare for something to catch my eye like this.”
“We’re already doing that, aren’t we?”
“Hmm?”
“The marriage… I mean.”
“Ah. That’s right.”
Marriage. He murmured lowly and moved closer to Ga-eun.
“So. Not going to sleep?”
She could distinctly feel his weight as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Si-heon leaned his upper body toward her and lowered his head.
Close enough for their breaths to mingle.
Though she tried to maintain control of her eyes, his next words made Ga-eun reveal her wavering heart completely.
“If not sleep, we could do something else.”
