Saga and Areum did what Mr. Min said. Saga invited Areum to travel around Japan to places Areum had never visited. Even though she was not from a disadvantaged family, Areum was not the type of woman who intentionally spent her time and money on vacations. Saga took Areum to famous shopping places in Osaka, but Areum just walked around and expressed admiration without making any purchases.

"You, don't you want to buy something?" Saga asked, looking at Areum admiring a vintage accessory in a store.

Areum looked at Saga and shook her head slowly. "I don't need it."

"It seems you like it."

Areum placed the hanging ornament she held back in its place. She looked at Saga and then smiled faintly. "Liking something doesn't mean you have to own it, Saga," she said.

"At least fight for it if you like it. If I can buy it for you, why don't you just buy it?" Saga retorted, countering Areum's statement.

Areum fell silent. Hearing Saga's words made her feel uncomfortable. "It's true that if you like something, you should fight for it. Then why have I been silent and resigned all this time? I like the man in front of me. I want to live happily with him, without pretense like now," Areum thought while looking at Saga.

"Areum, why are you daydreaming? Do you want me to buy this for you?" Saga surprised Areum, who was lost in thought.

Startled, Areum nodded in agreement. Saga, who had known that Areum wanted the items she held, smiled faintly. He then gently stroked Areum's head. "You think too much. Don't let yourself regret something that won't return once it's gone."

Once again, Saga's words hit Areum. The girl remained silent, staring at Saga intently.

After a tiring day of walking and shopping for souvenirs, Saga lay on the sofa due to exhaustion. Meanwhile, Areum continued to ponder Saga's words. She didn't want this second chance to be wasted. She didn't want to lose Saga again like before. Areum looked confused and lost. Without realizing it, she accidentally dropped the glass she was holding.

Almost falling asleep, Saga reflexively jolted and looked towards the kitchen. Seeing Areum standing, staring at the shattered glass with a bewildered expression, Saga quickly approached his wife and swiftly held Areum's hand, preventing her from picking up the glass shards with bare hands.

"Don't use your bare hands! You might get hurt."

Areum looked at Saga and remained silent. Saga felt puzzled as to why Areum's expression seemed confused now.

"Why? Is something hurting you? Why are you acting strange?" Saga asked with concern.
Areum shook her head slowly, still staring intently at Saga.

"Then why did the glass fall? Did something startle you?"

"No, nothing."

"Then why?" Saga asked again.

"Saga," Areum called softly.

"Yes, what is it?" Saga replied.

"Can I hug you?"

"Ah?"

Before getting Saga's approval, Areum wrapped her arms around her waist. Saga's body tensed from the surprise; once again, Areum's peculiar behavior left Saga puzzled.

"Saga," Areum called again.

"Yes," Saga responded shortly.

"Let me stay like this for a while. I want to hug you. I'm scared."

"Scared of what? Why are you acting strange, Areum?"

"Just scared. Please let me hug you like this for a while," Areum requested, tightening her embrace on Saga.
***

Tae Jun left his house and met Junsu, who had come because Mr. Min had summoned him.

"Oh, Junsu_ya," Tae Jun greeted.

"Mr. Tae," Junsu greeted, bowing.

"Hey! Why call me Mr. at home? You can talk casually with me outside," Tae Jun said.

Junsu smiled and nodded in agreement. "Did Appa call you here?" Tae Jun asked.

"Yes, he said he wants to discuss something about the company. Since Saga is still in Japan, I was asked to come," Junsu explained.

"Oh... okay. I'm leaving. I have an important meeting this morning," Tae Jun said.

"Alright, Hyung," Junsu agreed briefly.

Hearing Junsu calling him Hyung like Saga did, Tae Jun gave a faint smile. He nodded his head and walked away, leaving Junsu alone. Junsu tilted his head, feeling puzzled. "Why is Tae Jun Hyung so friendly to me? Isn't he usually cold and formal when at Saga's office?" Junsu wondered.

"Junsu, you must know about the true relationship between Saga and Areum, right?" Mr. Min suddenly called Junsu by his name instead of Secretary Han. It indicated that it was time to discuss matters outside of the office.

Junsu, sitting politely and slightly lowering his head, looked up at Mr. Min in surprise. "What do you mean, Mr. Min?" Junsu pretended not to understand.

"What is the true nature of Saga and Areum's relationship?" Mr. Min asked again.

"Ah, aren't they always seen as romantic and never once seen arguing?" Junsu replied vaguely.

"Yes, that's exactly it. Their relationship seems unnatural."

Junsu was getting more surprised; it seemed he had misspoken. He started to feel uneasy, afraid that Mr. Min might ask more strange questions and make him answer incorrectly.

"Are they a married couple?" Mr. Min asked again.

"What?" Junsu was extremely surprised to hear Mr. Min's question.

"Do you know about Saga and Areum's contractual marriage?" Junsu thought to himself.

"Why are you so surprised? Is my question correct?" Mr. Min pressed on.

"Mr. Min, why do you think like that? Weren't you there during their wedding? They may be married," Junsu tried to convince Mr. Min.

"You're right, Junsu_ya. But I'm afraid Saga entered this marriage out of obligation, and Areum became the victim. You must know that Saga is very obedient. Even though he is not my biological son, he is so obedient and never opposes me. When I told him to marry Areum and help her father's company, he didn't refuse or try to resist my wishes," Mr. Min expressed his concerns to Junsu.

Junsu fell silent upon hearing this. He also knew Saga well; they had been friends for over a year or two. Junsu nodded in agreement with Mr. Min.

"That's why I want you to tell me the truth now. Are they a happily married couple?" Mr. Min asked again, making Junsu look up at him.

For a moment, Junsu remained silent, then slowly nodded firmly. "They are very happy. Mr. Min. Saga is happy with his choice to marry Areum. And so is Areum."

Hearing Junsu's firm answer, Mr. Min smiled happily and breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. From the beginning, I was sure Areum would make Saga happy. Areum is a good girl from a good family," Mr. Min said.

Junsu agreed because Areum was indeed the kind of woman Mr. Min described.
"I'm sorry, Saga, I lied. At least in my eyes, you are truly happy marrying Areum."
***