The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 49

CHAPTER 49

Go-yeo crouched on the ground and watched the place turn into a humming mess. Ji-hyuk punched Ga-eul, who was already a mess.

“Stop it!”

Despite Go-yeo’s shout, Ji-hyuk didn’t stop. Ga-eul dodged, but dealing with Ji-hyuk, who ran wildly like a madman, was too much. Go-yeo dove between them, embracing Ga-eul as if protecting him.

“Are you insane?”

And she shouted as if possessed. The hand that was about to push Ga-eul away hesitated. At that moment, Ji-hyuk, who had been raised by someone else, met eyes with her. His face was also a mess, filled with despair as if he had been hurt more. Go-yeo turned away from his face.

“….”

Ji-hyuk couldn’t believe that Go-yeo was embracing another man in front of him. Her eyes showed contempt towards him. He let out a bitter laugh.

Yoon-young was stunned by this shocking scene. It was the first time she had seen Ji-hyuk lose control like this. As someone who had always seen him calm and composed, it was truly shocking for Yoon-young.

She had heard that he was back from his business trip but never expected him to contact her first. But as soon as he saw her, he said, ‘Jo Yoon-young, you… I like your attitude of gossiping behind someone’s back.’ And then he chuckled as if it were amusing.

Yoon-young’s intuition was telling her that something was wrong. So she was anxious, but she didn’t expect to meet Han Go-yeo in Eternal. She seemed unaware of it too.

Under Han Go-yeo’s reprimand, his expression hardened more and more. It might be because of the man sitting across from Han Go-yeo.

Seeing him still unable to forget his ex-wife, she finally had a thought.

‘Should I marry Moon Ji-hyuk? Is there no alternative?’

Even if it was a top-quality product, there were obvious flaws, and for the first time, she felt doubts.

* * *

Before going to Ga-eul’s house, she stopped by the pharmacy to buy some treatments. She suggested going to the hospital first, but he insisted on going straight home.

Sitting on his bed, she examined his face. Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any major tears. She wiped away the blood and lightly disinfected the wounds. His expression wrinkled slightly at the sting.

“Does it hurt?”

Ga-eul smiled faintly and shook his head as if nothing had happened. She gently applied ointment, carefully checking the wounds to make sure they wouldn’t get infected. There was a scratch on his backhand, so she treated it too.

She felt guilty for making someone who had never fought before into this. It couldn’t be simply blamed on Ji-hyuk alone. After all, what tangled Ji-hyuk and Yoon Ga-eul together was ultimately because of Han Go-yeo. A sudden wave of fatigue washed over her.

“Ha… I…”

I apologize. This was the only thing she could think of to say to him right now. But the apology didn’t come.

“Don’t apologize.”

He pleaded with her not to apologize on behalf of that person. His fingers traced between Go-yeo’s. His large hand engulfed her small one. His straight gaze brushed over Go-yeo’s lips, then he gently lifted her unheld hand and brushed his lips against it.

Ah.

Go-yeo realized from the warmth on his lips from the ruthless friction moments ago.

Despite her being more shameless than most people, showing herself like this was embarrassing. She turned her head away from Ga-eul’s touch.

Instead of forcibly turning Go-yeo’s face, Ga-eul hugged her gently.

‘How surprised must you have been.’

Ga-eul felt sorry and upset. He vaguely guessed the reason for Moon Ji-hyuk’s extremely sharp reaction. He didn’t think it was just because he recognized his feelings towards her. He didn’t seem to care much about his feelings, even though he might find them unpleasant.

It was clear that he had found out about Go-yeo turning away from him and spending the night with him. So, he probably kissed her to mark his territory like that. He must have sensed the danger with the agility of a keen animal. Judging from his previous reaction, he might have thought that he had taken up more space in the boss’ heart.

Ga-eul buried his face in Go-yeo’s shoulder. Her scent was so nice. Unconsciously, he wished he could fill her with himself little by little. When she looked back, it was already too late.

“Can I just… hug you?”

A smile formed at the gentle touch wrapping around her back. He had always been satisfied with small things, but it didn’t work as well in front of Go-yeo.

“I want to be with you today.”

Hesitant at the sight of his bruised face, Go-yeo nodded. On a small mattress, Ga-eul and Go-yeo lay facing each other.

It was a night without moonlight. Only the lights from the surrounding buildings dimly illuminated the room. But it was a distance where they could recognize each other accurately.

Ga-eul carefully brushed Go-yeo’s stray hair behind her ear. And once again, he admired her face. How can someone be so beautiful by just being there? Afraid that he might burst into laughter for no reason, Ga-eul bit his lip tightly.

Go-yeo felt Ga-eul’s gaze exploring her face. She sighed lightly, looking down at his chest. It could have been a big trouble if they had gone to the police station, but luckily, the Eternal manager was a veteran, so he didn’t report them to the police immediately. They decided to settle it themselves, so they didn’t have to go through the hassle of being investigated.

Continuing to see Ga-eul at the point when Ji-hyuk knew everything was risky. The initial intention of telling him that she had slept with another man was not to drive him crazy like this.

Whether Moon Ji-hyuk would react like this to every man who had contact with Han Go-yeo instead of Yoon Ga-eul, she was too weak and had no shield to protect herself.

Out of loneliness and pleasure, he provided, she couldn’t risk Ga-eul with such irresponsible emotions.

“Um….”

“Just a little more like this…”

Go-yeo’s words couldn’t continue. For the first time, Ga-eul cut off Go-yeo’s words. He pulled Go-yeo closer as if he knew what Go-yeo was trying to say.

“I’m fine. Really. So you don’t have to worry about me.”

‘As long as the boss is here, it’s fine.’

Go-yeo pursed her lips and then closed them.

‘I thought he knew nothing, but that’s not the case.’

It had been a long and exhausting day. Nestled in this embrace, she felt an indescribable warmth and comfort. So, despite the current situation not being ideal, she could simply rest.

* * *

Go-yeo headed to Sang-moon’s office after a long time. She looked around the empty office as Sang-moon went into a meeting. There was only one acrylic painting she had given hanging on the wall; the rest was overly minimalist. She knew Sang-moon preferred the blank feel of the office, but it felt too empty even without anything. As she looked out the window, she turned at the sound of the door opening.

“What brings you here?”

“Just.”

“Just? You seem determined about something.”

Go-yeo thought Sang-moon wouldn’t be easily fooled.

“Sit down for now. Want something to drink?”

“It’s okay.”

As Sang-moon sat on the main seat, Go-yeo also sat on the diagonal sofa. And she got straight to the point.

“Dad. Did you have someone follow me?”

Sang-moon stiffened his face for a moment and then thought for a while. Since she seemed to know everything already, there was no need for lies.

“Yeah.”

Go-yeo sighed softly. She thought there must be a reason as he was her dad.

“I’m curious why you suddenly did that.”

“I didn’t have someone follow you to spy on you, but because I was worried. How did you find out? I told them to choose only trustworthy people to follow you.”

“Someone following me said they were all hot dogs.”

“I got rid of them all a few days ago. How did you find out?”

“One of the people you asked to follow me told me. That person.”

This was just a quiet thought. When she thinks about how Jo Yoon-young found out, this method seems the simplest.

Sang-moon frowned as if he didn’t like it.

“I know it’s rude, but meeting Moon Ji-hyuk again is out of the question.”

“…Why bother meeting Moon Ji-hyuk again?”

“I’ll say it again, I never really liked Moon Ji-hyuk from the start.”

Go-yeo chuckled.

“Who said anyone likes him?”

Sang-moon remained silent, lips tightly sealed.

“And what about that guy you’ve been bringing around? Are you going to keep using him?”

“…No. I’ll stop soon.”

When she mentioned their formal relationship ending, discomfort surfaced slowly in her words.

“Are you looking for a new one?”

Go-yeo nodded slightly. It was true that Ga-eul couldn’t continue forever.

“I went to the arboretum not long ago.”

Sang-moon glanced briefly at Go-yeo and nodded.

“And I found out something by chance. It turns out my maternal grandmother was a courtesan.”

With Go-yeo’s strange tone, Sang-moon simply nodded at first, then understanding dawned, and he stopped abruptly, startled. Go-yeo looked at Sang-moon quietly, her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing his expression, though he tried to remain composed.