Gu Hoseon's house.

Late evening.

The elder daughter was in the thick of wedding preparations. She'd come home from work and gone right back out, saying she was meeting her fiancé. Gu Changjin was out too, having drinks with friends before he started at the company.

The youngest had headed to her academy for a special lecture by a famous star tutor.

Once again, Min Seoyeong was alone in the big house.

Click.

The front door opened.

"You're home?"

"Yeah."

"Late again tonight."

Min Seoyeong went to the entryway and took her husband's coat.

Gu Hoseon didn't answer. He loosened his tie and handed her his suit jacket too.

Normally he'd have said at least a word or two about the company, but tonight he was strangely silent.

From that moment, Min Seoyeong sensed something was off.

"Have you eaten?"

"I have."

"Would you like a drink, at least?"

"No."

All that came back was a curt refusal. Min Seoyeong's hands slowed a little.

Gu Hoseon walked into the living room and stopped in front of the sofa. Then he turned to his wife, who'd followed him in.

"You."

"Yes?"

"What have you been up to lately?"

Min Seoyeong froze for an instant.

"M-me?"

"Yes."

"What would I be up to? The New Year's gatherings, and the foundation's been keeping me a little busy……."

"Not that."

Her husband's tone and stare had an accusing edge, and the dark of Min Seoyeong's eyes wavered.

"What do you mean?"

Gu Hoseon didn't ask anything specific. He studied his wife's face for a while, then said a single name, low.

"Ha Tae-ung."

"……!" Min Seoyeong was too flustered to hide it.

Her reaction alone was all the confirmation he needed.

Gu Hoseon's face darkened further.

"Is he the one who clashed with Changjin?"

"Darling……."

"Is he?"

"……Yes."

Min Seoyeong answered reluctantly.

Gu Hoseon showed no particular reaction; he just sat down slowly on the sofa. Min Seoyeong was still standing in front of him.

"And?"

"And what?"

"Did you step in again, same as always, to cover for him?"

"What are you talking…