Back at the penthouse, Soo-ji lay sprawled on her bed, strands of hair sticking to her clammy forehead as Seo-jun checked her pulse. It was faint, but steady.
"Is she going to be okay?" Mr. Jun asked, his voice tight with concern.
Seo-jun nodded, rolling up his sleeves as he reached for his kit. "She'll be fine. I'll put her on an IV to ease the nausea and fever, she seems dehydrated. They must've overdosed her."
"That's… dangerous," Mr. Jun muttered, clenching his jaw.
"It would be if we don't act quickly," Seo-jun replied, inserting the IV with precise hands.
Mr. Jun watched the clear fluid drip steadily into the line. "Will she wake up soon?"
"Yes, but she needs rest. Let her body do the work," Seo-jun said, packing up swiftly.
"You're leaving already?" Mr. Jun asked, eyes flickering back to Soo-ji's pale face.
"I didn't exactly take permission before running out of the hospital," Seo-jun chuckled tiredly. "She's stable now. That's enough for me."
"I'll drop you off."
"No need," Seo-jun said, bowing lightly. "Just… stay with her."
Mr. Jun stood there for a moment, taking in her fragile form under the soft light. "Wake up soon, Ms. Kim," he whispered before stepping out and locking the door behind him.
---
Hours later, a groan broke the silence as Soo-ji's eyelids fluttered open. Her vision cleared, only to see Mrs. Gu-won perched near the window, wearing that unnerving polite smile.
"You're finally awake, ma'am," she said, her smile widening unnaturally.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Soo-ji croaked, her throat dry as sand.
"Oh, I just got here," Mrs. Gu-won chuckled, brushing invisible lint from her apron.
Soo-ji's gaze shifted to the IV in her hand, and with a swift tug, she yanked out the cannula, wincing at the sting.
"Mr. Tae-hyun asked me to check on you. Are you okay?" Mrs. Gu-won asked.
"Where is he?" Soo-ji asked, ignoring the dizziness as she swung her legs off the bed.
"In his study," Mrs. Gu-won replied.
"Can I go see him?"
"You should rest, ma'am. I can let him know—"
"No, I'm fine," Soo-ji insisted, standing shakily. "I'll get sicker if I keep lying around."
"But, ma'am—"
Soo-ji managed a crooked grin. "Trust me, I'm a doctor," she quipped before slipping out of the room, leaving Mrs. Gu-won blinking in confusion.
---
Moments later, Soo-ji stood in front of Tae-hyun's study door, her reflection faint under the warm hallway lights. She hesitated, pressing her palm against the wood before knocking softly.
"Come in," came Tae-hyun's calm voice.
She pushed the door open to see him at his desk, reading glasses on, paperwork spread out, his brows slightly furrowed as he read. The desk lamp cast a warm glow on his features, making him look serious than ever.
"Am I interrupting?" Soo-ji asked, her voice softer than usual.
Tae-hyun's eyes lifted, his expression softening. "Oh, Ms. Kim. You're up. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine now," Soo-ji said, rubbing the back of her neck, the silence that followed pressing against her chest.
Tae-hyun gestured to the chair. "You can sit if you want."
"No, it's fine." She inhaled deeply, fingers twisting in her sweater sleeve. "I just wanted to thank you. For helping me. And… for... Everything in general. Sorry for ruining your day, I'm sure you wanted to spend quality time with grandpa, but couldn't because of me."
Tae-hyun's lips lifted into a faint smile. "The party was boring anyway." He opened a drawer, pulling out a delicate bracelet. "Is this yours?"
Soo-ji glanced at her empty wrist, then back at him. "Ah! I didn't even notice it was missing."
"The thugs had it," he explained, handing it to her.
She took it, clutching it to her chest. "Thank you."
"Have you spoken to Grandfather?" Tae-hyun asked.
"No," she said quietly.
"You should. He asked about you all day," he said, his voice gentler now.
"I will," she nodded, turning to leave.
"Wait," he called, making her stop.
"Yes?" she turned, eyes meeting his.
Tae-hyun removed his glasses, placing them on the desk, his gaze steady. "From now on, you're not allowed to leave the penthouse unless you're with your butler, Seo-jun."
"What?!" Soo-ji's eyes widened, disbelief crossing her face.
"At first, I thought you didn't need restrictions. You're responsible. Careful. But working with me puts you at risk," Tae-hyun said, eyes not leaving hers.
"This isn't your fault," Soo-ji whispered, hugging the bracelet to her chest.
"Maybe not. But leaving you unprotected would be irresponsible." His voice was quiet but firm.
Soo-ji's breath caught. Why does he even care?
"Fine. I'll be leaving now," she whispered, quickly stepping out before he could see the frustration swirling in her eyes.
---
Back in her room, Soo-ji collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow.
"Why did I even bother talking to him in person…" she muttered, rolling onto her back. She grabbed her phone, dialing Seo-jun's number with trembling fingers.
"You're finally up," Seo-jun's voice came through, warm and relieved.
"Yes," she sighed, sounding more pitiful than she intended.
"What's wrong? Are you still feeling sick?" he asked.
"No, it's not that…" Her words trailed off, her lips twisting. "Mr. Tae-hyun just turned me into a full-time prisoner."
There was silence on the line.
"He said I can't step out without my 'supposed butler,'" Soo-ji said, swinging her legs in frustration.
"…."
"Why are you silent? Don't tell me…" She shot up, narrowing her eyes as if she could see him through the phone. "Seo-jun, did you—"
"I think it's actually a good idea," Seo-jun said cautiously.
Soo-ji's jaw dropped. "Did you suggest this to Mr. Tae-hyun?!"
"Well… I'm sure he already had it in mind. I just… might have fueled the thought," Seo-jun said, clearing his throat.
"Unbelievable." Soo-ji's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, I see how it is."
"So… you're not mad?" Seo-jun asked hopefully.
"No, absolutely not," she said sweetly, then let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh. "YOU FREAKING TRAITOR! Don't let me catch you, Seo-jun, I swear—"
"What did I do?! I was trying to keep you safe—"
"GUESS WHO ISN'T SAFE NOW?!" Soo-ji shouted, then paused, dropping her voice to a threatening whisper. "I'm going to kill myself. Just wait."
She hung up.
Seo-jun froze, staring at the phone pressed to his ear, chills running down his spine as he stared at the empty air.
Lord, save me from this woman, he thought, rubbing his temples as he sighed in defeat.