It was a quiet morning. And one envelope… changed everything.
At the dining table, Celeste sat still, staring at the photo in silence.
Her teeth gently pressed into her lower lip.
Jinwoo reached out and softly laid his hand over hers.
"…Since it's out anyway, no more hiding. Let's go public—show them we're serious."
Celeste looked up at him.
"Serious? I am serious about you, Jinwoo."
He gave a small smile, but shook his head gently.
"No… I mean more than that. Honestly, I didn't want to say this so suddenly, or like this... not this clumsily."
He paused, took a breath, and looked her straight in the eyes.
"I want to be with you. For real. Like… with marriage in mind."
Celeste blinked, visibly caught off guard.
"…Marriage?"
"Yeah. Sure, people might talk because of the paparazzi, but if we show them we're good together—stable—it'll blow over, right?"
A short silence.
"…I'm sorry. I'm not thinking about marriage."
"What? You mean… you're against marriage altogether?"
She quietly shook her head.
"It's not that. I'm not anti-marriage. It's just… where I am right now, I'm not ready."
"…If it's about your inheritance or succession stuff—I can sign a waiver. A prenup. Whatever you need. I'm serious—"
But Celeste gently placed her other hand over his, stopping him.
"It's not that, Jinwoo. There are just... things I haven't told you yet. When the time is right… I'll tell you. One by one."
Just then, her phone rang. It was Howard.
"Give me a moment," she said softly, before stepping into another room.
Later that evening.
Left alone in the 19th floor, Jinwoo sat on the sofa, her words still echoing in his mind.
"I'm not thinking about marriage."
Her eyes had been calm… but apologetic.
And that expression wouldn't leave him.
He glanced at the scattered paparazzi photos on the table, then let out a long breath, pressing a hand to his forehead.
"…God…"
He paced from the front door to the living room and back, over and over.
He just couldn't sit still.
Then—
From the hallway: a beep. Fingerprint access.
Beep. Click—
"Daniel!"
Jinwoo shot to the door, catching it just as it was about to close behind Daniel.
"Jesus—what the hell?!"
Daniel turned, startled.
"We need to talk."
"…Talk? With you? Why?"
"Please…I've been losing my mind all day. Just for tonight—please. I'm seriously falling apart."
Daniel stared at him for a long second.
Then, wordlessly, he opened the door all the way.