Alex barely slept that night.
The guest room was bigger than her entire apartment. The bed was soft, the sheets smelled faintly of lavender, and the silence of the mansion felt unnatural.
She sat up when she heard a knock.
"Come in," she said.
The door opened, and Ian walked in without hesitation.
He was already dressed in a tailored black suit, looking as composed as ever.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Fine," she replied. "You didn't have to check on me personally."
"I wanted to."
The simplicity of his answer caught her off guard.
She looked away. "You're very direct."
"I don't see the point in pretending."
He walked further into the room, stopping a few steps away from her bed.
"I've arranged security around your apartment building," he added. "And someone will look into the man who attacked you."
Her brows lifted. "You did all that… overnight?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Ian held her gaze steadily. "Because I care."
There it was. No hesitation. No embarrassment.
Alex's heart skipped, and she immediately looked down at her hands.
"You don't even know me," she said quietly.
"I know enough."
"That's not how feelings work."
A faint smile appeared on his lips. "You're assuming too much."
She blinked. "What?"
"I didn't say I have feelings."
Her face warmed.
"I only said I care."
That was worse.
Later that afternoon, Alex wandered downstairs, unsure of what she was supposed to do in a house that didn't feel like hers.
She found Ian in his study.
He looked up when she entered.
"You shouldn't be walking around too much yet."
"I'm not fragile," she replied.
He leaned back in his chair, watching her. "That's what you think."
Before she could respond, a sharp knock sounded at the door.
Moments later, a woman stepped inside without waiting for permission.
She was elegant, confident, and clearly familiar with the house.
"Ian, you canceled the board meeting yesterday for a woman?" she said bluntly.
Her eyes shifted to Alex.
"And this must be her."
Alex felt the tension immediately.
Ian's expression didn't change. "What do you want.
"I want to know why there's a stranger staying in your house."
"Are you questioning me?" he narrowed his eyes dangerously at her
Soo-jin stiffened, fear chilled her, "I just wanted to know, uncle called me and told me so I decided to come."
"You are in no position to question me neither to come to my house, get lost".
Soo Jin froze, he was berating her in the presence of a stranger, he had always been cold towards her and she knew he didn't like her but she always ignored it as she viewed herself as the only woman he would match with.
Alex stepped back slightly. "I can leave if this causes trouble—"
"No," Ian said firmly.
The room fell silent.
He stood up and walked toward Alex, stopping beside her.
"She's staying," he continued. "And you don't get to question that."
Soo-jin's eyes blurred. "Since when do you care about women".
Ian didn't hesitate.
"Since now, get lost."
The answer was steady. Unapologetic.
Soo-jin looked at Alex again — this time with open hostility. "Ian doesn't do things halfway."
Then she left.
Silence ensuied in the room before Alex spoke "what does she mean by that"