Chapter 39. Blood Doesn’t Make a Family (1)

Translator: Lili

“Alright, I’ll let you use me as much as you want. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

Seo Jungwon was, as always, an incomprehensible existence. And that made him even more dangerous. But if getting rid of him wasn’t an immediate option, maybe playing along was the smarter choice. People like him—those who were rejected and pushed away—only clung harder.

And if there was a way to use him in the meantime, there was no reason not to.

***               

It was rare for Sera and Lee Rowoon to run into each other at work. Even though they were in the same building, they worked in different departments and had completely separate routines. It was only natural.

The situation at home wasn’t much different. Rowoon was an early riser, while Sera was an extreme night owl. The house was also spacious enough that they could go days without seeing each other unless they made an effort to meet.

Sera was too busy to concern herself with Rowoon. In fact, she had almost forgotten about his existence.

That was, until she saw his haggard state at the office.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

It was a rare moment of leisure—Sera was on her way back from dinner with Lee Jiyoung when she spotted Rowoon crossing the lobby. He was walking briskly alongside a group of executives, seemingly heading out for an external engagement.

His appearance was neat as usual, but his complexion was a disaster. His face was ghostly pale, with visible signs of exhaustion. His normally sharp eyes looked dazed, unfocused. Even from a distance, it was obvious something was wrong.

“It looks like Vice President Lee Rowoon is sick, doesn’t it?”

Sera gestured toward him with a tilt of her chin. Jiyoung nodded, responding casually.

“It wouldn’t be surprising if he collapsed any minute now.”

“If he’s sick, he should take care of himself properly. Who’s going to appreciate him for pushing himself like that? Don’t you think so?”

“He definitely seems to be overdoing it.”

Honestly, he should just pass out already and stay bedridden for a while.

That was the only thought Sera had as she watched him.

By the time she returned to her office, she had completely forgotten about Rowoon. She had too much work to deal with to spare even a passing concern for his health.

“Ugh, my shoulders…”

It was close to midnight when Sera finally wrapped up her work, massaging her stiff shoulders as she walked through the garden. She had dozed off in the car for a bit, but it wasn’t nearly enough to ease her exhaustion.

‘Maybe I should get an apartment near the office.’

Chairman Shin was stubborn in the strangest ways—one of them being his refusal to let his children live independently. At least he wasn’t the type of old-fashioned patriarch who insisted on morning greetings every day.

“…Huh?”

Sera had been lost in idle thoughts when she pushed open the front door, only to be greeted by a surprising sight.

A tall, lanky figure was sprawled unconscious on the floor.

It was Lee Rowoon.

“Hey, Lee Rowoon…!”

Alarmed, Sera rushed over to check on him. He was drenched in cold sweat, and his entire body was burning up like fire. She lightly slapped his cheek, but all he did was groan weakly. He was completely out of it.

“You idiot…”

She had a feeling this would happen. And here it was.

Unfortunately, Chairman Shin and his wife were both away, and the household staff had been working on a shortened schedule due to their absence. That meant the only people in the house right now were her and Rowoon.

“Damn it. Just my luck. Should I call 911? No, no… Ah, Professor Kim’s number—”

Panicked, Sera fumbled for her phone before suddenly pausing.

“…”

‘Why exactly should I help him?’

The thought hit her out of nowhere.

She stared down at Rowoon’s unconscious form. This was the same person who had insulted and dismissed her. She had no reason to care whether he lived or died.

In fact, wouldn’t it be better if he just died?

“…What the hell am I thinking?”

It was in that moment that she finally understood what Rowoon had felt when he found her collapsed in the garden that night. If she ignored him now, it would be deliberate negligence—something she wouldn’t be able to escape blame for later.

Letting out a deep sigh, Sera finally pressed the call button.

“Professor, it’s Sera. Sorry for calling so late, but could you come over for a bit? Rowoon collapsed. I don’t think it’s anything too serious—probably just a fever from overworking—but he’s completely out of it. …Yes, thank you.”

Suppressing her impulse to just leave him there, Sera forced herself to take responsibility. She glanced down at him one more time. He remained completely unconscious.

‘I really wanted to just go to my room and rest, but…’

Since things had already come to this, she might as well use this opportunity to earn some points with him.

***