Chapter 166. I Can’t Let Her Go (3)

—The public relations director visited him today and told him that he should pay more attention to his health. He even suggested getting an IV drip at the office if necessary and said he could call Dr. Park if needed. But do you think the Director Lee-Seob would actually say, ‘Sure, let’s do that?’ If he collapses from overwork, I won’t be able to face anyone. I’m scared.

Minkyung paced anxiously around her room, biting her nails, trying not to let her unease show. But she couldn’t hold back anymore.

“How bad is his health that the public relations director said that?”

— I don’t know. He intimidates me, so I can’t even look him in the face properly… But isn’t his complexion naturally pale? People keep saying he looks sickly. Some say he should take a few days off, even if he has to force himself. I had no idea this job would be so overwhelming. I thought I’d just be learning under you, Deputy Director Kang.

“Then learn. From me.”

Minkyung said firmly.

— What? How?

“Listen carefully, Assistant Lee. I’ll work from here. I’ll handle the materials, the meeting preparations—everything. Just watch how I do it and copy me. If he’s picky, adjust to it. For meals, don’t wait for him to ask. Just order from the list I gave you and have it ready. If he refuses, fine. If he orders for himself, remember what he gets, call the restaurant, and learn exactly how he orders. Stock his fridge with what he already buys. Rotate different snacks even if he doesn’t ask for them. Make sure he eats something. And even if he tells you not to come, wait outside his door in the morning. Save him time. That way…”

That way, Tae Lee-Seob won’t fall apart.

She swallowed those words.

“That way, my absence will be filled quickly.”

— Yes, yes! Got it, Deputy Director Kang.

Lee Daehyung responded enthusiastically.

***

About a month has passed since that call…

Minkyung reached out and traced the case of the plastic model beside her bed. She hadn’t even taken it out to admire it properly, afraid of ruining it.

— The more you look at it, the more you’ll like it. It’s handsome, just like me.

She lay back on the bed, staring at the robot’s face.

‘Liar. It looks nothing like you.’

Her eyes stung. The tears welling up inside her still hadn’t dried. She closed her eyes. And there he was again. Lee-Seob—clinging to her, crying, getting angry, making promises—scratching at her heart once more.

— I was sincere. Don’t trample on that, Kang Minkyung.

“…I’m sorry.”

She whispered the foolish apology. He wasn’t crying anymore, yet she was the one with tears streaming down her face.

— Fine, I’ll date and sleep with other women. Is that what you want?

Minkyung curled up, turning onto her side. She reached deep into her memories.

A white crescent moon in the deep blue sky was framed by his fingers.

— I caught the moon for you.

His voice tickled her ear. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her back made her shiver. As if their hearts were linked, hers started pounding too.

— I brought you the moon from Paris.

— Did you know? The moon has a mystical power.

— Now, Kang Minkyung belongs to me.

She had secretly returned the impossibly expensive necklace to his house. But maybe that moon really had some kind of spell on it.

Minkyung touched her neck, pressing the spot where the crescent-moon pendant had rested.

They had been together for just a moment. They had shared love only briefly. But after he had pulled away—after he had taken back his love—she was no longer the same. She had become something else. Something different, something incomplete.

Frantically, she searched through her memories. She wanted to erase the image of him telling her to get lost. Instead, she found another moment—him, fast asleep after taking medicine for a fever. She carefully took that memory out, like a precious jewel, and held it close.

Nestled in her arms, he had looked so weak, so defenseless, like a small, fragile bird. He smiled at her so sweetly.

‘Yes. This is enough. This is enough now.’

Minkyung closed the box of memories.

She had to sleep. She had to face tomorrow.

The sun rises and sets. Flowers bloom and wither. The seasons come and go. A body drenched in sudden rain will dry eventually.

She would sleep. Wake up to a new day. Then another. And another.

And in time, just like spring blossoms fade, this overwhelming emotion would also disappear.

Just like a passing storm, this love would pass. She wouldn’t stay drenched in it forever.

***