your law of gravity

by crescentlesl

Summary:

Lee Seok-jun and Yang Ju-ran have a history.

Missing and expanded scenes from the series, with a “what-if” twist.

Notes:

This story picks up right after this scene, which I am linking for you to watch because I doubt anyone else has spent the past several months obsessively reviewing LSJ/YJR footage like me. Any other scenes in this fic I am either making up, or don't want you to remember details of, because that suits me better. It is not at all associated with the "hang around" story; this is a whole new barrel of monkeys.

Chapter 1: this is the same place; no, not the same place

Lee Seok-jun keeps his eyes on the ground as the elevator doors close, using all of his willpower not to look up, not to lock eyes with Yang Ju-ran again. Finally he is alone, and he looks up at the ceiling.

That was awkward.

He'd known, when he told Mr. Yu that she should lead the project, that he'd likely see Yang Ju-ran again. So he'd tried to prepare: he wouldn't even look her way, he'd maintain his customary icy professional demeanor that always kept people at a distance, he'd focus his attention on sniffing out issues with Ms. Kang and Mr. Yu and not even notice whether there were others in the room. Very doable.

Of course, when has Yang Ju-ran ever made things easy for him?

She's different now. Seok-jun would deny having ever thought of her, but the pathetically grateful woman that accosted him today surprises him with her servility. He shouldn't have to tell her she's capable of the job.

He supposes he could have handled the whole interaction more smoothly — when he finally braced himself and turned to look at her he was so struck by the sight of her, in the flesh, he forgot to respond, which made her ramble nervously.

But what was she talking about? Why wouldn't he trust her to lead this project? Of course he'd checked her employee record but quite beside that — was he supposed to have forgotten ?

Maybe she had forgotten; it was long habit of his to make corrections to employees who could use the guidance — and if he'd been thinking straight he might not have chosen to do that to Yang Ju-ran —  but when he did she didn't raise her eyebrows or make a wry comment, she just accepted it. Meekly. As if he were any other superior giving unsolicited advice.

The vision of her uncertain face slowly fades into an older memory: her stricken expression when he ended their association all those years ago. Maybe the problem isn't that she's forgotten him, but that she hasn't .

At any rate, he doesn't like the way he feels after this interaction, so the best thing to do will be to keep avoiding her. He's made his point to Yu Ji-hyuk, so he doesn't need to sit in on all marketing meetings. He can watch Kang Ji-won without being in the middle of their team dynamics and making it awkward.

It's a good plan.

The plan works until she hails him from the cab next to his motorcycle, a few weeks later.

"Help me, please." Her voice is panicked, and he gets the distinct sense that she's asking him despite who he is, rather than because of it. "My daughter, she's home alone — the traffic — "

A U&K employee with a problem that he can easily solve? He doesn't even have to think about it. "I'll take you," he says simply. He fishes his spare helmet out of the pannier and indicates she can put her work there instead, while he takes care of the cab fare.

"Where are you going?" he asks as she settles behind him. She gives him the address and he nods; he knows where that is. "I'll get you there. Ms. Yang, you'll need to hold onto me for us to travel safely."

To her credit, she doesn't hesitate any longer to slide her arms around his waist, her concern for her child outweighing whatever doubts she has.

Seok-jun, on the other hand, is suddenly full of doubt. Yang Ju-ran is so close to him. He can feel her fingers gripping together, feel her ribs expand as she breathes too quickly. Emotions that he thought he discarded years ago are starting to surface, so he kicks the motorcycle into gear and tries to outrun them.

After he's dropped Yang Ju-ran off at her home and accepted her hurried (yet heartfelt) thanks, Seok-jun takes a moment to breathe. Over the years he's become convinced that...feelings...just aren't for him. He's earned his ruthless reputation and he revels in being indispensable. He hasn't so much as thought about another person romantically for so long that it's basically part of his identity.

So it's honestly pretty upsetting to discover that the brief aberration in his past is more of a pattern — at least when it comes to Yang Ju-ran.

He allows himself one more frustrated sigh, then briskly replaces the spare helmet into its carrier and starts to drive. Now that he knows what malarkey is going on inside him, he can be even more vigilant. Feelings aren't relevant. His duty is to the Chairman, and to U&K, and while he probably can't avoid Yang Ju-ran forever, he can keep that duty in the forefront of his mind, and it will protect him.

After all, she's even more out of reach than she was before. It can only serve him to ignore his traitorous heart and keep himself as busy as possible. And this issue that Yu Ji-hyuk is embroiled in will definitely fit the bill.

 

***

 

Seok-jun doesn't really want to be Yu Ji-hyuk's adversary. He sees a lot of potential for their working relationship in the future, even though it's ironic that Yu Ji-hyuk's insubordination is what gives him that impression. And the consequence of this insubordination is also what threatens Ji-hyuk's willingness to trust him the way the Chairman does. It's delicate to balance his primary duty of attempting to minimize scandal to the Yu family while still ingratiating himself as someone of use to the young manager, but sensitive operations like this are Seok-jun's specialty.

To that end, he makes doubly sure his face expresses none of the amusement he feels, seeing Yu Ji-hyuk glowering at him across the desk. It's clear he's still not forgiven for interfering — and he's sure Yu Ji-hyuk doesn't know the extent of his surveillance. But seeing any amount of petulance is more personality than he's shown before now, and Seok-jun can work with that.

The purpose of their meeting today isn't Kang Ji-won, so hopefully they can keep hostilities minimal.

"Manager Kim's suspension will be ending soon. My recommendation is that when he returns, he's demoted. According to feedback received over the years, his leadership is bad for morale, quite aside from the incident with Director Wang."

Now, if Seok-jun did want to start a fight, he'd ask Mr. Yu why he allowed this to go on for so long. But he knows it's difficult to remove someone who has connections in upper management, so maybe this is just the first chance he's had. Or maybe, Mr. Yu didn't care until he decided to take a more...hands-on approach to the team. (Some team members more than others, but he is resisting the temptation to goad him.)

"I suggest Yang Ju-ran as the new manager. You should tell her the good news, and I'll handle Mr. Kim."

"What, you don't want to tell her yourself? She's eligible for the promotion because you put her in charge of the meal-kit project, and she knows it. Wouldn't it make sense for you to inform her?"

Seok-jun tries to stay impassive. "I would prefer not to."

Yu Ji-hyuk raises his eyebrows, clearly interested in that response. But Seok-jun's not about to tell him about his goal to avoid Yang Ju-ran as much as possible, made more important by the re-emergence of his feelings for her.

In fact, since his revelation after she rode on his motorcycle, he's been remembering a lot more about the past, memories seeping past his iron will.

He'd already had a reputation by the time they were assigned together on a special project at the HRD Institute, but she had impressed him not only with her competence but her easy kindness to all team members — including him. In idle moments, Seok-jun keeps seeing flashes of their conversations: him standoffish, her unbothered, as they discussed finer details of the project. She hadn't been afraid of him, and that made him want to spend more time with her.

What really haunts him, though, is his newfound uncertainty that he handled their ending appropriately.

She was so good — at her job, yes, but also with him — that he'd fully planned to make a place for her on his team when the project ended. He was just starting to accept that his desire for her company at all times was a romantic attraction, though he was going to wait quite a while before broaching that topic. A better job, though, he could make happen.

But then he overheard her telling a colleague it was a relief to have her old spot on the Marketing team held for her after the project ended.

"And a relief to get away from ol' Stoneface, too, I imagine?" replied her coworker.

Seok-jun chose that moment to walk into sight, so Yang Ju-ran didn't have a chance to answer, but her abashed face told him all he needed to know.

So after that, there was no job. And nothing else either.

Now he suspects that he let his emotions lead instead of his reason (which is galling). Maybe she would have taken the new position if he'd offered it. And maybe she wasn't dying to get away from him. He can't know.

He does know that it's irked him to see her languishing on the Marketing Team when she had so much potential before. It honestly feels like his duty to put her career on a better track — penance for how the company could have thrived before if he'd done the right thing back then.

He'd still rather not see her if he can help it.

Yu Ji-hyuk is still assessing him. Seok-jun nods curtly and hands him the promotion paperwork. "She deserves it," he states.

***

 

Seok-jun walks into the storage room at the office with a barely suppressed sigh. HR work is draining, and Marketing Team 1 seems to have more than its share of interpersonal issues right now. And, of course, Kang Ji-won is in the middle of it all. Why Yu Ji-hyuk seems determined to be involved with her, Seok-jun simply does not understand. It's almost enough to drive him back to smoking, but he's determined to stick with the mints.

At least there is the small blessing that he hasn't had occasion to interact with —

"Excuse me, you can't smoke — "

Yang Ju-ran.

She quickly realizes her mistake, and Seok-jun takes the opportunity to put a mint in his mouth. It's grounding. Think of work, of your job, your responsibilities.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, as sternly as he can muster.

"Oh, I come here for some peace when I need to think alone."

"This is a place of work, Ms. Yang," he replies, staring her down. "Not your place to think alone."

She tilts her head slightly. "Aren't you here to think in peace? You don't seem the type to come to storage on your own account."

He looks away. Yang Ju-ran probably doesn't remember the specifics enough to do this on purpose, but with the memories flooding him lately he can't help but flinch: it was a statement about what "type" of person he might be that was the final nail in the coffin of their relationship (such as it was).

That last day he'd already been sullen toward her, convinced that she couldn't wait to leave him, so her tentative congratulations on a successful project was swiftly rebuffed. He even ignored her handshake.

"So, this is goodbye?" she'd said. "Just like that?"

"I am sure that I did not treat you with any warmth that would indicate this is anything otherwise," he'd replied coldly.

She'd blinked rapidly, but rallied. "But tell me this," she said. "Aren't you the type to be cold to everyone, whether or not you care about them?'

At the time, he couldn't believe she was dragging it out like this. He'd made his position clear, and so had she (he thought). Was she right about him? He didn't know, but he didn't like her presumption that she could speak like this, especially when he was trying to end things.

"People who think they can read others and judge them based on what little they observe..." He gazed at her disdainfully. "I hate those kinds of people."

Seok-jun's brain is trying to communicate something to him, and he finally processes through the flinch enough to realize: he was officious toward Yang Ju-ran just now and she didn't immediately accept his criticism in abject humility. "Acting like you know me again," he murmurs accidentally.

He hurriedly turns back toward her and casts about for something to say to cover what he said. Something about work ...

"You don't seem thrilled about your promotion," he says, which has the benefit of being true and also hopefully distracting from his slip-up. "Don't worry about Mr. Kim. You should've been promoted years ago based on merit." And if I'd been fair to you in the first place .

"It's just — the meal kit was part of your consideration, wasn't it? Everything about that project truly belongs to Kang Ji-won. She thought of it originally and has been integral every step of the way. If anyone deserves the promotion, she does."

Seok-jun doesn't roll his eyes, but it's a near thing. He doesn't know if this is an illustration of her lack of confidence in her abilities or an overdeveloped sense of fairness, but he can't believe she'd willingly give up what he's trying to give to her — what the company's trying to give to her (in favor of Kang Ji-won, no less. He'll grant that she's capable, but everyone on her team is obsessed). As pleasantly surprised as he is that she's speaking so cogently to him, her reasoning is faulty.

Yang Ju-ran smiles, which pricks Seok-jun's heart a bit. "I feel much better having said that. I hope you keep in mind what I've told you before you make the final decision on who is receiving the promotion." She bows and begins to walk away.

Seok-jun should let her go, but he's so incensed at this idea that she's less deserving that he has to retrieve another candy and say, "Don't forget that Mr. Kim originally got promoted based on your work." He focuses on the taste, keeping his back to her. "You don't know how to take a win, Ms. Yang."

"People who think they can read others and judge them based on what little they observe..."

He turns to stare at her in shock. Clearly he underestimated how well Yang Ju-ran remembered that pivotal conversation. Maybe she's like him, haunted by how it ended. If she's about to throw the things he said back in his face, it's no more than he deserves.

Instead, she smiles at him. "I like those kinds of people. If they're right." She sighs. "And you are right, Mr. Lee. I'm a pushover. I'm more comfortable that way." 

One more polite smile and she's out the door, but he's frozen.

He's underestimated both her memory and her kindness. 

This whole encounter has confused him — she was closer to the woman he remembers than the cowed subordinate he's been dealing with. But to end by implying she likes him? After everything he's done to her? She must mean only that she doesn't hate him, that for the sake of the company she's willing to look past his offenses. Anything else makes no sense. 

It really shouldn't be a three-mint break, but he needs this last one. He savors it, and allows himself one more moment to bask in the memory of her smile. Then he locks his feelings away. Time to go back to work.

Notes:

flashback central! if this chapter were a movie there'd be a lot of sepia.
(if anyone is wondering what their special project was, it was implementing SEO on their online catalog)

Chapter 2: silence carved on me

Summary:

A little interlude to deliver Kang Ji-won to the Chairman

Notes:

I'd forgotten (until I watched ep 10 with my friend in our continuing efforts to have the slowest watch of all time) that Mr. Lee and Kang Ji-won had a solo car ride together out to the estate. And I, instead of writing any interactions with Yang Ju-ran, chose to write how that might have gone.

Chairman Yu wants to see Kang Ji-won. That's easily accomplished; the trick is for Seok-jun to extend the invitation without Yu Ji-hyuk noticing and raising a fuss. He could appear at her desk and ask to speak with her, but that runs the additional risk of seeing Yang Ju-ran.

Which may not be as big a deal anymore; ever since their encounter in the storage room, he hasn't been consumed with guilt at the mere thought of her, so running into her again is...almost tempting.

In the end, Seok-jun strategically sends Ms. Kang an email asking her to meet with him at her earliest convenience, at a time when he knows Yu Ji-hyuk is not around to see her leave.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

Prompt, as expected.

"Please, come in," Seok-jun says, gesturing to the more comfortable chair in his office. "Ms. Kang, it is less that I want to see you than Chairman Yu does."

"Oh." He knows she's surprised, but it's impressive how little of that shows in her expression. She also has the good sense not to consider declining. "When would he like to see me?"

"He'll see you at his estate on Sunday morning at 10. You needn't worry about getting there; I'll take you."

"Okay, that works. See you then." She nods and stands up to leave.

"I'm sure I don't need to remind you, Ms. Kang," Seok-jun says, "This meeting is confidential."

"I won't tell anyone," she assures him, and what can he do but trust her?

 

Sunday morning Seok-jun pulls up to Yu Ji-hyuk's building, where it seems he has been spending a lot of time lately. And here he is again — with the reason for his visits waiting outside, dressed demurely as befits a meeting with Chairman Yu.

Usually when Mr. Lee is transporting employees to meet with the Chairman, it's leaders of Managing Director level or higher, and they take the chauffeuring as their due. So it's a little surprising when Ms. Kang opens her own door and joins him in the passenger seat rather than the back.

"Thank you for picking me up," she says.

"No more than my duty," he responds.

Another difference between Ms. Kang and his usual passengers is how visibly nervous she is. Maybe they can hide it from him in the backseat, but Seok-jun has a front-row seat (as it were) to her hands twisting together anxiously, the way she bites her lip as she tries not to make a sound.

But it seems she cannot prevent herself from speaking. "Mr. Lee, can you tell me — what does the Chairman want to speak to me about?"

"I can't say for sure. But I can tell you that he was recently informed of the whole story behind the note that Jeong Su-min posted in your name. He knows you spoke out about Mr. Kim stealing your project proposal as well. He likely wants to discuss these things with you."

"To ensure I'm not a liability?"

Seok-jun almost scoffs. Oh, but you are a liability. The amount of money I'm working on transferring into your name...at least you don't know about that yet, and neither does the Chairman.

"Again, I'm not sure. He usually meets with employees at much higher levels that need some ruffled feathers smoothed. I assume he also sees the wisdom in making sure you're not unhappy at the company." ... since his heir is making a fool of himself over you and it's easier to keep you where we can see you .

"Oh, I'm very happy at U&K," she says immediately. "The coworkers that flustered me the most have much less power now, and I'm about to have a good manager for once." 

"Ms. Yang?" he asks, inwardly wincing as he does. They both know already. But he's unable to resist the temptation to turn the topic to her.

"Of course." Kang Ji-won glances at him. "She told me she talked to you about it."

"Oh?"  He hopes his voice is appropriately disinterested, as he is desperately curious to know what she said. Did she tell Ms. Kang about their history?

"Yes, and you should know that I picked Ms. Yang as my partner in the meal kit project since the very first day. And I wouldn't have it any other way — she's so capable. You know that every bit of our team's good reputation is due to her, despite Mr. Kim? She's already been acting as a good manager to us. She just...she needed someone to believe in her, and get her out from Mr. Kim's thumb."

Seok-jun knows there's no rebuke to him intended (after all, how would Kang Ji-won know the extent to which he failed Yang Ju-ran?) but he feels its sting anyway. Everything she's just said is true, and it shouldn't have fallen to Ms. Kang to solve such a blatant issue.

"Anyway," Ms. Kang continues, when Seok-jun doesn't say anything. "I find I'm very appreciative of the smart moves our HR has been making lately. They have really been to my benefit. And the company, of course. Truly a reflection of proficiency in the department."

"I can't imagine that you think flattery will get you anywhere, Ms. Kang," he responds sternly, though he is slightly tickled that she's tried it.

"Oh, I wouldn't expect it to work with you, sir. I'm just practicing in case the Chairman would like it?"

Her voice is light, but he can hear the true question behind it. He wouldn't normally be reassuring, but he somehow feels he owes a favor to Kang Ji-won, who's been a friend to Yang Ju-ran when he wasn't.

"The very best thing you can do, Ms. Kang, is to be honest with him. He has enough flatterers, and he has me to cater to his whims. He wants to get a sense of you, and if you try to obfuscate or dance around his questions, he won't be impressed."

She nods thoughtfully. "So the best way to impress him is to not try to impress him."

"I doubt you will impress him whether you're trying or not. But you can prevent a worse impression by following my advice."

"Thank you, Mr. Lee. Once again, I appreciate the benefits your proficiency provides to me."

He doesn't dignify that with a response, and they ride in silence the rest of the way.

As they walk up the driveway to the house, Seok-jun can see the exact moment Ms. Kang recognizes Mr. Yu's car parked in its usual place, because she stumbles and turns pale.

"I didn't tell him about this meeting!" she whispers urgently. "I didn't tell anyone! I don't know why he's here."

"Not to worry, Ms. Kang. This time of year, Mr. Yu often comes to the estate on the weekend. You probably won't even see him."

"Oh." Unsurprisingly, she looks a little disappointed at that, but she clearly remembers the member of the Yu family she's there to meet and puts on a resolutely pleasant expression.

After he makes the requisite introductions, Seok-jun absconds to the kitchen to have a word with the staff. They'll tell Yu Ji-hyeok about his grandfather's guest after Chairman Yu has called for tea (he doesn't always, but Seok-jun is fairly confident that Kang Ji-won will merit at least that much hospitality).

As amusing as it is to imagine Yu Ji-hyuk's inevitable ire at this woman being snuck in to meet the Chairman right under his nose, the main reason he's dropping the hint is because Seok-jun doesn't feel like driving Ms. Kang back to town when he'll have to report back to the Chairman later anyway. This way, Yu Ji-hyuk will almost certainly take her (they live in the same building, after all) and Seok-jun can spend that time working here.

Everything goes according to plan, and the couple is gone before Seok-jun is called back in to debrief with the Chairman.

"I'm impressed by Kang Ji-won," he says.

Seok-jun concedes a point to Ms. Kang for successfully eliciting this reaction.

"I absolutely understand what my grandson sees in her," the Chairman continues. "Pity she's such a nobody. You're sure they're not together?"

"Fairly certain," Seok-jun replies. "From our perspective, there's nothing stopping either of them now that her ex-fiance is marrying another woman. But Yu Ji-hyuk has indicated to me more than once that he's not going to pursue her romantically; whatever this is, it's not that. Yet."

"Yet," Chairman Yu repeats. "I could see him being hesitant while she was with another man, since it hurt him when his father acted unfaithfully. But the way they looked at each other today — in front of me! Keep an eye on it, Mr. Lee."

"Yes, sir."

"She really is something. You know, she told me to my face that I'm one of her difficulties in life! That takes guts."

Seok-jun, as the weapon of the Chairman's disapproval, has nothing to say to that. They could have been making her life a lot more miserable, but at this point he's glad they've been circumspect and above-board. It makes things easier if Yu Ji-hyuk is still determined to be tied to her. (He's still prepared to disappear her if necessary.)

"I almost wonder if it was wrong to quash her chances at promotion. It's clear now that she is both smart and capable, a real asset to the company. Is it too late to — "

"No!" Seok-jun doesn't think he's ever interrupted the Chairman before, and they're both taken aback. "Forgive me, sir. It is too late to promote Ms. Kang into the manager position on that team. The announcement has already been made, and Ms. Kang herself told me that she is in favor of Ms. Yang taking the role."

Chairman Yu is still looking askance at him, eyebrow raised. Seok-jun is mortified. He didn't realize how invested he is in making sure Yang Ju-ran has this chance, but he's just illustrated his willingness to stand for it. He hopes that won't become a problem.

"Well, no matter," the Chairman says finally. "Now that we've met her, I'm sure we can find an even better position for her at some point. If my grandson can bear to let her out of his sight, that is."

"Indeed."

To his relief, the Chairman dismisses him back to work; he needs some time to get his head back on straight. 

It almost feels like he's falling into the same patterns as Yu Ji-hyuk — on a much smaller scale, of course. No secret transfers of real estate here. And he has confidence that his determination not to pursue Yang Ju-ran romantically has staying power — he'd never get in the middle of her marriage.

But he's undeniably made an adjustment in his behavior to benefit her. He thinks championing her in this moment at work is relatively harmless — he does honestly think it will be better for the company in the long run than promoting Ms. Kang — but he'll have to be careful not to step off course more than this.

He can't imagine that will be a problem.

Notes:

A great tragedy in life is that Mr. Lee calls himself Seok-jun in his own head, where we are stuck.

I've not mentioned before that this is a slight canon divergence; I keep as close to canon as I can but we still have to grapple with the fact that in real life, Mr. Lee was not in love with Yang Ju-ran alllll those years ago. But we can certainly pretend.

Chapter 3: so don't turn away now

Summary:

Yang Ju-ran's promotion dinner

Notes:

Mr. Lee: *experiencing an emotional roller coaster*
Mr. Lee's face journey: 😐😐😐

"Mr. Lee."

Seok-jun feels his heart leap, muscle memory reactivating after all these years at the sound of Yang Ju-ran's voice. And then his heart immediately sinks -- she would never come see him in his office unless she had a major HR issue, would she? For that to happen so soon after she's taken the role is disappointing. But it is his job to help.

"Ms. Yang, come in. What's wrong?"

She approaches his desk and he notices she doesn't look unhappy at all. A little keyed up, but she's smiling.

"Nothing's wrong, sir. Well, I just talked to Mr. Kim. Ji-won -- Ms. Kang, I mean -- she told me that I needed to set boundaries so he would behave properly, and it worked! Her advice worked for my husband, too -- for now. I guess only time will tell whether my talk with Mr. Kim will work long-term. But he adjusted his behavior in the moment."

He reminds himself that it's good for Yang Ju-ran to have someone in her corner, even if it's Kang Ji-won. As her HR manager it is especially important for him to be objective and scrupulously fair, so even if she had come to him seeking advice he would have had to tread lightly.

"So, you came to report to me that you spoke to Mr. Kim?" he asks. "Are you hoping for additional support from HR in this matter?"

She shakes her head, laughing at herself a little. "No, that's not why I'm here. It only just happened so I guess it's on my mind. I actually stood up for myself...."

Her eyes are bright as she muses on whatever just happened. Seok-jun is burning with curiosity about the details, but to ask would cross the strict line of professionalism he's set for himself. It would be too close to the camaraderie they shared before, and he's certain she wouldn't be interested in that.

"Ms. Yang. Why are you here?"

"Oh, right. Sorry. Tonight my parents are hosting a celebratory dinner at their restaurant in honor of my promotion. I wanted to invite you to join us."

Why would she do that? Seok-jun doesn't believe that she would actually want him there. She's surely only being polite and would not really expect him to attend. If nothing else, Yang Ju-ran should know how he hates being social.

"Now, I know you hate to be social," she says in the face of his silence. "But if I recall correctly, you do enjoy barbecue."

Diabolical, to demonstrate that she knows him so well, even after all this time.

"And, well, sir, I credit this promotion to your support. If it weren't for your confidence in my ability to lead, I doubt we'd be celebrating tonight."

Seok-jun doesn't know how to feel when confronted with her genuine goodwill. A glimmer of pride, perhaps, that she noticed his effort to make the promotion happen (he did at least sign the paperwork, which is more than Kang Ji-won can boast). Confusion, certainly, that she's choosing to acknowledge it. Why spend her kind words on him? These conversations with Yang Ju-ran are always so different than he expects, and that's annoying. And the fact that he has such a maelstrom of emotions at all is profoundly irritating.

She's still talking.

"The whole marketing team will be there, even Mr. Yu. So it'd be nice to have you too. I know you're busy, but if you have time..."

"Thank you for the invitation," he says finally. "I will see if I can make it." He pointedly turns to his paperwork.

"Okay. Um, have a good day."

After she leaves his office, Seok-jun only prevents himself from putting his head in his hands by remembering that he has glass walls. He makes do with a deep breath or two. Aside from anything else that just happened, the fact that he didn't decline the invitation outright is a massive departure from his normal behavior.

He never does anything he doesn't want to do, and he never wants to hobnob with colleagues after work hours, but he'd forgotten how Yang Ju-ran could always make him do things he didn't want to do. More accurately, she could make him want to do things. The number of work dinners and drinks he'd ended up attending simply because she'd persuaded him that he'd like it....

Of course he'd like it, if she was there.

But he can't let himself tilt back into their previous dynamic. She may not find it difficult to treat him kindly after their rift, which points to how impeccable her professionalism is (or maybe the depth of her heart, to not despise him for what he's done), but Seok-jun still doesn't have as tight a grip on his emotions as he'd like.

Just this slightest hint of friendship has him reeling.

He recognizes that some of this is his fault; he'd assumed that they were on the same page about who they are to each other (colleagues! distant colleagues), so he hadn't prepared his heart for anything more. (No one else has ever required this much emotional vigilance, so he thinks he should be excused for not knowing what it takes when it comes to Yang Ju-ran.)

At any rate, there's no chance he'll be attending that dinner tonight. He can't conceive of a reason he'd bring more emotional turmoil into his day.

***

Seok-jun looks up at the restaurant in trepidation. He's here, but it's not too late to leave before anyone notices.

Unfortunately, his desire to be here outweighs his desire to flee.

In part, circumstances have changed: the photos of Kang Ji-won and Yu Ji-hyuk in Busan were developed and delivered. When Seok-jun looked through them, he couldn't deny that it would be useful to see them in person while they're out socially. Yang Ju-ran said that Mr. Yu would be at the dinner, and he knows Ms. Kang wouldn't miss it. So it's a convenient opportunity.

It could also build trust with the other Marketing team members, to see him in a less threatening environment than the office. (It's a stretch, but it could .)

Honestly, though, he finds he's been craving barbecue ever since Yang Ju-ran mentioned it. If he still believed the worst of her he might think she's exploiting his weakness in order to purposefully harm him. But he's fairly sure that's not the case here -- and he quickly bottles up his regret that he ever did believe the worst of her.

Bottling up feelings is the name of the game tonight. If he talks to Yang Ju-ran, it will be about work-related topics only. In an ideal world, he won't have to talk to anybody, and will be free to surveill the group and eat his steak in peace. A man can dream.

Seok-jun steels himself and starts to walk in, though his attention is grabbed by a couple furtively sneaking into view. He can see at a glance that they're restaurant employees trying to keep a fling private. The man notices him and his expression turns distinctly guilty, which provides more insight on the secrecy of the situation, but Seok-jun doesn't care.

Until Yang Ju-ran comes outside and tells the man to come and say hello at her party. Suddenly Seok-jun cares a lot about who this man might be and what he was doing with the other woman.

Then she spots him. "Mr. Lee, you made it!" She's smiling, clearly pleased, and Seok-jun has to stop lying to himself. He came to see her, because she wanted him to. "Come on inside."

He nods in acknowledgement and follows her instructions. As he passes the man, he fixes him with an unimpressed glance. Seok-jun is sure he could reduce him to a gibbering puddle with very little effort, and at the first sign Yang Ju-ran wants him to, he will. If he can find a way to make it work-related, since that's his rule.

Luckily (as he planned) the party seems to be settling down, and he's seated at his own table with meat and side dishes (with an extra helping of pajeon) in no time. From this vantage he can clearly see how Mr. Yu smiles every time he looks at Ms. Kang.

He also has unobstructed vision for that man's (Yang Ju-ran's husband, of course) pathetic little speech. Seok-jun is debating whether it would be better to try to scare him straight or simply disappear him when he remembers: work only. As aggravating as it is, this isn't his business right now, and he can't run the risk of getting too involved with Yang Ju-ran's personal life -- for his own sake. And, he has to admit, he doesn't know the details. Maybe it was a one-time mistake; maybe her husband will confess as soon as they're home and all will be forgiven (that would be on-brand for Yang Ju-ran, certainly). Better to ignore for now.

Soon, Yang Ju-ran approaches with a bottle of soju. "May I?" She offers him the cup, and he accepts it, so she sits down to pour him a glass.

"Sir, thank you again for helping me get this promotion."

"Ms. Yang, you really need to give yourself more credit. You're here on your own merits." He sets his glass down firmly. "You've always done good work, ever since the Institute."

Her eyes flicker when he mentions the Institute, and he feels another pinch of guilt. Is it possible she doesn't have confidence in herself because he destroyed it so completely before? He hurriedly tries to think of a subject change, but he can't think of a single work-related thing to say. Casting aspersions on her husband is probably out, too...

"So, this is your parents' restaurant. They're doing well?"

"Oh, yes. You missed all the fuss -- I imagine that was on purpose? -- They made everyone cheer for me before they'd distribute the food. I was so embarrassed." 

"They must be proud of you."

"They're thrilled," she agrees, refilling his drink. "Of course, I'm an only child, so all of their pride and all of their disappointment has always been centered on me." She looks at him curiously. "What about you, Mr. Lee? Any siblings?"

Seok-jun drains his glass again, to give himself time to think. It's one thing to discuss non-work-related things with Yang Ju-ran and quite another to divulge any piece of his private life. He'd wager even the Chairman would be hard-pressed to recall anything about his family (and who else would dare ask?). But that's Yang Ju-ran: always slipping past his defenses.

He's been silent long enough, though, that her face is starting to fall. Before she can apologize for her presumption, he opens his mouth first.

"Two siblings," he says -- blurts, really.

She still looks cautious, but there's a smile threatening at the corner of her mouth. "And you're the oldest?"

"...Yes. Ms. Yang, how -- "

She cuts him off with a quick shake of her head, her smile breaking free for a moment. "Doesn't matter. You're well-suited for your job, that's all. Not just HR work -- all of it. And I'm not surprised you've risen so far. After all, you've always done good work, ever since the Institute."

Seok-jun blinks at her.

"And I know that the best thing to do now will be to let you eat in peace and stop bugging you." She smiles, and stands. "Please, enjoy."

And she's gone before he can do more than murmur his thanks. It almost seems as if Yang Ju-ran is testing the validity of his proclamation that he "hates" the kind of people that judge from observation -- guessing he's the oldest brother? Knowing his wont to show up late to events and avoid socializing? If that was the test, he's certainly failed -- but the statement was never true anyway. 

Somehow, during their short conversation, Mr. Yu and Ms. Kang left without him noticing, so he focuses on his grilling, only occasionally glancing up to see Yang Ju-ran in conversation with one coworker or another, who always greet her with a smile. She's being an excellent hostess, and she'll be good at this job. Seok-jun allows himself another serving of meat in self-congratulation for his good sense in making it happen.

The food really is exceptionally delicious, and it ameliorates the unease Seok-jun is still feeling. Maybe he'll just always feel weird around Yang Ju-ran: this heavy mixture of guilt, remorse, nostalgia, and wonder. He's getting used to the feeling. It no longer instills the panicked need to act, to hastily remove all emotional impulse. He can just live like this.

The woman of the hour has been joined by her young daughter, and the evening is winding down. Seok-jun is making his way out of the restaurant, pleased he's made it through the event without having to talk to anyone other than Yang Ju-ran, when he runs into someone that can only be her father.

"Thank you for the meal," he says politely.

"My pleasure," Mr. Yang responds jovially. "You're my Ju-ran's boss?"

Seok-jun's found it useful, in cases like this, to remain impassive and let people fill in the blanks themselves. It works like a charm.

"Well, we sure appreciate that you've honored her this way. She's a good girl. You'll take care of her, won't you?"  Yang Ju-ran's useless husband happens to walk by, pushing a cart full of dishes. He quails under the twin disdainful gazes trained on him, and hurriedly bows before scurrying away. "Someone ought to," Mr. Yang mutters.

Seok-jun suddenly feels like he's in the middle of something he would prefer not to be involved in. "Ms. Yang is an excellent employee and U&K is happy to help with whatever she needs," he says, falling back on the company line. That suffices for Mr. Yang, and they exchange bows before he can finally escape.

When he gets outside, he sees Yu Hui-yeon waiting next to his car, arms folded. He suppresses a sigh. The evening was almost a success.

"If you're going to intrude on team dinner, the least you can do is give me a ride home," she says as he approaches.

He's tired, but he knows his duty to the Yu family. He wordlessly unlocks the car, and Ms. Yu clambers into the backseat, just as she has since she was young.

"You know, Mr. Lee, I thought it was pretty weird for you to show up tonight, when you've never attended any other social event that I've seen -- though of course it worked out for me, because now I don't have to take the bus -- but then! I tried the food! Ms. Yang's parents really know what they're doing, don't they? I guess I don't blame you for wanting to try it. The sauce on the bulgogi..."

Seok-jun lets Yu Hui-yeon's chatter wash over him as she waxes rhapsodic about the food she tried, how adorable little Yeon-ji is, how happy Yang Ju-ran seemed. Listening to her is a small price to pay, he decides, for having observed Yang Ju-ran's contentment for himself.

He’s concerned it may not last. He doesn’t think it would be right for him to get involved, but he can at least commit to himself that whatever happens, he will not make things worse for her at work — not after he’s made all this effort to make it better.

The drive to Yu Hui-yeon’s place isn’t long. Soon she’s hopping out of his car with a cheerful, “Good night!”

To Seok-jun’s surprise, it was. 

 

Notes:

So I think they're okay now! Mr. Lee can live with his current feelings for Ju-ran and things are looking up for her! They can just continue on as colleagues that interact in a friendly manner and that'll be the end of it!

(Also, was Ju-ran "testing" him during their conversation? Nope! Just being herself! Mr. Lee's just going insane trying to figure out why she's like this.)

Chapter 4: don't you drink their poison too

Summary:

no matter what anyone says, Mr. Lee was very normal about Yang Ju-ran's cancer diagnosis.

Oh Yu-ra is in town, which makes quite a bit of work for Seok-jun. Since she has almost never visited, the red carpet is certainly being rolled out. Leadership from other U&K conglomerates all want some of the VP's time, and as Strategic Planning Chief it falls to Seok-jun to manage those logistics.

And then there's Ms. Oh's personal reasons for visiting, which Seok-jun has inferred boil down to one overarching purpose: to mess with Yu Ji-hyeok. He doesn't know if she's trying to get him back in a relationship way or get him back in a punishment way, but he does know he's not looking forward to the fallout.

His pride is still mildly stinging from the Chairman's remark that it was "unlike him" to be touched by the (frankly adorable) pictures of Mr. Yu and Ms. Kang in Busan. Seok-jun's not emotionless, he's just exceptionally well-practiced at subsuming his emotions into devotion to his work. A Mr. Yu that's happy, that has something to live for, needs help to do the things he wants (even if Seok-jun doesn't agree with all he's being asked to do, at least he's being asked). If Mr. Yu doesn't want or need anything, Seok-jun's not useful. And if Ms. Oh's machinations cause a reversion to that old Mr. Yu, then Seok-jun hopes she gives up soon.

There is the slight possibility that the only person who has ever evinced an emotion he couldn't subsume — an experience so painful it may indeed have spurred his commitment to only having feelings about work — is causing, simply by her reappearance in his life, his heart to be more open to …sentiment. Maybe there's a small part of Seok-jun that's just happy for his friend.

At any rate, Yang Ju-ran has more power over him than she knows, because there's no other reason for him to be stalking the halls of the office right now, looking for her.

The personnel he had set to watch the wedding of Jeong Su-min and Park Min-hwan had given him to-the-minute updates on arrivals. Mr. Yu and Ms. Kang had arrived together, with Ms. Yu following not far behind.

"No one else from the company, sir," the man had reported.

"Really? I thought Yang Ju-ran would be attending with Ms. Yu."

"The wedding's started and she's not here."

Seok-jun has a sinking feeling that something's happened. She wouldn't just skip this wedding without a good reason. A quick glance at the logs shows him that she badged into the office and hasn't left yet, so she's somewhere in the building. And he has a good idea where.

A quiet sniffle in the otherwise silent storage room hits Seok-jun's heart like a shot. Yang Ju-ran is clearly in distress, and he doesn't think he's equipped to deal with it -- especially since he has an inkling what it's about. Didn't he see her wayward husband with his own eyes? She must have discovered his infidelity.

How can he even begin to navigate this? He walks slowly down the room to where he knows Yang Ju-ran must be, hoping he'll say the right thing.

"You know you're not supposed to be here, Ms. Yang."

Strong start , he thinks sarcastically, but she doesn't react to his officious statement, just looks at him in surprise. He gazes back at her. Never before has he thought a crying woman was beautiful, but her tear-filled eyes are luminous and the depth of emotion inside them is pulling at his heartstrings.

Out of reach , he reminds himself. Or is she? He swiftly terminates that line of thought, ashamed that it even came to mind. But he does need to find out why she's here.

"It's not normal working hours for you," he says leadingly.

"I just...couldn't be at home," she responds. "Not with Yeon-ji there. I need to -- to pull myself together." She looks down at her hands, twisting them together. "It's my fault that it happened this way. I've been so busy, I didn't even make time to look at the results..."

If Seok-jun knows anything, it's that Yang Ju-ran being busy does not make it her fault that her husband strayed. But what's this about results?

"I found out over the phone." Her breath catches on another sob. "It's so upsetting..."

"What? Ms. Yang, you should calm down and speak more clearly." He flinches at his tone of voice -- no one has ever accused him of having a soothing manner. "Look, let's just go."

She breathes deeply, calming herself. Then she looks him in the eye and says distinctly, "I have stomach cancer."

This is so far from what Seok-jun was expecting that he just stares at her. Every detail of her lovely, tragic, tearstained face is searing itself into his memory. She could — die.

She huffs a sad laugh. "Okay. I've said it aloud. I can begin accepting it now." She wipes her face. "You don't have to look at me like that, Mr. Lee. It's treatable."

It's still upsetting. But suddenly, Seok-jun realizes that he is far more equipped to deal with this catastrophe than the one he thought it would be. "Let's go to my office and I'll start the paperwork for your medical leave. U&K contributes generously to the insurance program so it shouldn't be a burdensome cost. We just need to decide the next steps for what we'll do about your position while you're away." Her new position, that she'd barely had a chance to take ownership of.

Yang Ju-ran nods and meekly follows him out of the storage room.

"You already have the company life insurance, Ms. Yang, so we don't need to worry about any red tape setting it up with your new diagnosis." He sees her face fall. "It's just standard procedure. I'm sure it will never be used."

"I have to tell my family," she whispers. "My husband, my parents. How do I tell a child?"

"Once we get to my office, we can discuss options for that if you want," he offers, even though he doesn't know what to say to a child at the best of times. "But come along now."

The form for Medical Leave has just been signed — and Yang Ju-ran's tears have all but disappeared now because they have a plan, just as he hoped — when her phone rings and she gasps. "Oh no!"

She hurriedly answers and immediately says, "Hui-yeon, I'm so sorry!"

Seok-jun can hear Ms. Yu's voice even without the phone on speaker. "Ms. Yang, I didn't see you at the wedding, is everything okay?"

"I completely forgot about the wedding. There's…some bad news, and it slipped my mind. How did it go?"

Is she really asking about the Park-Jeong wedding right now? Her powers of deflection are great, indeed. But Seok-jun can see a lot of wisdom in telling Hui-yeon the news now — he may be able to help with logistics, but Yang Ju-ran's friends will be able to provide the emotional support he doesn't feel capable of.

Yu Hui-yeon is dutifully providing some details about the wedding, and Seok-jun, who can't imagine that Yang Ju-ran really cares, talks over her to murmur, "You should tell her now."

Ms. Yu abruptly cuts off, and her tone when she speaks again is confused. "Uh, is someone with you? Ms. Yang, what's going on?"

Yang Ju-ran glares at him briefly, but acquiesces. "It's Mr. Lee, he is helping me with paperwork because — because…" She takes a deep breath. "I just got diagnosed with stomach cancer. We want to make sure everything is squared away with work because I don't know yet what the treatment plan will be."

The young woman's reaction is everything Seok-jun could hope, though he's less pleased at the tears welling in Yang Ju-ran's eyes at the outpouring of compassion. It's only to be expected, but he hates seeing her upset.

"Could you tell Ji-won for me?" she whispers into the phone. "I need to get home."

"Of course you should be at home to focus on your family. I'll take care of it, Ms. Yang. I'm so sorry."

"Thank you," Yang Ju-ran says, ending the call. She turns to Seok-jun. "Thank you, too, sir, for your help. I should face my family now."

"I'll have Mr. Yu sign everything on Monday when he comes in," he informs her. "Can I — do you need a ride?"

“No,” she replies with almost insulting swiftness, gathering her things hurriedly, as if she could be quick enough to hide that she's barely holding it together. “I know I’m going to be emotional during the trip and I’d rather do that in front of a stranger. You’ve seen enough tears from me today.”

And she’s bowed and left before he can unstick his tongue enough to assure her that he doesn’t mind — that, in fact, his opinion on whether she should feel more safety indulging in her emotions in front of a stranger than him is completely antithetical to hers. But she's gone already, and Seok-jun realizes: he doesn't even know when he'll see her again.

Perhaps he should be relieved by this thought. After all, she's put him in such internal turmoil that the Chairman's noticed the difference. And maybe if she were moving on to greater things, his heart wouldn't ache so much. But cancer…he feels so helpless. There's so little he can do. He can't save her.

All he can do is his job, and hope that her doctors do theirs.

***

Mr. Yu's been sullen and distracted during their morning meeting so far, but he snaps to attention when Seok-jun hands him the medical leave form.

"Yang Ju-ran? Yang Ju-ran has stomach cancer? "

This is a stronger reaction than Seok-jun expected. "Didn't Ms. Kang tell you?"

Yu Ji-hyuk glares at him, jaw clenched. "Ji-won isn't…speaking to me right now," he admits. "I didn't tell her about Oh Yu-ra and she's…unhappy."

Well, it seems that Ms. Oh had an even easier job of separating them than he anticipated. An error on Mr. Yu's part, not to tell his lover about this part of his past.

"But she'll have to talk to me if Ms. Yang has stomach cancer." He rifles through a desk drawer and pulls out a business card, then stands resolutely. "I'll have the signed form sent back to you by the end of the day."

I guess the meeting's over , Seok-jun thinks as Mr. Yu strides past him.

Then he turns at the doorway. "Mr. Lee."

"Yes, sir."

"I think that as long as Oh Yu-ra is here, we should increase the frequency of our regular meetings at my home. I expect Grandfather is also asking the same of you, but I'd appreciate it if you can squeeze me in as well."

"Of course, sir. Any particular reason?"

Yu Ji-hyuk chuckles bitterly. "It's Oh Yu-ra," he answers. "That's reason enough."

***

Seok-jun knows he's pushing the boundary of his injunction to "keep an eye on that Kang Ji-won" that the Chairman tasked him with months ago. Even Yu Ji-hyuk's quiet "I wish I could do more to know that she's safe" when he told Seok-jun that their relationship is currently on pause doesn't quite merit what he's up to.

It'd be easy to defend his actions, though, and that's the important part. Because he knows, not very deep down at all, that keeping an eye on Kang Ji-won is his secondary priority. He's following her car, yes. But this venture is much more about her passenger.

He can lay the blame at Kang Ji-won's door for even alerting him to this possibility. He'd overheard her and Yu Hui-yeon discussing Yang Ju-ran as they stepped off the elevator.

"It's her first chemotherapy appointment tonight," Ms. Kang was saying. "I'll be taking her to and from the clinic because …well, it's the least I can do."

At first, Seok-jun had been stabbed with jealousy that Kang Ji-won was able to give Yang Ju-ran a ride when she'd declined his offer, but then he remembered that Kang Ji-won is her friend. He … is not.

So instead he's merely monitoring Ms. Kang's progress from the medical center to, not Yang Ju-ran's home as he expected, but her parents' restaurant. He parks his car and watches with gimlet eyes as the two women press hands affectionately before Yang Ju-ran slowly makes her way out of Kang Ji-won's vehicle.

She's steady, but her pace is glacial, as if each step takes monumental effort. Why is she even here? Ms. Kang is also watching her head to the restaurant, and Seok-jun has half a mind to jump out and berate her for letting her friend do this — especially unassisted. 

But Yang Ju-ran is smiling (if a little tremulously) at her daughter running out to meet her, with Mr. Yang close behind.

Seok-jun can faintly hear the conversation outside, and he's so busy focusing on listening that he barely registers Kang Ji-won leaving, wiping a tear as she does.

"Princess, why are you here? How did it go?"

"Yeon-ji's here, so it's where I want to be. It was fine; I'm a little tired, though."

"Come in and get some food! Do you feel up to eating?"

They enter the restaurant together and the rest of the conversation is lost, leaving Seok-jun alone with his thoughts.

What. Am. I. Doing.

His ostensible reason for being here has thoroughly fled the scene. Yang Ju-ran could be inside for a long time, and it's clear her family is willing and able to support her, and she doesn't need him to watch over her. In fact, he might venture a guess that she wouldn't appreciate his supervision at all. (She might be fine with it — after all, he'd assumed about Yang Ju-ran in their past and been wrong then.) Either way, he should probably give her and her family some space.

But before he can even turn his car on, there's a commotion at the entrance at the restaurant as the entire family unit exits, Yang Ju-ran's pale face visible in the center of the cluster. He quietly rolls down his window an inch or two so he can hear what they say.

"Don't worry," her mother is assuring her, "we'll have it cleaned up in a jiffy. Yeon-ji can stay with us again tonight."

"Get the door," her father instructs Lee Jae-won, who scampers ahead to his own car and obeys.

"Sweet pea, you may want to stay away from the restaurant for a bit. Get some good rest tonight and we'll talk tomorrow, okay?"

"Good night, Mommy!"

Yang Ju-ran looks like she doesn't have energy to either smile or cry, and by then her husband is starting the car, so she just nods.

As they drive off, Seok-jun can barely hear Lee Jae-won say, "You won't throw up in the car, will you?"

Seok-jun rolls his eyes at the immature comment, then his gaze snags on the younger woman in the parking lot. He doesn't know who she is — another family member, maybe? Or just a restaurant employee? — but he recognizes her as the girl Lee Jae-won had been kissing that night. Either it really was a one-time thing or she's audacious beyond Seok-jun's estimation, to walk out with Yang Ju-ran as if they're friends.

He should leave; he's seen more than enough tonight to assuage his concern over Yang Ju-ran for the time being. But opening his car window has allowed the scent of grilling meat to reach him, and he realizes how hungry he is. Surely it won't hurt to stop in and get a modest meal.

As he walks into the restaurant, he's greeted with unassailable proof of what happened to Yang Ju-ran to make her leave so hurriedly. The "wet floor" sign is out and Yang Ju-ran's mother is busily mopping up the remains of vomit (under supervision by the child).

"Welcome in! Sorry about the mess, just a little incident."

"My mommy was sick," the child tells him, to the obvious mortification of her grandmother.

"Darling, we don't have to tell customers things like that." The woman looks at Seok-jun and gestures toward the seating area. "Go ahead and sit anywhere you like and we'll be with you shortly."

Seok-jun sits and takes a deep breath to clear the scent of antiseptic from his nose. The young woman from the parking lot hands him a menu and he does his best not to glare at her — but sometimes his face simply appears angry, there's very little he can do about that.

To his surprise, it's Mr. Yang who brings his order out.

"I spied you from the kitchen, sir," he says as he places the pajeon and galbi on the table. "Pleased to have you back, Mr. — what's your name?"

"Lee Seok-jun."

"Mr. Lee, who works with my Ju-ran. Sorry to say you just missed her — you know the sad news?"

Seok-jun nods, though Mr. Yang doesn't seem to need even that scant encouragement to continue.

"You never want to see a daughter go through something like this, I can tell you that. But she tells us the prognosis is good, and she was very lucky to get in with a good doctor that had room in their schedule. We have Ms. Kang to thank for that — you must know her, she works with my Ju-ran too. I don't know how she found out about this doctor, but if we didn't my Ju-ran would still be waiting for treatment. The longer you wait with cancer, the worse it gets, you know. So Ms. Kang's been an awful lot of help — even took my Ju-ran to her first clinic appointment today while we were working. Good people at your company, Mr. Lee, that's for sure. Well, enjoy."

Seok-jun knows he's not a friendly face that invites confidences, but he is grateful in this instance that Mr. Yang was such a fount of information that eases his mind about Yang Ju-ran all the more. He does suspect that "Ms. Kang's doctor" has something to do with the way Mr. Yu ran out of the room clutching a business card a while ago, but other than that he has to accept that Kang Ji-won is being exactly as helpful as…as he wishes he could be. That has to be enough.

Notes:

sorry to yang ju-ran but I did all this research about how stomach cancer is treated and she's gonna experience it. guess that's the canon divergence!

Next chapter: Mr. Lee's terrible horrible no-good very bad day

Chapter 5: turning in revolution

Summary:

Mr. Lee narrowly escapes a nervous breakdown in front of Yang Ju-ran

Notes:

This chapter contains the scene that prompted me to write the story at all.

It's 5 in the morning and Lee Seok-jun has been awake for 23 hours.

He hasn't pulled an all-nighter since law school and it's safe to say he's out of practice. He can feel the fatigue dragging at the back of his skull, but he can't go to sleep yet. The horrible hospital coffee is still working its way through his system — he needed it so he could take the Chairman home to rest. Now that Yu Ji-hyuk is out of surgery there's little point in all of them waiting at the hospital, and the Chairman was so exhausted he didn't protest when Seok-jun all but manhandled him into the car.

Of course, there's also the small issue that whenever Seok-jun closes his eyes, he sees the crash.

He's kept busy enough during the night — working with his agents on trying to find Bae Hui-seok and Jeong Man-sik, setting a watch on Jeong Su-min and Park Min-hwan, and dealing with an increasingly fractious Chairman — that he hasn't been assaulted by his memory of the CCTV footage since that first hour, but now it's returning with a vengeance.

And he's so…angry. He knows it's not right, but he is filled with rage at Yu Ji-hyuk for the choices he's made that led him to his coma. The secrets he kept from Seok-jun, careening into the path of the dump truck, putting Kang Ji-won above all other concerns in his life…it was all stupid and unnecessary.

He's especially annoyed because he had to speak to Kang Ji-won — with her haunted eyes and hands still covered in Yu Ji-hyuk's blood, but otherwise unscathed — about one specific choice Mr. Yu made regarding her, that Seok-jun really wanted no part in.

He'd been speaking to one of his agents to get him up to speed and give him a new assignment.

"We confirmed Jeong Man-sik as the driver, but he was able to escape the scene before we arrived. With his and Bae Hui-seok's involvement, we know that Jeong Su-min has something to do with this, so we should put a watch on her and her husband as well."

The agent had nodded. "We know the direction Bae Hui-seok was heading before we attempted to intercept the truck; we can start there to try to find them."

"Good. There's another player here; this is such an escalation from their previous mischief that something must have changed, and Jeong Su-min doesn't have the kind of resources to pull something off of this magnitude alone."

A small gasp had alerted him to the presence of Kang Ji-won, the last person he wanted to see. He knows that she's not the author of this catastrophe, but it wouldn't have happened without her, and he could barely look at her.

"Jeong Su-min? She did this? It wasn't just a car accident?"

The other agent bowed and abandoned him to the awkward conversation. With a sigh, Seok-jun had approached Kang Ji-won so the discussion could be as private as possible.

"We have reasonable belief you were targeted personally."

"Really? Why? I wouldn't believe she'd have the guts to do something like this, what would she even have to gain?"

"Well, Ms. Kang, they would have something significant to gain. Something Yu Ji-hyuk made for you."

And then he'd had to tell her about the 80 billion won worth of assets now in her name. This absolutely should have been up to Yu Ji-hyuk; he'd started the process even before they were together, and it should have come up while they were in a relationship, not now, with Yu Ji-hyuk in serious condition and Kang Ji-won avoiding him.

He couldn't tell how she felt about the news; likely it was just one more shock on top of all the others. "How did Jeong Su-min find out?" was all she said.

An extremely valid question, and one that had niggled at Seok-jun for quite a while. "When I paid the tax on the property sale, those records were public. It's unlikely that Jeong Su-min would be aware of that, so someone must have told her."

"Someone with great wealth who would be accustomed to keeping an eye on such things?" Kang Ji-won had said, and the look in her eye indicated she had an idea of who it might be. Seok-jun was coming to the same conclusions.

There's really no one else it can be other than Oh Yu-ra, which gives Seok-jun another sin to lay at Yu Ji-hyuk's door, that suddenly they're in direct opposition to her. They could have laid more delicate operations in place if they'd known. Now, Seok-jun feels like they'll just be playing catch-up forever.

Forever may be hyperbolic, but Seok-jun felt his future shatter with the impact of the vehicles colliding and he's not sure where to turn to pick up the pieces. Life suddenly seems like an unending chase, full of monotonous tasks and disappointing dead-ends, with nothing to look forward to.

…Actually…he should probably just eat something.

Rookie mistake, to not stay fueled up through a stressful (traumatic) night. No wonder he feels so close to losing his grip on his emotions. Food, and rest, and then he'll be a productive member of the U&K team again. And there's only one food that appeals.

Seok-jun pulls into his now-customary parking spot at the Yangs' restaurant. This is the first time he's come so early in the morning, but he's eaten there at enough odd hours that he knows the service during the night shift will more than suffice.

He's so tired. It's unlikely Mr. Yang will be there at this time, but he doesn't think he can even converse with any other staff when he's like this.

"I'll get it to go," he decides, and steps out of his car.

Suddenly he sees Yang Ju-ran walking rapidly away from the restaurant. He hasn't seen her in weeks, but her garrulous father has unwittingly kept Seok-jun as looped in on her treatment as if he were monitoring her medical chart (which he has strictly refrained from; he can respect privacy).

So he knows she's in the third week out from her latest chemotherapy appointment ("She does perk up a bit at that time" her father said. "Always bittersweet because it means she'll be going back to get sick again soon.") and radiation hasn't started yet. That explains her energy, but not where she's going — and why.

But it turns out that only a cursory inspection as he approaches the restaurant is necessary to discover what she's seen: her useless husband in an embrace with the same employee as before. Not a one-time thing after all. Seok-jun is so full of rage already that they're lucky to escape intact, but he has a higher priority now.

Hunger forgotten, he makes chase after Yang Ju-ran (in his car, because he's not sure he can catch up to her in his current state, even if she is a cancer patient). He pulls into sight just in time to see her stagger, sway, and crumple to the ground.

She looks exactly how he feels.

When he runs up to her and she looks up at him in confusion, it is even more like looking in a mirror: she looks utterly lost, betrayed, and as if her future is shattered. There's nothing Seok-jun can do for himself, but he can't stand to see her like this.

He spots her empty shoe. Here's an immediately solvable problem; easy enough to kneel and place it at her feet.

"Put your shoe back on, Ms. Yang," he invites.

"What?"

She stares at him uncomprehendingly. At eye level like this, he can see the toll her cancer treatment is taking on her: pale, fragile skin; lank hair, thinning on the top; dark circles under her eyes. It's so incredibly unfair that everything is landing on her right now, but Seok-jun can't help her unless she puts her shoes on .

"Snap out of it, Yang Ju-ran! Get up and put your shoe back on!"

He winces; patience has never been a strong point of his and it's worn to shreds now. He shouldn't speak to Yang Ju-ran this way, even if it is effective: she meekly stands and stuffs her foot back into the shoe.

"Okay," he mutters. One problem down, at least. All of Seok-jun's problems seem so murky and without an obvious path forward, but Yang Ju-ran's problem has a blindingly obvious solution.

Without further ado, he faces her and says severely, "If you catch your husband cheating on you, you should slap him immediately! Kick him, claw his eyes out, bash his skull in! Yang Ju-ran, why are you running away?"

She blinks. "How did you know?"

He's known for months, but that's not important. "I saw them, same as you. He might still be there, shall we go back? I have a golf club in my car if you'd like to use it."

She's shaking her head miserably and Seok-jun is incensed. It's a clear and easy solution! Why won't she just let him — why won't she just solve it?

"How can you stand living this way? I know you're a pushover but — that! How can you just roll over and take that? He feels like he can act out even at your family's restaurant because you let him." Yang Ju-ran's eyes fill with tears and he starts to feel a twinge of shame. "How can you even let me shout at you like this, so out of line?" he says, unfortunately still shouting. "Why aren't you angry?"

I'm so angry I could boil , he thinks. I don't understand how she's not.

Yang Ju-ran bursts into sobs and now Seok-jun feels really bad. He got so caught up in his own righteous anger that he's ended up hurting her rather than helping. Unbidden, he remembers that last day at the Institute, where his indisputable harm echoed in Yang Ju-ran's life for years.

"Do you think I'm not angry?" she says through her tears, surprising him. "But isn't it wrong to, to want to behave like that? I show respect, don't I deserve respect in return? I'm good to him and I wait. Shouldn't he come to his senses and be good to me again? This morning, I saw that he — he never will."

All the anger drains out of Seok-jun, leaving only bone-deep weariness and remorse. He knows that she's talking about her husband but he can't help but think of his own past lack of respect for her and his guilt is consuming him.

"You should hit me with the golf club," he murmurs.

"Pardon?"

He hadn't intended to say that, but he finds he means it. "I failed you, Yang Ju-ran. I disrespected you, abandoned you when you deserved my support, and cut you out of my — my intentions, when you'd only been good to me. I'm a failure. I deserve every bit of contempt you send me."

At least she's stopped crying, the better to stare at him. "You deserve contempt and — and a golf club?" she clarifies. "When did you fail me? Are you talking about … the Institute?"

He nods tersely; he doesn't trust himself to speak with the guilt coursing through him. He wishes she would attack him; it feels like fitting penance for being such a failure.

"Mr. Lee, that was a long time ago," she says gently. "Whatever harm I incurred back then I've long forgiven you for. You haven't failed me lately. In fact, you've shown me respect, supported me, and — well, I'm not sure what you meant by intentions but you're here, now. So, no, I won't be hitting you."

Seok-jun feels her words bouncing off his pillar of self-recrimination, but one or two are sinking in. Slowly he realizes that a lot of his feelings are a projection of his inarguable failure to protect Mr. Yu. He may never wake up from his coma, and Seok-jun has to accept his part in that. He can't repay it with a pound of flesh, much as he would prefer it.

"My apologies, Ms. Yang," he says quietly, attempting to keep his voice steady. "I lost my head for a moment there. It's been — it's been a really bad day." Mortifyingly, his voice cracks on the last word.

Yang Ju-ran's expression transforms from mild concern at his unhinged comments to deep concern and she reaches out her hand. But if she touches him he will break down, so he steps away hurriedly. Then he briefly closes his eyes to forestall his inevitable dizziness. 

"Um. Me too," she responds. "A really bad day."

Seok-jun can't help it; he starts laughing. After a moment, she joins in, and if their chuckles have a slightly hysterical edge to them, well, they've both had a bad day.

He ducks his head, wiping away his tears as he regains control of himself. "Ms. Yang, I didn't actually approach you to yell at you. I want to make sure you're all right and see if there's anything I can do to help you."

"Oh, well — " she starts, clearly about to dissemble, so he cuts her off.

"I need to be useful," he says. "I need to know that I'm still capable despite — what happened. Will you let me collect your husband and hold him while you punch?"

"No, Mr. Lee!" she replies immediately, suppressing another uncomfortable giggle. "That's not at all what I need." She gazes at him assessingly; he looks down, unable to maintain eye contact. "Maybe you could give me some advice on next steps to deal with my issue? Legally," she adds firmly.

Now that he's not blind with rage, it's actually pretty easy for him to see what Yang Ju-ran should do next. She should look for proof, and catch them red-handed if she can. He's happy to tell her as much, but now that his emotional outburst is over, the rest of his bodily needs are pushing themselves to the forefront.

"Breakfast?" he offers. "Unless you're concerned about running into your husband, because it would be best not to let him know that you suspect anything."

"He's just finishing up the night shift so he wouldn't be at the restaurant but I — " she covers her mouth briefly — "I'm not going to the restaurant just now. I have an unfortunate reaction to the smell. I was going to spend the morning with Yeon-ji, since I'm feeling all right (physically, at least). I don't suppose you want to come to my parents' apartment and have breakfast with us?"

Seok-jun already didn't feel up to the minimal social interaction with a server; conversing with a child -- even if it's Yeon-ji, who he has interacted with before -- is even further down the list. Luckily, his stomach growls — betraying him just as basely as his emotions did. Where is his control?

"I think I need to eat sooner than that," he says, trying to sound regretful. "But let me at least take you back over there and I'll tell you what I think."

She acquiesces, and they are able to cover the gist of his ideas before they even arrive at their destination.

"You should consider telling a friend," he says. The name is ashes in his mouth but he still adds, "Kang Ji-won will give you the emotional support you need."

Yang Ju-ran nods slowly. "She will. You've given me lots of good ideas, Mr. Lee. Thank you."

"Let me know if I can help in any other way. Especially if you're at all concerned that he'll get violent, please don't hesitate. You can see that I have the golf clubs ready."

She rolls her eyes. "I'll let you know," she says dryly, then fixes him with that assessing gaze again. "Mr. Lee, the problem you're having. Is there anything I can do?"

He thinks of the mangled car, Yu Ji-hyuk motionless on the hospital bed, Kang Ji-won with blood on her hands. "No, there's nothing to be done now. All that is left is to move forward with the fate we've been given."

"Very well." She leaves the car but leans in before she shuts the door. "Best of luck anyway."

"And you," he replies. "Have a good day."

"I hope to," she says, only slightly ironically. "Goodbye."

Seok-jun watches her enter her parents' building before he heads to the restaurant himself. His hunger is so rapacious that he orders one of everything, though when he gets home and finally breaks into the food, he manages just a few bites before the exhaustion hits him.

As he finally admits defeat and lets sleep take over, he vaguely notices that the image stuck in his head is no longer the crash, but Yang Ju-ran's reluctant smile.

After six glorious uneventful hours of sleep, Seok-jun is awakened by his phone going off. At first he thinks it might be Yang Ju-ran asking for his help, but this message is even better.

"Hello Mr. Lee, this is Dr. Choi. Our patient Yu Ji-hyuk is awake."

Notes:

Fun fact: Mr. Lee is in the same clothes when he calls Mr Yu about the truck, all night at the hospital, AND his encounter with Yang Ju-ran. Canonically it was all the same day. no wonder he got so unhinged.

We're now past where I had solid ideas for where we were going, but there's plenty more scenes in the show where these two look at each other and then we don't know what happens next and I'm here to figure it out.

once again sorry to my girl yang ju-ran for giving her my side effects. PCMC cafeteria, you'll always be famous (for me not being able to go in).

Chapter 6: the core of truth

Summary:

our friends both feel out of control (in different ways)

Lee Seok-jun notices he's fidgeting with the portfolio in his hands and abruptly ceases the motion. There's no call for him to be nervous to meet with Yu Ji-hyeok; in fact, he should never be nervous about anything, especially not a routine meeting with his boss.

But he has a hunch that, despite a good few days of adequate rest and nutrition, he's still working through the toll that night took. He'd held himself together by sheer will — encasing his heart in smooth ice so he could remain calm all through discussions with the Chairman, doctors, and his personnel — and then melted all that control in boiling rage the moment he was alone. Such extremes of emotion are unusual for him; of course he's still feeling the aftershocks.

This is the first time he's seeing Mr. Yu since he glimpsed his unconscious body after the surgery. He's kept plenty busy making sure the company is running smoothly, deputizing his HR work and placating the Chairman (who just found out about the enormous wealth in Kang Ji-won's possession), and Yu Ji-hyuk needed the time to recover. But there are some things that just can't wait any longer.

(He would've made time for Yang Ju-ran if she asked, but there's been nothing from her. He's utterly mortified at the way he behaved, both in his outburst and his utter lack of professionalism — hadn't he made a rule at some point that he should only talk about work with her? That certainly flew out the window — so it's just as well to have the space. He does wonder how she's doing, though.)

Mr. Yu's taking his time answering the doorbell, but Seok-jun knows from his medical chart that he has deep femoral bruising that makes walking more difficult. The door finally opens and there he is. He looks…fine. The contusion on his face is still colorful, but healing. No cane today, but he's wearing the sling. He is alive.

"Yes, I'm alive," Yu Ji-hyuk says.

Seok-jun knows he didn't say anything out loud, but he must have less control over his face than he used to.

"Please, come in," Yu Ji-hyuk continues. "How are you doing, Mr. Lee?"

"No complaints," he replies, nonplussed. He's not sure why his wellbeing would be relevant. "And you, sir?"

Mr. Yu grimaces. "Recovering, slowly but surely. The headaches are getting better, but I can't believe how much rest I still need."

"I'll try not to take too much of your time, then. I have the latest update on the crash."

Yu Ji-hyuk makes his laborious way to the sofa, and Seok-jun reports on everything they've learned so far, which is disappointingly little. He'd only had one man on Bae Hui-seok before the incident (because he thought Mr. Yu was just being sensitive about an unsavory actor in Kang Ji-won's life and there was no reason to suspect actual danger) and they'd lost track of her in the chaos of the collision. Oh Yu-ra is behaving squeaky clean, and Jeong Su-min and her husband are acting perfectly innocent.

"They are certainly aware they're being watched, and since we started after their plan was executed, there's very little to go on. We just have to hope we can find Bae Hui-seok and Jeong Man-sik in Incheon before Oh Yu-ra does. It's currently our only lead."

"Do you think Kang Ji-won is still at risk?" Yu Ji-hyuk asks, and Seok-jun manages not to roll his eyes at the predictability.

"They won't be using that avenue again," he says confidently. "And since we're surveilling them heavily, for them to plan something else under our nose is unlikely."

He pauses, but decides this does need to be said.

"If you knew there was a risk of something happening in the first place, it would've gone better if you'd told me beforehand. Working off of incomplete information doesn't lead to success."

Yu Ji-hyuk stands, painfully. "I wasn't sure you were on my side," he admits.

Seok-jun feels that like a knife in his ribs. He doesn't know what more he could have done to demonstrate his devotion to U&K — and this man.

His face must be telling on him again, because Mr. Yu's twists compassionately. "I know better now," he assures him, then enfolds him in his arms. "I'm sorry, hyung. "

Seok-jun's not much of a hugger, but he accepts this embrace. He can feel Yu Ji-hyuk's breath, his arm warm and solid across his shoulders. He is alive . The devastation he felt when he thought this man was dead (and Seok-jun's future with him) feels like a distant memory when faced with living, breathing proof of his continued well-being.

Still, they can't waste the whole day like this. "That's enough," he says finally, gently pushing him away. "Water under the bridge. Trust me next time, though."

"Of course," Yu Ji-hyuk smiles, clasping his elbow affectionately. Nearly dying must have made him more touchy-feely. Seok-jun doesn't mind the upgrade to "older-brother" from someone he cares so much about, but he never would've expected it from him.

He'd clasp Yu Ji-hyuk's elbow in return, but doesn't want to injure him. "By the way," he says, "how long are you in the sling?" He knows what the doctor's recommendation is, but he's curious how that will be interpreted.

"The doctor says I should keep it for two weeks, but it may be longer." Yu Ji-hyuk smirks. "Kang Ji-won promised to remain close for as long as I wear it, so that's motivating."

Seok-jun nods, then presents his counter-motivation. "I'll be buying a new car for you once you're cleared to drive — same make and model as before?"

The barest flinch crosses Yu Ji-hyuk's face, but he assents. "That will be great, thanks."

"It's all right with me if you need more time before getting behind the wheel again," Seok-jun replies, trying to ascertain what is concerning him. "It's no problem to get you a driver for as long as you need."

"I'll be all right. It's not like it's the first time."

"What?" Seok-jun must have misheard, because he's been with the Yu family for a long time by now and would've known if Yu Ji-hyuk had ever gotten in another car accident — even a minor one.

Yu Ji-hyuk shakes his head, but whatever he planned to say is cut off by the ringing of his mobile. "It's Kang Ji-won, I should take this call."

As if Seok-jun could stop him.

"Hey, how's it  — The police station? Yes, I'll come right away. And Yang Ju-ran is there too? Okay. See you soon."

"Let's go," Seok-jun commands, already putting his shoes on. "I'll pull the car around; meet me downstairs."

He barely waits around to hear Yu Ji-hyuk's befuddled "Okay…" before he's out the door.

Something's happened with Yang Ju-ran, he knows it. Engaging the police is a natural step for her to take to catch Lee Jae-won red-handed, but for Kang Ji-won to call for a pickup from the station means that something's not right. The conversation, one-sided as it was, provided far too few details for Seok-jun's comfort. Was someone arrested? Is Yang Ju-ran injured?

At least Yu Ji-hyuk seems to share some of his urgency; he indicates to Seok-jun to drop him off at the entrance to the police station and he's using the cane to propel himself more quickly. It's easy for Seok-jun to catch up as soon as he's parked, and they hurry inside together.

Seok-jun doesn't think much of Ms. Kang's propensity to dress like she's at a fashion show rather than the office, but it does make her easy to spot. And there next to her, drab and nondescript in every way except for her effect on his heart, sits Yang Ju-ran.

She's unharmed. He can breathe.

"Are you okay, Ji-won?" Yu Ji-hyuk asks worriedly.

Kang Ji-won looks up at him, then down at her hands. Yang Ju-ran moves her gaze from her over to Seok-jun, but he can't read her expression. Kang Ji-won is obviously embarrassed, but Yang Ju-ran seems…resigned?

"We're all right," Yang Ju-ran says when Kang Ji-won still doesn't answer.

"And you are free to go," the policeman says. "Thank you for paying the fine for property damage; that's all we needed from you."

What on earth has Kang Ji-won been up to?

On their way out of the station, Ms. Kang stops Yang Ju-ran and clasps their hands together fervently. "I want you to know that I don't regret it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And I don't trust him not to try something else. I'll come over tomorrow after work."

Yang Ju-ran shakes her head. "No, you've done enough. We learned tonight that it won't be a cut-and-dry case; he won't make this easy. So I'll get with a lawyer, and they'll help me."

Kang Ji-won is getting agitated — what happened tonight to upset her this much? "Ms. Yang, please. Don't ever be alone with him; wait for me. Whenever you call, I'll be there as quickly as I can."

"Why are you so insistent?" Yang Ju-ran asks curiously. "You've been really strange tonight."

Yu Ji-hyuk shifts his weight around his cane, and Kang Ji-won glances toward him. "I know it seems … odd, but you would've been really hurt if I hadn't been there tonight. Please, trust me on this."

So something did happen to Yang Ju-ran. She's either being remarkably blasé about it or doesn't wish for Kang Ji-won's help, for one reason or another. That's unacceptable, and Seok-jun has a solution.

"I'll be by your side," he pronounces. Everyone turns to stare at him in surprise. He supposes that came off a tad strong. "I just mean, I'm a lawyer. I can provide you with the legal expertise you need." And keep you safe .

Yang Ju-ran still looks like she'd like to refuse, but Mr. Yu says it's a good idea, and she can't gainsay her boss in this matter.

With the issue resolved, Kang Ji-won turns her attention to Yu Ji-hyuk, who can't quite hide that a headache has come on. "Let's go home" she says, touching his uninjured shoulder tenderly. "You need to rest."

Seok-jun lets them go ahead, then beckons to Yang Ju-ran. "I'll take you, too," he says. "It will give us a chance to chat."

She sighs. "Very well."

They catch up to the other couple just before they reach the car, in time to hear Kang Ji-won hiss, "And the candy tin!" She glances back at them. "We'll talk more at home."

Mr. Yu closes his eyes for the whole drive, only rousing to repeat, "Thank you, Mr. Lee," when Kang Ji-won expresses her gratitude, already on her way out of the car to help him out the other side.

Yang Ju-ran watches them walk away for a moment, then asks, "Are they…together?"

For months now, Seok-jun has arranged much of his working time to deal with this relationship in some form or other, and somehow Yang Ju-ran didn't even know. "Inseparable," he replies. Even Oh Yu-ra couldn't keep them apart for long.

"I see," she says. "And…you're driving Mr. Yu around while he's injured. I thought you worked for Chairman Yu, did he ask you to — oh. Chairman Yu. "

Seok-jun doesn't know how much of a secret this can remain with Park Min-hwan in on it, so he sees no reason to deny it. "I work for the Yu family."

"Mr. Yu was badly hurt," she muses, then gasps. "Mr. Lee, when you … had a bad day."

He's alive, he reminds himself. "Yes, Ms. Yang. I failed to protect him. But you needn't worry that it would be the same for you; if you are honest with me and do as I say, all will be well."

Yang Ju-ran's face, which had come alive during her deductions, shutters.

"Ms. Yang, what is it?"

She huffs, and he realizes to his horror that she's trying not to cry. "I just wanted one thing to go well," she mutters. "I planned it perfectly and it still went out of my control, just like everything else. Kang Ji-won had to protect me, and now you think you need to — "

"It doesn't have to be me," Seok-jun interrupts. He is loath to give up this responsibility (and he will not relinquish his plans to protect her in other, more subtle ways), but if the prospect of using him upsets her…. "You can find another lawyer. I can give you recommendations or you can…have more control over the process. My only request is that you do find one, soon."

She stares at him for so long he gets uncomfortable and starts driving again. Eventually she bows her head and murmurs, "Thank you, Mr. Lee. I'll accept your initial offer. You can do it."

His chest fills with warmth at her trust. It may not have felt like much of a choice, but she did choose him. And he will not fail her.

"Some of my suggestions last we spoke," he says, "were inappropriate and unprofessional. I assure you that, as counsel, I will not be recommending any course of action that could jeopardize your case."

"No golf clubs?" Yang Ju-ran suppresses a smile. "Mr. Lee, it's too late for that."

Seok-jun does not slam on the brakes, but his journey to the side of the road is perhaps more abrupt than usual. "You didn't," he breathes.

She shakes her head. "I didn't. Kang Ji-won did."

Ms. Kang isn't in jail, so she must not have damaged him much. "Will you tell me what happened?"

"Yes." She takes a deep breath. "I gathered proof like you recommended, but my parents only have security cameras at the restaurant entrance and the dashcam footage is missing video, so the police wouldn't accept the evidence I provided. I had to catch them in the act. I told Jae-won I'd be at the clinic this evening — he's never paid attention to my treatment schedule, just…just taken advantage of my absence." She sniffs, and Seok-jun is starting to realize she's an angry crier. "He'd invite her over while I was gone, just leaving Yeon-ji with my parents all the time as if he's not her father!"

"How did Ms. Kang come to be there?" he asks, trying to stay focused on the matter at hand.

"I couldn't stay home with him around, and couldn't go to the restaurant. So I went to work, and that's where she found out about my plans. She insisted; I thought it might be good to have another witness, some support, so I let her join me. We were there with the police when… she arrived." Her mouth twists. "I thought waiting for ten minutes would be long enough; goodness knows they don't waste time in the car. But when we arrived, they weren't even in the same room, and she was still fully dressed. The police had nothing to catch."

"They weren't suspicious that she was there at all?"

"She'd heard that I couldn't come to the restaurant and brought some banchan to try and cheer me up. They could see the containers on the table. I don't know if they always cover their tracks like this or if it was just today, because nothing goes right for me." She dashes at her eyes impatiently.

"Anyway, then Jae-won made a fuss about how I was looking down on him and told everyone to leave, but Ji-won wouldn't. She grabbed one of his golf clubs and swung it — I was so alarmed. I didn't know she would do that. But she didn't hit Jae-won. She smashed our coffee table to bits instead."

"Strange," Seok-jun says. Yu Ji-hyuk and Kang Ji-won have both been strange today.

"So strange! But it might've been a good thing after all. Jae-won was, ugh, his worst self. Crowing about how she owed him a new table and all this nonsense about property damage, calling the police back in now that he felt he had the upper hand…Mr. Lee, I couldn't take it anymore. I heard them! Giggling about the life insurance money, completely thoughtless and shameless as they destroyed our family. I know what's happened. So that's what I told him."

Seok-jun remembers how bright Yang Ju-ran's eyes had been when she stood up to Mr. Kim, back when she first got promoted. She's not celebrating now — her expression is still clouded, troubled. The more he sees her unhappy, the higher his desire to return her to the carefree woman he first knew, with her easy smile and … and rapport with him. Out of reach , he thinks, but the mantra has less power than it used to.

"I think I had your voice in my ear," she mumbles. "He was just so…infuriating. So remorseless. I don't regret slapping him."

"Absolutely you should not regret that," Seok-jun replies before thinking that it may not be the most circumspect thing for her attorney to say. But he's proud of her anyway.

"If Kang Ji-won hadn't broken the coffee table, I probably would have hit it when he pushed me down," Yang Ju-ran continues musingly.

"He pushed you," Seok-jun repeats, consciously relaxing his grip on the steering wheel. "In front of the cops?"

"They probably wouldn't have done anything anyway, but then they were distracted by Kang Ji-won. She really would have hit him with the golf club if they hadn't been there to restrain her. I guess she had your voice in her ear too. I've never seen her so angry."

Professionally, Seok-jun thinks a golf club assault is not a proportional response to a shove that didn't even injure Yang Ju-ran. Personally, he wishes he could have disabled the cops and let Kang Ji-won at the worthless man.

"From now on, I hope my voice in your ear only tells you wise things," Seok-jun begins, before he hears what that sounds like and has a sudden, terrifying vision of being so close to Yang Ju-ran his breath stirs her hair as he murmurs directly into her ear, her hand rising to rest on his chest….

Seok-jun blushes, then coughs and continues, hoping Yang Ju-ran doesn't notice anything. "Such as: do not be alone with that man. Kang Ji-won is right about that. If he was willing to behave in such a manner to you in front of law enforcement, he'd be capable of much more without witnesses. Do you understand?"

"He's really not that way, I provoked him — "

His embarrassment ( why did that just happen? He can't blame things on his recent emotional roller coaster forever) roughens his voice. "Ms. Yang. Do you understand? This is an official recommendation from your legal counsel."

"I understand." She turns away and looks out the window. "Can we go home now? My next round of chemo starts tomorrow. I wanted to have this all resolved before — " she waves her hand in frustration. "Radiation starts next week, too. I'll be too sick to deal with everything."

"You have engaged the services of an attorney, Ms. Yang. I'll deal with … everything. Where shall I take you?"

"The restaurant is fine; my parents live close to it, and I guess I can't go home. It's covered in glass and I'm not cleaning that up."

"To the restaurant, then." Seok-jun takes the now-familiar route. Yang Ju-ran stares out the window the whole way.

"My parents will still be working," she says when they arrive at Seok-jun's usual parking spot. "I'll have to tell them tomorrow — I'm so tired, tonight."

"I'll deal with it." Yang Ju-ran looks like she wants to protest. "I'm your attorney, I'll deal with your parents tonight."

He can tell she's still struggling mightily with his offer (which, to be fair, is slightly outside the purview of what a family lawyer would customarily provide). It's a wonder she ever climbed on the back of his motorcycle, has ever let him help her at all. He remembers that last time he had to practically beg her to let him be useful; he no longer feels the void that grasped at any opportunity to have purpose, but maybe he can tap into Yang Ju-ran's kindness again.

"Is your daughter at home? Be with her and rest; your parents will be more helpful to you tomorrow if they are properly warned tonight. Let me be useful," he adds, knowing it will remind her of that early morning.

Yang Ju-ran looks at him askance, because she never makes things easy for him, but eventually sighs. "Yeon-ji's still at the restaurant. Since it's such a favor to you to let you do things for me, you can let my mother know I'm here and can take care of bedtime. Then you can do whatever it is you think needs doing."

"Thank you," he replies, bowing. He knows that she's just being grumpy and sarcastic, but it is an honor for him to take even small burdens from Yang Ju-ran. He's well practiced at such things, has made a career of it. It feels right to turn those skills toward her well-being — he wants to.

His traitorous brain chooses this moment to suggest that's not all he wants. His mouth at her ear, her hand on his arm ….He can't prevent his sudden flush and he really can't look at Yang Ju-ran with this image in his mind, so he abruptly turns and heads to the restaurant.

Unacceptable , he thinks as he marches inside. Even before, when he knew he was falling for her, he'd had no such intrusive thoughts. He'd had control. Why is it failing now?

It's the matter of a moment to show Yang Ju-ran's mother where she waits for Yeon-ji outside.

Mr. Yang joins him while they watch the three generations of women make greetings and farewells.

"You came here with my Ju-ran?" he asks. "Is there something going on?"

Seok-jun nods. "We need to talk."

Notes:

one of my favorite things in this fic since I made it a canon divergence is rewriting all the conversations and timelines to what makes more sense to me (and to these versions of the characters). Still canon if you squint!

Chapter 7: i am a constant satellite

Summary:

Everybody's all up in Mr. Lee's personal business

Notes:

me: 10 chapters is a nice round number; wonder if I can fit the rest of the story in that amount of space
also me: *adds an entire chapter of stuff I made up*

Mr. Lee's family is canon; here's a picture of them.

Sometimes Seok-jun is surprised at how much his life has changed lately. Not necessarily in the day-to-day — his work for the Chairman has always varied widely depending on the needs of the company — but how he feels.

A year ago he couldn't have imagined even working for Yu Ji-hyuk, let alone sharing details of his life, but here he is, treating him like a friend.

"I know you and Ms. Kang are cooking up some scheme, but leave me out of it tonight; I've got dinner plans."

"Oh?"

Seok-jun doesn't like his tone, and it's surprisingly easy to volunteer more information in order to redirect. "My brother's in town."

"Ah. Don't you ever go on dates, Mr. Lee?"

Seok-jun can't imagine the Chairman ever asking such a personal question, and it's surely just because Mr. Yu is so happily coupled right now that it came to mind, so he swallows his offense. He has an easy answer, anyway.

"As my brother would surely tell you, I'm already married — to my work."

True to form, as soon as Seok-jun enters the private dining room of Father's favorite restaurant, Chang-jun bounds up to him with an enthusiastic embrace.

"There you are! I thought your mistress might keep you away."

The sentiment is expected but the words are not. If Seok-jun is married to his work (which he actually could consider himself to be), then a mistress would be…a woman who has part of his heart aside from work. His relationship with Yang Ju-ran is nothing like that, but he still blushes at the idea.

"What is this? " Chang-jun pokes at his face with an exaggeratedly shocked expression. "You don't actually have—"

"No," Seok-jun says firmly.

"But you're blushing , hyung, that never happens. Tell me, tell me!"

Seok-jun summons his most withering glare, but Chang-jun doesn't relent until Mother steps in.

"Son, don't tease your brother. He can make your life miserable even from here in Seoul."

Chang-jun laughs and resumes his seat by his wife. Seok-jun takes the opportunity to greet his parents.

He's had his mother on his mind more often lately — after Kang Ji-won's mother literally conspired to murder her daughter, he's been more grateful for his own. Their relationship isn't perfect, but he's confident that they will never be tempted to kill each other. He feels slightly guilty that he hasn't made time to see his parents sooner, but it's not unusual for them to only gather when Chang-jun (or, even more rarely, Sul-jun, who lives in America) is around. He's here now.

His father, of course, he thinks of every time he looks in the mirror.

"How's work?" Father asks, always straight to the point.

"Good. I've successfully ingratiated myself with the heir."

A curt nod is the only response to this accomplishment, but that's all Seok-jun expected.

"Appa's already heard, but work's going well with us too," Chang-jun says, gesturing to his wife. They're both doctors in another province. "I'm going to get the promotion, which will help when Ri-na goes on maternity leave."

Chang-jun's wife smiles, hands demurely on her belly. "I'm transitioning patients to other providers and not accepting new ones for now. Are you ready to be an uncle, oppa?"

"Of course he is!" Chang-jun answers cheekily. "Have you ever seen someone more natural with children?"

"You're still alive," Seok-jun comments. "Though it may not be too late to drop you on your head." 

"That's enough, boys," Mother says. "Can't we just eat?"

Something about his brother always brings out this side of Seok-jun, but he can't say he minds. It's his only safe space to relinquish some of his impeccable professionalism. To appease his mother, though, he fills his mouth with food and gestures at it, as if to say I can't even talk right now.

Father always loves hearing about the interesting cases Chang-jun and his wife have at the hospital, and the conversation soon turns in that direction. Mother takes advantage to lean in toward Seok-jun and whisper, "So you have found someone?"

Everyone noticed Seok-jun blushing, it seems. "No, Mother, it's not like that."

"Not yet, anyway," she says. "I'm just glad you've moved on."

Mother's the only one who knows anything at all about what happened with Yang Ju-ran before, and Seok-jun hasn't hurried to update her on the new details. All she knows is that he liked someone back then, but she wasn't right for him. And his heart has been closed ever since.

Seok-jun shakes his head. "Umma. There's only been one, ever. Including now."

He can tell by the look in her eyes that she's disappointed, but he hopes she'll spare him the lecture about the number of fish in the sea.

"You really are just like your father," she says instead. "Only ever one for him, too." She smiles. "I'm very lucky his heart chose me." Her smile fades as she pats Seok-jun's hand. "I'm sorry, my son."

The last thing he needs is his mother's pity. "It could still work out," he states, before the full import of what he's just said hits him. It really could work out. There's a path that doesn't lead to him locking his attachment to Yang Ju-ran in an iron box and trying to move on with life, and he's just been determined not to see it.

Of course it's his mother that can draw out this hope in him, though she currently looks more confused than hopeful herself. He'd been quite vociferous in the past, telling her how disappointing Yang Ju-ran had turned out to be.

"Things are different now," he tells her. "I think I had some misapprehensions before, and now — well, it's fairly complicated still. So there's no assurance. But there's a chance."

"In that case, she would also be very lucky," Mother says finally, glancing at Father with so much emotion that he notices and quirks an eyebrow.

This topic cannot be discussed with the table at large. "I have a unique opportunity at work right now," Seok-jun says abruptly, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I've been tasked with a family law case for one of our employees."

"That is unusual," Father replies, duly distracted. "So you're putting your law degree to good use."

"Cracked open the old law books this week," he says. Legal issues are Seok-jun's expertise in many aspects of his career, but divorce laws are understandably a departure from corporate litigation.

"Keep working hard," Father says, which is about as effusive as he gets.

Chang-jun gives Seok-jun a thumbs up in recognition of gaining Father's approval. "What's the latest from Sul-jun?" he asks, changing the subject again. "She emailed me a few weeks ago that she really likes one of her graduate program classes, but I don't know if that changed when midterms came up."

Seok-jun's siblings are much closer to each other than to him — in age, certainly, but also in temperament. He knows he hasn't made it easy to foster a relationship, since he shut down more avenues in his heart than just romance. Monetary support has always been on offer, but with Chang-jun's successful career and Sul-jun's scholarships, they haven't needed much. And Seok-jun has always felt that where he's not needed, he's not wanted.

Maybe there is something else they need from him, though.

At the end of the meal, after Seok-jun has kissed his parents and seen them off in their own car, he takes a deep breath and turns to Chang-jun and his wife.

"It was good to see you tonight," he starts.

"You too; glad you could make the time!" Chang-jun's wife replies.

"Let me know if you need anything while you're in town, or anytime, or — " Seok-jun fixes his eyes on Chang-jun's necktie, unable to face him directly. "I just want you to know I'm proud of you, and happy for you."

Chang-jun forces him to look up at him by placing a hand on his forehead. "Are you dying?" he asks, but Seok-jun can see that he's genuinely touched. "Or the woman that's definitely not in your life, is she making you soft?"

"Not so soft," Seok-jun replies, ending the conversation with some mock punches.

"Okay, boys." Chang-jun's wife rolls her eyes as she pulls her husband away from the fray. "We'll see you later, oppa. Maybe after the little one is born you can come visit."

Things have been so crazy at work lately that Seok-jun has learned how to delegate. If things ever slow down, it's actually reasonable that he could take some time off. Since this is the friendliest Chang-jun's wife has ever been to him, he makes sure to bow assent. "That would be nice."

They bid their farewells, and Seok-jun takes a moment to reflect on one of the more enjoyable family dinners in memory — and on his revelation. 

He still feels like Yang Ju-ran should hate him. What he now understands as his betrayal (and not hers) cuts him so deep that she surely felt the wound as sharply at the time. But she's told him that he's forgiven and shown every appearance of willingness to be his friend (again). If he trusts that…there's a path.

He knows he can live with friendship; that seems easy compared to the sickening draw he felt when they first renewed their acquaintance. But, well. If he does his job she'll be single. If the doctors do their jobs, she'll be single and alive. There's a path.

He takes out a mint and savors it, only briefly wishing it was a cigarette. Then his phone goes off; fittingly, it's a text message from Mr. Yang.

"Good evening, sir. This is Yang Ju-ran's father. Mr. Lee, if you are available tonight could you stop by the restaurant? I have the collected evidence to give you."

Seok-jun's been waiting for this. He wouldn't pressure Yang Ju-ran while she's in the midst of another round of chemo, but he needs the evidence in order to know the best direction to take the case. "On my way," he messages back.

Mr. Yang is waiting outside the restaurant when he arrives, a small takeaway container in his hands.

"Pajeon for you, sir," he says.

"Oh, thank you. I've already eaten —"

"It'll keep. Gotta keep our regulars happy, especially with what you're up to, helping my Ju-ran."

Seok-jun accepts it, knowing it will be fruitless to continue to argue. Besides, by this time Mr. Yang knows what he likes.

"Forgot something at the house," Mr. Yang continues. "It's not far; walk with me there?"

They head off together.

"Lee Jae-won called my Ju-ran today. Pretended to have a question about Yeon-ji so she'd answer and then started in on how it's her fault he lost his job at the restaurant, other nasty things. My wife overheard and took the phone away, gave him a right tongue-lashing."

"She shouldn't be answering calls from him," Seok-jun says, appalled.

"Reckon she knows that now, but it might be good for her to hear a reminder from her attorney. He wasn't much of a worker so it's not a loss to us that way. The other woman, though. She'd been with us for years, but we couldn't keep her on after all this. Do you know what she said?

"She said it was fate. " Mr. Yang's fist clenches as he talks. "Like it was meant to be that she ruined my Ju-ran's family. You married, Mr. Lee?"

"Oh, ah, no," Seok-jun stammers, his pat response of 'married to my work' sticking in his throat. Why is everyone getting so personal with him tonight?

"Well, you've still got time."

He wants to point out that he's only a handful of years older than Yang Ju-ran, but the older man continues.

"Marriage is a choice, Mr. Lee, and it's one you make every day. My Ju-ran, she was struggling with that worthless man, but she still chose her marriage. She did everything she could. He didn't. Maybe it was fate, but you can't tell me he didn't choose. And if I ever see his face again, there's no telling what I'll choose."

These are sentiments Seok-jun agrees with, though it would be unprofessional to voice them. Luckily, Mr. Yang rarely needs an active conversation partner.

"Okay, here we are. Quiet, if you please, since Yeon-ji and Ju-ran are asleep."

"They're staying with you, then?"

"I don't think it's safe at their house. Ju-ran shouldn't be alone while she's sick, either."

"Appa, I heard my name. What —?"

Yang Ju-ran shuffles in from the kitchen, looking distinctly unwell. Her hair — even thinner than before — is mussed and her clothes are disheveled. She's objectively unappealing; Seok-jun wants to wrap her into his arms and protect her forever.

"Ju-ran, you should be asleep."

"I've been sleeping for hours. But I just got up to take more anti-nausea medication, and then I'll be out again." She visibly braces herself, then turns to Seok-jun. "Mr. Lee, hello."

"Good evening, Ms. Yang. I'm just here to pick up some documents for the case. I hope you have a restful sleep; we can talk more later."

In the meantime, Mr. Yang has found what he needed: a small storage card. "Here we go, Mr. Lee. This is the dashboard camera footage."

"Oh, do you have to listen to it?" Yang Ju-ran says despondently. "It's so unpleasant."

"Unfortunately, yes. It's part of the case we're building, Ms. Yang." He steps closer to her. "But I promise you will never have to listen to it again. I'm dealing with it, yes?"

She nods, then yawns. "Okay. I'm going back to bed." She turns to go down the hall, but pauses and turns back to him. "Mr. Lee, I apologize if I ever seem to have a bad attitude about the situation. I assure you that I will cooperate in every way."

"No apologies necessary, Ms. Yang. All I require now is for you to return to bed and recover your strength."

He watches her until the bedroom door closes behind her. Where he used to think out of reach, he now thinks Maybe. Patience . 

Mr. Yang's eyes are on him. If he blushes now he will never be able to face this man again, so he schools his face and thinks only of the latest balance sheet at work until he feels safe.

"Wouldn't you know it, I left the other folder we prepared for you at the restaurant," Mr. Yang says quietly. "I'd forget my own head if it wasn't stuck on, I think. We can walk back together."

They proceed in silence; Seok-jun worries that Yang Ju-ran's father will say something about what he may or may not have seen, but nothing happens. He dips into the restaurant and retrieves the folder, which is a record of Yang Ju-ran's appointments cross-referenced with Lee Jae-won's working hours.

"She's a good girl, my Ju-ran," Mr. Yang says as he hands it over. "You'll do right by her, won't you?"

Seok-jun swallows nervously at his tone of voice; maybe he's reading into it. "I'll do my utmost to succeed in this case," he replies finally. "Thank you again for this information and the pajeon."

"Have a good night, Mr. Lee. Best of luck." Mr. Yang's smile is perhaps a bit too knowing for Seok-jun's comfort, but he merely bows and heads to his car.

He needs all the luck he can get; somehow he'll have to balance faultless professionalism as Yang Ju-ran's divorce lawyer while still laying the groundwork to pursue her in a decidedly less-than-professional manner when the time is right.

Good thing delicate operations are his specialty. He's ready to open that path.

Chapter 8: these are the scars

Summary:

An unexpectedly eventful evening.

Notes:

I love when Mr. Lee makes plans.

Seok-jun's finishing up his office work for the day when he gets a call from Mr. Yang.

"Hello, sir. Sorry to bother you. We have a bit of a situation."

"What is it? I'm on the way."

"No, it's not an emergency, Mr. Lee. It's just, Ju-ran is at her radiation appointment and now that we're short-staffed at the restaurant neither her mother nor I can pick her up. Could we prevail upon you to — "

"Of course. I need to talk to her about the case anyway."

"I appreciate you, sir! I'd best run — the dinner rush is heavy tonight."

Seok-jun would never admit to primping, but he does take a brief moment to check the mirror to ascertain his appearance is acceptable before heading over to the clinic. He waits outside for Yang Ju-ran to finish and has no idea what to do with his hands. They feel weird in his pockets; crossing his arms seems too grumpy; hanging by his sides is too awkward. "This doesn't matter," he mutters to himself as he experiments with interlocking his fingers. She's seen him before, but now feels more important than ever to make a favorable impression.

Yang Ju-ran leaves the building and his hands automatically head into his pockets. She doesn't see him at first, so he calls out to her.

"Ms. Yang."

She startles as they lock eyes and her hand immediately goes self-consciously to her hair, which is covered by a dark knit hat.

"Oh, Mr. Lee. I didn't expect you tonight."

"I'm here to take you home; your parents are stuck at the restaurant." He opens the car door for her invitingly.

"I could've called someone," she says hesitantly.

He gestures more vigorously for her to get into the car. "Are you planning to call someone now, or is it okay that I'm here instead?"

She suppresses a smile and his heart leaps. "Very well, Mr. Lee. Thank you for picking me up."

"Anytime," he says, but he knows that she doesn't yet understand the full import of that offer. She will by the end of their conversation.

He looks at her for a moment before starting the drive. Her latest round of chemo is over, but she has radiation every day. It's still not the most exhausted he's seen her, which bodes well for a productive discussion. "How was your appointment?" he asks.

"Radiation's not too bad. I'm starting to get something like a sunburn which is a little painful, but they gave me a cream." She ghosts her hand over her stomach thoughtlessly, and Seok-jun would really prefer that his brain hold off on imagining that he's the one gently touching her skin, applying healing balm. Just because he knows what he wants doesn't mean it's appropriate to think such things.

"I finished my analysis of the footage," he says, changing the subject hastily. "If it had video the proof would be unassailable, but even just the audio has enough, in my opinion, to pursue a conviction. I have our top IT professional on task to see if we can get the video working, but I think we're ready. I'm going to submit the divorce papers in the morning."

It had been more difficult than he expected to listen to the evidence. The sounds of explicit activity were distasteful, of course, but what really upset Seok-jun was the stark contrast between the way Lee Jae-won would talk to his paramour and how he spoke to Yang Ju-ran. Hearing his dismissive, inattentive, and downright mean comments to his own wife made Seok-jun want to shake him. Don't you know what you have? What you're throwing away? he wants to shout.

Prison will be just good enough punishment for him.

"Already?" Yang Ju-ran is saying. Right, the divorce papers.

"Ms. Yang, don't tell me you want to wait for the full moon."

There's that reluctant smile again; he craves it. "I guess it just seems so complicated. But I shouldn't be surprised that you could accomplish this so quickly."

He hears the implied compliment and feels a wave of nostalgia. Yang Ju-ran used to do this all the time — little matter-of-fact observations that built up the people around her, and she'd included him despite his forbidding demeanor. How could he not have fallen for her sincere admiration?

"This case does have its complexities, but that's what your attorney is for, you know. And as your lawyer, I have some advice."

"I'm listening."

"With the filing of the divorce papers and the adultery suit, we can expect some … escalations in behavior. You've already switched Yeon-ji's daycare location, which is good. Don't go to the house. Don't let him in to your parents' place. And don't answer any more phone calls."

She winces. "You heard about that?"

"Yes, and I should've been more firm about this before. We can't give him anything to retaliate with, and if he successfully baits you that could harm the case. And if he sees you again…Ms. Yang, I am concerned that he would harm you."

"I don't know if he's really dangerous — "

"Ms. Yang, you told me about a physical altercation you already had, in the presence of police. He was verbally abusive on the phone. Avoid him at all costs." They pull into the parking lot of the restaurant. "Now, repeat back to me what I've said."

She sighs, but dutifully recites, "Don't answer his calls, don't go to the house, don't let him in. Avoid him at all costs."

"Good. If anything does happen with him, call me right away. I'm always available for you. In fact, I'll be accompanying you to your clinic visits from now on."

"Oh? That seems — " She pauses.

Excessive is probably the word she wants, though Seok-jun doesn't see it that way. Giving her rides and spending time with her is part of his larger plan, of course, but from a safety standpoint it also makes sense.

"Mr. Lee," she tries again. "I appreciate the offer, and of course all the work you're doing for me, but I feel terrible taking you away from your job when you have so many important things to be doing."

"Then I should tell you," Seok-jun responds, a little smugly. "Mr. Yu specifically told me to prioritize my work with you amidst my regular duties. If he hadn't, I'm sure Ms. Kang would've insisted on the assignment. This — " he waves his hand toward Yang Ju-ran — "is my job."

"Oh. They really…?"

"Yes, Ms. Yang. Accept that people care about you."

She nods, still a little gobsmacked. Then she turns to him, an earnest expression on her face. "Mr. Lee. This is your job. I'm…your job. But also…you're one of the people that cares about me, aren't you?"

Seok-jun's mouth falls open. His plan was to show by his actions how much he cares, for however long it took for her to trust his words when he finally used them. He had no intention of just…saying it straight out anytime soon, especially not right now. But it's just like Yang Ju-ran to upend his plans right out of the gate.

"I…" he begins, with no clear idea how to continue. Then his phone rings; it's the ringtone assigned to Mr. Yu. "I have to take this," he says.

"I'm at the police station," Yu Ji-hyuk says with no preamble.

"The police station?" Seok-jun repeats, and Yang Ju-ran turns to stare at him. "I'll be right there."

"No, I need you at the hospital. Kang Ji-won is there and … well, she was alive when they got her, but I don't know how she's doing and I don't want her to be alone. I can wait; please, go to her."

"I will go right now," Seok-jun assures him, and Yu Ji-hyuk hangs up without any further discussion.

"I'm coming with you," Yang Ju-ran states.

"We're already here, you should go home and rest."

"If I can accept that people care about me, you can accept that I care about those people too! Kang Ji-won needs us, now go!"

He doesn't have time to waste arguing with her, so off to the hospital they both go. It's a tense trip; Seok-jun is stewing over the way Mr. Yu said "she was alive," as if it was not a foregone conclusion. What happened, and why wasn't he in the loop if they were up to something dangerous?

There's been far too much hurrying into hospitals lately, and when they find Kang Ji-won, Seok-jun has an unpleasant flashback of Yu Ji-hyuk, still and silent in the hospital bed just like this. He's alive, he reminds himself, and as safe as jail can make him.

"Her pulse and breathing are stable, but her temperature is a little elevated," says the nurse. "We can't do anything else until she wakes, which should be soon." She glances at her clipboard. "She was assaulted, so she arrived with the police. I'll get you her record."

Seok-jun looks at Yang Ju-ran, alarmed, and she is already looking at him. Her distress is likely mostly due to the upsetting news, but he can also see a slight sheen of sweat on her face from the effort of running in.

"Before you go," he says to the nurse. "She's a cancer patient, can we get her a chair while we wait?"

"Of course. I'll be right back."

"You didn't have to," Yang Ju-ran says.

"Okay." He considers telling her how much less useful it would be if she keeled over from exhaustion when Kang Ji-won is already unconscious, but before he can think of a more polite way to phrase it, the nurse is back with a chair, a mask, and the police record.

"Park Min-hwan," he mutters as he reads. "What have you done now?"

"Wait," Yang Ju-ran says. "Mr. Park did this? I thought … but he's married to Jeong Su-min…"

Seok-jun's agents did report that Park Min-hwan and Kang Ji-won had dinner together, but when he'd approached Mr. Yu about it, he'd told him not to worry. Clearly, he should have worried. Things like this shouldn't happen on his watch.

Suddenly, Kang Ji-won heaves an almighty gasp and opens her eyes. Her gaze darts around in panic.

"He killed me again, Min-hwan killed me, and I'm back I'm back I'm back," she whispers hoarsely.

"Ji-won," Yang Ju-ran wails quietly, grabbing her hand.

Kang Ji-won abruptly focuses on her. "Ms. Yang."

"Yes, it's me. I'm here."

"Why — where — what year is it?" Her voice is a wreck.

"It's 2014," Seok-jun says, starting to worry about her mental state.

"2014," Kang Ji-won repeats, squinting at him. "Mr. Lee."

He nods.

She bursts into tears. "I didn't die," she sobs. "I'm still here."

Yang Ju-ran starts crying too. "You're here, you're alive," she murmurs, leaning over their clasped hands. "We're here."

Seok-jun is suddenly extremely glad Yang Ju-ran insisted on accompanying him. She's definitely better equipped to deal with emotional outbursts than he is.

"So she woke up, then. Good!" The nurse has returned.

"She…didn't know the year," Seok-jun says quietly.

"Confusion is common after injuries like this," she replies unworriedly, before turning her attention to her patient. "Hello, miss. Glad to see that you're awake. Do you mind if we sit you up and take some vitals?"

Yang Ju-ran releases her friend so they can raise the hospital bed. Kang Ji-won is gasping, clutching at her throat and beating at her chest as the tears continue to stream down her face.

"Can't breathe, miss?" The nurse holds her hands so she stops hitting herself. "Yes, you can. Your throat is open, your lungs are collecting oxygen. You're safe here. Take a deep breath with me."

After a few choked attempts, Kang Ji-won is breathing with the nurse. Seok-jun looks away to give her what privacy he can, and his gaze snags on Yang Ju-ran. As if she can sense his eyes on her, she looks up at him, her eyes full of concern. She stands to join him at the foot of the bed.

"This is serious," she whispers. "I'm so glad she's all right, but…"

"But it's serious," he agrees. "Thank you for coming with me."

She smiles a little, teasing. "Thank you for not forcing me out of the car."

"Yes, you were right to insist. I should — " trust your heart, he thinks, but doesn't have a chance to say it.

"I'd like to go home now," Kang Ji-won says loudly — as loudly as she can with her hoarse voice, that is.

"Well, your vitals are good, but we really recommend you stay overnight for observation," the nurse replies.

"No, I don't like it here. I'll be safe at home," she insists. "Mr. Lee, you'll take me, won't you?"

If she's out of danger, there's no real reason he can't do this for her, since he's sure Mr. Yu would want him to accede to her wishes. "I suppose so," he says reluctantly.

"Fine, I'll put together the discharge papers," the nurse says and sweeps off.

The trip from the hospital is no less tense than their journey there. Kang Ji-won struggles to breathe again, so Yang Ju-ran has to press a hand to her heart and model deep breathing the same way the nurse did. When the episode ends, Kang Ji-won collapses against Yang Ju-ran's shoulder, weeping silently.

"I'm sorry, Ju-ran," she whispers.

"It's okay, Ji-won. You're okay," Yang Ju-ran says, stroking her hair. She meets Seok-jun's eyes in the rearview mirror, his own uncertainty reflected in her expression. Maybe it would have been better to keep her at the hospital; she can't be left alone in this state.

They get her settled at home without further incident, though Yang Ju-ran holds Kang Ji-won's hands tightly.

"Will you be okay here while I go collect Mr. Yu?" he asks her. "He's cooled his heels long enough."

"Yes, we'll be fine. We'll find something more comfortable for you to wear, right, Ji-won?"

She nods weakly. "Thank you, Mr. Lee."

"I'll be back soon."

Yu Ji-hyuk appears fine; he was standing when Seok-jun arrived, and he walks out of the station with just the slightest limp. He is, however, as angry as Seok-jun's ever seen him; a cold anger that lives in the tension of his body and the deepness of his voice.

"He's fired," he says fiercely as soon as they're out of the door. "Assaulting a colleague, violating company policy, anything else you can get on him."

"There's quite a lot," Seok-jun says. "I looked into it during the affair incident." He thinks of what he overheard Mr. Yu say to Park Min-hwan as he left: "If you think you can't get any lower than this, you're wrong." He is more than happy to be an instrument in his downfall. "We can call in the company loan, too."

"Excellent. And Ms. Kang?"

"I took her home. It's what she wanted." Yu Ji-hyuk looks concerned, so he hastens to add, "I was with Ms. Yang when you called me before, sir. She's with her now, because we didn't feel like we should leave her alone. She's … not doing well."

Yu Ji-hyuk's face sets like a stone. "I know Park Min-hwan has other debts. Put some pressure on them too."

"I'll see what I can do," Seok-jun replies. He isn't thrilled with the potential of setting Mr. Yu's ire on himself, but he has to say something. "It seems like this could have been avoided if you'd been more forthcoming. I don't like the pattern I'm seeing here."

Yu Ji-hyuk sighs in defeat. "I didn't expect it to escalate this way. We underestimated what a piece of trash Park Min-hwan is, and now Ji-won's hurt."

"She's not the only one, much as you're trying to hide it from me. Did you exacerbate your shoulder injury? How's your head?"

He blinks sullenly. "Fuzzy," he admits. "And, yes, my shoulder aches."

Seok-jun puts his hand out. "Car keys." Yu Ji-hyuk relinquishes them with ill grace. "I'll have an agent pick up your car and bring it home, but I'll be holding onto these for a few days. There are consequences to brawling at the office when you're already injured."

"Fine, I understand. Can we just go now? I need to see Ji-won."

Seok-jun waits outside after dropping Yu Ji-hyuk off at home. He knows Yu Ji-hyuk does trust him, but he's too much in the habit of doing what he wants without other input (besides perhaps Kang Ji-won). This independence is what makes him worthwhile to work for, but they still need to find the right balance before someone else gets hurt.

After a few minutes, the reason for his lingering appears. Yang Ju-ran smiles when she sees him, though it's clear she's utterly exhausted.

He doesn't know who started it — maybe it was unconscious on both their parts — but she's a hands-breadth away when he notices that his arm is outstretched as if to embrace her, and she's mirroring the pose. He freezes, then hurriedly puts his hands in his pockets. She stares up at him, wide-eyed.

It felt natural, is the thing. After the night they've had, with all these feelings already coursing through him, enfolding her into his arms seemed only logical. It just can't happen.

"Um." He needs to think of something to say, and quickly. "Uh, you changed your hat."

Instead of the dark knit cap she sported for the rest of the evening, she's now in a white beret that brings out the light in her eyes.

"Oh, yes." She touches it self-consciously, and starts to ramble nervously. "Kang Ji-won lent this to me when we were in her closet. My hair's really starting to fall out now so she says I should have some options. But I think I might just cut it all off and get a wig. Kang Ji-won says she'll go shopping with me; she seems to feel responsible, somehow, for what I'm going through. I think she is feeling better, though: she joked that we would get a wig that's long and blonde."

"Your hair was long when we met," Seok-jun says, and now he knows he's tired if he's randomly volunteering information like this.

"That's right," she replies, voice soft with memory. "Then I had a bad break-up and chopped it all off. Now I'm going through another break-up and chopping off even more!" Her chuckle chokes off into a quiet sob. "Oh dear. I must be tired."

The urge to hold her is incredibly strong, but Seok-jun just opens her car door instead. "It's been a long night," he says simply. "Let's go."

It's a quiet drive; Yang Ju-ran is totally drained and silent, and Seok-jun can't stop thinking about everything leading up to their almost-hug. It felt good to be on a team with her, to lock eyes and know that they were on the same page. Seeing her so gentle with Ms. Kang warmed his heart. And her smile when she saw him, as if she'd known he would be waiting for her and was happy about it…he feels hope welling within him. 

He mustn't think about how close they came to touching — not just touching, but fully embracing. That is something he cannot dwell on. He can't picture her soft eyes, her hand reaching out as if the impulse to accept his comfort — and offer her own — was as unconscious as breathing. He should ascribe no meaning to the gesture. He should…think of anything else at all.

Finally, they arrive back at the restaurant.

"Well, here we are again," Seok-jun says.

"This wasn't how I expected the evening to go," Yang Ju-ran remarks around a yawn. "Thank you, Mr. Lee."

"Thank you, Ms. Yang. Call me if you need anything, and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Until tomorrow. Good night, Mr. Lee."

"Good night."

Notes:

Yeah it's a throwaway line but I still need you to know that Yang Ju-ran had long hair when she got hired.

Chapter 9: don't you believe them

Summary:

A hospital scene

Notes:

omg everybody's name is Lee isn't it

It's been an incredibly productive and enjoyable morning. Seok-jun sent off the divorce papers first thing, with vicious satisfaction in the case he's built despite the gaps in evidence. Then he gathered all needed documentation to fire Park Min-hwan, laying it out neatly as inarguable proof to be included in his termination letter. He feels a certain grim pleasure in having the letter delivered to his home, because of course the man was still in jail and unable to come to work.

And then, when his agent had informed him that he'd been released (with a fistfight involved! Seok-jun will have to get more details on that later) he'd summoned his most deadpan voice and delivered the news over the phone. Park Min-hwan's reaction is all he could have hoped. Why is he surprised? He nearly killed a coworker. But that just makes it more satisfying.

And now he is on his way to pick up Yang Ju-ran for her radiation appointment.

After a night with substantially less sleep than he would have preferred, he's come to the conclusion that he will forget that moment last night where they almost embraced. If he can't forget, he can ignore. That will best serve his long-term goals. In the meantime…he looks forward to seeing her again.

Yang Ju-ran's smile when she gets into his car is not uncertain, and her quiet "Hello, Mr. Lee" is not cautious. It seems she's also decided to forget that strange moment last night.

"How are you today, Ms. Yang?"

"Tired, as usual. I should have slept more last night."

"I kept you out far too late, I apologize."

"No, Kang Ji-won needed me; I know you understand how nice it is to be useful." A slight blush touches her cheeks. "I think I may have been… too tired, you know? It was hard to sleep."

"I see," Seok-jun responds, after discarding his knee-jerk response of Me too.

"Anyway," Yang Ju-ran continues, "I understand that Lee Jae-won was served the divorce papers."

"Yes. I sent them this morning. The courier confirmed that they were signed for."

She holds up her phone, buzzing with a call. He just has time to make out the caller ID before she declines and he can see the screen filled with missed calls, voicemails, and text messages. "He got them."

"Don't — "

"I won't respond," she interrupts acerbically. "What do you take me for? I haven't listened to the messages either."

"...That's good. Thank you. Would you mind if I took a look? Any abusive communication could be useful for the case."

"By all means. I can't take my phone in with me to the radiation room anyway." She sighs. "Sorry for snapping, Mr. Lee. I know you're just doing your job."

It is second nature for him to give orders and reiterate reminders to ensure that the work of the company runs smoothly. And because he has attained such a high position, it's rare that anyone would push back the way Yang Ju-ran just did. He knows she would never forget herself and act so disrespectfully if she didn't have some measure of trust in him — and he doesn't really mind, anyway. Not if it's her.

"I do trust you to do the right thing," he says. "It's just my habit to…"

"Be bossy?" she finishes for him, then cringes. "Forgive me, sir."

He shrugs, inwardly delighted at how informal she's allowing herself to be, even if it's due to sleep deprivation. "You're not wrong, Ms. Yang. Don't worry about it."

When they reach the clinic, she unlocks her phone and hands it to him. "I messaged Kang Ji-won earlier, but she hasn't responded. If she does, will you ask her if she's doing better?"

Seok-jun nods, a touch sardonically. So he's her secretary now? Well, any way to be of use. "Any other messages you would like me to relay?"

"Just…clear my phone of the garbage when you've documented what you need. Thank you, Mr. Lee."

"Good luck," he responds as she heads off to her appointment.

He settles in the waiting room with Yang Ju-ran's phone. It's startlingly intimate to hold this part of her life in his hand, and he shivers when he plugs in his headphones to listen to the voicemails without disturbing other patrons.

Now, to work.

Lee Jae-won is unsurprisingly uncreative in the names he's calling his wife, and Seok-jun places a firm barrier between whatever personal feelings he may have and the task at hand. Such vituperation is only interesting insofar as it strengthens the adultery case

Unfortunately, Lee Jae-won's not quite stupid enough to say anything about the other woman. The gist of his diatribe is what an idiot Yang Ju-ran is, thinking she can simply end their marriage, that she'll have to come home eventually. Seok-jun's done his best to go in chronological order and he notices increased agitation in the texts and voicemails the closer to the present he gets. He's glad he warned Yang Ju-ran about the likelihood of escalation, and he thinks he'd better escort her all the way to her door when he takes her home. 

He's just finished transferring screenshots of the text messages that might be relevant to his own phone when Ms. Kang sends a message. "Hi Ju-ran," it reads. "Thank you for reaching out. I'm doing better today."

Seok-jun opens the reply box and ponders what follow-up questions Yang Ju-ran would like him to ask. The moment he presses the first character he realizes that he has accidentally accepted a call from Lee Jae-won, which just came in.

He hangs up immediately but the damage is done. Lee Jae-won calls again, the vibrations somehow more insistent. Seok-jun watches it time out. Then the expected voicemail appears. Before he even has a chance to listen, a barrage of texts comes through.

"I know you're ignoring me on purpose. Such a disrespectful wife!"

"Where's Yeon-ji?"

"Where's my daughter?"

"She's not at daycare. Why are you keeping her from me? I'm her father."

"I'll find her and then we can meet as a family. You'll see you can't just leave."

Directly threatening Yeon-ji was not out of the realm of possibility for today, but Seok-jun's disappointed it came to this. He dithers for a minute while considering whether it would be outside his scope to assign an agent to the daycare, then decides it is a step too far. He merely calls the director of the daycare and reiterates that she can never release Yeon-ji to someone not on the approved list. It's a respected institution that has its own security procedures, so that will suffice.

While he was distracted doing that, two more messages came in on Yang Ju-ran's phone, and when Seok-jun reads them he feels his blood run cold.

“Or I could find you. I know you’re at the hospital, you can’t hide from me forever.”

“Now you’ll have to talk to me.”

Seok-jun wastes no time in beginning his hunt. He doesn't see Lee Jae-won in the waiting area (and he's sure he would have noticed him come in), so he checks the main entrance and parking lot. No sign of him yet. Should I wait here to intercept him or inform Yang Ju-ran of the threat?  

He eventually decides that he needs Yang Ju-ran in sight for his own reassurance, so he returns inside and walks quickly toward the treatment area. To his alarm, he passes a nurse all but running down the hall toward the security station. Then he hears shouting.

His heart stops when he sprints into the room and sees the tableau presented for him: Lee Jae-won brandishing a weapon of some sort at Yang Ju-ran, who looks as terrified as he's ever seen her. Seok-jun slows his steps not at all as he rushes past the doctor — impotently pleading for Lee Jae-won to stop — and bodily forces Lee Jae-won away from his wife, and the broken glass out of his hand.

Seok-jun understands how Yu Ji-hyuk ended up in jail last night. It takes nearly all his willpower to stand still and communicate his disdain with his expression, not with his hands. Lee Jae-won has been asking for obliteration since the very first time Seok-jun saw him, but sadly this is not the moment for more violence.

"Who are you?" the worthless man gasps.

"Lee Seok-jun," he replies. When this answer is met with incomprehension, he scoffs. "I suppose you didn't read the divorce papers thoroughly. I'm the attorney for Ms. Yang." With professional derision, he removes a business card from his pocket and hands it over.

"S-she has an attorney?" Lee Jae-won stutters.

"Yes. Any and all communication with my client must go through me first. Since you've already been in violation of those terms, I'll be filing a restraining order immediately." He can't prevent himself from leaning closer, venom lacing every word. "Never come back."

Seok-jun always knew he could reduce this man to a gibbering puddle by his mere intimidating presence; seeing it borne out — in front of Yang Ju-ran, no less — is the most gratifying part of his day so far.

Security finally arrives, and the doctor points them to the intruder. Seok-jun keeps his eyes on Lee Jae-won just in case he makes any last-ditch attempts to try something, but he doesn't even resist when the security guards grab his arms and march him out the door, the doctor following behind to tell the whole story.

At last, Seok-jun turns to check on Yang Ju-ran.

Her eyes glisten with tears and her smile is as shaky as her hands. "Mr. Lee," she says simply.

They're alone in the room; he could clasp her hands in his until the tremors cease while he apologizes for the danger he allowed her to be in. He could wipe her tears while he assures her that she will be safe from now on. He could act on his desires.

The way she's looking at him now, he can't think of a reason not to.

He's only taken one step toward the bed when the door to the room opens again, admitting a cleaner with a mop.

"I'm here about the spill," he says.

Yang Ju-ran blinks then points to the floor — so that's where Lee Jae-won got his shard of glass. Seok-jun has been so laser-focused that he barely noticed his surroundings.

He can't believe he almost...whatever it was he was about to do. His heart is racing and he suddenly can't stay here a moment longer.

"I'll be back," he tells Yang Ju-ran, then leaves the room only slightly slower than he entered it.

He's at a more sedate pace by the time he arrives back at the waiting room to collect his and Yang Ju-ran's things, and his heart rate has followed suit. The gratitude shining from her eyes didn't entitle him to anything and now that he's rational again he recognizes that. She may indeed have welcomed his touch (he tries not to remember that her own arm was outstretched last night). But quite apart from anything else…it is his job to ensure minimal risk to the divorce proceedings. Even if he just means to provide comfort, it could make the adultery suit more difficult if anyone ever noticed a whiff of unprofessional conduct.

He wouldn't have guessed that the mere act of making the decision to pursue Yang Ju-ran in the future would lead to lapses in judgment so quickly. But he should have learned by now that he doesn't know what to expect when it comes to Yang Ju-ran.

Seok-jun pauses in the waiting room and takes the opportunity to delete every last trace of Lee Jae-won's vitriol from Yang Ju-ran's phone. He's hopeful that she'll never have to hear from him again once the restraining order is in place.

He doesn't want to wait too long before returning to Yang Ju-ran; he's in control of himself now and needs a debrief of the incident from her perspective. The urge to comfort is still present, so he buys a cup of tea for her — that's comforting, surely.

She's surprised at his offering, but accepts it without objection. Their fingers brush as he hands her the cup and he very diligently pretends not to notice.

"You're okay?" he asks.

"Yes," she affirms. "He only frightened me, which I think was his intent. He thought he could browbeat me into dropping charges so he doesn't lose the monetary support — but he didn't realize I'm not doing this alone." She looks up at him shyly for a moment before dropping her gaze back to her drink. "I'm…protected," she whispers.

"True." Seok-jun feels a glimmer of pride in her statement, but can't help but focus on his failures at least momentarily. "Though I think it's my fault he came here; I accidentally answered your phone, and then I knew he was coming and he still got past me. I apologize that he was able to cause this incident."

"I think he snuck in the employee entrance," she replies. "I know he could never have gotten past you any other way."

"And you're sure he didn't actually intend to hurt you? He had a weapon in your face when I came in."

"No, I'm not sure," she admits. "It's what I think, but then I remember Mr. Park. I didn't think he was capable of such violence either — oh! Is Ji-won doing better?"

Seok-jun hands her her phone so she can see for herself. "She said she was. But Ms. Yang, I'd rather keep the focus on how you're doing. I know you're concerned about your friend, but — "

"But it's me that's your job," she concludes, nodding sagely. "And I know you do like to stay on task." She sips her drink. "I'm a little shaken up still. I hate that he tries to use Yeon-ji as a bargaining chip, so I won't feel truly settled until I have my daughter in my arms. But I'm okay. I really am."

She does seem all right — her hands don't shake, and there's no sign of tears. "I appreciate your honesty," Seok-jun says. She's always been forthcoming when he needs her to be.

"There is actually something else I wanted to tell you," Yang Ju-ran mentions, suddenly more cheerful. "The reason I'm in this room is because my oncologist wanted to meet with me after my radiation treatment today. She says that the chemo and radiation are working better than expected! She's confident that my surgery will be successful and we can schedule it soon."

"Oh." Seok-jun's hand is itching to grasp hers again, so he sequesters them both in his pockets. "That's wonderful. Dr. Lee is very skilled and experienced so you can trust what she says."

Yang Ju-ran nods enthusiastically. "Yes. I can't wait to go home and tell my parents."

"Well then, let's not dally."

Even though the threat is effectively neutralized, Seok-jun holds true to his commitment to escort Yang Ju-ran all the way to her door. They've driven and walked in companionable silence the whole way, but as they reach her parents' home she unexpectedly turns to face him, expression soulful. 

"Mr. Lee, I think my luck is changing," she says contemplatively. "For so long I've felt unlucky. But today I feel hope. Thank you for your part in that, sir."

Seok-jun imagines himself as stone, only bowing his head infinitesimally because he doesn't trust  himself to speak or make any other gesture in the face of her regard. After a moment, Yang Ju-ran bites her lip and turns away to unlock the door.

Only when he can't see her face anymore does his throat unclench enough for him to finally blurt, "I wish only good luck for you from now on, Ms. Yang."

His awkward response clashes with Yang Ju-ran's "Well, good ni — oh um, thank you. Good night" and then she's safely behind a closed door and he heaves a sigh.

He can smell grilling meat from here. After a day like this he deserves a nice meal, though if Mr. Yang is at the restaurant he doesn't think he'll be able to meet his eye. At least there's good news to share.

Notes:

So I never really believed this story would only be 10 chapters. It'll be longer. Thanks for continuing on this journey with me.

Chapter 10: they've given up believing

Summary:

Yang Ju-ran has her last cancer treatment before surgery. Also, Yu Hui-yeon is there.

Notes:

so by rights she should've had at least a couple more months of chemo but by the miracle of modern medicine storytelling, she's ready for her operation after this! (Also I didn't mention this ever but you can imagine her in a wig that's just like her real hair. Mr. Lee doesn't really register it because it looks so normal to him.)

Seok-jun's at his desk, trying to find a good spot for a new employee that is very capable but whose loyalty is in question — after all, if he betrayed Oh Yu-ra, could he not do the same to Yu Ji-hyuk?

It's Mr. Yu's fault that he's even pondering this conundrum. Last night he called with some important news: "Oh Yu-ra found Bae Hui-seok and Jeong Man-sik. She plans to do away with them tonight, but we can intercept if you'll authorize an extraction team. Oh, and can you pick me up? You're still holding my car keys hostage."

He'd acquiesced to the requests, but to his irritation Yu Ji-hyuk wouldn't give any explanation until Seok-jun literally pulled him away from the smoke-filled van in that abandoned parking lot, with remonstrations about damaging his shoulder.

"How did you know?" Seok-jun demanded after they confirmed the couple was still alive.

Yu Ji-hyuk had smirked. "Oh Yu-ra's secretary has been in touch. I guess he sees the writing on the wall and knows where to put his true loyalty."

Of course, the secretary is of more use by Oh Yu-ra's side for now, but Seok-jun tries to prepare for contingencies. Eventually they'll need to reward the man for his help. Thinking about the complexities gives him a headache.

"Helloooo, Mr. Lee!"

The pain in Seok-jun's head spikes as Yu Hui-yeon walks in. It seems the Yu siblings are determined to pester him. Still, as ever, he knows his duty.

"Good morning, Ms. Yu," he says politely, eyeing the box she carries. "How can I help you?"

"This is for Ms. Yang," she replies, indicating her full hands. "Shall we go?"

"Go where?"

"Don't you take her to her appointments? Today, you can bring me along!"

Seok-jun glances at the clock. "That's not until later."

Yu Hui-yeon tilts her head. "Counterpoint: you can do it now."

He just looks at her.

"No, Mr. Lee, it's okay! Look, I'll read you the text she sent me: That's so kind, Hui-yeon. You can have Mr. Lee bring you over whenever it is convenient. See, she's expecting us! And now's a convenient time for me."

Seok-jun does have work to do, but he can bring some of it with him. Ms. Yu is trying to act casual, but he can sense that she really is antsy to head over. Additionally…he's been counting the minutes until it was appropriate to go see Yang Ju-ran. Turns out that now's a convenient time for him, too.

"Okay," he says, and Yu Hui-yeon looks shocked. "I'll meet you outside in 10 minutes."

"Really? I mean, thank you. See you soon."

Ms. Yu is subdued on the drive over. Seok-jun can't say he misses her chatter, but he does notice its absence. He wonders what's troubling her — but it's not his place to ask.

It's a little awkward standing behind Yu Hui-yeon at the Yangs' door, as if he's an unwanted hanger-on to this meeting between the friends. He wishes he'd taken the mysterious box from Ms. Yu so he could at least appear to have purpose here.

"Hui-yeon, you made it!" says Yang Ju-ran, opening the door with a smile.

"Ms. Yang! It's been too long. I missed you!" Yu Hui-yeon strides into the living room and places her box on the (wooden) coffee table. "I have brought you your own personal taste test of our new meal kit offerings!"

"Mr. Lee, come in," Yang Ju-ran invites. He nods to her and enters, lifting his briefcase in silent question. "You can work at the table; Yeon-ji will make room for you. Sweetheart!" she calls, and her daughter looks up from where she's coloring paper. "This is Mr. Lee. He's going to come work at the table with you, okay?"

"Okay," Yeon-ji replies unconcernedly.

Seok-jun almost balks, but he remembers his brother's sniping about children and has a sudden desire to prove him wrong. He can sit next to a child — especially if there is no other option. He settles across the table from Yeon-ji, who doesn't even seem to notice him.

Meanwhile, Ms. Yu's been removing small cups of food from the box, two of each kind. "Ta-da! I took these before the tasting event started so they are the most fresh. We can decide which ones we like best and see how it compares later."

"This is lovely, Hui-yeon," Yang Ju-ran says, taking a serving of pasta. "But you left before the event started? I feel bad if you missed out on seeing the chef — he's your friend, isn't he?"

She looks down. "I don't mind. He — I didn't want to see him anyway. I'm sure he'll be happier with just Ji-won. If I'm not there, he doesn't have to exclude me." She suddenly becomes very interested in her food cup, ducking her head so her hair makes a curtain around her.

Yang Ju-ran looks over and makes eye contact with Seok-jun, who shrugs. He's staying well out of this. She makes a small moue and turns back to Yu Hui-yeon's distress.

"I'm sorry your friend isn't treating you better," she says consolingly.

"It's just," Yu Hui-yeon sighs, "I thought having him come to work for U&K would be different. But I think he's not over Ji-won yet after being in love with her for so long, so it's hard. I don't know, maybe I should just avoid him at work."

Seok-jun supposes he does have something to contribute to the conversation. "You should be mindful of your position at work, Ms. Yu," he advises. "You can't simply ignore your colleagues and maintain a good reputation. Just behave professionally to him."

Yu Hui-yeon raises her eyebrows, but Yang Ju-ran nods. "Mr. Lee is right; be as professional and polite as you can. It's probably strange for your friend to be seeing you and Ji-won at work. Once he's used to it, I'm sure things will be back to normal."

"Okay, thanks. I can definitely be professional." She takes a bite of her pasta and it brings a reluctant smile to her face. "At least he does good work." She takes another bite then shakes her head. "But enough about me. Ms. Yang, tell me what's new in your life! I heard your ex caused some drama when he got the divorce papers?"

"That's one way of putting it. He wouldn't stop calling or texting, and then he showed up at the clinic and confronted me there. But Mr. Lee took care of him."

And Yang Ju-ran will never see him again if Seok-jun has anything to say about it. He'd actually wondered if putting a watch on him to make sure he didn't violate the restraining order was too much, but last night Yu Ji-hyuk had been adamant: "Yang Ju-ran's safety is paramount to Ji-won. Do what you have to do."

"...Took care of him?" Yu Hui-yeon repeats. "Like…?" She mimes martial arts moves.

Yang Ju-ran starts nodding but Seok-jun scoffs. "Hardly. I barely touched him."

"That's true; you were very restrained." She smiles at him, and he worries that his face might crack with the effort of not smiling back. He's glad she appreciates his forbearance in not breaking Lee Jae-won to pieces when he had the chance.

"Well, that all sounds very exciting. Good job, Mr. Lee." Ms. Yu politely claps for a moment and he rolls his eyes. It wasn't that exciting.

"Shall we try another flavor?" Yang Ju-ran says, gesturing to Yu Hui-yeon's empty cup. "They all look delicious."

The women start discussing the flavor profiles and marketing opportunities for each recipe and Seok-jun turns his attention back to his work. After a minute, he feels eyes on him and looks up to the impassive gaze of Yeon-ji.

Is it normal to get into staring contests with children? Seok-jun's not sure, but he flinches first which seems to meet with the girl's approval. She cranes her neck to see what paper he's reading, so he shows her the page of the quarterly report he's reviewing. She wrinkles her nose.

"Sir, you can share my markers," she says politely. "Your page is boring. Not like mine." She flourishes her drawing at him, which is indeed quite colorful.

"Yes, that is much less boring," Seok-jun replies gravely. "Thank you for your offer."

She nods, then hands him a marker. "Pink is my favorite," she tells him.

She's given him blue, but he supposes there are limits to her generosity. He uses the marker to highlight sections of the report that he'll want to bring up to the Chairman. Yeon-ji is clearly unimpressed at his lack of creativity and starts a new drawing of her own with even more color and chaos (and pink) than the other one.

Interacting with children is no big deal, actually. Seok-jun can't wait to lord this over Chang-jun, the doubter.

Then, Yeon-ji asks in a high, piping voice that cuts through the other conversation, "Mr. Lee, are you a daddy?"

Yu Hui-yeon coughs but Seok-jun keeps a straight face when he answers, “No, I have no children so I’m not a father.”

“Okay. I had a daddy but he went away. You took care of him,” she adds, and Yang Ju-ran buries her face in her hands.

Seok-jun's not sure what to say. Honesty's probably the path here. "...Yes, I did. He won't be coming back." He glances at Yang Ju-ran, whose attention is only on her daughter. "Is that . . . how do you feel about it?"

Yeon-ji shrugs. "It's okay. I still have Mommy. If Mommy goes away, I have Grandma and Grandpa. Maybe I'll find another daddy someday. I just want Mommy to be happy."

"Aww," coos Yu Hui-yeon.

"Sweetheart, I want you to be happy too." Yang Ju-ran gets up and kisses her daughter's head. "Do you want to try the yummy food Hui-yeon brought? I think you'd like it."

Yeon-ji considers. "Can I just have kimchi rice?"

"Sure, I'll get that for you." She starts preparing a small bowl, calling over her shoulder, "Mr. Lee, if you want the rest of my samples you're welcome to try them. I'm finished."

"Another data point!" Ms. Yu cheers.

Seok-jun weighs his lack of interest in providing another data point against his desire to taste the same food as Yang Ju-ran, with the same sampling fork that touched her mouth.

"All right, I'll see what the fuss is about," he decides, and Ms. Yu collects Yang Ju-ran's abandoned samples and hands them over to him.

He really wishes he were alone for this experience — or, rather, alone with Yang Ju-ran, to see if she watched as he ate (what would her expression be?). Instead, Ms. Yu has her attention on him as he finishes each of the child-sized portions remaining, so he keeps his head down.

"Delicious," he allows. He points to one at random. "This was my favorite."

"Mine too," Yu Hui-yeon says with a grin, which Seok-jun does not return.

He checks his watch. "Ms. Yang, your appointment is coming up. Do we need to drop Yeon-ji off at daycare or take her to the restaurant?"

"Actually," Yang Ju-ran says, hand on Yeon-ji's head, "since Hui-yeon is here, I wondered…it's my last radiation appointment and there's a bell you can ring…and I thought Yeon-ji might like…"

She trails off. She's making much more of an ordeal of asking this simple favor — one that Ms. Yu would likely accept, based on the way she straightened up eagerly when she heard her name — than necessary. 

"Do you want to finish any of those sentences, Ms. Yang, or shall we make our own inferences?"

She scowls at him and pointedly turns her attention to Yu Hui-yeon. "Hui-yeon, would you be willing to come with me to my appointment and watch over Yeon-ji so she can help me ring the bell when I'm finished with my radiation treatment?"

"Yes, I'd love to!" Yu Hui-yeon says immediately, bouncing out of her seat to kneel at Yeon-ji's side. "We'll have fun together, won't we, little one?" She smiles widely at Yeon-ji, who smiles and nods back.

Seok-jun didn't get a smile from Yeon-ji when they were talking, but it's fine. He didn't smile at her, after all. Besides, he has just received the smile that really matters to him; over Yeon-ji's head, Yang Ju-ran's eyes twinkle at him and he's reassured that she's not really annoyed with his officious input — they're just getting closer to their original camaraderie, little by little.

The atmosphere in Seok-jun's vehicle is quite different than he's used to. Yang Ju-ran sits next to him as usual, and Yu Hui-yeon in the backseat as is her custom, but having them both at once as well as a young child has definitely altered the dynamic.

Yu Hui-yeon is playing some sort of game with Yeon-ji while chatting with Yang Ju-ran about how Ms. Kang is doing ("The bruises are mostly faded; luckily she has a lot of turtlenecks to wear!") and the latest office gossip ("Marketing Team 2 is trying to poach Marketing 3's new employee already"). Seok-jun is just the chauffeur.

He didn't know how much he was counting on this last car ride with Yang Ju-ran, just the two of them the way it used to be, until the chance was gone. He doesn't begrudge her bringing her daughter along, nor her easy conversation with Yu Hui-yeon, he just feels a bit melancholy about it.

Yeon-ji is well-behaved during the appointment, due in large part to Yu Hui-yeon's efforts. She's unknowingly demonstrating to Seok-jun what an actual natural with children looks like, but Seok-jun still considers that he's acquitting himself well: every time Yeon-ji shows him something — a drawing, a hand gesture, a piece of lint — he acknowledges her and listens to what she has to say about it before Yu Hui-yeon reclaims her attention. It's nice to know the skill of interacting with children is not beyond him, not as daunting as he first envisioned.

When Yang Ju-ran is finished with her treatment, all of the available healthcare workers line up with bows and applause as she makes her way toward the bell the clinic has hung at one side of the reception desk. 

Ms. Yu is filming the spectacle so it's up to Seok-jun to give Yeon-ji a nudge when Yang Ju-ran calls, "Sweetheart, come here and help me ring the bell!"

She hoists her daughter into her arms so she can reach the ringer, and everyone in the waiting area cheers when Yeon-ji clangs the bell as loud as she can. Ms. Yu snaps a few photos of mother and daughter together, beaming by the bell. Seok-jun wonders if it would be possible to get that photo somehow.

Yang Ju-ran winces as she lowers Yeon-ji to the ground and they make their way out of the clinic. Yu Hui-yeon is effusive in her praise of Yeon-ji and Seok-jun uses the cover of their prattle to quietly ask Yang Ju-ran, "Are you all right?"

"Yes." When Seok-jun looks askance at her she continues, "She scraped my radiation burn a little weird when I lifted her, but it's okay. Nothing to be done right now — I'll take care of it when we get home."

It's always galling when he runs into issues he can't solve (or, in this case, shouldn't solve, and he firmly banishes any notion to the contrary), so he makes an extra effort to open Yang Ju-ran's car door, because he can at least do that.

They're almost back when Yu Hui-yeon announces quietly, "Yeon-ji's asleep."

"Oh, she must have been worn out from all the fun she had with you," Yang Ju-ran says, but her voice sounds strange.

"Ms. Yang, are you crying?" Yu Hui-yeon asks immediately, and Seok-jun confirms the answer with a glance.

"Are you in pain?" he murmurs as they pull into the parking lot.

"No," she denies. "Well, not more pain than usual." She sniffs. "I'm just thinking about something Yeon-ji said earlier."

"About how she wants you to be happy?" Yu Hui-yeon queries.

"Not that, though she's a little sweetheart for saying it. Her daddy went away and . . . and her mother could too. I could be leaving my baby alone. We don't know if the cancer treatment worked, and I might not . . ."

Luckily Seok-jun has stopped the vehicle because Yu Hui-yeon leaps out of the car and pulls Yang Ju-ran into a tight embrace.

"Oh, Ju-ran! No wonder you're upset. This is such a hard thing, but it will work out. I know it will."

Yang Ju-ran clutches at Yu Hui-yeon for a moment. Seok-jun's glad Yu Hui-yeon is here so she can provide the comfort that Yang Ju-ran so desperately needs. What would have happened if it had just been him when she was feeling this way? Would he have been the one to hold her and let her tears fall into his jacket? Would he have murmured soothing words into her ear while clasping the nape of her neck?

Well, he doesn't know what soothing words would actually comfort Yang Ju-ran, so he is glad Yu Hui-yeon is here. He's not envious. That would be counterproductive.

"If I do go away," Yang Ju-ran is saying through her tears, "then Lee Jae-won will get my insurance money after all. Yeon-ji doesn't deserve that."

Seok-jun makes a mental note to check on the latest in estate law before he adjusts the beneficiaries of Yang Ju-ran's life insurance and other assets. Though it will only be for her peace of mind, because he agrees wholeheartedly with Yu Hui-yeon's fierce statement that "That won't happen, Ju-ran. We won't let anything like that happen, because you'll be here to make sure it doesn't."

Eventually the tears slow and Yang Ju-ran, sheepish about her outburst, tries to collect her sleeping daughter from the car. But Seok-jun forestalls her efforts with a pointed look at where her hand is unconsciously pressing against her abdomen.

"I've got her," he says, brooking no argument as he gathers Yeon-ji into his arms.

At one point during the walk, he readjusts his grip and Yeon-ji stirs, and Seok-jun always knew that there was a trick to kids that he doesn't have. But she simply wraps her arms around his neck and relaxes again, whispering, "Daddy," as she nuzzles into his shoulder.

There's an unfamiliar feeling in Seok-jun's chest, and for the first time ever he understands not only why people interact with children by choice but why they like them. He counts his blessings that Yang Ju-ran and Yu Hui-yeon were engaged in their own conversation and didn't overhear Yeon-ji's sleepy case of mistaken identity, since it would just embarrass them. He's not embarrassed, though — simply gratified.

At Yang Ju-ran's door for the second time today, but this time Seok-jun has a purpose. Yang Ju-ran shows him to the bedroom she shares with Yeon-ji and he gently lays the girl onto the bed.

"Thank you, Mr. Lee," she whispers, kneeling to remove her daughter's shoes.

Seok-jun, about to leave the bedroom, turns at the doorway because he can't prevent himself from speaking. "Ms. Yang. Your treatment prognosis was good and your surgeon is confident about your surgery. But even if things don't go the way we hope and your ordeal continues, you won't be alone. You'll make it through, whatever it takes."

She nods, eyes welling with new tears (which is the opposite of the reaction Seok-jun hoped to elicit — this is why he shouldn't be in charge of the soothing words). "Okay. I need to get Yeon-ji settled but I'll see you later."

He knows a dismissal when he hears one so he heads out to the other room where Ms. Yu is waiting.

"Ready?"

"Let me say goodbye to Ms. Yang first, then we can go."

Seok-jun sees the women exchange one last embrace — Good, he thinks with only a little jealousy — and then they're on their way.

"Since we're already here near Ms. Yang's parents' restaurant," Ms. Yu ventures, "maybe we could grab a bite to eat? I know you've been following me around all day when you surely have better things to do, so it's all right if you want to leave and I'll just find my own way home."

"It's fine," Seok-jun responds, not seeing the need to disclose his own long-standing habit of stopping by the restaurant. "The sample tasting was hours ago, and barbecue sounds good."

Despite the trip to the restaurant being short, Yu Hui-yeon seems to decide it's the perfect time for an interrogation. "So, Mr. Lee. You and Yang Ju-ran seem to spend a lot of time together. Are you guys, like, friends?"

He devoutly hopes so, but he's almost as gobsmacked that she asked as he was when Yeon-ji inquired into his parental status. She deserves only an equivocating answer.

"It is my job to keep Yang Ju-ran safe," he replies in what he hopes is a quelling tone. "Kang Ji-won — by way of your brother — has made it clear it should be my first priority. That does necessitate some time in each other's company."

"Okay. But I know you don't mind doing it because otherwise you'd find excuses or assign other people. It's good you're looking out for her yourself since Grandpa always says there's no one as capable as you when you decide to do something, and Yang Ju-ran deserves that level of consideration. So…keep up the good work, I guess."

"Thank you," Seok-jun responds, internalizing the indirect praise from the Chairman that he rarely hears spoken out loud.

"Can you smell that?" Yu Hui-yeon enthuses suddenly, dropping the previous topic to Seok-jun's relief. "Oh, I'm getting so hungry! I can't wait to try this place again."

Mr. Yang and Yu Hui-yeon will get on like a house on fire, and Seok-jun will enjoy making the introductions. But he thinks he will get his own table to avoid any stray sparks — or follow-up questions.

There's only one person he wishes would intrude on his solitude tonight, and she can't set foot in this place. But there will come a time when Yang Ju-ran is healed, when her divorce is finalized, and she might be able to stomach joining him in the restaurant so they can share a meal together. Yeon-ji can join them too, which is an idea Seok-jun would have laughed at before today, but he's softened on the concept of children (maybe just this specific child — he'll have to meet another one to confirm that hypothesis).

But all of that is in the future. Tonight, the space at his table is empty and he will just abide for a while longer.

Notes:

Listen. Koreans don't really have a concept of "daddy" ok? They were just embarrassed that she was asking such direct personal questions.

Hui-yeon was likely calling Ju-ran "eonni" when she used just her given name, but for my own reasons, she just stuck to her name in this chapter. I am conscious of when people use full names, mr. or ms., or just the given name -- and when it's the latter, they are probably either using honorifics like "oppa" or "eonni" or adding the -a to the end. But..........I'm not writing that (unless I do, sometimes, which will also be on purpose lol).

Chapter 11: words have carved on me

Summary:

fate and surgery

Notes:

We made it to episode 16!
Tonight I was looking for something to read and thought, "I'd really like to see what happens next in that MMH fic where Mr Lee is stupid in love with Yang Ju-ran" then I remembered I'm the one writing it, so I had to hurry and finish this chapter so I can get to finding out what’s next

"Do you believe in fate, Mr. Lee?"

The question Mr. Yu had asked last night whispers through Seok-jun's mind. At the time he'd dismissed the idea and the foolishness of a plan to "seal the fate" of Jeong Su-min which will somehow "save" Yang Ju-ran, but Yu Ji-hyuk had simply looked at him steadily and said, "If it works, there will be signs."

And now, before his own eyes after an incredulous phone call from his IT director, is an unmistakable sign: the dashboard camera footage, so inexplicably devoid of video before, is equally inexplicably working.

Hands shaking, he dials Mr. Yu's mobile.

"I think," he begins slowly after Mr. Yu answers, "I think Yang Ju-ran's divorce case just got easier. The video evidence from the dashboard camera started working today, out of nowhere."

"Suddenly?" Yu Ji-hyuk confirms in a choked voice.

"Yes. There was no reason for it not to work before, and there's no reason for it to be restored now." He hesitates. "It's a sign, isn't it? This is…fate."

"It must be."

After the call ends, Seok-jun checks police records for Jeong Su-min's name. There's one that came in this morning but to his shock it lists her as the prime suspect in the murder of … Park Min-hwan. He didn't ask for details about Ms. Kang's plan but he doubts this was the intended outcome — but the dashcam video still works.

Seok-jun's head is buzzing with the implications. He's admittedly new to this idea of fate but if Yang Ju-ran's safety is at stake he'd rather be sure. But is there anything to be done? Have any of his actions meant anything? Do his feelings even matter?

Yu Ji-hyuk steps into his office while he's still stewing.

"I'm sorry, Seok-jun," he says with a rueful smile. "I suppose this is all rather a lot to take in. But I trust you, and you've worked so hard for Ms. Yang that I wanted to keep you in the loop about it. And you were able to confirm that the plan did work, so I'm glad you know."

"It worked?" Seok-jun replies, confused. "But it's Park Min-hwan that is dead — "

"That didn't go exactly to plan, but we know for sure: the fate was transferred to him. Yang Ju-ran is safe."

Seok-jun doesn't especially like the insinuation that Yang Ju-ran was due to be murdered by her partner, but some of the strange situations of the past few months start to have new meaning — Kang Ji-won's golf club violence, Yang Ju-ran's insistence that Lee Jae-won wouldn't normally be dangerous despite evidence to the contrary — and he allows himself to feel some relief.

"So Jeong Su-min is still at large," he comments, trying to take a business-like tone and not betray how mind-boggling the whole thing is.

Yu Ji-hyuk sighs in frustration. "It would've been much easier if she'd been the one. I recognize I'm speaking about the life of a person here, but after all those two did, they deserved all the consequences we could line up for them."

Seok-jun hasn't ever had anyone killed but he's brokered business deals that left people out in the cold and made … extremely… strong recommendations that especially problematic people find somewhere else to be, preferably far away. (It's way, way too late to do anything like that to Kang Ji-won, and he supposes it's ended up for the best, but life would have been easier.) So he can understand where Mr. Yu is coming from.

"If Park Min-hwan had murdered his wife, we had enough on him that he would have been hard pressed to escape for long," Seok-jun muses.

"Especially since Oh Yu-ra was scheming to get rid of him somehow; we hoped that she would move to eliminate him after he took care of Jeong Su-min. We have nothing on her, but she's obsessed with Ji-won" — Seok-jun takes a moment to privately appreciate the irony of Yu Ji-hyuk, who all but blew up his life in pursuit of Kang Ji-won, labeling someone else obsessed — "so we know she'll be back. The only questions are how, and when."

"I'm sure she'll lay low for a while, but I'll keep an ear to the ground."

"Thanks." Mr. Yu gets up to leave. "You're okay, right, Seok-jun?"

"Of course," he replies immediately. "Only — does anything we do matter at all?" He winces at the vulnerability of the question, but Yu Ji-hyuk only smiles.

"Absolutely. Your actions directly protected Ms. Yang from the threats that surrounded her. Our choices affect our lives — only some things are immutable."

"Okay." Seok-jun ponders on that idea. Maybe he was fated to fall in love with Yang Ju-ran all those years ago, but his choices kept them apart until now — and maybe it was fate that has reunited them. "Interesting. Well, I can't wait to tell Ms. Yang the good news; I'll mention it when I take her in for her surgery tomorrow and I'm sure it will cheer her up."

"Ah." Mr. Yu pauses at the door. "Kang Ji-won's going to take her to the hospital. Since she was the one that took her to her first treatment, it's full circle for them to go together for her very last treatment. Ji-won fought tooth and nail for the fate not to fall to Ms. Yang, so it's almost a celebration journey for her."

"I see." Seok-jun very much doubts that Yang Ju-ran will think of it as a celebration journey, and he can't deny he's disappointed. He also felt it would be full circle to accompany Yang Ju-ran tomorrow.

"You did your job, Mr. Lee. You kept her safe. Thank you."

There's nothing Seok-jun can do but accept the gratitude and deal with his dismay privately. If Yang Ju-ran doesn't need him anymore, what now? With the dashboard camera footage working, she could even remove him as her attorney and win her divorce case without him. He's not ready for such an outcome.

Mercifully, he does have some ideas on how to be helpful to, if not Yang Ju-ran directly, those close to her. Which is how he finds himself outside the restaurant the next day, waiting for Mr. Yang to lock up so he can take the family to the hospital to meet Yang Ju-ran when her surgery is over.

"We appreciate your being willing to give us a lift on your way to the hospital, Mr. Lee," Mr. Yang says, putting the keys away. "It did surprise me a little bit that you didn't take my Ju-ran yourself, but it's working out so conveniently for us!"

The arrangement is mutually beneficial — with Yang Ju-ran's parents and child in tow, it's unremarkable that Seok-jun would be there as well. Mr. Yang seems to take it as a given that his daughter's divorce attorney would be present at the hospital, which is heartening, but Seok-jun feels a lot better with the extra layer of plausibility for his attendance.

Yeon-ji and her grandmother approach.

"Good morning, Mr. Lee," the child says politely. "Thank you for the ride."

"You're welcome, Lee Yeon-ji," he responds, equally politely. "Are we ready to go?" He opens the car door.

Yang Ju-ran's mother, who had looked pleased at her granddaughter's politeness, winces when Yeon-ji asks plaintively, "Is Ms. Yu not coming? She's a lot more fun than you are."

"Unfortunately, Ms. Yu had to work today."

Yeon-ji's unimpressed face looks just like her mother's.

"Mr. Lee, I had an idea," Mr. Yang says hurriedly, exchanging a glance with his wife at the sight of Yeon-ji's darkening mood. "If there's time, do you think we could go to a park near the hospital? It's not very cold out and there's a lot of … anxious energy around that we should burn off before we have to sit and wait."

Seok-jun consults his watch. "We have time. Let's stop by a park on our way."

This course of action is quickly agreed to, and Seok-jun is surprised at how much better he feels to be outside in the sunshine while Yeon-ji clambers around the playground under her grandparents' watchful eyes. The cool breeze rustles the tree branches that are just starting to bud, reminding him that it will soon be warm enough to take the bike out again.

He hasn't ridden his motorcycle since Yang Ju-ran was on the back of it with him, too afraid of the feelings that had made their resurgence and how they could upend his carefully ordered life. Well, it's safe to say that his carefully ordered life is in more disarray than before, but it's nothing to be frightened of — in fact, he rather likes the changes. 

It will be nice to go for rides again. Perhaps Yang Ju-ran will want to join him one of these days. Maybe. Patience, he reminds himself.

"Now, what are you smiling about?" Mr. Yang has come up beside him. "I knew you were capable of facial expressions."

Seok-jun is not about to tell Yang Ju-ran's father that he was reminiscing about her arms around his waist. "I have some good news to tell Ms. Yang about the divorce case," he says instead. "It's extremely satisfying."

At this point, it seems only fair to loop Mr. Yang in, and the man's glee at the news leads him to collect Seok-jun into an effusive embrace.

"Extremely satisfying!" Mr. Yang crows into his ear, before releasing him. "There's nothing that can stop the suit going through now! I've got to tell my wife."

She's equally delighted, and Yeon-ji — who had noticed an interesting conversation between her grandparents and joined them — is given enough information to be pleased, too.

"So because this got better, Mommy will be fine from her surgery," she reasons. "Otherwise it wouldn't have happened."

It's a comforting logic. Seok-jun isn't sure he thinks it works that way, but the others exhibit such relief at it that he doesn't try to refute it at all. They're all more relaxed as they head into the hospital, which can only be to the good.

Seok-jun, bringing up the rear in their little parade, catches sight of Yu Ji-hyuk and Kang Ji-won leaving the funeral hall, surprisingly noticeable in their all-black attire. It's clear they didn't expect to see him here, but Kang Ji-won recovers in time to assure him that they'll see him upstairs after they change.

"I'm sure it's bad luck to wear funeral clothing to a bedside," she adds, attempting a smile.

Seok-jun doesn't know why they attended Park Min-hwan's funeral in the first place, unless it was for a sense of closure. He hasn't forgotten that the man nearly murdered Ms. Kang, and it's obvious that being there upset them both. Well, as long as their attitudes change with their outfits — Yang Ju-ran doesn't need funereal expressions at her bedside either.

Finally, Dr. Lee comes in to the waiting room and informs them that Yang Ju-ran is in the recovery room and should awaken soon.

"The surgery went well," she says. "We were able to remove all of the tumors with the less-invasive laparoscopic method, so she should recover and be able to eat normally within the next few days."

The mood in the room, which despite everyone's best efforts has been tense, immediately lifts. They all express their thanks to Dr. Lee for her excellent work (some more fulsomely than others, though all equally heartfelt) and head to the other room to see Yang Ju-ran.

She's still asleep, of course. She has a knit cap on her head and her face is pale, and Seok-jun doesn't want to look away. It's the first time he's seen her since he learned the true extent of the danger she was in. She is safe, he thinks, drinking in the sight of her.

After Yang Ju-ran emerges from unconsciousness and (wordlessly) assures everyone she's okay, the U&K contingent tacitly agree to give her some time with her family. Before they leave, Seok-jun hears her ask hoarsely, "Did it go all right?"

Kang Ji-won is weeping but smiling and Yu Ji-hyuk has his arm around her. Seok-jun's heart is full and if he can't do something he's worried he might weep too.

"Her throat is probably sore; I'll go get her a cup of tea and then we should talk about the latest updates."

The others don't offer any objection, probably because as soon as he leaves the waiting room they can engage in even more public displays of affection.

Tea obtained, Seok-jun returns straight to the recovery room. He wants to see Yang Ju-ran. He wants to talk to her and see her smile.

Mr. Yang spots him first. "And here's Mr. Lee now! I know he has some exciting news for you."

"I got you some tea," he says, which is not exciting news but is the most pressing. "But you'll want to take it easy because your stomach is likely as sore as your throat."

She nods, rewarding him with a smile that warms him as much as if he'd sipped some tea himself. Her mother raises the hospital bed so she can drink more easily, and when Seok-jun hands Yang Ju-ran the cup, he can't help lingering for an extra moment.

"Got it?" he checks, but her grip is secure enough.

She takes a sip. "Thank you," she whispers.

Mr. Yang taps Seok-jun on the shoulder. "We're going to go grab a bite to eat at the cafeteria, then we'll be back. Good luck!"

Seok-jun doesn't need luck to impart the update about the dashcam footage, but he does get distracted for a minute just…watching her. Yang Ju-ran's head is still lolling tiredly against the pillow and her sips of the tea are desultory at best, but her smile is wry when she catches him looking.

"Mr. Lee, you always seem to find me when I don't look my best, and today is probably the worst you've seen, isn't it?"

"Does that remotely matter right now, Ms. Yang?" he responds, raising an eyebrow at her. "Surely the only important thing is that the surgery was successful."

"So they tell me," she sighs contentedly. "I was so anxious beforehand but it seems all went well." She holds the tea out to him. "I don't think I should drink any more of this for now, but thank you. My throat feels a little better."

He takes the cup from her and looks around for the stools they usually keep in recovery rooms for visitors. There's no need for him to loom while they have their conversation. He's just located them in one corner when Kang Ji-won and Yu Ji-hyuk enter the room, so he sighs and collects three total to place around Yang Ju-ran's bed.

"Oh, Mr. Lee, you're still here," says Yu Ji-hyuk, as if there was anywhere else Seok-jun would be. He's been by Yang Ju-ran's side since the day she found out about the cancer — why would he stop now?

"I do have that update about the divorce case," he says blandly instead of asking Yu Ji-hyuk why he's here. If Yang Ju-ran didn't already know about the connection between him and Kang Ji-won, she'd be so confused at his presence now. Have they ever even spoken outside of work?

"Oh yes, Dad kept hinting about some wonderful news. What is it?"

Seok-jun sits down next to the bed; if they were alone, he might have taken her hand. "The video started working on the dashcam footage."

"Oh!" She's almost too shocked to smile. "Really? Why? How?"

Now, Seok-jun would've responded with something anodyne like "Sometimes things just happen," but maybe coming straight from the funeral has skewed Kang Ji-won's perceptions because she launches into the much worse news of Park Min-hwan's unfortunate end, even though to Seok-jun's mind the "fate" thing is too tenuous a connection for Yang Ju-ran to understand.

"Goodness," Yang Ju-ran says, a bit at a loss. "I never would've expected Jeong Su-min to do such a thing. And Mr. Park's funeral is downstairs? Maybe I should — "

"Absolutely not," Seok-jun interrupts firmly. He's sure it's only because she's so tired that she hasn't remembered that Park Min-hwan deserves no such honor as her presence at his memorial. "You can't go to a funeral fresh off a major surgery. You need rest and recovery."

"You really never turn it off, do you?" Yang Ju-ran remarks, fixing him with a glare that he's already seen today on her daughter's face. "The nagging. The surgery was no big deal in the end; I don't even have any incisions."

"Oh, well, since you don't have any incisions, shall I roll you on down to the funeral hall? You can make your obeisance in your hospital gown and look at the food that you're not allowed to eat! A fitting tribute."

She's opened her mouth to argue back, but he can see the moment she realizes that she doesn't actually want to attend this funeral, and she slumps back against her pillow mulishly, unwilling to admit he's right. Seok-jun regrets his sarcasm but it's too late to retract it. He doesn't think much of his own bedside manner if the first thing he does is make the patient feel bad about an idea that, while misguided, was characteristically generous.

Into the midst of this awkward silence, Yu Ji-hyuk inserts, "...At any rate, with the uncorrupted files, your divorce case should progress smoothly from now on."

"Yes, there should be no problem granting you sole custody," Kang Ji-won adds.

"With all of the evidence, we could easily argue for a complete loss of parental rights as well," Seok-jun says.

"That would mean…Yeon-ji has no father."

Put that way, it does seem a rather stark consequence. "It's certainly not required if you don't want to," Seok-jun says, trying to sound reassuring. "The choice is completely up to you, Ms. Yang."

To his surprise, she thinks for about one second before deciding, "No, I think we should do it. It's the best course of action."

She glances at Seok-jun, remembers she's annoyed at him, and pointedly turns away and reaches her hand out to Kang Ji-won, who grasps it with such a loving smile that Seok-jun can't begrudge it too much.

"When I went under for my operation, it felt like dying. So I told myself I would wake up with a new life.

“He made everything so hard. Even aside from the betrayal, it was like a thousand paper cuts and I didn’t know how long I could endure.”

“I know, Ju-ran,” Kang Ji-won says fervently, tears in her eyes. “It was so hard.”

"But here I am, in my forties, reborn! And with this second chance, I'm not letting Lee Jae-won make my daughter's life hard; he'll never be a good father to her. I'll be strong enough on my own."

Yang Ju-ran won't be on her own, and Seok-jun has taken half a breath to remind her of this fact when, luckily, Kang Ji-won gets there first.

"Oh, Ju-ran, you won't be on your own. I'll get stronger too, and we'll both stay strong, okay?"

They beam at each other, hands clasped tight, and Yu Ji-hyuk looks over at Seok-jun as if to say Guess we're not needed here.

Their presence may not be necessary, but Seok-jun wants to stay close to Yang Ju-ran and her smile. This is the happiest he's seen her in a long time — the level of happiness he's been wishing for her — and if it takes holding hands with Kang Ji-won to accomplish it, he supposes it's worth it.

Yeon-ji skips into the room, followed by Yang Ju-ran's parents and Dr. Lee, who clears Yang Ju-ran to go home.

"Sweet pea, do you want to come with us?" her mother asks. Seok-jun can imagine that she'll need support — his arm around her waist, perhaps, with her head against his shoulder as they take all the time she needs to walk to the car.

"Oh, let me do it," Kang Ji-won cuts in before Yang Ju-ran has a chance to decide. "I'd like to." She squeezes Yang Ju-ran's hand, and she nods in acquiescence. "I'll go get your things."

"We'll make sure everything's ready for you at home," Mr. Yang says, and Seok-jun swallows his disappointment, standing to put the stools away while Kang Ji-won and Yu Ji-hyuk are in the other room. "We'd better swing by the toilet for Yeon-ji first, so we'll meet you outside, Mr. Lee."

For just a moment, they're alone in the room. It's an opportunity he can't waste.

He clears his throat. "Ah, Ms. Yang. I'm, er, sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

She looks up at him with an incredulous smile — is it that unexpected he would apologize?

"It's true, you shouldn't have," she replies. "But it's okay; I know you are just protective of me. Besides, as usual you were right." She sighs. "I need rest and recovery."

Yang Ju-ran's forgiving nature, which so annoys him when it's deployed toward people that don't deserve it, is a gift when she extends it toward him. He wants to tell her how magnificent she is, but Yu Ji-hyuk and Kang Ji-won walk in just then, and they exchange a glance when they see him.

"I'll be in touch," he says hastily, then leaves without a backward glance.

The family joins him outside just a few minutes later.

"We really are so appreciative that you've been our transportation today, sir," Mr. Yang says. "Thank you for thinking of us, and for everything you've done for our girl."

Seok-jun would like to say that it's all part of the job, but he knows most of what he's done today is because he wanted to, not because of his job at all. So he just nods.

"By the way. Who was that man with Ms. Kang? Does my Ju-ran know him?"

He can only laugh.

Notes:

Kang Ji-won, Mr. Lee's main rival.

The reason Yang Ju-ran's mom isn't more of a character in this story is that I don't know her name and don't want to make one up for her.

Notes:

Title from "Gravity" by Vienna Teng