Chapter 6 Lines That Shouldn't Be Crossed

The next morning, Ji-woo stepped into the café near the Lee Corporation building for a quiet moment before her makeup artist found her. She needed caffeine-and space to think.

She didn't expect Min Ho to be waiting.

He stood near the back, in a tailored suit and nervous eyes. "Ji-woo, please... just five minutes."

Ji-woo sighed but walked over. "Make it quick."

Min Ho looked her over. "You changed."

"I had to."

"I saw the photos. You looked... happy."

"Then your eyes are worse than your loyalty."

His face fell. "I made a mistake."

Ji-woo folded her arms. "You made a choice. There's a difference."

Min Ho reached out, but she stepped back. "I didn't come here to fight. I came to say I never stopped caring about you."

Before Ji-woo could respond, a new voice cut in, cold and dangerous.

"She's taken."

Min Ho turned-and froze.

Lee Joon-hyuk stood there, towering in a sleek black suit, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone. The entire café seemed to go quiet.

"Mr. Lee," Min Ho muttered. "This isn't your business-"

"It is," Joon-hyuk interrupted smoothly. "Everything concerning my wife is my business."

Ji-woo's heart raced.

He came looking for me?

"Ji-woo and I go way back-" Min Ho started, but Joon-hyuk stepped forward, eyes like blades.

"And yet you threw her away like trash."

Min Ho stiffened.

"You're not welcome near her. Ever again," Joon-hyuk said.

Ji-woo touched his arm. "Joon-hyuk, it's fine-"

But he didn't budge. "If he shows up again, I'll make sure he never steps near another woman in this city."

Min Ho backed off, pride bruised. "This isn't over."

Joon-hyuk turned slightly, blocking Ji-woo with his body. "Yes, it is."

Min Ho left.

Silence lingered between Ji-woo and Joon-hyuk.

"You didn't have to do that," she said.

His gaze was unreadable. "He had no right to breathe the same air as you."

Ji-woo swallowed hard. "You're acting like you care."

He stepped closer, voice a whisper. "Maybe I do."

Her breath caught.

But before anything more could be said, his phone rang. He answered it, face hardening.

"Business."

Just like that, the moment shattered.

But as Ji-woo watched him walk away, one thing was certain-the lines between contract and reality were