THE COST OF PERFECTION

Shadows of Deception

Jeong Eun quietly entered Heo Joon Jae's private home office, her heart pounding as she scanned the room. This was the one place she had never been allowed to step foot in, and now, she was determined to find something that would explain her growing suspicions about him.

The room was dark, with shelves full of books and neatly arranged documents. Everything seemed perfectly in order, almost too perfect, like it had been curated to hide something important. She moved cautiously, opening drawers, carefully shifting through papers, and searching for anything that could provide answers.

As her fingers brushed along the back of a dusty bookshelf, something caught her eye—an old, dust-covered piece of paper half-hidden under a pile of documents. She pulled it out gently and squinted at the faded text. Her eyes widened as she read the words: "Biological mother: Kyong Marie."

Jeong Eun froze. Kyong Marie? The name was unfamiliar to her. Confusion filled her mind. Her mother-in-law was Heo Soo Hee, the well-respected woman she'd known for years. Who was Kyong Marie? Why would Joon Jae have this? Her head spun with questions she couldn't answer.

Just as she was about to examine the paper more closely, she heard Joon Jae's sweet voice from the hallway, calling out to her, "Darling, I'm back!"

Her heart leapt into her throat. In a panic, Jeong Eun quickly folded the paper and stuffed it into her pocket. Her hands trembled as she moved swiftly to hide behind the heavy curtain in the corner of the room, pressing herself against the wall, trying to keep her breath steady.

The door handle turned, and she held her breath, expecting him to enter at any moment.

But just then, Joon Jae's phone rang loudly, interrupting his approach. He cursed under his breath, "Hold on," before walking away to take the call. She exhaled in relief, her heart still racing as she watched him disappear down the hallway.

With trembling hands, she carefully made her way out of the office, the hidden paper now burning a hole in her pocket. She had found something—something that could unravel everything. But the danger of Joon Jae finding out her discovery loomed closer than ever.

Jeong Eun calmly exits the private office, her heart racing but her face perfectly composed. She smooths her blouse and steps into the hallway, adopting the same pleasant, serene smile she always wore around Heo Joon Jae. He approaches her with that same irresistible charm, as though nothing had shifted between them. His eyes glimmer with mischief, but Jeong Eun can see the careful calculation beneath them.

"Darling," he says in his usual smooth tone, wrapping his arm around her waist. "I missed you while I was gone."

She smiles warmly, acting as though she hasn't just uncovered a piece of a puzzle she hadn't even known she was trying to solve. "I missed you too," she replies, her voice soft and sweet.

He leans in closer, his lips brushing the shell of her ear as he whispers, "I have a call to finish. But after that, I want you in our bed." His fingers trail suggestively down her arm, and Jeong Eun barely suppresses a shiver. She knows it isn't just lust driving him — this is all part of his game.

She giggles softly, masking the unease bubbling under the surface. "I'll be waiting then," she replies smoothly. Inside, though, her mind is racing. She knows too well that everything with Joon Jae has a hidden motive.

As he steps away to take his call, her eyes briefly darken, her facade slipping for just a moment. "He knows something... I have to be careful," she thinks, glancing toward the paper in her pocket.

Joon Jae ended his call, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips as he entered their bedroom. Jeong Eun was already seated on the edge of the bed, her posture tense despite her efforts to appear relaxed. He moved toward her with the same predatory grace, his eyes never leaving hers.