His CEO

afterglow

i think this is by far the longest chapter i have published ever since i started writing a few years ago 🤣 take it as my apology for giving them an angsty story arc 🙏 let me know your thoughts and feel free to comment (bc it really motivates me to write an update haha) 🩷

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"Where am I?"

I blinked, feeling the gentle weight of something against me. It took me a second to realize that Insung was beside me, our bodies were slumped together on the floor, leaning against the sofa. The smooth leather of the couch pressed into my back, and the plush rug underneath felt soft but uncomfortable after sleeping on it for what must've been hours.

As my vision cleared, I realized that my head was nestled on his shoulder. His arm was draped protectively around me and his head was slightly tilted towards mine. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. His closeness was intoxicating, and for a moment, I didn't want to move.

But then reality crashed over me.

My heart skipped a beat as I remembered where I was-and more importantly, where I wasn't. Home. Next to Jihyun.

Panic seized in my chest. I shouldn't be here. Not like this. Not when my daughter was still probably awake and wondering where her mother went. What would she think? How could I explain this to her?

Carefully, I shifted, trying not to wake Insung. But as I moved, his arm tightened slightly around me, as if he did not want to let me go. I glanced up at him. His face was so serene and his features softened in sleep.

"Insung-ah," I whispered, my voice barely audible in the quiet room. I didn't want to wake him, but I had to go. "I need to go home."

His brows furrowed slightly, and I thought for a moment that he did not hear me. But then he stirred, his eyes opened slowly as he looked around, still groggy from sleep. His gaze found mine, and for a second, we just looked at each other in the dim light.

"What time is it?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep as he rubbed his eyes and sat up straighter. I glanced at the clock on the wall-it was almost midnight, far later than I had expected.

"It's 10 pm... Jihyun's probably looking for me," I said softly. "I should've been home hours ago."

Insung's eyes immediately sharpened, his concern creeping into his expression. He sat up fully now, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I'm sorry, I also fell asleep."

I shook my head quickly, "Kwaenchanha."

He was already on his feet when he reached down to help me up, his hand warm and firm as he pulled me gently to stand up. "Be careful," he said.

"Thanks. I-I'll just book a car." I told him, not wanting to bother him even further.

"No. I'll take you home."

As we drove back to my father's place, I tried to calm the nerves bubbling inside of me. I did not even notice how tightly I gripped the seatbelt until Insung glanced over at me.

"You okay?" he asked gently.

I offered him a small smile. "I just... I didn't mean to stay out so late. My father's probably worried too."

The words lingered in the air as we pulled in front of the mansion. The weight of everything felt so heavy suddenly, especially when I saw him standing there. My father held Jihyun in his arms and waited for me at the entrance. He wore an expression that was difficult to read-somewhere between relief and confusion.

"She's been asking for you," my father said as Jihyun wiggled in his arms.

I hurried over, reaching out to take her from him. "I'm so sorry," I muttered, pressing a kiss to the top of Jihyun's head, feeling her little hands cling to me. "Mommy's here now."