His CEO

out of the woods

"Have fun with Auntie Yejin and Uncle Hyunbin, okay?"

Jihyun looked up, her wide eyes meeting her mother's gaze. She hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod, her fingers still clutching the soft fabric of her bunny. "Will you come pick me up later, Eomma?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Jihyo smiled gently, reaching back to tug a loose strand of Jihyun's hair behind her ear. "Of course, baby. I'll come get you as soon as dinner is over."

Jihyun nodded again, this time more firmly, though there was still a lingering sadness in her eyes. Jihyo hated leaving her, even if it was just for a few hours, but she knew it was for the best.

As they stepped out of the car, Yejin's front door swung open, revealing her with a wide smile. "There's my favorite princess!" Yejin called out, her arms open wide as Jihyun shyly walked up the steps toward her. "Are you ready for a fun night? Uncle Hyunbin is already making your favorite snacks!"

Jihyun's face brightened at the mention of snacks. "Really?"

"Yes, and it's only for you!" Yejin then glanced back at Jihyo, giving her an assuring smile. "Don't worry, we've got her covered," she said.

Jihyo smiled in return, grateful for Yejin's support. "Thank you. I'll be back to get her later."

Jihyo had barely settled into the driver's seat when her phone buzzed, lighting up with Insung's name. She reached for the phone, her pulse quickening slightly as she accepted the call.

"Hey," Insung's familiar voice came through the line, though there was a tension in his tone. "We're already here at the mansion. My father and I got here a little earlier than expected. Are you close?"

"I'm on my way now," she replied, keeping her voice steady even as her thoughts raced. "I just dropped Jihyun off at Yejin's. She was a little nervous, but I think she'll be okay."

Insung let out a small sigh, the warmth in his voice softening. "I'm sure she will. Yejin and Hyunbin will keep her busy, and I know she'll be fine once she starts playing."

Jihyo smiled faintly, though her heart still felt heavy. "Yeah, I know."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Insung spoke again, his voice lower this time, more serious. "Are you okay?"

Jihyo swallowed, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel. She could feel the weight of the evening ahead, the pressure that had been building between their families, where there were a lot of unspoken expectations and things left unresolved.

"I'm okay," she said, though the words felt heavier than they sounded. "I'll see you in a while."

They ended the call, and as Jihyo drove toward the Song family mansion, the silence settled back in.

Meanwhile, at the mansion, the tension was beyond thick that even the air seemed to resist being breathed. Jo Insung sat at the long, polished oak table, his mind churning as he tried to stay composed. His gaze briefly flickered to the heavy wooden doors, hoping to save him from the deafening silence when Jihyo arrived.

Song Jinhwan sat at the head of the table. His silence was commanding, his eyes, sharp and cold, flicking between Insung and his father, Jo Jinhyuk. Jinhyuk sipped his wine, clearly uncomfortable but unwilling to speak. He, like Insung, could sense the gravity of what lay ahead.

Finally, the door opened. Jihyo stepped in. She moved quietly, taking her seat across from Insung, her gaze went toward him for a brief moment. It was an apology, a silent one, but the weight of the situation had long since outgrown mere looks or whispered words.