Treatment - Chapter 15

Jaehee Lee rarely smiles.

Firstly, he has no intention of getting along well with me, so he doesn’t easily smile at jokes that aren’t meant to be threatening, and even a casual greeting is always awkward. It wasn’t easy for him, even outside of our interactions. Since Jaehee doesn’t enjoy watching entertainment shows, he mostly remains expressionless in front of the TV, and even when he looks out the window or goes for a walk, though he may seem a bit more relaxed, he still doesn’t smile. Using a more common approach doesn’t work either. If I buy him a gift, Jaehee will just get sad. And I hate seeing him smile while looking at someone else.

At some point, I began to crave Jaehee’s smile. Imagining or waiting for the moment when his eyes would soften as he looked at me, clung to me like an accessory I couldn’t take off. 

Ironically, asking him to smile was difficult.

It’s easy to say, ‘Take off your clothes’ or ‘Spread your legs,’ but asking him to smile doesn’t come as easily since I strongly sensed that would upset Jaehee even more. Even though there’s no reason for it now, seeing an expression like that would only ruin my mood, so I always suppress the itching impulse.

Jaehee Lee’s phone rang when we were relaxing after dinner, and I watched his sluggish fingertips move.

I had set up a decent tea ceremony space under the large window downstairs. Jaehee, with his clumsy hands, would make tea, and I would lie down on the opposite side and watch him—this was our recent evening routine. He follows the steps he learned from the teacher who visited during the day, but Jaehee has no dexterity. The fact that I’m spending my days tasting all kinds of tea leaves I never even thought of drinking is just as absurd.

Hyunseong and Jaehee’s joint effort broke my stubbornness to ensure he didn’t lift a finger. Even after such a rough time, Jaehee, persistently watching my reactions, continued doing simple housework. I scolded him whenever I saw him, and Hyunseong eventually chimed in with a comment.

‘Are you really not going to let him do anything?’

‘That’s right.’

‘You need to give him some responsibilities so he can adjust to life here. If he finds out who the real homeowner is, he might be so scared that he’ll try to run away.’

‘That won’t happen if you just keep your mouth shut.’

That’s how I replied, but it kept bothering me how Jaehee couldn’t adapt to the house we’d moved into and was living like an out-of-place guest. He kept reading books diligently, waiting for my permission to transfer schools or get a certificate, but getting him to study without a clear goal only felt superficial.

Now, he greets me with some familiarity when I leave the house in the morning and return in the evening. If I suggest going to the cinema or hospital, he will follow me quietly, showing me whether he likes it or not. If I act indifferent, he eats at his own pace, even when we sit face-to-face.

The nights require a lot of effort, as usual. He still can’t resist against me, and even a little rough handling startles him and makes him freeze. But after he’s completely exhausted, he quietly offers up his body, no matter what I say or where I touch. Jaehee Lee, who blinks at me with a face that doesn’t fear but rather resents me and feels betrayed, is so adorable and pretty that I want to devour him.

It was a satisfying life.

A life where I can press him against me and mess up that fucking a*ousing face. 

But the Jaehee Lee I watched on the screen, restlessly wandering around the house in the middle of the day, looked somewhat bored. At times, I could sense a hint of confusion, as if wondering what he was doing here, through his small figure looking out the window, and Hyunseong’s words would inevitably come to mind.

‘You need to give him some responsibilities so he can adjust to life here.’

I brought him here to lock him in the house and have s*x, but why does he require so much attention? I clicked my tongue but eventually called Hyunseong to figure out what to do.

What else could I make him do besides greeting me, sending me off, and organizing the clothes I hand him when I return home? What small task could bind Jaehee, who still sees himself as a stray, to this place? Hyunsung’s suggestion was unexpected.

‘Why don’t you teach him the art of tea-making?’

‘What?’

‘He’s not really into alcohol, and making cocktails doesn’t suit him either. Something that requires a lot of effort and patience. You could start with tea leaves and maybe teach him to make coffee, too. It could be a good way to chat, and it’d be nice to watch.’

Nice to watch.

True, Jaehee Lee has a pretty face, so watching him do anything is interesting. I immediately set up a space, gathered the necessary tools, and chose a decent teacher for him. Of course, Jaehee wasn’t thrilled about it.

‘…Why all this…?’

‘For me to drink.’

‘……….’

‘Learn it well and make it for me.’

Did he have any interest in tea? The gaze that seemed to doubt my sincerity didn’t linger long. He silently nodded and soon turned his head away. Once again, he resembled a dog obediently submitting to its cruel master. I grabbed him, angry at how he didn’t even say no twice, and we had noisy s*x. The class scheduled for the next day was postponed by a couple of days, but eventually, Jaehee Lee began making tea.

I watched his hands carefully as he poured the water evenly into the warmed tea vessels after he arranged the fine porcelain. His hands were clumsy, as if unsure whether he was doing it right, but he seemed to remember what he’d been taught. And then, at some point, Jaehee’s phone buzzed with a bright light.

“……..”

His hands, which were awkwardly pouring the tea back and forth, suddenly trembled, and he looked at me cautiously. Before a spiteful urge took over, I gestured with my chin, and Jaehee Lee handed me the half-filled tea bowl and answered the call.

“Mom.”

His tone was relieved, as if he’d discovered something familiar in an unfamiliar place.

And barely concealed longing.

“Have you been well?”

As expected, my insides twisted. The mother he adored, the woman who’d consistently ignored him while busy with her new life, had actually called first.

As much as he cared for her, Jaehee Lee wasn’t particularly close to his mother. Tired of poverty, Jaehee’s mother likely paid less attention to her youngest child, who caused fewer problems than her husband or eldest son, and the gentle Jaehee probably became a frequent target of her frustration. Jaehee seemed accustomed to suppressing his emotions and complying in front of his mother, never being the top priority in any situation. Therefore, despite her being the only person he ever opened his heart to, he always kept a distance, finding solace in that distance while still longing for her from afar.

From the side, his face was gentle and welcoming to the point of making me jealous, yet they exchanged few words. He never initiated affectionate conversation, just quietly answered with things like, ‘Yes, I’ve eaten,’ or ‘No, I’m okay.’

I sipped the tea slowly without taking my eyes off him. The tea was clear and refreshing in color but left a bitter taste on my tongue. Jaehee, who has no dexterity or worldly sense, should’ve discarded the woman who doesn’t even look at him and instead focused on figuring out how to serve me, but he remains so ignorant.

In any case, I didn’t plan to grab Jaehee and make him moan while he was on the phone with his mother. Not yet, anyway. To reiterate, Jaehee’s mother is an important card to me, and if I mishandle her, as Hyunseong said, Jaehee Lee might never want to see me again.

Someday, I intend to make Jaehee himself confess his relationship with me to that woman, not as someone he’s indebted to but as someone with whom her son shares his life and body. For that purpose, my concession was letting him talk to her with such a happy face.

“The holiday?”

Jaehee asked quietly after listening intently to his phone.

The holiday ten days from now. Thinking about the canceled Jeju plans and Jaehee Lee going to care for some old lady instead made my brows furrow.

“…I’m not sure yet.”

His voice was low. Sitting sideways, Jaehee wasn’t looking at me, but I knew what the woman was asking. If he could see her or if they could meet during the holiday. Conscious of my gaze, he hesitated to give a clear answer. That was expected. Given his current situation, where even his breathing was under my control, it was natural…

“……..”

Though they seemed distant, they probably always met on holidays or birthdays.

Suddenly, my mind distorted. As soon as he agreed to the old lady’s suggestion, I planned to order Hyunseong to ensure Jaehee Lee didn’t leave the house for even a moment.

“I’ll call you later.”

If I leave, Jaehee will become more anxious, thinking about not being able to meet his mother. He might find his endlessly confined situation distressing, and without a role to anchor him, his mind could drift again. Rather than planting an unnecessary temptation, just permitting him would be easier. If I’m going to be generous, it’s better to send Hyunseong with him while I’m away. After all, once I return, we’ll be locked in for three days and nights, doing nothing but having s*x.

Jaehee Lee, completely unaware of these thoughtful considerations of mine, was still whispering softly into the phone.

“…I don’t know… Just take care, Mom.”

Along with a faint scolding, a subtle smile brushed across his profile. It was a weak, pitiful expression, but he sometimes smiles like that when he’s talking to his mother. No matter what I do, I can never get that smile.

With a rough sound, I set down my teacup, and only then did his gaze return to me as he hurried to finish the call. Yes, hang up. A faint, affectionate farewell lingered in the air. He gets so uncomfortable when he talks to me, but he’s so annoyingly sweet to others.

Turning to face me after putting down his phone, I spoke coldly to Jaehee.

“It’s bitter.”

“………”

Jaehee, who has no dexterity or worldly sense, picked up his cup and took a sip before silently furrowing his brow.

Glaring at his reddened lips, I stood up and grabbed his thin wrist.

****

‘”Wow. Did I hear that right?”

It was an openly mocking tone directed at me. Without even looking up, I continued eating, and Hyunseong, sensing the mood, started to prattle on.

“To let him go while you’re away, how did you become so generous? He probably has no idea, and yet suddenly….”

“Shut your mouth.”

“…Shouldn’t you wake him up for something like this?”

Hyunseong shrugged lightly.

I barely fell asleep at dawn, leaving Jaehee Lee still slumbering. Now, I was downstairs with Hyunseong, getting ready to head out.

My twisted temper last night made my hands a bit rough. Even then, the extent of it was squeezing Jaehee’s waist, biting him somewhere, or gripping him down below until I heard the words I wanted. I didn’t do anything too intense like I used to. In the past, even the slightest sign of his resistance would have my hands flying, but now I know how much of a coward and weakling Jaehee Lee is.

He had become skilled at taking me in, catching his breath, and positioning himself. Wrapping his arms around me as I persistently bit his n*pples, soothing me as I grew excited and letting out small whines at the most painful moments. These things accumulated over time, becoming Jaehee’s weapons. Even though he struggled after only a few times, I no longer treated him carelessly. The rest was a matter of stamina and s*xual desire—or perhaps willpower.

“The chairman contacted us again. He’s asking how the preparations are going.”

Preparations? I was too dumbfounded to respond. I’m not a field operative, nor do I have the qualifications to attend many events like this. What preparations? At most, I’d attend an unofficial dinner or a public forum, only to be mentioned briefly in the company newsletter. Posturing that was simply aimed at executives and shareholders who’d be keenly interested in the succession of the owner’s family.

Hyunseong smiled as he continued speaking.

“This is the first time you’ve agreed to attend such an event, Young Master, so perhaps the chairman’s excited. Maybe it’s also because he’s gotten weaker with age. Even so, he’s still curious about your studies and often asks how school’s going.”

Hyunseong, who grew up with the family’s support, seemed to hold some respect or something for the old man. No matter how lowly I treated the old man, Hyunseong never wavered, showing he had quite a level of stubbornness, too. I liked that about him—that while he obeyed me absolutely, he still held his ground on things within his personal territory. If Jaehee were to show the same stubbornness, I’d tear him apart immediately.

“Tell him to keep working like a dog and make lots of money. And not to lose it all in his senility.”

“You should inherit it before that happens, Young Master.”

Between attending school and looking after Jaehee Lee, thinking about staking a claim in that company felt distant. I didn’t even want to think about it. With my life more stable, it seemed my idleness was returning.

After finishing my meal silently, I brushed my teeth and came out. Hyunseong handed me my phone and bag and spoke jokingly.

“Are you really going to start at the bottom in the legal department? You know it’s just a scheme for him to work you to the bone.”

It wasn’t the old man, but that bastard Kyunghoon Woo. I ground my teeth as I remembered how, thanks to that asshole, I ended up majoring in a field like law.

“A lowly employee with a personal secretary—what a laughable sight that would be.”

Even if only in formality, I had to climb step by step from the bottom; it would make things less troublesome later. After all, this was my responsibility now. If I wanted to keep Jaehee Lee comfortably confined and not starve him to death, I’d have to handle this correctly. After obtaining my law license, I even planned to enter graduate school for business. Perhaps I should take Jaehee Lee abroad with me? No, I quickly abandoned the thought. He’s already anxious and unfamiliar with everything here—how could I make him smile if I took him to a foreign country?

After attending a morning lecture, I secluded myself in a corner, organizing clauses and reading precedent cases, until my phone eventually rang. 

It was Hyunseong informing me that two of the old man’s secretaries were heading to the house, probably with something to deliver.

“Don’t let them in. You handle it.”

[I’m currently on the move after handling that matter in Seocho. From the looks of it, they’re high-ranking officials who directly report to the chairman. If you leave them outside, he won’t be happy.]

“Then step on it as much as possible.”

[…I’m only setting off now. Let me contact Kyungwook.]

Sending officials who directly report to him gave me a hunch that the old man was trying to spy on me. He wanted to see Jaehee Lee. I just laughed at that. Was he crazy to think I’d show him Jaehee? The bodyguards would be the ones to accept whatever item he was dropping off.

Locking up a helpless guy and posting two bodyguards at the only entrance was basically advertising I had a serious weakness. It didn’t matter; it was better than a cheap shot. And if they were already watching closely, I’d reinforce that Jaehee was a weak point that I wouldn’t tolerate anyone touching, and I’d strengthen my position.

Not long after, a message came from the bodyguard Hyunseong contacted. The men had arrived and were carrying up a large item. I picked up my tablet and checked the screen, where I saw Jaehee loitering at the end of the hallway leading to the front door from the downstairs living room. His gaze was fixed on the shadows beyond the glass door. When the door opened, he instinctively pressed himself against the wall, and after a moment, he hesitantly followed the guards carrying a large box upstairs.

I responded to Hyunseong’s message sent 10 minutes ago.

[Tell Jaehee Lee to unpack and organize it properly.]

It seemed Hyunseong had relayed the message as Jaehee stood frozen, staring at the box in the bedroom. Even after the guards left, he remained still for a long time before slowly starting to move. My dear and insolent Jaehee Lee, teaching me boundless patience.

His hands were cautious, even from afar, as he untied the ribbon, opened the box, and pulled out items wrapped in stiff paper and soft fabric. A newly tailored suit, tie, tie bar, cufflinks, watch, shoes, and bag—all meticulously arranged. The old man’s flair for grand gestures was evident. 

And somewhere in there was surely a gift for Jaehee Lee, too.

Jaehee, who carefully laid out the items on the bed, stared at them blankly before repacking them and heading to the dressing room. When I returned home, I would see the new items neatly displayed according to my preferred layout. Although he lacks skill, once he’s aware of the right format, he knows how to present and organize things neatly. While I don’t intend to use Jaehee for labor, receiving this level of service from the only person I’ve brought into the bedroom isn’t bad.

Should I tell him to try them on?

And then tell him to take them off again.

If I quietly watched him and suggested that, wouldn’t he obediently follow my words, even with embarrassed eyes? If he glanced at me with that coy, erotic face, there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him.

“………”

Satisfied with what I was watching, I suddenly clicked my tongue.

I’d done something I didn’t want to. It was indeed too much to leave something like that behind and then vacate the house.

“You… smell s*xy.”

I lifted my hand from where it’d been playing with Jaehee Lee’s waist, gently touched his closed eyes, and murmured. I was ignoring the fact that I hadn’t let him sleep until dawn, deliberately disturbing his tired morning rest.

At first, he was so unfamiliar with my presence, but now, no matter how much I disturb him, he gets enough sleep to satisfy my needs. Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t have the energy to feel discomfort anymore, but whatever the reason, seeing him lean into me, deeply breathing as he sleeps, leaves me with a strange feeling. Who would’ve thought that this unfamiliar guy, who I thought would be just a passing encounter, would sleep in my house? Every day, without fail, without me getting tired of it.

Sometimes, the time Jaehee and I have spent together also feels unfamiliar to me.

A youth that was neither glorious nor desperate. Merely nothing more than a loose string of violent and dull moments.

When I rescued him, Jaehee Lee was worn out and tattered by poverty. I vividly remember that helpless misfortune, and though I’ve never empathized with it, I took him without deserving him anyway. And now, the karma of that choice returns, forcing me to live with my temper subdued.

I had no intention of letting him go. Not even a little….

“Jaehee Lee, did you hear me?”

So whether Jaehee resents or fears me, he must read me more sincerely. He should at least understand how I feel a little bit, leaving my tower empty while my indifferent Rapunzel stays behind.

“You’re s*xy….”

As if to stop my sticky words, Jaehee opened his eyes with a low sigh. His pale face looked like a frightened boy under the cozy morning light filtered through the curtains. He must’ve been worn out from dealing with my sharp temper and rough hands lately.

The first day of the holiday, I’m leaving today.

I only told him I’d be leaving just before bed last night. There was no reason to give Jaehee Lee the pleasure of knowing in advance.

‘I won’t be coming home for a few days starting tomorrow. But I’ll be back before the holidays end, just so you know.’

‘………’

I spat out the words coldly for no reason, then stared intently at his face. I had been wondering for days. If I told Jaehee I was leaving the house, what kind of expression would he make? He’s not stupid enough to openly show relief, but…

‘What, are you so happy I’m leaving you can’t speak?’

Even with his expressionless face that rarely showed his true feelings, I couldn’t help but feel irritated.

As I approached Jaehee Lee, who looked puzzled as if wondering why I was suddenly being so spiteful, I began to undress. Jaehee, dressed in his pajamas, sat at the edge of the bed while I, having just returned home, stripped off each piece of clothing as if performing a striptease for a stone. When I approached him, running my hand over my exposed and menacing erection, Jaehee remained silent with a grim expression as if lost for words.

A man you live with says he won’t be home for a few days. What should you say in response? There were countless possible answers, but he seemed to struggle to choose one. Smirking, I asked him again.

‘You have nothing to say?’

‘… Uh, um…’

I couldn’t bear Jaehee’s hesitant mumbling and cut him off.

‘If you have nothing to say, then just suck.’

Extending my hand, I grabbed his chin, touching his cheek and earlobe, then roughly pulled his hair, forcing his lips to my g*nitals.

‘…..!’

Jaehee, faced with my suddenly fierce touch, opened his mouth obediently despite not understanding what was happening. His small, hot tongue wrapped around the tip, carefully sucking it in. Even when I’m not fully e*ect, Jaehee can’t manage to take half of me in. If I force it in, he can take a bit more, but then he’ll only be able to eat porridge for days. The thought amused me. Feeding my pup was as important as having him suck my c*ck.

It’s not like he’s actually that pleased. He’s naturally slow to react and likely too stunned by my sudden cruelty to respond. Normally, I would’ve taken my time to let him figure it out, but with my departure set for tomorrow, I couldn’t help but feel irritated, especially when he showed me no affection. After that, it followed the usual course.

I e*aculated roughly, filling his small mouth until it overflowed, letting it drip onto his face, neck, and chest. Then, I made him straddle my thigh and move on his own. Eventually, I took control of his hips, lifting him high and roughly impaling him on my d*ck to satisfy my urges. Jaehee’s weak and vulnerable body would complain of muscle pain for days if I played too rough. If he’s locked up in the bedroom while I’m away, getting used to the shape of my d*ck, it’d be fine with me. 

“How was last night?”

I stroked Jaehee’s reproachful eyes as I recalled the night before. Who else but him would find it rude to be asked about s*x?

“… Rough.”

Jaehee, who didn’t want to deal with rough treatment from the morning, forced out an answer in a hoarse voice.

“And?”

“… Long.”

Is he trying to say I was persistent? I ignored his desire to stop several times, so his feelings were justified. I pulled his limp body close and kissed his neck.

“Then tell me what you want to do. I’ll listen.”

“…..”

Jaehee is so quiet that I’ve gotten to the point where I can ask him anything about our time in bed. His preferred position, angle, words. He wouldn’t dare suggest we stop altogether, fearing the repercussions. Besides wanting it not to be painful or exhausting, Jaehee Lee has no specific preferences, making this a difficult task for me.

“Until then, I’ll do whatever I want.”

Of course, that was a lie. I’ll keep doing whatever I want. Is there anything more entertaining in this world than forcing and frightening the ever-submissive Jaehee Lee?

From the nape of his neck, I caught Jaehee’s scent. The scent that made me a*oused, weak, and flirty. And the subtle smell of fear lurking low. I gritted my teeth as my tongue and fingers roamed over his barely awake body. Moaning faintly, Jaehee wrapped his arms around my waist and gently placed his hands on my back, his heart pounding sweetly through thin flesh and bone.

Eyes that meet mine awkwardly, only to quickly glance away; a chest that tries to stay composed but trembles at the slightest pressure; thin legs quivering beneath the weight of my thigh; g*nitals that slowly harden as they learn to feel pleasure in my grip; words that linger on the tip of his tongue, swallowed without a sound… all of it belongs to me. No matter how much I touch, lick, bite, or consume, my poor pup won’t disappear. Even if I’m gone, Jaehee Lee will stay right here, waiting for me.

After forcing him to e*aculate, I held his exhausted body in my arms.

Because Jaehee belongs to me,

“I’ll wash you.”

“… No, I…”

The sound of his refusal doesn’t reach my ears.

Not long ago, I replaced the woman who was preparing the meals.

She’d worked well for a long time, but when she said that her cancer had returned and she needed immediate hospitalization, there was nothing more to say. I told her to make up some trivial excuse about her chronic illness. There’s no need for someone as soft-hearted as Jaehee Lee to know the truth.

In any case, it was a good thing. One mother was enough; Jaehee didn’t need anyone else to pour his affection on. Seeing him greeting the bodyguards or sending even a fleeting glance toward Hyunseong was already unbearable. Besides, isn’t it a problem that he already keeps too much distance from me? Reinforcing the idea that anyone you grow too attached to could be cut off at any time would be a good idea.

The new woman Hyunseong brought in had an old debt to me. I had spent my reckless youth with her son, and when he got caught up in something big and was about to be handed over to the Kwon family, I took him in, sparing him from losing his limbs. There wasn’t anyone in the family I could trust, but after sending him somewhere that would at least treat him better than the Kwons, I didn’t look into it any further. Meaningful connections that I’d bother remembering were never something I had.

“Ah, you’re up, Young Boss?”

It’s true that I have a few properties in my name and that I pay the woman’s salary, but no one has ever called me that. The bodyguards and Hyunseong, who’ve been with me since the main house, just call me ‘Young Master.’ I let the ridiculous title slide because it was amusing to see Jaehee’s puzzled face, wondering what it could mean. It’s pathetic and infuriating to beg for Jaehee Lee’s attention and concern, but it has become a daily habit.

The woman’s cooking skills weren’t bad. Even though I don’t care much about what I eat, Jaehee, who often loses his appetite and frequently gets indigestion, was easily handled by the woman with a long caregiving history. On top of that, she fussed over him, trying to feed him this and that. She wasn’t overly fearful of me, nor did she get startled easily, so she didn’t think much of us living together. She wasn’t particularly talkative, but when she did speak, her words were oddly bold, which always surprised Jaehee. It became a new form of entertainment.

Jaehee’s face, looking at the breakfast in front of him, was pale and languid. Having been tormented again this morning, I would’ve let him sleep longer if I wasn’t about to leave on a long journey. Watching him slowly put the boiled vegetables, steamed meat, and light broth into his mouth with a lack of appetite, I impulsively called the woman waiting in the kitchen. When left unchecked, Jaehee quickly becomes lazy about eating. And it’s more effective to scold him in front of a servant, threatening their livelihood, than to do it when we’re alone.

“Pay attention and make sure he eats well. Don’t think that skipping a meal is no big deal. If he skips a meal, it really is a big deal. And don’t serve him large chunks of food drenched in oil; treat him like an old man with no teeth and keep it light….”

Unable to hold it in any longer, the woman smirked insolently.

“Young Boss, you may speak harshly, but you’re so gentle with this young gentleman.”

“……….”

I wasn’t particularly bothered by that insolent comment, but I was amused by Jaehee’s surprised face, which turned a delicate pink, like a half-bloomed flower. Smiling as if to encourage her, I looked at the woman. Catching my gaze, she left with the soup bowl and returned, whispering to Jaehee.

“You’re lucky to have such a strong protector.”

I knew she was an experienced woman, having been around the block since her youth, but it was surprisingly refreshing that something I’d kept to myself could be spoken aloud like this. No matter what anyone says, for Jaehee, I’m a husband worth being proud of. Neither Hyunseong nor my bodyguards had ever spoken to me like that.

Jaehee, who’d been watching me laugh quietly, looked at the woman, not knowing how to handle the mischievous remark. How he struggled to brush off such teasing was especially sweet. Unsure what to do, Jaehee reluctantly picked up his spoon and resumed eating.

I had something to wrap up, so I got up first to leave the table.

As I took a few steps away, I heard the woman stifle a laugh and then mutter as if making an excuse.

“Oh, do you want to scold me? Since I’m being a bother….”

“………”

I paused and then turned back around with a feigned look of disbelief.

“Are you in trouble with Jaehee Lee?”

Both the woman and Jaehee’s eyes fixed on me simultaneously. I looked at Jaehee.

“Can you scold me too, Jaehee Lee?”

“……..”

“……..”

After a moment of silence, the woman chuckled again, and Jaehee looked up at me with an extremely flushed face.

I quickly got hard.

It was the first time that Jaehee had looked at me with resentment rather than cowering at my threatening words.

“Try speaking like that in front of him again. It’s entertaining.”

I handed a few bills to the woman, who was tidying up the kitchen. She took the money without any sign of surprise or gratitude.

“I know what you mean, sir.”

It wasn’t because I appreciated her intuition that I brought her into the house, but it was unexpectedly convenient.

“If you understand, stop calling him a young gentleman.”

The woman laughed and then said,

“Now that I think about it, he’s not a young gentleman but the lady of the house.”

“Don’t say anything that would shock him.”

“I’ll choose my words wisely, sir.”

Although she behaved warmly without barriers, she wouldn’t get too close to Jaehee Lee. If she became too familiar, I’d cut her off immediately, so I chose someone who wouldn’t form unnecessary attachments. I didn’t bother threatening Jaehee separately. After all, he must already know my temperament, given the time we’ve spent together.

I approached and sat beside Jaehee, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room. His profile as he quietly stared at his phone was captivating. When I took him to the movies, it pleased me to see his eyes light up as he nodded enthusiastically in response to whether he enjoyed it. Showing happiness for himself, not related to his mother, and focusing on our time together were special moments.

I imagined taking him to a place like Jeju Island. Watching him get lost in the lush greenery, unable to take his eyes off the scenery, would be delightful. If he nodded prettily when I asked if he liked it, I could kiss him without forcing it and strip him down naturally. Maybe even caress him in front of people. It’s a shame it didn’t happen. It’s a shame, but…

“Next time we’ll go, next time.”

“…..?”

Not understanding what I meant, Jaehee Lee looked at me quizzically. I kissed him all over his face in my usual way. I preferred biting his cheek, nape, or earlobes randomly over just pressing lips our lips together. It gave me a sense of claiming him as mine.

At the entrance to the living room, Hyunseong and the bodyguards were waiting anxiously. Since I’d decided to take my time, the people sent by the main house had probably been waiting downstairs for some time.

Standing up and pulling Jaehee close, I naturally snatched his phone from him. Leading him by the hand toward the front door, I glanced at the screen; as expected, there was nothing of importance. It’s not like he could go out, so why bother checking the weather? My curiosity was quickly answered when I saw the text he’d sent. 

[Mom, it’s supposed to rain tonight. Take care not to catch a cold.]

He’s not the type to check in on anyone, yet he goes out of his way for his mother.

I put on my shoes at the entrance and looked back quietly. For once, Jaehee Lee spoke up first.

“Have a safe trip.”

It’s not that he’s warmed up to me, but it’s a sign that he finds me less intimidating. Who wouldn’t know that he just wants to send me off so he can relax? Handing the phone back, I said,

“Contact me.”

“………”

My gaze turned darker as I looked down at him.

“I’m telling you to contact me.”

“…Have a safe trip.”

Muttering, Jaehee held out his hand.

I placed the phone in his pale palm and sighed lightly.

I may not deserve it, given what I’ve done, but… well, it’s not like I’ve ever been one to concern myself with things like that.

“Listen to me while I’m being nice.”

“…….”

Sometimes, Jaehee can be cruel to me too.