"Donât go far, Suin."
The grip on her hand was firm.
Woo Ilhwaâs eyes, which had lifted to meet hers, were tangled with countless emotions.
Pity and gratitude.
Regret and guilt.
"Chairwomanâ¦"
Suin remained silent.
The warmth of Woo Ilhwaâs hands, wrapped tightly around hers, seeped into her skin. Her gaze, shimmering with unshed tears, was gentle.
And yetâ¦
It was confusing.
She had always drawn a clear line between work and personal matters. So surely, donât go far must have meant that she wanted Suin to remain as her secretary.
Thatâs why she answered humbly.
"I only did my jobâ¦"
But thenâ
"Iâm sorry, Suin."
Woo Ilhwa apologized.
As if cradling something precious, she stroked Suinâs hand with care. Her voice carried a bitter self-reproach.
"I was foolish, lost in my own selfish desires. I let myself be swayed by societyâs prejudices. Without you, I make such pathetic mistakesâ¦"
"Chairwomanâ¦"@@novelbin@@
"I was wrong. Iâm so sorry."
She tightened her grip, now holding Suinâs hands with both of hers. Then, with a deep, steady gaze, she asked,
"You were hurt, werenât you?"