Thursday started with rain tapping the windows and Dae-Hyun's arm heavy around my waist.
I woke up in his bed for the first time.
Not planned.
Just happened.
After the mother bomb, we talked until 3 a.m.
Then fell asleep mid-sentence.
Clothes on.
Just holding.
Safe.
His breath warm on my neck.
I turned slowly.
Watched him sleep.
Face soft.
No frown.
No walls.
I kissed his forehead.
He stirred.
Eyes opened.
Smiled sleepy.
"Morning."
Voice rough.
Sexy.
"Morning."
He pulled me closer.
Kissed slow.
Lazy.
Hot.
Hands wandering.
But phone buzzed.
Reality.
He groaned.
Reached.
Read.
Face changed.
"Press conference request. From her."
Mother.
I sat up.
"What does she want now?"
He showed me.
Email from media company.
"Exclusive: Kang Dae-Hyun reunites with long-lost mother."
Photo attached.
Old one. Him 10. Crying.
Her leaving.
My stomach turned.
"She's leaking it."
He nodded.
Slow.
Angry.
I took phone.
Texted girlies.
Me: Emergency brunch. Now. Bring laptops and rage.
They replied instantly.
On it.
10 a.m. – Café War Room
Corner table.
Five coffees.
Laptops open.
Girlies in attack mode.
Seoyeon: "Already pulled her public records. Three marriages. All rich guys."
Nari: "Social media fake as hell. Perfect family pics with new kids. Hashtag blessed."
Ara: "Classic gold digger pattern."
Jiwon: "But why now?"
Me: "Dae-Hyun said she asked for public reunion. To 'help' company image."
Seoyeon snorted.
"Help my ass."
Nari typing fast.
"Checking company registry. Old shares."
Pause.
Eyes wide.
"Bingo."
We leaned in.
Screen.
1998 document.
Mother's name.
10% shares.
Transferred to father after divorce.
But clause.
"If remarriage or public reconciliation, shares revert option."
Ara: "She wants them back."
Jiwon: "Worth billions now."
Me: "That's why the sudden love."
Seoyeon: "Bitch move."
Nari: "New husband? Venture capitalist. Needs Kang Group partnership."
Everything clicked.
Not image.
Money.
Power.
I felt sick.
Texted Dae-Hyun.
Me: Meet after work. Big news. Bad news.
Him: Tell me now.
Me: In person. Trust me.
Him: Okay. Be safe. Love you.
Heart flip.
Even now.
Afternoon – Office Tension
He was in meetings all day.
Board breathing down neck.
I brought lunch.
His office.
Closed door.
Sandwiches.
He ate two bites.
Staring at laptop.
"You okay?"
"No."
I sat on desk edge.
Legs swinging.
"Talk to me."
He looked up.
Tired.
"She leaked more photos. Kid me. Looking abandoned. Caption 'forgiving mother'."
I took his hand.
"She's playing victim."
"I know."
He pulled me into lap.
Hugged tight.
Head on shoulder.
"I hate this."
"I know."
We stayed.
Quiet.
His assistant knocked.
"CEO Kang? Press outside building."
He sighed.
"Coming."
Stood.
Fixed tie.
I fixed his hair.
Kissed quick.
"Go be boss."
He smiled.
Small.
"For you."
Left.
Strong.
But I saw shake in hand.
Evening – Penthouse Reveal
I let myself in.
He was on balcony.
Rain stopped.
City lights.
Whiskey again.
I took glass.
Drank.
Handed back.
"Bad day?"
"Worse."
I sat beside.
Told everything.
Shares.
Clause.
New husband plan.
He listened.
No interruption.
When finished.
Silence.
Then laugh.
Bitter.
"Of course."
I took his hand.
"We fight?"
He looked at me.
"Yeah."
"How?"
"Lawyer tomorrow. Block clause. Prove abandonment."
I nodded.
"Girlie army ready."
He smiled.
Real.
Pulled me close.
"You're my army."
Kissed.
Deep.
Grateful.
Hot.
Hands under shirt.
Skin.
Breathing fast.
Couch.
Clothes half off.
But phone.
His.
Lawyer.
Early call.
He groaned.
Answered.
Listened.
Face hard.
Hung up.
"She filed injunction. Claims emotional distress. Wants shares frozen pending 'reconciliation'."
I cursed.
He stood.
Paced.
"I won't let her win."
I stood too.
Wrapped arms from behind.
"You won't."
He turned.
Kissed hard.
Desperate.
We ended in bed.
Clothes off this time.
Slow.
Tender.
Hot.
First time.
Perfect.
His whispers.
My name.
Love yous.
Over and over.
After.
Tangled.
Sweaty.
Happy.
He traced my back.
"You're mine."
"Yeah."
"No contract needed."
I laughed.
Soft.
"Finally."
Slept.
Best sleep.
Ever.
Next Morning – Fight Back
Lawyer meeting.
Girlie intel.
Proof.
Abandonment records.
Old letters.
Witnesses.
Father's old secretary.
Ready.
Mother texted.
Interview today.
He ignored.
We walked into office.
Hand in hand.
Open.
No hiding.
Press outside.
Questions.
He stopped.
Microphones.
"Statement?"
He looked at me.
Smiled.
Then camera.
"My personal life is mine. Family is who I choose."
Pulled me closer.
Kiss.
Quick.
Public.
Crowd exploded.
#KangCouple new trend.
Mother furious.
Good.
War started.
But we had each other.