He Calls It Love, I Call It War

EPISODE 004

"What about this location, then?" With a smug smile, Tae-woo enquired. "I think it's ideal for our new project."

My stomach fell. Despite only having been here for a week, I already felt at home. I felt taken care of for the first time in a long time because everyone here was so kind. I was unable to breathe at the thought of losing it.

My gaze expanded. I knew deep down that they weren't kidding. They were capable of achieving any goal they set their minds to. I made an effort to ignore the panic that was rising in my chest. I simply listened.

Even though they didn't say it out loud, I could tell by the way they spoke. Hyun-woo, ag-time friend of Joonho, owned this orphanage. What about these guys? They were the ones behind the scenes, secretly managing everything.

Of course. Of course, they’d use this against me.

They had a knack for cornering me. Being powerless in front of people like them hurt so much. All I ever wanted was to live a simple, quiet life far from their world. However, that was asking for too much.

At that point, I heard a quiet, recognisable voice behind me. Madam Mi-kyung.

I quickly turned around and bowed slightly to her. She nodded back with a soft smile. Then she turned to look at the two people behind me. Her face went cold. She appeared perplexed.

“Young masters?” Her voice was shaking as she asked, but she was still trying to be courteous. “What... What brings you here?”

“Why?” Ji-ah replied, rolling her eyes. “We’re not allowed to come now?”

That tone. That smug attitude. I hadn’t seen her in years, but she was exactly the same.

She never respected anyone. I had not seen her in years, yet she remained unchanged. She never showed respect for anyone. I still recall how she would hurt me simply because Min-jun enjoyed conversing with me. It was merely because he treated me as a genuine individual. Her jealousy became distorted. He treated me as a genuine individual. Her jealousy became twisted. The only reason she hated me was that I wouldn't push Min-jun away. But even though I might have ought to, I never hated her in return.

“No, no”, Madam Mi-kyung spoke rapidly, obviously shaken. You're welcome, of course. After all, you own this place. All I can say is that I'm astonished.

I observed how cautious Madam Mi-kyung was around them, as if she were walking on glass. At that moment, I finally understood. I couldn't remain here any longer, even if I would rather not return with them. They would guarantee it.

I inhaled deeply while glancing at the floor.

I said, "I don't care who owns this place." However, I won't accompany you back. Today, I will move out.

That's when I decided what I wanted to do. I would no longer live my life as I had in the past, constantly saying yes and allowing them to rule me. No more.

It's obvious that Ji-ah and Tae-woo assumed I would just give in. When they first entered, they had noticed me laughing and grinning with the children. Perhaps they thought I still harboured that old fear. However, I had changed from being Eunha.

But they weren't giving up either.

I was unimportant to them. never did. However, they were now being pushed by something else. Something more substantial.

Chairman Dae-jung had ordered them to bring me back, insisting that I was still his granddaughter-in-law. He would make them pay for everything they had previously done to me if they didn't listen. I knew that they were afraid of him.

Thus, they turned to this location, which they knew would shatter me.

Tae-woo had stated, "All of these kids will have to leave if you don't return." The building is necessary for the new project. You can choose.

I repeatedly said no. However, they persisted. The weight of it broke my heart.

600 kids.

I glanced at them. Their smiles. their naive expressions.

How could I cause them pain?

So I finally gave in.

Suddenly, I found myself pulled back into the nightmare from which I had struggled so hard to get away.

-Flashback End—

I was unable to get rid of it, even after going outside for some fresh air. I couldn't get rid of that heavy feeling. When I went back to the office, Tae-woo was still there, talking to Joonho as if they were old friends.

I clenched my jaw, but I remained silent. I simply returned to my workstation and made an effort to ignore them.

When their brief meeting was over, Tae-woo departed. Joonho looked at me as the door shut behind him.

"Are you okay, Jagiya?" he enquired. You appear worn out. Would you like to go out to lunch?

"Yes, boss," I replied bluntly. I didn't give him a glance. I simply got up and moved towards the dining table in the office. My face was expressionless. cold. The same as usual.

He remained silent after that. He simply grinned to himself, as if he were accustomed to the situation. Most likely he was.

Some rustling came from behind me. I turned and saw him arranging the homemade food on the table.

That odour... It was really familiar.

All of a sudden, I had a flashback. He fed me home-cooked meals a long time ago. I didn't even mention that the meals were from him. Back then, I cursed the cook, claiming that whoever prepared it lacked taste.

I chuckled to myself as I recalled it.

A tiny grin pulled at my mouth.

Joonho saw. His eyes glowed as though he had just won something. He gazed at me as if he had never seen anything so exquisite.

My smile, however, was short-lived. After catching myself, I turned my head away and resumed eating in silence.

Even though he sat down, I could feel his eyes on me the whole time. He seemed to anticipate more.

He made a few attempts at conversation, ranging from random to work-related. However, I didn't give him much.

“All right.”

“Yes.”

“I got it.”

That's all I gave him.

The truth was unambiguous.

I only speak when it matters to me.

Joonho, too? I did not love him. He was never.

He may have believed he could win me back. Perhaps he assumed I would forget what had transpired. However, that was not going to take place.

No more.