Chapter 36.1

Chapter 36.1

The black card, supposedly issued only to the ultra-wealthy, flashed under the light.

“…Four million a month isn’t enough, so you’re giving me a card too?”

“You wanna go out and just suck your fingers?”

“I don’t think my medical skills were that impressive. Doesn’t seem like it’s for being your primary care physician, so do you always hand out cards like this after sleeping with someone? If so, I’ll take it.”

“Yeah, you got it. I’ll give you a card, a car, even buy you a house, so pocket plenty while you’re having your fun with me.”

“You might regret it. I haven’t spent much ‘cause I’m stuck here, but I’m actually a huge spender.”

“I know. You spent so much you blew through your whole fortune. All you’ve got left is a rundown rental.”

Gukhyun smirked, sitting on the edge of the bed, gently stroking Heeju’s hair. His face said he already knew exactly where her money went. Of course he’d know—he’d done his background checks.

“You hired an expensive lawyer to lock that bastard enemy of yours in jail. Shouldn’t you be happy? Why’d you go diving into the sea?”

“…”

“You shouldn’t have gone to a lawyer in the first place. Should’ve come to a guy like me. I’d have killed him without a trace.”

“I should’ve done that. But he’s already in prison, so it’s too late now.”

“You never know.”

Gukhyun fixed the blanket over her and gave her shoulder a quick pat. When he stood, the bed shifted slightly.

“He might get out as a model prisoner, right?”

While Heeju mulled over his cryptic words, Gukhyun slipped on his jacket and walked out of the room.

“Sleep some more. You won’t be getting much tonight.”

With that affectionate tone, the door clicked shut.

***

“Hey, kiddo, grab the biggest star over there.”

Sungang was busy decorating the tree alone. Heeju pulled a star-shaped ornament from the box he pointed to and handed it over.

“This one’s gotta go right at the top. No question.”

Finishing the tree, Sungang put his hands on his hips and proudly admired his work.

“How’s it look? Feels kinda Christmas-sy now, doesn’t it?”

The living room echoed with the soft Christmas carols Sungang had playing. Heeju stood next to him and nodded.

“Yeah, it does.”

If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t even have realized tomorrow was Christmas. She vaguely knew the end of the year was coming, but Christmas just made her feel gloomy.

And no wonder. She spent Christmas every year with her sister. They’d go to the mart, stock up groceries, then sprawl on the bed from Christmas Eve, binge-watching all eight movies of that wizard series through the night. It was their yearly tradition, their own Christmas ritual.

Her first Christmas without Ko Heejin.

Heeju stared blankly up at the giant tree Sungang had painstakingly decorated. Special days without her sister would keep coming. Maybe, with time, the pain would dull. Or maybe not.

“Our Gang-ah is such a fucking child, huh? If it snows, you probably gonna run out and roll around in the yard?”

Chulhyun leaned back on the sofa, sipping tea and teasing. Unlike his usual hoodie and leather jacket, he was, for some reason, dressed in a neat suit. He’d mentioned attending a Christmas service after work.

“You’re off to celebrate your Father God’s birthday, so why the hell you b@tch!.ng?”

As the two bickered loudly, Heeju quietly slipped on her coat. Sungang glanced at her and shot Chulhyun a look.

“Kid, you said you’re heading to the lab, right? Chulhyun will drop you off on his way.”

Usually, Sungang tagged along when Heeju went out, but today he seemed to have other plans. Judging by his Christmas excitement, he probably had a date with a girlfriend.

“If everyone’s busy, I can go by myself. It’s not far by taxi.”

“Wake up, will you? Call me when you’re done. I’ll come pick you up.”

“Heeju-ssi, do you know where Gang-ah ran off to after dumping you on me?”

Chulhyun grinned, pulling on a cashmere coat over his suit.

“No, I don’t know…”

“He’s picking up a Christmas cake. F8k!>ng adorable, right?”

“Ah, f2ck. Why’s that idiot spouting nonsense again…”

Sungang grimaced as he threw a Santa Claus ornament he was holding. Chulhyun deftly caught the ornament flying straight at his face and shot Sungang a smug wink. Then he strode ahead and opened the front door for Heeju.

“Let’s go.”