Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on.

The amber liquid swirled lazily in Minseo's glass, tilting and rolling as his hand moved in subtle circles. He watched it, mesmerized, as if it held some secret he was desperate to uncover. It reminded him of a marionette-he concluded-lifeless, a mere puppet pulled by invisible strings, powerless to resist its master's whim.

He suddenly hated the image because he saw himself in that puppet.

Being controlled was the deepest kind of humiliation, an ever-present reminder of his own helplessness.

He was supposed to lead, to carry forward the company he had dedicated his life to. Yet even after Hyejun's calculated death, he couldn't claim the position that should have been his. Instead, he had been left to scrape by, kept just close enough to the seat of power to feel its heat but always kept out of reach.

Two years had passed since he'd been the head at MY GALAXY, and he still hadn't moved an inch closer to the top. He remained trapped under the thumb of Kim Jiwoo and the Board's stupid decisions, his ambitions snuffed out each time he reached for more.

The thought burned in him like a fever.

He had tried persuading the Board, even appealing to them directly, to see that Hyejun's son was an unfit leader-a young, inexperienced fool with no grasp of business and even less understanding of required knowledge. But instead of listening to his secret desire, they replaced him with the boy's mother, a woman whose quiet, kind methods were as dangerous as her son's obliviousness. The injustice was bitter, searing, and when he'd heard the news, he had wanted to tear down anyone who stood in his way of reclaiming MY GALAXY. But he had held back; a plan had begun to take shape.

One day, in his mind's eye, he and his family would hold MY GALAXY in an unbreakable grip, a legacy that would ensure no one ever looked down on him again. After all, everything he did was for his love, for the life they had dreamed of and shaped into human form, for the legacy they deserved.

It cost sacrificing years of hard work and passing up dreams of luxurious holidays, like trips to Jeju or romantic getaways in far-flung, exotic places with Hae Ji and their son. Yet he would throw it all away without hesitation if it meant realizing his vision. If anyone dared stand in his path, they would be swept aside without mercy.

"Everything is fair in love and war," he often muttered to himself, a mantra that had taken on new weight over the past few years.

He had plans, schemes bubbling in his mind, though he knew the current timing wasn't right. For now, he would sit in this poor Cheongdo hotel room, savor his bourbon, and refine the plans that would bring the Kims' reign to a fitting end.

With one quick, decisive motion, he downed the last of his drink, a sigh escaping his lips as he savored the bitter warmth. It was early for drinking, but who could judge a man imprisoned by forces beyond his control, chained away from what he loved most-his family and the son he longed to raise rather than spend his days navigating tedious company functions and lifeless boardrooms.

The thought of watching bulls brawl that evening brought another bitter taste to his mouth. He considered pouring another drink, only to be interrupted by a sharp ping from his phone.

He checked the screen and froze. It was a text from her. Just the sight of her name softened his tension, bringing an instinctive smile to his face. But as he read further, that smile faded.

The message contained a room number and the address of a nearby hotel. She was here.

In moments, he was out the door, abandoning his plans for the day as he made his way to her. He even broke a traffic rule or two on the way but reached the hotel in record time.

After a sharp knock, he didn't wait for a response before pushing his way in, closing the door firmly behind him.

"What the hell are you doing here, Hae Ji?" His voice was harsh, far more than he intended, but the urgency of the situation gripped him too tightly to care.

Had Ji flinched, surprised by his tone. "Minseo, I'm sorry. I just. . . missed you. I couldn't stand waiting any longer. It's been too long." Her words wavered as she reached out to embrace him, but he moved past her, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to keep his frustration in check.

"Damn it, Hae Ji. You shouldn't have come here. You know it was reckless."

Her hazel eyes narrowed, hurt flashing in her gaze. "Reckless?" she echoed, her voice gaining an edge. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you didn't think," he snapped. "What if someone saw you with me? Did you even think about what could happen if he found out?"

Hae Ji's breathing grew shallow as she fought back tears. She turned away from him, looking out at the street below.

"I missed you too, but we agreed not to meet until things settled," he said, voice softening as he walked toward her. "I can't risk anything happening to you. You know that."

He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, and she sniffled, but a fierce glint sparked in her eyes as she squared her shoulders and met his gaze.

"So what if he knows?" she whispered, defiance blazing in her voice. "If he dares to come between us like his precious one did before, he'll meet the same end. I don't care what it takes. I can and will do anything for you."

Amused, Minseo couldn't help but smirk, the intensity of her words rekindling his own resolve. Her strength, her fearlessness-these were the qualities that had drawn him in from the beginning. He had fallen in love with her a thousand times over, and yet wondered how he'd been so lucky to find her. She was a gift he would cherish until his last breath.

He kissed her, deeper this time. "God, I love you so much."

She returned his kiss, whispering back, "I love you, too. More than you'll ever know."

They stood in a long embrace, exchanging quiet words of love and longing.

"How much longer do we have to live like this?" she asked, leaning into him. "Minji keeps asking where you are. He misses you-and the Belgian chocolates you always bring him."

"Knowing him, he probably misses the chocolates more than me," Minseo joked, earning a light slap on his chest. "I miss him, too. Just wait a little longer, love. Soon, we'll have everything we dreamed of. No worries, no shadows. Just us." He exhaled, steadying himself for the day ahead.

"I'd like that," she murmured. "Would you. . . like to talk to Minji?"

He chuckled at her cautious tone, finding it endearing in its rarity. Even with all her boldness, she could still be unexpectedly shy.

"I'd love to."

She pulled out her phone, dialing their son's number. But after a few rings, her expression tightened.

"He must be sleeping," Minseo offered, attempting to soothe her worry. "You know he doesn't get up before eleven."

"But he always answers my calls," she replied, pressing her lips together as tension filled her eyes. "Something feels wrong."

"Come on, you're probably just overthinking it," he said, attempting a lighthearted tone.

"I'm not. Mother's instincts don't lie." She dialed the home phone next, waiting as the call connected.

Minseo rolled his eyes, dismissing her worry as needless-until he heard a familiar voice on the other end.

"Hello? Kims' residence here."

Hae Ji's expression darkened, her tone sharpening. "Put Minji on the phone. Now."

Minseo watched, a hint of tension seeping into his own chest as she exchanged terse words. When she finally hung up, he asked, "Was that Namjoon's sister?"

"Yes," she replied, her voice tight with annoyance as she collected her things. "I need to get back. That girl is nothing but trouble." She shook her head, then gave a sigh of relief. "At least she's leaving for Seoul with Namjoon tonight."

A dark smile crept over Minseo's face. The perfect moment had arrived, falling right into his hands. One of his plans could finally move forward.

"Yes," he replied, a glint in his eye, "that's good news indeed."