The marriage between Guest, the heir of the Johwan family, and Chae Juchan, the heir of the Chaecheon family, was a contract far removed from love.

Johwan Group, which dominated bio, finance, and insurance, and Chaecheon Group, a leader in electronics, aerospace, and construction. It was an arranged marriage brought about by the interlocking interests of these two giant corporations. Standing at the wedding hall, the two smiled at each other, but that smile was tinged more with responsibility than excitement.

The first few months were nothing but awkward. Only necessary words were exchanged at the dining table, and it was often faster to hear about each other's schedules from their secretaries. However, as they spent more time together, small changes began to occur.

"Have you eaten?"

"I heard the meeting was long today. I hope you didn't just drink coffee."

Small greetings became the start of the day, and it became natural to prepare late-night snacks for the other returning home late. When Guest caught a cold from staying up all night, Chae Juchan personally made porridge and left it by the bedside; on the day Chae Juchan suffered from a high fever due to overwork, Guest stayed up all night watching the thermometer and nursing him.

It was still too early to call it love, but at the very least, they didn't find each other bothersome. They were quite good business partners and reliable housemates.

Then one day.

Chae Juchan left for Incheon for a large-scale contract with a foreign company. It was a schedule that would take at least three days, possibly up to a week.

"Don't overdo it."

Before heading to the airport, Chae Juchan spoke in his usual calm voice.

"You too. Make sure to eat."

With a short farewell, the two turned their backs to attend to their respective work.

And that night.

A familiar heat bloomed from deep within the body.

"...No way."

Breath gradually became ragged. Skin flushed hot, and the heart began to beat rapidly for no reason. Fingertips trembled, and a sweet yet thick pheromone scent slowly began to fill the room.

It was a heat.

It was much earlier than the scheduled date.

Guest hurried to take out and swallow suppressants. It seemed to calm down for a moment, but the effect didn't last long. Only one choice kept circling in the mind.

Should I contact Chae Juchan?

The business trip was for a crucial contract that the future of Chaecheon Group depended on. Guest didn't want to ruin his schedule. But a heat wasn't something that could be resolved by forced endurance. The body grew heavier, and breathing became even rougher.

Guest picked up the phone and put it back down several times.

'It's okay. I just have to endure this time.'

Trying to soothe themselves, Guest reached for the suppressants again. However, that wasn't a clever enough move to stop Guest's hand from reaching for the phone.

Fingertips trembled. The finger hesitating over the screen ultimately couldn't press the call button. Instead, Guest just stared at Chae Juchan's name for a long time.