Small and Fragile Things - Chapter 42

He know what I am.

“Th-thank, you…”

“No need for that. Don’t be so formal. Haha.” I didn’t even realize I’d started backing away.

The fact that I hadn’t bolted on the spot felt like a miracle in itself. It took all the strength I had just to keep my feet planted on the floor. Meanwhile, questions were tumbling through my head.

How does he know me? He’s the one who got me out of there? Why?

But none of those questions made it out of my mouth. He looked like someone who’d answer them easily—too easily. But everything about those answers screamed: not here, not now. Especially not with Muk-hyun listening. Definitely not.

Should I run?

I felt like a mouse cornered by a cat. No escape. And the Chairman’s lips looked like they might open any second and spill everything. My chest tightened. My heart was pounding so hard I was afraid others might hear it, so I did what I always did—I held my breath.

And then the Chairman spoke again.

“You’ve had it rough, I know. But what matters is that you’re doing well now. Isn’t that right? Keep living well, alright? When the time comes…”

Just then, another voice cut in from behind.

“There you all are!”

Startled, Irang flinched mid-panic and turned too quickly— Her feet tangled, and she stumbled. She braced for impact, eyes squeezing shut…

But firm arms caught her at the waist. At the same time, she heard the familiar sound of someone breathing.

“……”

A tiny tear welled up. The relief was overwhelming. He still cared. Muk-hyun still cared.

She’d thought he was angry earlier, that he was cold toward her. She figured she’d done something wrong, offended him somehow.

But maybe… maybe she’d been wrong.

Irang clung to the arm supporting her and cautiously looked up at Muk-hyun.

His eyes, calm and unreadable, gave away nothing. They were dark and expressionless, like everything inside had been deliberately erased.

Still… she chose to trust not the eyes, but the warmth in the hand that held her.

“Are you okay?”

The man speaking had a clean, sharp face. He looked… put-together.

“Didn’t mean to startle anyone. My apologies.”

He gave a quick nod to Muk-hyun, then turned to the Chairman.

“You called me too, sir?”

“Mhm. Wanted to introduce someone. But I see you brought someone too—your girl, I take it?”

“My… girlfriend?”

There was a brief flicker between Muk-hyun and the man.

Maybe it was her imagination, but Irang felt Muk-hyun’s arm tighten ever so slightly around her waist.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Il-hyun.” He smiled politely and reached out for a handshake. He looked sincere—like someone who lived by the book.

But… there was something about that smile that rubbed her the wrong way.

So instead of taking his hand, Irang stared at it blankly, then looked up at Muk-hyun.

It had become a habit—something she did when she felt nervous. But to others, it might’ve looked like she was seeking permission. Like she was showing who she belonged to.

That could easily be misunderstood. People here didn’t like that sort of thing—it made others uncomfortable. It wasn’t something anyone conscious of appearances would ever do.

That was when Muk-hyun’s lips finally curved.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.

And just like that, Irang’s tense expression softened. She smiled and shook Il-hyun’s hand.

…Until he added one more thing.

“He’s my older brother, Muk-hyun.”

Shock flickered through her eyes as they darted between Il-hyun, the Chairman… and Muk-hyun.

“This is the first time Choi’s brought someone home to meet the family, so I’m the one getting nervous!” Il-hyun laughed.

“That’s not what this is, Vice Chairman,” Muk-hyun cut in, his tone even.

“Oh, come on. If you don’t mind me asking, may I know your name? This is our first time meeting, isn’t it?”

“We’ll talk later. I was in the middle of a conversation with the Chairman.”

“Ah, right. My bad. Sorry, Father.”

“No harm done. Say… isn’t that Assemblyman Hwang over there? I can barely see these days.”

Irang watched them with a quiet heaviness.

So… this is what a family looks like.

They made space for one another. Met each other’s eyes naturally. Introduced each other without hesitation.

In that sense, she’d never really belonged to anyone. Not back then. Not now. Probably not ever. Irang sank into silent despair, careful not to let anyone see it.

“Did we put Assemblyman Hwang on the wedding guest list?”

“Yes, my mother said she’s close to his wife, so we included them.”

“Good. Then I should go say hello.”

Il-hyun looked back at Irang, clearly a little reluctant to leave.

It was a bit pitiful, the way she kept her eyes fixed on Muk-hyun, not even sparing him a glance. But also… kind of cute. He wondered how sweet her voice would sound, calling someone by a nickname.

“Vice Chairman. Aren’t you coming?”

“Yeah. Coming.”

He wanted to know her name, at least. But now wasn’t the time for curiosity. Duty came first.
And besides—he had a whole team of secretaries who could dig that up in no time.

Putting on his best heir-to-the-throne face, Il-hyun followed the Chairman.

Muk-hyun bit back the curse that rose to his tongue.

As he scanned the room for a quiet corner to escape to, the steady sound of breathing next to him suddenly changed—

Quicker. Shakier.

Then, with no warning, Irang’s small frame threw itself against his chest.

“……!”

Trembling, she burrowed into him and mumbled something he couldn’t quite hear.

“Hold on.”

He couldn’t just hug her here—or push her away either. Too many eyes.

So Muk-hyun turned toward the wall and positioned himself to shield her completely.

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“……want…”

“I can’t hear you. Speak up.”

He tried to peel her hands off his waist, but her palms were soaked with sweat. When he lifted her chin, her face was pale and tear-streaked.

“…I want to go home.”

She hadn’t actually cried, but her eyes were soaked. She looked up at him like she was drowning.

“Can’t we… go to our house?”

By “our house,” she meant his house, no doubt. And the fact that she was asking now meant this was her limit. This place terrified her. It was too much. But she still wasn’t done.

“No.”

She’d worn out faster than expected, thanks to variables he hadn’t considered. And he was one of those variables.

That conversation with Jung Yoon before they came had stirred things up in his head. He’d been irritable, distracted. He hadn’t handled Irang the way she needed.

She was someone who panicked just stepping five minutes outside her comfort zone—and he’d dragged her here, only to make her even more afraid.

He stared down at the top of her trembling head with a complicated look in his eyes.Finally, he crouched to meet her gaze and sighed—half frustrated, half resigned.

“…Wanna get some bread?”