< Chapter 17 >

The twilight faded and darkness blanketed the evening sky.

I was about 300 meters away from the safe zone when I finally shoved my head into a small hole in the wall.

‘Damn it.’

As expected, my head was too big to fit through easily.

Grunting, I pushed with all my might and barely managed to squeeze my hind legs through before slipping my head into the laundry room door.

“Dangdang, Dangdang?”

The familiar voice of the housekeeper came from inside. I pressed my back flat against the wall and tried to steady my breath.

If she saw me sneaking in and out, security would get even tighter.

“Goodness, I need to find you before Madam gets home. The house is too big, honestly. Dangdang―”

The sound of her slippers dragging across the floor faded into the distance.

‘Now’s my chance.’

I darted out like the wind and ran straight toward Seok Haewon’s room.

The moment I stepped inside, the mirror reflected a scruffy little dog with messy fur sticking out in every direction.

‘Seori…’

My eyes softened as I looked at my reflection.

Why had Dog Seori turned me into this? Somehow I felt like finding out the reason was the key to breaking whatever strange spell this was.

“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere!”

The housekeeper’s sudden voice above my head snapped me out of my thoughts.

“You really do love staring at yourself in the mirror. Maybe that saying about dogs having egos as big as their heads is true…”

There was no doubt in my mind that this slander came straight from Seok Haewon.

The woman crouched down and suddenly held a phone to my ear.

“Dangdang, it’s for you.”

“Woof.”

Instinctively, I almost said ‘Hello?’ but caught myself just in time and clamped my mouth shut. My eyes narrowed.

‘Only Seok Haewon would think to call a dog.’

Sure enough, his voice came from the other end of the line.

[What are you doing at home.]

I couldn’t exactly say I just got back after being with you.

[I called because I’m in a terrible mood.]

Ouch.

I didn’t even need to ask why. The tone of his voice made it obvious it was because of me. It always changed whenever he talked about Kim Seori.

As if I needed another reminder that he didn’t like me.

‘No need to be that dramatic about it.’

Still, I couldn’t blame him. I’d been drunk and acting out. The memory alone made my stomach twist. I planned to live the rest of my life pretending that night never happened.

But why had I gotten drunk so easily that time? I’d always handled alcohol well. Even if I’d let my guard down because it was in front of Haewon…

“…”

My thoughts froze.

‘Let my guard down?’

That didn’t make sense. Shouldn’t I be more cautious around Seok Haewon, not less?

[You’re quiet. Are you sulking because you didn’t get your walk?]

His low voice mixed with the sound of the wind and hit my ears like a whisper I couldn’t shake off.

[I’m on my way home, so wait for me.]

I stared at the phone with wide eyes.

‘I…’

At some point, I had gotten used to the way he spoke to me when I was Dangdang.

“…”

Slowly, I lifted my paw and pressed the end call button. The housekeeper blinked in surprise, glancing between me and the phone.

“Oh my, it cut off. You hit the end button.”

Every instinct I’d ever learned screamed at me. Don’t get too close. The one who’ll end up hurt is you.

* * *

A new part of my morning routine had developed lately.

“Dangdang, the Vice Chairman is leaving for work!”

At the housekeeper’s call, I shot out of the room like a bullet and stood by the front door.

Every morning, I greeted Seok Haewon’s father before he left for the office.

Have a good day.

I lowered myself flat on the floor, tail wagging neatly. He barely glanced at me before turning and leaving.

The housekeeper sighed softly beside me.

“I wish he’d at least acknowledge you once. Poor thing.”

I hadn’t expected anything in return. This was the only way I could express my gratitude for taking me to the vet that day.

After the morning routine, Haewon usually left as well, and by the time afternoon came, the housekeeper would be out grocery shopping.

That was when I was left alone.

Quietly, I climbed up to Haewon’s desk and opened his laptop.

“Who’s the guy you’re playing with.”

Another spam email.

“Should I check your phone?”

My phone had been in the drawer untouched, not that he cared anyway. I deleted it, and immediately another email came through.

“Now you’re toying with me over email too.”

Lately, Seok Haewon had been sending me emails nonstop.

The messages were always the same two questions.

When was I coming to get my phone and who was the guy I was supposedly seeing?

His obsessive tone was unsettling, but trying to reason with Haewon’s behavior was pointless. The only explanation I could come up with was that he was just bored.

He certainly looked like someone with too much free time, though I’d heard he was busy learning company management.

As I was deleting the emails one by one, a thud echoed from the living room.

I quickly shut the laptop and turned toward the noise.

That sound shouldn’t have existed in an empty house.

Maybe the housekeeper had come back for her wallet? But there were no footsteps. No rustling. Nothing human.

A chill ran down my spine as an awful thought crossed my mind.

‘No way.’

A thief?

Step by cautious step, I crept down the hallway and pressed myself against the wall near the living room. My mouth felt dry as paper.

If there really was a burglar…

‘I need to stay calm. Don’t make a sound.’

Some watchdog I was. In this small body, a single toe could probably knock me out cold.

I peeked around the corner into the living room and met a pair of eyes.

“…”

It was Haewon’s mother.

But… why was she at my eye level?

I froze. Then realization hit. She wasn’t standing. She was lying on the floor.

Her eyelids fluttered weakly, her long lashes trembling.

I rushed over, staring down at her face as her eyes slowly closed completely.

‘Ma’am, ma’am!’

I pressed my paw to her cheek and shook her, but she didn’t move.

‘What do I do?’

I brought my paw under her nose and felt a faint breath against my fur.

119, 119. My mind raced. I reached for her pocket to grab her phone and then smacked my forehead.

‘I don’t have pockets.’

I wasn’t even wearing clothes, let alone carrying a phone.

Then I saw it. A purple phone lying on the floor nearby.

‘Her phone.’

I hurried over, but the screen was locked.

If I could just unlock it with her fingerprint, maybe I could call for help.

There was no time to waste. Gritting my teeth, I started pushing the phone toward her hand with all my strength.

* * *

S Group, Vice Chairman’s Office

“An errand from the Chairman.”

Haewon handed over a sealed envelope and turned to leave. Haegang looked up from his desk.

Something was off.

Even if Chairman Seok Haecheon had insisted on training him for business, Haewon had agreed far too easily.

This was the same son who, once grown, would probably vanish the moment he got the chance. It was strange seeing him cooperate so obediently now.

Ever since he was little, Haewon had been like this, born into privilege yet indifferent to ambition and success. Like a breeze that could never be contained.

Which made his current behavior all the more unusual.

Haegang flipped through the documents and asked,

“What did the Chairman offer you in exchange for learning management?”

“Money and power.”

“Don’t dodge the question.”

Haewon paused mid-step, one hand in his pocket, then turned halfway toward him. After a moment’s thought, he decided it wasn’t worth hiding.

“He promised not to force me into an engagement.”

“Marriage is still an important move in business.”

“Just like you and Mom, right?”

“…Yes.”

Haewon stepped closer, stopping in front of the desk.

“So, I’m curious. Were you happy?”

The pen in Haegang’s hand froze. Happiness had never been part of the equation. Marriage was simply another transaction.

He could almost hear Eunsoo’s voice in his head.

‘Let’s stop pretending to try in private. We’re business partners, nothing more.’

Looking up from the papers, he met his son’s calm gaze.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

“I just don’t want that kind of life.”

The air between them grew sharp with tension.

Then a vibrating sound broke it.

Bzzz. Bzzzz.

They both turned toward the desk where the phone was ringing.

The name on the screen froze them both.

“Eunsoo”

A video call. From her.

That had never happened before.

Haewon rested his chin on his hand, amused.

“Announcing the divorce?”

Haegang’s shoulders stiffened. Ignoring the buzzing phone, he picked up his pen again.

“She probably pressed it by mistake.”

Bzzz. As if to prove him wrong, the phone buzzed again.

Bzzz. Bzzzz.

Refusing to look at it any longer, Haegang didn’t notice Haewon’s grin spreading. Before he could react, Haewon’s finger brushed the screen.

“Oops. Slipped.”

“You—!”

But the screen didn’t show Eunsoo.

Instead, there was nothing but darkness.

The two men leaned closer, frowning.

The dark shape on screen shifted slightly. Moved. Twitched.

Sniff, sniff.

A small nose appeared, black and round like a pair of beans.

[Woof]

Or rather, two tiny nostrils.