It was an ordinary morning at the Shin Mansion, the sunlight streaming through the tall windows of the grand foyer. The air was crisp, filled with the bustling sounds of staff preparing breakfast and tidying up. But in Hana’s room, there was an unusual stillness.

Hana lay in bed, her face buried in the pillow, a subtle but deliberate frown forming on her features. She had carefully planned this out—a day away from school, away from her routine. She wasn’t actually sick, of course. But a little feigned illness never hurt anyone, right?

She pulled the covers higher around her shoulders, clutching them like a shield. The plan was simple: stay home today, skip the tedious school day, and avoid the constant pressures of her education. She didn’t want to be seen as the perfect daughter or the star student, always living up to the expectations placed on her by the outside world. She just wanted a break—a day to herself.

It wasn’t long before she heard the faint echo of Saejoon’s footsteps as he left for the office. He had already gotten up early, as usual, his work demanding his attention even at the crack of dawn. Hana, though, had cleverly waited for the sound of his departure before “feigning” illness.

Her housekeeper, Mrs. Han, came into the room to check on her, her concerned gaze lingering as she saw Hana’s pale face against the pillows.

“Miss Hana?” Mrs. Han’s voice was gentle but laced with worry. “Are you feeling well?”

Hana groaned, pretending to stir from sleep with a soft cough, her eyes fluttering open dramatically. She placed a hand on her forehead, feigning a hot flush. “I don’t feel well… my head hurts,” she muttered softly, playing her part. “I think I might need to stay home today.”

Mrs. Han, though familiar with Hana’s occasional antics, couldn’t help but feel a touch of concern. She reached over to gently touch Hana’s forehead, confirming her suspicion. Hana’s skin felt normal, but she decided to err on the side of caution. “I’ll inform Chairman Shin that you’re unwell. He will want to know.”

Hana nodded, maintaining her weak demeanor, and Mrs. Han left the room to make the call.

It wasn’t long before Saejoon received the news. He had been at the Shin Group headquarters for only a few hours when his phone buzzed. It was the housekeeper.

“Chairman, Miss Hana is not feeling well. She has a headache and seems to be running a fever. She’s requested to stay home from school today.”

Saejoon’s brow furrowed instantly. Hana was rarely sick—her immunity was strong, and she had the energy of a tenacious rebel. This seemed off.

Without thinking twice, Saejoon excused himself from his meeting, his serious demeanor shifting to a look of concern. He quickly made his way out of the office, ordering his driver to take him back to the mansion.

When he arrived at Shin Mansion, Saejoon wasted no time. He hurried through the familiar halls, his footsteps quick and urgent. He pushed open the door to Hana’s room and found her still in bed, her face partially hidden beneath the covers. She glanced up at him as he entered, a knowing glint in her eyes. She had successfully played the part of the sick girl—but Saejoon wasn’t fooled.

“Hana,” he said, his voice soft yet firm, as he approached her side. “What’s going on? Are you really sick?”

Hana looked up at him, a playful pout on her lips. “I’m not feeling well,” she said with exaggerated weakness. “I think I might have caught something… I don’t want to go to school today.”

Saejoon crossed his arms, looking down at her with a raised brow. “You’re pretending, aren’t you?”

She gave a small, innocent smile. “Maybe,” she admitted, her voice light.

Saejoon couldn’t help but chuckle, but his concern was still there. He sighed, sitting down beside her. “You can’t keep doing this, Hana. I’m not going to let you skip out on things every time you get tired of school.”

“I’m not tired of school…” Hana protested, but her smile faltered. “I just wanted a break. Everything’s been so much lately…”

Saejoon softened, his hand moving to gently push some stray hair from her face. “I get it,” he said quietly. “But you’re not getting away with faking sick every time things get tough. You know how I feel about that.”

Hana met his eyes, sensing the quiet concern behind his teasing. “I just wanted to spend the day with you… you’re always so busy.”

Saejoon looked at her, his expression softening further. He had always put her first, but he also knew how important it was for her to experience the world on her own terms. But that didn’t mean he could let her skip school when she needed to grow and learn.

“I’ll tell you what,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips. “You can spend the day with me at the office. You’ll have plenty of time to relax, but you’ll have to get dressed and come with me. I’ll let you stay in the office with me all day, as long as you promise me you’ll go back to school tomorrow.”

Hana pouted but ultimately agreed, and Saejoon gently helped her sit up. He noticed she still had that quiet tiredness in her eyes, a weariness that went beyond the usual laziness she sometimes exhibited. She was growing up, and it was harder for her to hide the pressure that came with it.

With a deep sigh, Saejoon helped her change out of her pajamas and into something comfortable but presentable. He lifted her into his arms carefully, ignoring her protests as he carried her toward the car. He didn’t mind—he had grown used to carrying her in his arms, a reminder of how much they had both changed over the years.

Once they reached the Shin Group headquarters, Saejoon made his way to his private office, where Hana could settle in for the day. She immediately plopped onto the large leather couch, tucking a throw blanket over herself. She was already feeling drowsy, her eyes half-closed as she settled in.

Saejoon worked for hours, making important calls and signing off on various projects, but he always kept an eye on Hana. He couldn’t help but glance over at her every so often, seeing her soft breaths and the faint rise and fall of her chest. She had always been a reminder of everything that mattered—his anchor through the chaos of the business world.

At the end of the day, after all his work was finished, Saejoon sat beside Hana, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.

“Feeling better?” he asked quietly.

Hana nodded lazily, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah. I’m glad I got to spend the day with you.”

Saejoon smiled back. “I’m glad too. But remember, no more skipping school unless you really need to. You’re growing up, Hana. You need to face things head-on, not run from them.”

Hana only nodded in response, already half-asleep. Saejoon didn’t press her any further, knowing she would understand in her own time. For now, he was content to have her by his side.

And as the day drew to a close, the quiet hum of his office seemed to lull them both into a peaceful silence. It wasn’t the perfect day Hana had wanted, but it was the kind of day she needed. And for Saejoon, it was enough to know she was safe and sound, even if it meant carrying her through it all.