The woman finally turned her chair slightly, her voice laced with venom. "That girl... I know her. Jiyeon Lee." Her lips curled into a sinister smile. "How dare she meddle in my affairs? Unless my work is completed, she'll regret ever crossing my path."With a slow, deliberate motion, she turned her chair fully, revealing her face.

.......

As the woman turned her chair, her face came into view, and all at once, it became clear—she was Jihoon's aunt, just as Jiyeon had suspected. Her calculated expression and piercing gaze revealed layers of cunning yet to be unraveled.

Meanwhile, back at Jiyeon's home, Theodore sat at the study table, flanked by Jiyeon and Seojun on either side. He was in full teacher mode, meticulously explaining the English phrases they were practicing. After they wrapped up, Seojun looked at Theodore with wide eyes. "Hyung, I didn't know you were such a good and polite teacher!"

Jiyeon smirked and murmured under her breath, "You didn't know I made him act polite."

Theodore turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "You said something?"

Jiyeon quickly shook her head, laughing nervously. "Nope! Nothing at all. Hehe."

Seojun's stomach growled loudly, cutting through the moment. "Sis, I'm hungry. Why don't we get some snacks?"

Theodore leaned back and suggested with a rare smile, "I think fried chicken sounds like a good idea."

Seojun practically jumped with joy, tears of happiness welling up. "Yes! Fried chicken! Hyung, why don't you switch with my sister and become my brother instead? I've always wanted a brother like you."

Jiyeon yelled, flustered, "Hey! He's already had enough trouble dealing with you. Oh—I mean, he's tired! Don't trouble him more. He's been confused and stressed out because of... well, yesterday's incident." She nudged Seojun toward the phone. "Go order the chicken already."

"But you're paying," Seojun said cheekily.

Jiyeon sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Who else is going to pay, you little rascal?"

Soon enough, the fried chicken arrived, and the three of them sat around the table, enjoying their feast while playing a card game. Theodore kept winning, hand after hand, much to Jiyeon's frustration.

"How are you so good at this?" Jiyeon asked, staring at him in disbelief.

Theodore leaned back, a triumphant smirk on his face. "I'm just naturally good at this."

After wrapping up their card game, Jiyeon glanced at her phone and nearly jumped out of her seat. "Oh my gosh, it's already 9:00! We didn't even think about dinner!"

Seojun, hearing the word "dinner," perked up immediately. "Yes! I'm starving!" he exclaimed, clutching his stomach dramatically.

Jiyeon shot him a playful glare and lightly punched his arm. "You're always hungry, you walking pantry! Come on, get up. You're helping."

Turning to Theodore, Jiyeon said with authority, "You'll handle the rice. I'll make the soup and stir-fry the veggies. And you—" she pointed at Seojun, narrowing her eyes, "you'll clean the table and, after dinner, wash the dishes."

Seojun's face fell in exaggerated despair as he clutched his chest. "Why me?" he whined, his voice tinged with mock betrayal.

Jiyeon crossed her arms, raising a brow. "Why you? Because you had breakfast, lunch, and snacks—and now you're about to have dinner. Meanwhile, we've only had breakfast and snacks! Don't even try to argue."

Seojun pouted, muttering under his breath, "It's not my fault I'm growing."

"Are you mumbling something?" Jiyeon asked, leaning closer with a pointed look.

Seojun quickly straightened up. "No, ma'am!" he said, saluting like a soldier. "I'll get right to it!"

As the three worked together in the kitchen, the clatter of pans and playful bickering filled the air. Seojun accidentally dropped a utensil, earning a scolding from Jiyeon, while Theodore silently prepared the rice with a calm demeanor, occasionally smirking at the siblings' antics.

By the time dinner was ready, the delicious aroma of homemade food filled the house. They sat down to eat, sharing light banter and teasing each other. Afterward, true to Jiyeon's orders, Seojun was in the kitchen wearing a pink apron, grumbling as he scrubbed the dishes. "Why do I always get stuck with this job?" he muttered, glaring at the bubbles like they were his enemies.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Jiyeon and Theodore sat on the couch with a math textbook spread open between them. Theodore explained the problem patiently, his low voice steady and soothing.

"Okay," Jiyeon said, picking up her pencil. "Let me solve this one."

Theodore leaned back, observing her with crossed arms. "Go ahead. Let's see what you've got."

Jiyeon furrowed her brows, focused intently on the problem. She scribbled something, paused, scribbled again, and then crossed it all out in frustration. "Ugh," she groaned, pressing her forehead against the notebook.

Theodore leaned forward, tilting his head. "Show me what you've done so far."

"No!" Jiyeon said defensively, hugging the notebook to her chest. "I'm still solving it."

Theodore smirked. "Let me see," he said, his tone playful.

Jiyeon turned away, shielding her work. "No!"

"Jiyeon," he said, leaning closer with mock sternness. "You can't hide forever."

Before she could react, Theodore reached out, trying to grab the notebook. Jiyeon twisted away, but he leaned in further—and in the commotion, he ended up losing his balance. Before either of them realized what had happened, Theodore had fallen forward, pinning her gently to the couch.

The world seemed to pause. Jiyeon's eyes widened as she looked up at him, his face just inches from hers. His warm breath brushed against her cheek, and for a moment, she forgot how to speak. Theodore, still hovering over her, seemed equally frozen, his expression unreadable. The air between them felt heavy, charged with an unspoken tension.

"Theodore!" Jiyeon finally blurted out, her voice a mix of shock and embarrassment. "What are you doing?"

Theodore blinked, as though snapping out of a trance. "I... uh..." he stammered, quickly moving to sit upright. But before he could escape the awkward moment, Seojun appeared in the doorway, still wearing his pink apron and drying his hands with a towel. His eyes went wide as he took in the scene.

"Oh... uh..." Seojun stammered, clearly enjoying this way too much. "I'm sorry. I guess I should go."

Jiyeon's face turned red as she shoved Theodore off the couch. "Seojun, you rascal! It's not what you think! Come back here!"

Seojun smirked as he leaned against the doorframe. "I didn't say anything," he teased, his mischievous grin growing wider.

After hurried explanations and flustered protests, Jiyeon declared, "It's late. Let's just go to sleep. Seojun, you and Jihoon sleep in Seojun's bed."

Theodore raised an eyebrow. "But what about—"

"Nothing!" Jiyeon interrupted. "Okay, lights off. Everyone, go to bed!"

The next morning, Jiyeon stirred in her sleep, mumbling groggily, "Ugh, your hand is heavy." She blinked, her vision blurry, as she realized a hand was resting on her arm. Slowly, she turned her head—and her breath hitched.

Theodore was lying beside her, still fast asleep. His face, softened in slumber, seemed even more striking than usual. She couldn't help but notice the veins on his hands, his sharp jawline, and the perfectly sculpted slope of his nose. Her gaze lingered on his slightly parted lips.

"Is Jihoon even this good-looking?" she wondered, her heart racing. "No way. Ever since Theodore's soul came, he's... he's... unreal. Some kind of beauty."

Shaking her head, Jiyeon mentally scolded herself. "Snap out of it, Jiyeon! He's just... sleeping. That's it!"

Gathering her courage, she gave him a hard shove. Theodore groaned as he tumbled off the bed, hitting the floor with a loud thud. "Who's calling for death this early in the morning?" he grumbled, rubbing his head as he sat up.

Jiyeon, arms crossed and eyes blazing, stood over him. "How come you're in my bed?!"

Teaser for Next Episode   : As Jiyeon tries to balance her chaotic household and her emotions, unexpected moments bring her closer to Theodore, but will Seojun let it slide without stirring up trouble? 

Meanwhile, the shadow of Jihoon's aunt looms larger, her schemes unfolding with Jiyeon unknowingly at the center of it all. Secrets, tension, and an unspoken connection—don't miss what's next! 🌟