# Chapter 40
The title seemed quite romantic, even slightly suggestive. Could it possibly be an adult romance? That might be a bit awkward to show Seo Dohyun… Hurriedly scanning the synopsis and endorsements on the back, far from sweetness, everyone was lavishing praise on it as this year’s best thriller.
It was puzzling, but for now, Seowoo purchased the book and quickly got in line for the signing event. If he dawdled and failed to get a signature, his excuse would essentially disappear. Holding tightly to the number tag given by the staff, he looked around. The person presumed to be author Kim Mi-hyun was sitting at a desk in the distance.
“We’re starting the book signing! If you leave the line, it will be difficult to re-enter. You’ll have to go to the very back, so please don’t leave the line!”
With the staff’s guidance, the surroundings became more bustling. This atmosphere of slight excitement and fervor wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. A space where fans meet the object of their affection—it was rather familiar to Seowoo. Just that now, the roles were reversed.
It was uncertain when the rather long line would diminish. Thinking it would be better than getting a signature without knowing anything, Seowoo opened the book. Though he couldn’t confidently call himself an avid reader, he was the type who could focus quite well when reading. It was somewhat of a hobby for him.
“…We’re closing the line! No more people can join at the back!”
Seemingly having reached capacity, a staff member could be seen controlling people at the very end of the line. Quite a few people were standing behind Seowoo, who had arrived late. He glanced at the crowd and then lowered his gaze back to the book.
Living up to its thriller rating, “The Rose at My Bedside” created quite a tense atmosphere. The protagonists were a couple married for three years, and the story began with the wife suspecting that her husband wasn’t the real one.
Having been such a happily married couple, the husband falls into despair at his wife’s suspicion and makes every effort to change her mind. However, the strange events surrounding the wife only worsen her anxiety instead of alleviating it…
‘…This is actually quite interesting?’
“Excuse me, please move up in the line.”
“Ah, yes. I’m sorry.”
He had been so absorbed in the book that he hadn’t noticed the line shortening. The fast pace and the taut atmosphere characteristic of thrillers were definitely appealing. Having only read about half, he couldn’t fully grasp the details of the case yet.
Amusingly, up to this point, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a romance. The husband approaches the truth because he loves his wife and doesn’t want her to avoid him, and the wife uncovers the truth to find her real husband whom she loves. Aren’t these actions that couldn’t be done without love from both sides?
Looking down at the page marked Chapter 3, Seowoo let out a deep sigh. When immersed in a work, he would lose his sense of time—and that’s exactly how he felt right now.
“Are you number 91?”
“Ah, yes.”
The staff collected his number tag. By now, the line had dwindled to just in front of Seowoo. Author Kim Mi-hyun was truly right before his eyes. Until getting out of the car, he had planned to just quickly get a signature and move on, but after reading the book, he had developed a bit of fan sentiment.
The person in front of Seowoo finished shaking hands with the author and left. Following the staff’s guidance, as he approached the table where the author was seated, Mi-hyun greeted him first with a refreshing smile.
“Hello, thank you for waiting.”
“Oh, not at all. I was reading the book while waiting. Time really flew by.”
Mi-hyun was quite sociable. Thanks to that, Seowoo, who had been a bit stiff, quickly loosened up. When he showed her the book, Mi-hyun naturally took it and signed the front page with a stylish signature.
“You’ve read this book? These days, hardly anyone reads standing up—you must read in your spare time.”
“…That’s right.”
Though he felt a bit guilty, it wasn’t entirely untrue that he read books in his spare time. After all, he did read books when he had free time, since he didn’t have much of it.
“How was it? Was it worth reading?”
“It wasn’t just worth reading—it was really enjoyable. I lost track of time while reading.”
“Haha. You know exactly how to compliment an author.”
“It’s the first time I’ve encountered a work that feels like a romance despite being a thriller.”
“It felt like a romance?”
Mi-hyun seemed particularly interested in that comment. At her questioning, Seowoo stumbled with an “Um.” He was about to pretend not to know, but feeling guilty about pretending to have read it all, he finally confessed honestly.
“I’ve read about half of it.”
Maybe there was some issue with the unread latter part? But the first part was certainly rich enough in mutual emotions to be considered a romance without any oddity.
“The actions of the two people seemed less about attacking each other… Rather, they often seemed to be acting out of love.”
“Even though the wife suspects her husband isn’t real, and the husband continues to act suspiciously?”
“But it was mentioned that the wife might be delusional, and overall, the story is narrated from the wife’s perspective. So it could actually be a love story…”
He was about to say “right?” decisively but trailed off. In truth, there was no point in making bold claims when he had no idea about the latter part of the story.
However, Mi-hyun nodded with great amusement, laughing loudly.
“I suppose so. You know what they say, ‘All thrillers are romances.'”
“…Is that a saying?”
“Of course, I made it up. Here you go.”
With a playful joke, Mi-hyun handed over the signed book.
“It would be interesting to think about it from various perspectives. After all, the human heart is unknowable.”
“By various perspectives, you mean…”
Mi-hyun shrugged with a playful smile and extended her hand for a handshake. He couldn’t linger any longer. Feeling a strange sense of regret, Seowoo took Mi-hyun’s hand and shook it lightly.
“Thank you for coming. I’ll be cheering for you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Seowoo bowed his head and emerged from the crowd. It was only when he was almost at the exit that he realized one peculiar point.
Come to think of it, not asking for a name during the signing—is that acceptable at a book signing? Having done signings more than once or twice himself, Seowoo had at least that basic concept. Hurriedly checking the cover, beneath the neat signature was written:
‘To Han Seowoo♡ Looking forward to news of your next project. Always cheering for you^^’
“…Hah.”
Pressing his hat down deeper, Seowoo let out a groan. Since when did she know? And I was excitedly discussing the book without realizing it. Fanning himself in embarrassment, he strode briskly toward the parking area.
❖ ❖ ❖
When Dohyun suddenly jumped out from the kitchen saying, “Surprise!” Seowoo almost punched him in the face. If Dohyun hadn’t skillfully grabbed his arm, he might have struck his cheek. His reflexes were excellent.
Yes, from the moment he opened the front door and was hit with the vibrant aroma of savory and spicy oils, he should have realized something was off. Hadn’t Manager Gu said that today was busy and he couldn’t come home early? That’s why he had gone out so confidently, but what was all this about?
“Whew, if I pull surprises twice, I might get beaten to death.”
Dohyun pretended to grumble as he lowered Seowoo’s tense arm. He was holding a pair of chopsticks in one hand, wearing an apron neatly.
“…You clearly said you’d be late. Why are you cooking here? And you didn’t even say when you’d arrive.”
“It’s a surprise, so I didn’t say anything. If it’s a surprise, would anyone say, ‘I’m going to surprise you’? Wow, looking at your expression, it seems the surprise worked perfectly.”
What’s the right way to face that proud expression of having successfully pulled off a surprise party? Instead of answering, Seowoo let out a short sigh.
Somehow, he should have realized from the moment Manager Gu suddenly called and asked strange questions. It wasn’t a psychological test; it was just Seo Dohyun prying from the side.
If he had known he would come this early, he wouldn’t have gone out. Would he have tried to track and trace him? What if he found out about the visit to Hyungil’s house? How long had he been home? Trying to ignore the storm of thoughts raging in his head, Seowoo placed the book in his hand on the dining table.
“Why the sudden surprise? We’re not children.”
“Well, of course… Oh, is this that author’s book you mentioned? The new release?”
Dohyun’s gaze naturally fixed on the book. After staring at the title “The Rose at My Bedside” in fancy font, Dohyun checked the author’s name and looked surprised.
“Hmm? Wait a moment. Is this author perhaps…”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
