Seokga would hate himself more than he already does for an eternity if he left before the short days they have left with each other come to a close.

He opens his eyes. Samsin Halmoni looks stricken with shock and something that could be regret if Seokga squinted (and possibly used a magnifying glass). “I have business to conclude here first,” Seokga says, voice hollow. “I’ll return to Okhwang when the cruise ends, within the week. Hwanin will stay with me. Until then, keep watch for Hwanung. Alert me immediately if he is found.”

The goddess swallows hard and shakes her head. “I don’t understand. You’re not…I don’t understand.”

Seokga’s glare is withering. “Kisa is here,” he tells her, as if it should explain everything. And it does. Samsin Halmoni looks almost mortified as she jerks her head in a nod. He pivots on his heel to leave, but can’t resist throwing one scathing glower over his shoulder. “You might have taken her away from me, but you took me away from her, too.”

Unexpectedly, Samsin Halmoni’s eyes fill with shame. “I…”

His lip curls. “Scurry back to Okhwang like the meddling insect you are,” he snaps. “Don’t come near this ship again.” Seokga doesn’t linger to unravel the guilt wracking Samsin Halmoni’s face. He stalks away instead, knuckles white around his cane.

Dr. Jang is waiting outside of his suite when he rounds the corner. Seokga is in no mood for an hour spent unraveling his feelings, and his shoulders slump in relief when he sees that Jang isn’t holding her leather-bound notebook. “Dr. Jang,” he greets wearily.

“Seokga.” Her voice is more solemn than he’s ever heard it—even during the stilted conversations about his father. “I’ve heard about everything. I need to speak with you.”

Will this day never end? All Seokga wants is to tend to Kisa and hold his brother, but he still allows Dr. Jang to lead him into her suite. She seems tired as she locks the door, although it’s hard to tell with those ridiculous sunglasses. When Dr. Jang turns around, he sees that her mouth is bracketed with deeper lines than usual.

“It’s my fault,” she whispers. “I was walking with him, but he escaped my sight…He must have snuck away to the bridge…”

Alarmed, Seokga steps toward the old woman. “What do you mean?” he demands, thoroughly bewildered.

Dr. Jang sucks in a shallow breath. “I should start at the beginning. I…used to work with Hwanung, much in the way I work with you. Hwanin sent him to me a few years ago. Hwanung was having relationship trouble, and his father was concerned.” Dr. Jang takes a deep breath. “He’d fallen in love with a married woman. They were having an affair and Hwanung was besotted.”

Slow dread trickles down Seokga’s spine. “What was the name of this woman?”