Chapter 31

“Love her or hate her, she’s still my sister.”

“Then that’s fine. Doesn’t matter if one person’s out. Nothing changes.”

Director Do nodded, then got straight to the point with a clear tone.

“You know the shoot location is in Goseong, right? They’re even building the set over there. They want you to go and get a feel for the vibe. The lighting and camera team leads have been involved since the scouting phase. They’re asking for a meeting on site.”

It seemed the request had come directly from the director or the producer. She had tagged along for a few meetings before, but hadn’t yet seen the set or location. In fact, she’d wanted to request a visit herself.

“Sounds good to me.”

“Take Dohun. And Nahyun. But leave Yeora out—might be uncomfortable.”

Ah, so Director Go’s request was basically this: don’t cut Go Dohun from the project. Blood really is thicker than water.

“You’re not hoping I get back together with Go Dohun, are you?”

She wrapped her discomfort in a joke. Director Go’s quiet affection for his younger brother always made her uneasy.

“Let me be clear. Definitely not. Just don’t exclude him. That’s one reason I gave you authority as head producer.”

Successfully completing this project with Go Dohun—it was a tremendous opportunity for her too. It could become the first project that fully represented her.

She’d thought it would be a long time before she could make a name for herself in this industry. But Go Heemin had given her this chance.

The catch? She had to keep Go Dohun by her side. His name would roll beside hers in the ending credits.

But so what? That was a small price to pay. Better that than throwing away the opportunity of a lifetime. Even if it meant stomaching some unpleasantness now, it was worth building a stellar career.

“I’ll take the whole team. Nahyun, Go Dohun… and even Seo Yeora.”

“You’re ambitious, Director Gam. I admire that. You’ve got my support.”

Director Go was really good at handling people. Still, no matter how much she was being tossed around between his stick and carrot, making her dream come true mattered more.

“Support’s nice, but I’ll take that in the form of a hotel. We need somewhere to stay.”

“Put it on the company card. Just… spend with the minimum conscience.”

“Understood.”

She gave a slight nod and left Director Go’s office. Outside, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, Go Dohun was waiting.

“Why’d you ignore me yesterday?”

He was referring to the message she’d seen last night, when she was with Iseong.

— Someone’s coming to see the apartment tomorrow. Might sign the lease. Could you come?

“You said you’d handle it on your own, didn’t you?”

“Can we talk in the meeting room?”

She had announcements to make anyway, so she strode ahead to the conference room without waiting for a reply.

Whether he followed or not, she didn’t care. She threw herself into the seat by the window.

Go Dohun sat across from her and threw out a bomb.

“Mom’s been hospitalized.”

Ugh. That was cheating. Her heart softened instantly.

She’d had several interactions with his mom over the years. They’d known each other since college.

Was it the stress? She suddenly felt guilty.

“What’s wrong?”

“Something with her thyroid. She’s getting tests done. I’ll have to go see her today too.”

His mom had been part of the reason she had even considered dating him. She was kind, lively—had even welcomed the idea of their marriage more than anyone else.

Such a warm woman. Her heart sank. For a moment, all her resentment toward Go Dohun vanished.

“Is it serious?”

“We’ll know after the results.”

She wanted to curse and say it was their messy history that caused this, but she held it in. Selfishly, she didn’t want to feel guilty.

“This sucks. If I feel this bad, you must feel worse.”

“It’s all my fault. Can I ask a favor today? You need to get your stuff out anyway. I don’t mind leaving mine for now.”

Her clothes and things still occupied much of their old apartment—technically, their “honeymoon” home.

She had been planning to go soon with a suitcase anyway. Now that he was going to be gone, all the better.

“The passcode’s the same?”

Instead of answering, she just asked—and he nodded.

“You can’t go on the trip then, right? It’s about a two-night thing. The shoot’s in Goseong, and the set’s there too. We’ll probably meet with the staff on-site.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Probably next week.”

Go Dohun checked his phone and sighed in relief.

“Next week’s fine. Dad said he can take time off. Gotta do what’s assigned, right?”

“What a shame.”

“Hm?”

He reacted to her muttered words. She ignored it.

“Well, if that’s how it is. I’ll take Nahyun and Seo Yeora.”

“You… sure you’re okay?”

It was strange. He was the one who betrayed and hurt her—yet now, he was asking if she was okay. And weirdly, she was okay. She was more worried about his mom… and couldn’t care less about Seo Yeora.

She replied bluntly, on purpose.

“None of your business.”

“Ha. You really are okay, huh? You seem too relaxed… it’s making me nervous.”

“Nervous about what?”

“That maybe you’ve forgotten me completely. I was hoping you’d still have some lingering feelings.”

She scoffed, cutting off his nonsense.

“Bullshit.”

But she could tell from the way he looked at her—he still hadn’t let go. She had to shut that down.

“Be happy with Seo Yeora. I mean it.”

His face paled.

“Yeora… seems to still have feelings for Iseong.”

Her face must’ve gone just as pale. Why did her heart drop the moment Go Dohun said Iseong’s name?

Was she scared their relationship might be discovered? Or afraid Seo Yeora and Iseong still had something unresolved? Could it be… jealousy?

She managed to speak, stiffly.

“I thought Iseong was… dysfunctional. That’s why you two broke up, right? So why would she still have feelings?”

She couldn’t say the truth—that Iseong was not dysfunctional. Not by a long shot.

“That could be why she still clings to him.”

“I don’t think Iseong has any feelings for her.”

“Is that what he says? Doesn’t matter. Yeora still suspects something between you and him. Me too, to be honest.”

Crap. I’m not even innocent anymore. Just like they suspected, she and Iseong had crossed the line. And worse—her heart now saw him as a man.

Exactly what they warned would happen—had happened. Her heart betrayed her.

In a defensive burst, she snapped back.

“What is this, Animal Kingdom? We just swap mates now?”

“Why are you overreacting? You’re making it more suspicious.”

Go Dohun was eyeing her strangely. She’d overreacted.

“You keep talking nonsense. Anyway, get ready. I’ll have Nahyun set the schedule. Check with him for everything. I’m going today. We clear?”

She stood quickly. Her cheeks felt hot. She was afraid he’d see the faint blush—afraid he’d see her vulnerability.

Iseong still hadn’t called, despite saying he would.

She was afraid to see his name flash on her phone. And yet… she kept replaying his words.

“I’ll call you. You’re not gonna call me first.”

Why did those words feel so precious—like a secret promise?

Why did she suddenly want to see the face she’d seen for 30 years… all over again?

“God. Emotion, you’re insane…”