Chapter 58

Seongheun’s straightforward confession wasn’t bad.

“Did it take you 29 years to reflect on yourself?”

“Thanks to you. From now on, I’ll do everything I want. Since you’ve come to me, you’ll have to deal with it—”

He buttoned his shirt one by one as if giving a warning. His strict, disciplined silhouette looked even sexier.

Can I handle the determination you’re showing me?

“Aunt… and Mom are here. We have to deal with this properly. That’s the priority.”

He calmly asked as he put on his cap.

“What kind of dealing? We’ve already kissed here.”

That trembling, passionate kiss. That deep kiss that left whispers behind. The kind that kept making her hungry for more. She wasn’t going to deny it.

She had already decided not to.

“I’ll tell them. But I’ll soften it, explain it in a way that won’t shock them too much. Just enough that they can accept it.”

“Just say it as it is. They’re not strangers to us.”

Shhhk— He pulled open the curtain and walked ahead, but she passed him and stepped out of the emergency room first.

Three people were sitting together in the lobby, and the one who quickly jumped up and came to her was Changshin.

“Jungyeon, I’m sorry. I went overboard. I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I just wanted to help connect you two. I heard everyone was really worried. Especially Seongheun’s mother and you—”

“You did well. But don’t do it again.”

Her words weren’t heavy, but they weren’t light either. Changshin gave an awkward smile.

Her mom and aunt quickly walked toward her too. Just then, Seongheun came out of the emergency room.

Aunt Yaein immediately hurried to him, checking his face.

“They said your shoulder was stitched, right? How many stitches? Are you okay?”

It seemed Changshin had already explained his condition to her mom and aunt.

Seongheun bowed politely to her mother and gave a halfhearted reply to her aunt.

“It’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine if I rest at home today.”

“It’s not nothing. Even a scratch can get worse if you overdo it. You need proper care. Let’s go to your parents’ house today.”

“Ah… If I go there, I’ll push myself even more. Right, Mrs. Sung? Besides, I have filming tomorrow. That house is too far from the set.”

Yaein knew he was saying this because of his father. And what worried her more was the latter.

“What? Filming again in this state? Someone got hurt, and filming is more important?”

He smiled lightly, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Of course it’s important. Hundreds of staff move because of me. Do you know how much time, effort, and money that costs? If my bones aren’t broken, I should be thankful.”

“Hah. I always supported you blindly, but now I want to oppose you like your father.”

“Then I oppose that opposition. I respect Mrs. Sung’s unconditional support more than anything.”

“Ha. You don’t lose a single word.”

Aunt Yaein sighed deeply, then looked between Jungyeon and Seongheun before speaking carefully.

“But… about you and Jungyeon.”

Finally, she brought up what she was most worried and curious about.

Changshin probably hadn’t dared to reveal their relationship.

How should they explain it without shocking her, how to persuade her? Jungyeon searched for the right words.

But Seongheun ruined her efforts with his endlessly light words.

“You’re right about what you’re thinking. Jungyeon and I are seeing each other seriously, with good intentions. Aunt, I’m sorry. I know it might be hard for you to accept, but I hope you’ll trust and understand us like always.”

Aunt Yaein’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t hide her disbelief and shock.

Her mom, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward to Seongheun.

“You two… will you be okay? You know me, right? I’ve never once disrespected your choices. But honestly, Jungyeon just broke off an engagement. And you two have been close for almost 30 years. Suspicion will follow you no matter what. Yaein will feel the same.”

Her mom looked him straight in the eye, adding more worries.

“And, Seongheun. In this situation, do you think your conservative father will bless your relationship? And won’t this hurt your career as an actor?”

Typical of Jungyeon’s mom—pouring out the same concerns Jungyeon herself had. He needed to clear away their misunderstandings.

But Jungyeon grabbed his hand tightly and cut in before he could answer.

“If you two can just accept us, then the rest is our problem to solve. We’ve been adults for over ten years now.”

Aunt Yaein might think she was shameless. After all, how long had it been since she broke off her engagement, and now she was dating her son?

She might feel betrayed by the daughter of her close friend, someone she had cherished like her own niece.

She might even see it as treachery.

Her aunt steadied her expression and quietly spoke.

“Jungyeon. I like you. Not just because you’re my friend’s daughter, but because I know how hardworking and good you’ve grown up to be. I saw you and your mom, the two of you enduring hardships together and raising each other. So yes… I’m worried. I also met your ex-fiancé. I saw the breakup… I’m afraid you’ll get hurt again if things go wrong with Seongheun…”

She said she was worried Jungyeon would get hurt, but there were thorns in her words.

“I also met your ex-fiancé. I saw the breakup…”

She was worried about someone who had been engaged before becoming her son’s wife.

To Seongheun’s father, that flaw would definitely be a target. To the aunt too, maybe it felt uncomfortable.

Seongheun stared sharply at her aunt.

“The one giving her scars right now… seems to be you, Aunt. I’m sorry, but Mrs. Sung is a bit naïve. She only thinks about what will annoy my father.”

“Hey, what do you mean naïve? Don’t make it sound like I said something wrong. Why make it sound like I made a mistake?”

She looked flustered, like her hidden thoughts had been exposed.

Since her mom was standing there, she couldn’t openly object, but she had subtly pointed at Jungyeon’s flaw—and had been caught.

Her mom gave Aunt Yaein a firm look and said clearly.

“Yes, you got caught. You didn’t insult my daughter outright, but you showed your discomfort. And I don’t blame you for that. But let me make one thing clear. To me, Jungyeon has no flaws.”

“A-ah, I know. Of course, I know. What did I even say? I was just worried. You know how strong my husband is. And… it hasn’t been long since Jungyeon broke her engagement. You also said it yourself—these two have known each other for 30 years. Suddenly this happens, and it looks like she had an affair before the breakup…”

As Seongheun and her mom’s sharp eyes pierced her, Aunt Yaein quickly backtracked.

“I mean, that’s how it might look to others. You said the same, didn’t you?”

“An affair? My daughter? I know her well. She’d never do such a thing. Are you actually suspecting her right now?”

Seongheun glanced at Jungyeon apologetically, then whispered to her.

“Sorry, but I think I’ll drop a bomb. Can I?”

It seemed like he was about to reveal the real reason behind her broken engagement.

But if misunderstandings grew, it could spiral out of control.

So before he could speak, Jungyeon looked at the two women and calmly said:

“Mom, Aunt, the reason I broke off the engagement… is because my ex-boyfriend cheated on me. That’s it. So please, don’t imagine or misunderstand anything else.”