Chapter 59

After dropping that bomb so calmly, I felt a little relieved. Mom and Aunt froze, clearly shocked.

Mom was sure to start scolding soon.

“Why are you only saying this now? It wasn’t your fault. Were you hiding it because you thought I’d worry? You know I’d worry even more if you didn’t tell me.”

“I was embarrassed. Mom, you couldn’t say that kind of reason out loud either, right? What kind of worthless woman must she be, for her man to cheat before the wedding? I didn’t want people saying that about me. And your blood pressure is already high. I didn’t want it going higher.”

Mom sighed deeply, then raised another question.

“But how… how did you and Seongheun…?”

How did two friends of 29 years suddenly cross the line? Everyone was wondering the same thing. Maybe her broken engagement had blinded her with loneliness.

“Well, that’s…”

The truth was—she had drunkenly seduced him, and Seongheun had proven he wasn’t impotent. That’s when they saw each other as man and woman.

No. That wasn’t the essence. It must’ve started long, long before then…

While she struggled to put it into words, Seongheun explained it in just one sentence.

“I loved Jeongyeon one-sidedly.”

Ah.

Too blunt. Too daring. Embarrassing enough to make her blush.

“When? Since when? You even helped with her wedding! Was it only after the breakup?” Aunt Yaein blurted out, shocked.

Seongheun tilted his head with a smile.

“Don’t you remember, Aunt? I used to say it all the time when I was little—that I’d marry Jeongyeon.”

“Stop joking.”

“I’m not joking.”

His gentle smile carried sharp truth.

“You suffered all that alone? And you just watched her go to another man? No—you even helped. Honestly…”

“Let’s stop talking about other men, Aunt. I’d rather you focus on our relationship.”

Every time the broken engagement was mentioned, Jeongyeon flinched. He wanted to protect her.

Aunt Yaein looked between Jeongyeon and her mother, sighing heavily.

“Jeongyeon, Hyejin… I… I just can’t accept this yet. Not right now.”

She didn’t have the strength or will to face their reality—or their future. Holding her head, she waved a hand weakly.

“I’m going first. Seongheun, come to your parents’ house when you have time. Understand?”

Mom watched her stumbling figure and then turned to Seongheun.

“I guess I’ll have to drive again. I’ll talk to your mother. From here on, I’ll leave it to you two. I won’t oppose or support. You’re adults—it’s your life.”

That was so like my mother, Madam Shin Hyejin. Always bold, and even more steadfast since Dad passed away. She accepted my choices unconditionally. How could I not respect her?

“Mom… I’m sorry for not saying anything until now.”

“I know why you didn’t. I’ll go first. Take care of Seongheun. And come home, okay?”

“Yes, Mom…”

“Goodbye, Aunt.”

With that, Mom also left, leaving just the two of them. No—three.

From the corner, Director Changshin, who had been shrinking like he wasn’t even there, finally let out a huge breath.

“Phew… I felt like I was watching a whole drama without breathing. What a spectacular romance.”

“It’s thanks to you. What did you say to Jeongyeon that made her run here pale as a ghost? You even dragged busy people here. You troublemaker.”

Changshin bowed and smiled apologetically—not to Seongheun, but to Jeongyeon.

“Jeongyeon, I’m sorry again. I had no bad intentions. Not even one percent. I truly meant well—I just wanted to support you two.”

“I understand. That’s enough. If you keep apologizing, it’ll only make me feel weird.”

Finally straightening his back, Changshin smiled easily—but then his eyes glinted mischievously.

“You know, he acts all calm and perfect in front of you. But with me? He’s such a mess. Did you know? He’s always pining over you, suffering. That’s why I took extreme measures.”

“Really?”

Now that was interesting.

Seongheun quickly stepped in front of her, glaring coldly at Changshin.

“Enough. I’m already hurting today because of you.”

He pointed to his injured shoulder.

“You want to hit me more?”

Even if he claimed to have “suffered,” Seongheun was usually confident, overflowing with ease. It was rare to see him cornered like this. Changshin clearly enjoyed it.

He didn’t stop.

“Jeongyeon, want to hear another secret? The reason he got hurt today is—”

“Hey! Shut your mouth.”

Seongheun hurriedly covered his mouth, snatched the medicine envelope, and shoved it into his pocket. Then he wrapped his arm around Jeongyeon’s shoulder and spoke quickly.

“Jeongyeon, let’s go. I’m in pain. I really need to rest. Changshin, tell my manager to check the mailbox for my phone. We’re leaving.”

He pushed her along and rushed outside.

Jeongyeon’s eyes widened suspiciously.

“Tell me. What was that?”

“First, let’s get in a taxi.”

He opened the back door of a taxi waiting at the hospital and practically pushed her inside. Escaping this scene was his top priority.

If she found out that he had planned today’s injury with Changshin, her sharp cat-like eyes would slash him to pieces. And the worst part? He would probably enjoy it like a pervert.

The taxi pulled away. Soon, Jeongyeon asked:

“Now talk. No lies.”

She glared at him with those mischievous, sparkling eyes.

How could he resist? She was too cute.

“Jeongyeon.”

“What? Trying to sneak out of it again? I can see you scheming.”

“It’s serious, really.”

He put on a troubled, heavy expression. She softened slightly, curious.

“What? Something wrong with the shoot?”

Instead of answering, Seongheun smiled faintly, leaned close to her ear, and whispered:

“I want to kiss you right now. I’m going crazy.”

Her mouth dropped open, her cheeks blazing red.

How could he say something so cheesy so smoothly, like a playboy?

Seongheun… how did you endure 29 years? Even if he realized his feelings in high school, that was still over ten years of restraint.

Did he ever talk like this with other women? No—he was mistaken for uninterested in skinship, even impotent. His heart had always been pointed only at her.

She stared at him, then gestured slightly for him to lean down.

His face suddenly lowered right in front of hers. His fresh scent filled her nose. His sharp jawline, his glowing cheekbones—it made her heart flutter wildly.

Her chest felt like a flowerbud blooming. She wanted to kiss his strong jaw but held back—it was still inside a taxi.

She breathed him in quietly, then whispered:

“Your secret… what is it? If you tell me, maybe… I’ll consider a kiss.”

His clear eyes met hers, searching silently.

Then he slowly straightened back to his seat.