Chapter 4
I had no idea why I’d gotten swept up in Ha-eun’s prank. I had only meant to say something to scare her a little, hoping she’d give up—there was no real plan behind it.
Crazy, really. And it wasn’t just anyone—it was Ha-eun. The more Jung-ho thought about it, the more his temple throbbed as he straightened the slouching posture he had leaned into and pressed his fingers against his forehead.
“Haah…”
Perhaps because of yesterday, Jung-ho had repeatedly set down the documents in his hands since morning. On top of that, ever since Ha-eun left yesterday, he hadn’t been able to get in touch with her.
Chasing after troublesome women had always been easy for him.
He had dealt with many who tried to seduce him, but of all people, it had to be Ha-eun. No one could compare to someone who had grown up under his watchful eyes, unlike the faceless strangers he sometimes encountered.
At first, she had seemed scared—but she hadn’t backed down in the end. Thankfully, she had given up eventually. Her sudden insistence yesterday, celebrating her birthday in a way she never did, had puzzled him, but he hadn’t worried much.
He had known her since she was a child. Having grown up in a household with three older brothers, receiving all sorts of attention, he knew her impulsive side well.
Still, the real problem had been pushing her too far. Resting his hand on his chin, Jung-ho stared into empty space, replaying yesterday’s confrontation.
“Ha-eun… are you serious about that?”
“That’s not something you just joke about, especially to your fiancé.”
“You never know where someone like her might go with things.”
“Answer me—don’t just stare at me like it’s inconvenient.”
His expression was firmer than usual, urging a response. If it had been just a playful remark, he could have easily dismissed it coldly—but her boldness left him speechless.
Even more, it was her birthday yesterday. The way she had mentioned the engagement, as if making a legitimate demand, left him unable to find words.
She had no intention of marrying anyone yet. Maintaining the engagement with Ha-eun, a childhood promise arranged by their families, was just a convenient defense—a shield he could keep for as long as it suited him.
For Cha Jung-ho, the engagement with Ha-eun was exactly that: a relationship useful enough to maintain, but losing it would cost him nothing.
“How long do you think this engagement will last?”
“Who knows… someday it will break off.”
“You’re not planning to end it yourself?”
“I have no reason to break it off yet.”
“That’s harsh… sounds like you’re using me deliberately.”
That had been Ha-eun’s final conversation with him.
Even as she walked out the door, she treated him as if nothing had happened, just like always. On her way back, she even sent a message—a simple “take care” that somehow struck him as unusually meaningful, though he let it slide.
Replaying their past conversations, Jung-ho focused on the subtle changes in Ha-eun’s behavior, and eventually concluded that it all stemmed from the scandal flooding the portal sites.
Even in name only, she was his official fiancée. And of all days, the scandal had appeared online on her birthday—he could imagine why she’d be upset.
“Even if she acts sweet, Ha-eun isn’t exactly a meek person.”
She had acted as if nothing had happened and even joined him for a meal, which must have made her frustration even worse. Jung-ho nodded slightly, returning his attention to the documents. Then his phone vibrated on the table.
Haekyung.
He already knew what the call was about. The headlines had appeared: a top actress caught in a scandal with the heir of a major investment company. If the actress had been the cause, it would be even worse.
Some journalists were just looking for any opportunity to make a story. Scandals were always like shadows following Jung-ho—but this one’s timing was particularly unfortunate.
Because of it, Ha-eun must have been scolded thoroughly by her strict father. Jung-ho frowned, reaching for his phone.
“What’s going on? Did she…”
“She left the country. The youngest left.”
Hearing Haekyung’s words, Jung-ho jumped up mid-call.
“…Ha-eun went where?”
“She went abroad with some guy you don’t even know.”
His expression darkened as he pressed further, trying to make sense of the situation.
“Ha… I have no idea what’s happening here.”
“The situation suits her, doesn’t it? And it’s all your fault.”
“It’s unfair if I get blamed for this.”
The idea of her leaving the country, especially with another man, felt almost unreal to him.
“Was there any other reason besides the scandal?”
“There have been scandals more than once… isn’t this a bit much?”
“Do you think anyone doesn’t know she’s your fiancée?”
“No way, even if everyone knows…”
“Yes, even we were a bit shocked she hid it from us.”
The problem, Haekyung added, was that their parents had let her go. She sounded more annoyed than usual, frustrated that her little sister had disappeared because of a friend. Jung-ho’s frown deepened.
Scandals had never been new to him, and Ha-eun had always laughed them off before, understandingly.
But now, seeing her leave the country with a stranger, even he could not help being taken aback.
“She probably just went abroad to clear her head.”
“You call that just clearing her head?”
“She went with a friend to get a change of scenery.”
“Before anything else, isn’t she your fiancée?”
Jung-ho could tell that Haekyung was livid, but he ignored the scolding, glancing at the calendar. He had no way of knowing that what seemed like a short trip would turn into years—and that their relationship would change irreversibly.
“It’s hard… I just want to end the engagement.”
That was Ha-eun’s truth, spoken aloud to her family while they celebrated her birthday.
Her sudden declaration shocked her older brothers, who tried to persuade her to reconsider. But her parents’ opinion differed—they didn’t ask for details and simply said:
“Whatever you decide, we’ll respect it. Do what you want.”
Ha-eun was just twenty-four. From a young age, she had carried the title of Jung-ho’s fiancée, the future lady of the Jinseong Group, a label placed upon her by adults.
She had assumed it was only natural for Jung-ho to be by her side—but reality was far different. Watching him with other women, she realized before even turning twenty that she was just his younger sister in his eyes, not someone he could see as a partner.
For Jung-ho, their engagement had been a promise made without her consent, a formality of adulthood. She was merely a younger sister figure, not a romantic equal.
That was why she had decided, with her own hands, to finally break off this messy, one-sided engagement.
