Chapter 6
The message she checked without much thought read:
Can we see each other today? I’m really sorry about yesterday.
It was from that bastard, Do Jin-sang.
You’re insane.
He’d said he was too busy to meet, but the moment she asked him to pay back the money, his attitude flipped instantly. Anger surged straight to the top of Hana’s head. With irritation pouring into her fingers, she jabbed harshly at the screen.
Send the money first.
There had to be a limit to how shameless someone could be. Just how thick-skinned did he have to be to say things like that? Her insides burned with fury. The reply came almost immediately.
Let me explain what happened yesterday. We’ve been together for years—are you really going to end it like this?
“Isn’t this guy completely unhinged?”
If he was going to act like this, he shouldn’t have treated her like the crazy one in front of that woman yesterday.
With her arms crossed, Dogyeong—who had been watching the monitor—turned his head toward Hana.
“What is it?”
“I’m stepping out for a minute.”
Hana sprang to her feet and stormed into the hallway, fuming. It felt like her chest was about to burst, her head throbbing with sharp pain.
Jin-sang didn’t stop there.
I think I lost my mind for a moment. The one I really love is you.
“Unbelievable. Seriously!”
For a moment, she considered calling him just to unload a stream of curses—but ignoring him entirely seemed like the better choice.
Pay back the money.
After that message, Jin-sang didn’t respond at all.
Hana stared hard at the message that read, The one I really love is you, then bit down on her lip.
What Dogyeong had said earlier came back to her.
No. It’s just insurance. Basically, someone convenient. A man she can push around and treat however she wants, so she keeps him close.
That was exactly how Jin-sang was treating her right now.
She had only been waiting because she loved him—but in doing so, she’d made herself look easy. The realization hurt.
“It’s nothing… really.”
Her throat burned, but she pulled herself together, refusing to crumble.
She’d never once imagined something this absurd would happen to her, and that made the ache in her chest all the worse.
The long shoot finally came to an end.
After they finished cleaning up, Dogyeong casually took the large bag Hana had been carrying.
“Heading straight home?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll drive you.”
It had become routine—Dogyeong always dropped her off after filming.
But for some reason, she didn’t want to get in his car today.
If he started poking at the Jin-sang situation, she felt like she might lash out in completely the wrong direction. She shook her head.
“I’ll go by myself today. I’ve got somewhere to stop by.”
“Then I’ll take you there.”
“Huh? You don’t have to.”
Startled by his unexpected offer, she waved both hands frantically.
Dogyeong’s expression hardened.
“You’re not going to meet that bastard, are you?”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I saw the message. He asked to see you today.”
“……”
For a moment, she was completely at a loss for words.
“So be honest. I’m not going to sit by and watch you do something even dumber.”
The gloomy mood she’d been holding down finally caught fire.
“Don’t you think you’re crossing the line lately?”
Under normal circumstances, she might’ve laughed it off—but she was too sensitive right now, and her voice rose.
Dogyeong’s eyes shifted, a hint of mockery creeping in as the corner of his lips curled upward.
“You’re always like this whenever you date. This time it’s lending him money, turning a blind eye to cheating. People call that being a sucker.”
“That’s not true!”
“You’re going to meet him today, aren’t you? You’ll never be able to break up with that guy.”
She was already overwhelmed, and he kept picking at her nerves with every word.
It wasn’t like he lacked tact—so why was he deliberately saying the things that hurt most?
Completely offended now, Hana shot him a sharp glare.
“I’m not seeing him again. I already told him I don’t want to meet.”
The disbelief in Dogyeong’s eyes only made her angrier.
“So stop saying stupid things. Do you think I’m crazy enough to forgive a cheating bastard? I’m never seeing him again. Never!”
Her voice rose partly out of pride.
She’d lashed out in anger, her tone heated—but strangely, it left her feeling lighter.
At the same time, guilt toward Dogyeong crept in, and she snapped her mouth shut.
After a brief silence, Dogyeong’s large hand came to rest on Hana’s head.
“Yoo Hana. You’ve grown up.”
As his hand gently smoothed her hair, an odd, ticklish sensation fluttered in her chest.
Caught off guard, she could only stare at him, unable to react.
The cold stiffness in Dogyeong’s expression softened into a warm smile.
“Don’t ever meet a guy like that again. Meet someone who likes you so much it drives him crazy. That’s how you’ll be happy.”
Something about his gentle tone made her heart thump hard.
She’d planned to take the bus and sort out her thoughts, but in the end, Hana got into Dogyeong’s car.
Getting home sooner seemed like the better choice.
“Seatbelt.”
“Already on.”
“I’m pulling out.”
The car carrying the two of them glided onto the road.
At Hana’s request for a quiet ride, the car fell silent.
But her mind was anything but.
Is this because of what happened yesterday?
Nothing about Dogyeong had changed, yet she found herself noticing him in small, fleeting moments.
And that wasn’t all.
Suddenly, she wondered what Dogyeong was like when he was in a relationship.
Come to think of it… I’ve never seen it.
The only time she’d ever heard he had a girlfriend was back in college.
If she remembered correctly, they’d dated for about three years—yet he’d never once introduced her.
That passing curiosity made Hana ask:
“What’s your ideal type?”
“A smart woman.”
“What kind of vague answer is that? I mean looks—long straight hair, big eyes, something like that.”
“Not really.”
Annoyed by how evasive he was, Hana pouted.
“I’m just asking about your ideal type. Is it that hard? Or do you just not want to tell me?”
At that, Dogyeong ran a hand through his bangs.
“It’s because you’ll start running around trying to set me up again.”
“A blind date? What are you talking about?”
“Think back to how you were in college.”
“What did I—!”
Suddenly, a long-forgotten memory flashed through her mind.
Back then, everyone around her had begged to be introduced to Dogyeong at least once.
She’d forced a few setups, but none of them went anywhere.
Then Dogyeong got a girlfriend, and the one-sided matchmaking finally came to an end.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. These days, no one’s asking you for introductions. With how prickly you are, who’d even like you?”
“Worry about your own love life.”
“Ugh. Do you always have to win?”
“You’re not my girlfriend. I don’t have to let you.”
She couldn’t argue with that, so Hana just opened her mouth and closed it again.
As they bickered, they’d already arrived in front of her place.
The car stopped, and as she reached to unbuckle her seatbelt, Hana frowned.
Jin-sang was standing there, lingering near her building.
“Why is he here?”
“Want me to get out with you?”
It wasn’t a bad suggestion—but Hana shook her head.
“Don’t get involved. I don’t want him saying weird things about you too.”
“I don’t care. I’ll just ignore him.”
“……”
Hana stared silently at Dogyeong.
Even though he said he didn’t care, she couldn’t help feeling bad.
At the same time, she hated the idea of walking over there alone with Jin-sang waiting—he’d definitely cling to her.
Carrying that guilt, Hana asked Dogyeong for a favor.
“I’ll treat you to a big dinner next time.”
“Instead, do me one favor next time.”
“Deal!”
At her quick agreement, Dogyeong immediately unfastened his seatbelt and stepped out of the driver’s seat.
The moment Jin-sang spotted the two of them, his face twisted in rage.
With an expression like he might throw a punch at any second, Jin-sang strode straight toward them.
