DYMD 32

chapter 32

However, Jaden, being cautious by nature, kept his distance from girls who approached him just because of his appearance.

Then, some girls tried to get close to me, his younger sibling, pretending to be friendly in order to find an opportunity to approach him. But Jaden, seeing through their intentions, rebuffed them sharply, and the girls who had pretended to be his best friends left without looking back. Going through these experiences, Jaden learned not to fully trust girls.

“He said he doesn’t like office relationships.”

“What? Are they from the same company?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why is he seeing her if he doesn’t like office romances?”

“I asked him out first.”

“You mean he clung to you?”

“I just wanted to be close to her, even if that meant doing that.”

Kayla felt frustrated. It wasn’t because he was her brother—Jaden was someone who could impress anyone. His studies, his appearance, his personality… everything was exceptional. During adolescence, she sometimes felt insecure about having someone so perfect in the family, but watching his consistent efforts made her naturally respect him.

“Why would he cling to that girl if he has everything?”

“Because I like her more.”

Hearing Jaden’s sincere words drop casually, Kayla looked at her brother as if he were an alien. Many girls had liked him before, but this was the first time Jaden admitted that he liked someone first. He was always the one being confessed to, always in control when it came to relationships.

“Wow… people really can change.”

“Yeah… I didn’t know either. I didn’t expect to turn out like this.”

He shrugged his shoulders and smiled awkwardly.

“Mom would faint if she knew. She thinks you’re the best in the world.”

“So let’s keep it a secret from her.”

“What’s so good about that girl anyway?”

“Everything. The way her eyes crease when she laughs, the pout of her lips when she’s upset, the scrunch of her nose when embarrassed.”

As he spoke, a faint smile spread across Jaden’s face, as if recalling her. Watching that, Kayla gave a bitter smile.

“He’s really fallen hard.”

Instead of replying, he let out a small chuckle.

“I’m not going to interfere in your love life… but I don’t like her.”

“I didn’t like your ex either, but I never said anything.”

“So don’t do that now,” he said, causing Kayla to flare up.

“Are you saying we’re the same?”

“What’s different?”

“I was in a relationship, and he’s being used by that girl!”

Kayla placed both hands on her hips and argued.

“That’s the relationship I wanted. So, watch your words in front of the team leader.”

“Wait… are you taking her side in front of me?”

Kayla’s voice rose with a sense of betrayal. No matter who he met before, Jaden always prioritized her and their mother. For the first time, he put someone else above them.

“Kayla, that’s not it….”

“Forget it. Don’t say anything.”

Storming into the dressing room with a suitcase, Kayla quickly gathered her clothes and left. Jaden tried to approach her to make amends, but she didn’t even glance at him.

“Pouting?”

“I’m going to shower. Where’s the bathroom?”

Pointing to the door near the entrance, Jaden watched as Kayla silently turned her back and went inside. Hearing the door slam, Dohyun let out a quiet sigh.

Back at home, Yeonha lay on the bed, kicking at the air. She wished she could disappear into a hole.

‘What could he possibly think of me?’

Flustered, she had tried to cover it up by saying they were neighbors, but his eyes didn’t seem to believe her at all. She remembered his gaze clearly—it was almost contemptuous.

And of all people, she had been discovered by Dohyun’s younger sister.

Even if it had been someone else, she would still have been embarrassed…

She woke up to the sound of a female voice. At first, she thought it was a dream. When the chattering continued, followed by Dohyun’s voice, she sensed something was wrong and forced her eyes open.

The ceiling was unfamiliar. Looking around, she noticed Dohyun’s T-shirt hanging on a clothes rack and realized she was in his room. Relief was brief, as she could still hear English conversation from outside the door.

“I want to live here too.”

“Dream on.”

“So cold… Are you really my brother?”

‘Wait… Dohyun’s younger sister?’

Yeonha pinched her forehead. She resented him for not telling her his sister was coming, but soon realized from the conversation that he didn’t know either.

‘What should I do? Should I leave? Or just stay here?’

Realizing she was naked, she wrapped herself in the blanket and looked for her clothes, but they were nowhere to be found. Dohyun must have tidied them away.

Distraught, she heard the sister’s voice from outside saying she wanted to see the bedroom, followed by the sister and Dohyun’s playful argument. She decided it was better to leave confidently than be caught inside.

Wrapping herself with just a T-shirt, she stepped out. The younger sister was shocked. She likely never imagined a half-naked woman emerging from her brother’s house.

‘It’s fine. No need to shrink back.’

Trying to compose herself, Yeonha was flustered by the sister’s questioning gaze and left Dohyun’s house without properly explaining. It wasn’t an affair—they were consenting adults who liked each other—but she acted as if she’d done something wrong.

She felt pathetic. Foolish.

Ruffling her hair with both hands, Yeonha muttered,

‘Seoyeon Ha, what are you doing at thirty-three…’

She didn’t know when Dohyun’s sister would return to Australia, but she didn’t want to face her anytime soon.

She considered going to a friend’s house, but barging into a newlywed home would be a nuisance. Hotels were fine for a day or two, but the cost was burdensome.

‘Sigh… Right next door. Even if I’m careful, I could be caught at any moment.’

‘I shouldn’t have answered his call.’

Then there would have been no movie, no kiss, no sleeping together…

‘Seoyeon Ha, stop making excuses. You know it’s pathetic.’

The problem was how to face his younger sister. She couldn’t pretend not to know her, but acknowledging her felt awkward. Even greeting her might not be accepted.

That gaze—the cold, sharp blue eyes—was etched clearly in her mind.

At that moment, Yeonha sprang up and muttered to herself,

“Wait… why are her eyes blue?”

At the time, she was too flustered to notice, but recalling later, Dohyun and his sister didn’t resemble each other at all.

Kayla had pale skin, scattered freckles, red hair, and clear, deep blue eyes, unmistakably Western in appearance.

‘That’s strange… she’s supposed to be my brother’s sister…’

Yeonha was dumbfounded. Expecting a fellow Asian sibling, a sudden thought struck her.

‘Could this be a stepfamily?’

While Kayla was showering, Dohyun called his adoptive parents in Australia.

Given Kayla’s clumsy nature, it was likely she hadn’t contacted them after arriving at the airport.

As expected. When they answered, Sophia immediately asked, “Did you meet Kayla?” She hadn’t called.

“Don’t worry. Kayla arrived safely.”

“I told her to call as soon as she landed… Where was her head?”

“She was probably too excited and wanted to surprise me,” Dohyun replied with a smile at her familiar scolding.

“Sorry, were you startled? Kayla begged me to keep it a secret, so I couldn’t tell.”

“It’s okay. Take care of her well and send her back safely.”

“If she doesn’t listen, send her back immediately, okay?”

“Yes, I will.”

Sophia spoke playfully, but Dohyun could sense her concern about her daughter inconveniencing him. He responded lightly to ease her mind.

After a brief, laughter-filled conversation, Sophia cautiously asked,

“By the way, Jaden, everything’s okay, right?”

From her tone, it seemed she was asking about the progress regarding his biological parents.