ITSN 14

Chapter 14

At her words, Seo Taejo’s neat brow furrowed slightly.

His face—creased in irritation, one eyebrow raised crookedly—seemed to say it all: What kind of nonsense are you spouting?

She knew. That the “home” he spoke of wasn’t her real home.

She knew she was no longer Joo Hong, but Yoo Haein, and that she had to live as Yoo Haein now.

And it was precisely because she knew this that it hurt all the more.

It was precisely because she knew that she also knew she shouldn’t feel hurt anymore.

Picking up the sunglasses she had taken off while crying, Joo Hong slipped them neatly back on. Without taking Seo Taejo’s hand, she stood up on her own.

As if to show that his hand had only been reluctantly extended kindness, Taejo withdrew it casually.

Her heart, which had been throbbing sharply, stung for a moment. But along with that sting, the sorrow and misery in her chest began to calm.

Hiding her swollen eyes behind the oversized sunglasses, she lifted her chin slightly.

“I can go alone.”

She had made a decision while watching her own funeral.

Since things have turned out this way, I’ll live properly as Yoo Haein.

There was no body left to return to anyway, so she would cling tightly to what had been given to her and survive at all costs.

Survive no matter what, and eventually catch the culprit who had taken her family.

So even to Seo Taejo, she needed to become the real Yoo Haein.

“Seonbae-nim…”

Drawing her chin in slightly, Joo Hong thought briefly—what would Haein do in a moment like this? Her manner of address would have to change too.

“…You.”

The rude Yoo Haein who had declared the engagement broken would never have called her ex-fiancé by warm titles like Seonbae or oppa.

“Just go about your business.”

Cold and haughty.

Mimicking the expression of Yoo Haein—the one she had chased and observed for three years—Joo Hong brushed past Seo Taejo and left the charnel house.

The refreshing scent of mint that lingered as she passed him tickled her nose, but she didn’t look back or steal a glance.

Clack, clack.

She relied on the firm sound of her heels, walking straight with a hardened resolve.

She exited the memorial hall, crossed the lobby, and just as she passed the front gates—

“You don’t suit it.”

Seo Taejo, who had followed her out, suddenly grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

Twisting her around roughly, he raked his cool gaze over her and said flatly,

“You weren’t the haughty type—you were cocky. Cheaper than this.”

“…What did you say?”

“I’m saying you picked the wrong concept.”

Then, tugging her along, he began to walk. Apparently determined to keep his promise to escort her.

If he was going to do this, couldn’t he at least be gentle? Why drag her along as if she were a criminal?

“Let go. What am I, some criminal?”

“Aren’t you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means stop messing around.”

“Look here, Seo Taejo-ssi.”

Wrenching her arm free, Haein glared at him.

“We’re broken off. You and I are nothing now. Who are you to call me cheap, to tell me to stop fooling around, to make such a fuss?”

Cheap—those words had been for the dead Haein. But stop fooling around—that was directed at her.

Since she was Yoo Haein now.

Or rather, because she wasn’t Yoo Haein, she didn’t want to accept such words. Especially not from this man.

“You go your way, I’ll go mine.”

Understand?

Her firm, backtalking tone made one of Taejo’s brows twitch upward.

“You? Me?”

The downward tilt of his dark eyes was shadowed and chilling, intimidating.

This was the time to ignore him—but the words slipped out again.

“Why, are you offended? How did I usually call you, anyway? Did I call you oppa or something?”

Her sneering words earned an unexpected reply.

“What, do you want me to call you darling, since you supposedly called me that?”

Darling?

That prickly Yoo Haein, sweetly calling someone darling?

No—that can’t be right. Weren’t the two of them on bad terms?

She had followed them for three years and never once saw them meet. How could there have been darling talk…?

In a daze, Joo Hong asked,

“…Did she really call you that? Must’ve been crazy. Darling—unbelievable.”

Seo Taejo’s perfect brow furrowed slightly.

“Stop fooling around and get in.”

“No, I can go alone…”

She was about to refuse, but somehow, before she knew it, she was shoved into the passenger seat of Taejo’s car. He slid into the driver’s side.

In the sealed space, the closeness between them shrank drastically. Joo Hong stiffened her shoulders.

Something felt strange.

Her chest thudded, her throat felt tight.

Cool mint, heavy woody notes, and something more, something faintly alluring.

Seo Taejo’s unique scent spread subtly around her.

Was it because the scent was familiar? Or had she suddenly turned into some pervert obsessed with smells? For some reason, she found it impossible to stay composed around his scent.

“Forget about darling. Don’t even dream of it—I won’t call you that.”

Perhaps because of that, nonsense spilled out of her mouth.

“Y-you too—you shouldn’t call me that either. It gives me goosebumps.”

At her babbling, Taejo only snorted, as if it wasn’t worth a reply. He fished his phone from his pocket.

It was only a phone, but even that small movement seemed elegant on him.

How had Haein managed to fall out with a man like this?

Couldn’t she have tried harder?

Stealing a side glance as he typed a message, Joo Hong’s eyes wandered down his profile.

Tap, tap, tap.

His long fingers brushed over the glass screen—swift, smooth, strangely sensual. Just like his scent.

Her gaze lingered, then moved down over his tie, his prominent Adam’s apple, the sharp masculine jawline, and finally his faintly red, alluring lips.

And then—she locked eyes with him.

The black pupils in his dark eyes narrowed.

Does he think I’m some pervert ogling men in secret?

Blinking rapidly, Joo Hong blurted something to distract.

“W-why are we here anyway?”

It was quick thinking, but maybe the wrong question.

“Then why are you here?”

The counterattack came instantly.

“I told you earlier.”

She had already prepared her excuse, sneaking out of the house that morning:

“The Ino training center accident… I was a victim too. I thought it was proper to come.”

At first, it worked. Taejo had believed her.

“Until the funeral, that was plausible.”

But not anymore.

“Following to the burial site though—that’s flimsy.”

Taejo’s expression cooled, his dark eyes gleaming with suspicion.

No—beyond suspicion.

What was it?

Hatred and contempt? Or bitter resentment? Or just sheer rage?

His gaze, tangled with all of it, asked quietly,

“Why here, of all places?”

It wasn’t really a question seeking an answer. More like a muttered soliloquy.

“How convenient.”

But his words snagged in her throat like thorns.

“Losing your memory lets you wash it all away with tears?”

Why here, of all places? Wash it away with tears.

Each word he threw, coupled with his darkly glimmering eyes, seemed heavy with meaning.

…As if he were reproaching, condemning Yoo Haein.

Was that why? A strange feeling stirred in her.

Since he was Haein’s fiancé—did Taejo also know Rok?

If he did, had he suspected Haein and Rok’s relationship?

Did he know that Rok’s death was connected to Haein?

Was that why he came to the memorial hall? Because he knew Rok rested here?

No, no. He couldn’t know.

He couldn’t…

Still, she wanted to ask.

Did he know of Haein and Rok’s relationship? Did he know her brother slept here?

Did he know his fiancée had threatened her brother with ridiculous lines like, You’ll die if you don’t listen to me?

But she couldn’t ask. She was supposed to have lost all her memories. If she revealed knowledge of Haein’s past, it would make no sense. So…

“Why were you crying there, anyway?”

“I’m not answering.”

Even as he pressed, with irritation, asking why she had cried—she couldn’t answer. No matter what she said, it wouldn’t be the right answer.

“You didn’t tell me why you came either.”

With firm, sealed lips, Joo Hong showed her refusal to speak further.

Silence filled the space between them.

It felt heavy—long if long, short if short. Finally, Taejo broke it.

“I came because of you. Because I wanted to know why you’re doing this.”