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CHAPTER25
She was one of the thinner women, with long arms, legs, and waist that made clothes look very good on her.
“You don’t even need a model. Your body is so enviable.”
“No way, unnie, you’re better.”
Dasom complimented Hana’s upper body. Hana blushed and laughed.
“I’ll take this one.”
Dasom called her manager, Director Min. She looked inside her clutch bag, then froze.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, I think I left my wallet in the car. I’ll call Director Baek to bring it.”
“Forget it, I’ll pay. Don’t you use mobile pay?”
“Mobile pay?”
“Seriously, how have you lived without it? I’ll show you later—it’s so convenient.”
Hana paid for the clothes and bag. Dasom took the receipt, saying she’d pay her back later.
“Since we’re here, let’s look at ballet practice clothes too.”
“Good idea. I need a few more anyway.”
The two of them spent time together like real sisters. They met at least three or four times a week. Sometimes, when Hana was bored and called her, Dasom would go meet her no matter where she was.
“Ugh, maybe because it’s been a while, my body feels stiff.”
“You’re doing great.”
Once a week, they practiced ballet in a private studio for a charity performance.
“You’re really good at ballet.”
“I’ve loved it since I was little. I was even good enough to join a ballet company.”
“That’s professional level.”
“But I never made it in.”
“Because of your engagement with Seonghun oppa?”
“I don’t regret it. Thanks to that, I met you and good people.”
Dasom smiled.
Regret.
Even as she said she had no regret, it wasn’t true.
When she danced, it felt like she owned the world. Life revolved around her.
Only while dancing did Dasom feel truly alive.
Ballet was her life. Her breath.
Ironically, she realized this even more strongly after her regression. Only then did she remember that before, she would practice ballet like crazy whenever life got hard.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“It’s all in the past. I’m fine now.”
Dasom showed a graceful arm movement, her fingertips soft, her head following the line.
Hana stared at her, entranced. Her thin limbs, which looked like they could break, moved strong and flexible like an unbending tree.
Hana stepped to the center.
“I want to try too. Teach me something easy.”
“Okay.”
Dasom taught her step by step.
“En bas, first and second position, plié, dégagé, tendu, close. Slow music. Wow, unnie, are you sure this is your first time?”
“I told you, I’ve done ballet before.”
Dasom’s praise made Hana beam proudly.
“Then shall we try something harder?”
“Let’s do it.”
They practiced for about two hours until Hana gave up, waving her hands.
Dasom gave her a water bottle.
“Thanks. I improved a lot compared to the start, right?”
“Of course.”
“You’re really good though.”
“No, you dance better than me. I can’t do that.”
“Hehe, really?”
“Unnie, let’s share secrets.”
“Secrets? I don’t really have any.”
Dasom stepped closer.
“No one lives without secrets. You’re going to be the future lady of the Cheonmyeong family, and I’ll be the one to support you.”
“You really do talk nicely. Fine, what do you want to know?”
“Anything. I’ll like it as long as it’s from you.”
“Then you go first.”
Hana leaned on the bar, watching her. Dasom sat beside her.
“I always watch people’s moods. And if I don’t get recognized, I get tired.”
“Really?”
“You know, right? I’m an illegitimate child. I grew up always being careful, because no one acknowledged me. I try to fix it, but it’s hard.”
Half of this was true—it was her old self before regression.
“What about you, unnie?”
“Me? Honestly, I love attention.”
“Huh?”
“I hate being ignored. I want people to notice me. That’s who I am.”
“That’s not bad at all. I’m not lively like you, I’m always a step behind.”
“You have me, right? We’ll keep seeing each other.”
“You’re right.”
“Then that’s enough. I think you’re amazing. Living in that family couldn’t have been easy.”
“……Thank you. You’re the only one who ever said that.”
Dasom lowered her eyes, holding the bottle. Her face, covered in sweat, looked calm.
But for a second, her gaze turned cold.
“So you wanted to be the main character. You used Yoon Jinwoo to enter the Cheonmyeong family… and secretly met Yoon Seonghun.”
Dasom knew very well what kind of person Hana was. But only now did it sink in emotionally.
At that moment, Dasom’s phone buzzed.
[C3, IN.]
It was a text from Baek Seongtae in the lobby.
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C = Cheonmyeong
-
3 = the third son
Meaning: Yoon Jinwoo had arrived at the ballet studio.
Dasom often exchanged coded messages with him. She checked it and set the phone down.
“Shall we do one last run?”
“Here? No way, I’m tired. I’ll just watch.”
“Okay. Then unnie, play the music.”
Hana turned on the music. The low strings filled the studio.
Dasom stood in the center. She placed her right foot forward in fifth position, inhaled, pressed her heel, raised her arms, dropped her shoulders, her fingertips alive with movement.
Just then, the thick soundproof door opened slightly.
From the mirror’s edge, Dasom saw Yoon Jinwoo’s silhouette.
She ignored it and kept dancing. Sliding her foot, tracing a line with her toes.
“Wow…”
Hana, not noticing Jinwoo, only watched the dance.
When the music ended, Dasom was sweating and breathing hard.
“Oh, Jinwoo!”
Hana finally noticed him and waved happily. Jinwoo walked closer.
“How did you know I was here? Did you come for me?”
“I asked Secretary Choi. Since you’re performing at the charity event, I thought I should watch at least once.”
“You sweet boy! You must be so busy with filming, but you still came!”
Hana pulled his cheek playfully and laughed. Jinwoo forced a polite smile.
From that day on, Jinwoo couldn’t look Hana in the eyes properly.
What did she and Yoon Seonghun really do on that terrace?
Maybe Hana and Seonghun were closer than he had thought.
