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Chapter 9 ….
“Who gave you permission to…?!”
“Stop entertaining pointless thoughts like ending things.”
No matter what Jeonghee said, no matter how she refused, Seohun only said what he wanted to say.
“…You, you.”
“So, Heeya.”
“……”
“It’s troublesome when you run away whenever you want.”
Putting on a pitiful expression, he brushed a hand across Jeonghee’s pale cheek.
The gesture was careful, as though he were caressing fragile glass.
That horrifying gentleness made Jeonghee grit her teeth.
Was this what it felt like talking to a wall?
Just a month ago, Seohun had never been this unreasonable.
The fact that he was now exposing the ugliest parts of himself without restraint felt unfamiliar—and frightening—to Jeonghee.
“Ji Seohun, you crazy bastard!”
Unable to hold back any longer, she shoved him hard and shouted.
“I know. I’m crazy.”
“…What?”
Instead of being pushed away, he merely laughed it off and stepped even closer.
“So be careful.”
“……”
“Right now, I can’t see anything except you.”
Your place is beside me anyway.
No matter who I marry, you’re the only one I love.
At those disgusting words whispered so softly, Jeonghee’s arm, which had been trying to push him away again, froze.
Was what he called love even a normal relationship?
Ignoring her opinions, obsessing over her, treating her like a possession, tying her to his side…
No.
That wasn’t love.
It was nothing more than selfish obsession.
“…Heeya.”
Mistaking the uncertainty in her eyes for resignation, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.
His lips brushed against her ear as he called her name gently.
So painfully wistful that it made her forget every possible escape route.
“Jeonghee.”
“……”
“Yoo Jeonghee.”
“……”
Hearing her name spill from his lips again and again, Jeonghee’s expression twisted as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
“Why is it only at times like this…”
Why do you pretend to be so desperate and shake my heart?
Jeonghee bit her lower lip so hard it nearly bled.
The words rising to her throat were swallowed back down as she clamped her mouth shut.
“It’s okay. I know you’re upset.”
“……”
“Let’s try again. Just the two of us, like before.”
Touching her reddened lower lip with his fingers, Seohun continued soothing her in that same gentle voice.
“I… I said I don’t want you anymore.”
“Calm down. None of the things you’re worried about will happen.”
Seohun’s deep, low voice was so gentle it sent chills down her spine.
It was the very same voice that used to whisper in her ear like a lullaby on countless nights when she tossed and turned with severe insomnia.
But the words coming from that comforting voice were nothing but twisted nonsense.
“It’s just business. Breaking off the engagement isn’t easy, so I’m waiting for the right opportunity.”
“……”
“The seat beside me has always belonged to you.”
“……”
“Everything will be fine. Don’t listen to any pointless gossip.”
As he continued laying out his absurd logic, Seohun slowly caressed her cheek.
As if refusing to give her even a moment to think, he kept tightening the trap around her.
But then—
Smack!
Suddenly snapping back to her senses, Jeonghee harshly slapped away the hand cupping her cheek.
“…Hee…ya…?”
“You thought I’d fall for it again?”
Without even lowering his rejected hand, Seohun called her name with a pitiful expression.
But Jeonghee looked at him with eyes that had already gone cold.
Her wavering had lasted only a moment.
Even now, she could not find a shred of sincerity or respect in Ji Seohun’s eyes.
All she saw was relief.
Relief that he had gotten hold of a toy that was trying to escape.
Realizing there was nothing left to expect from someone who continued deceiving her even now, Jeonghee coldly pushed him away and left the waiting room.
“The fact that we’re over will never change.”
Leaving only those words behind.
* * *
Bang!
Staring at the door that had slammed shut behind her, Seohun let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Over? According to whose decision?”
The corners of his lips curled upward as he muttered to himself.
As long as he did not permit it, there was no such thing as an ending.
Whether it was his marriage or anything else, it made no difference.
Yoo Jeonghee was supposed to remain by his side, just as she always had.
She was probably only overwhelmed by anger right now.
Her emotions had gotten the better of her, making her think about breaking up.
How dare she.
He had no interest whatsoever in how Jeonghee actually felt.
Even her sudden change in attitude seemed to him like nothing more than a lover’s tantrum.
Even in a situation like this, Seohun arrogantly assumed he already understood everything.
“Haah, how annoying.”
Roughly loosening the tie that felt suffocating around his neck, Seohun left the now-empty waiting room.
Several minutes had already passed since Jeonghee had left.
Near the entrance of the wedding hall, Seoyoon’s friends were still gathered.
As soon as Seohun appeared, the friends who had not yet gone home crowded around him.
“What’s with you, Ji Seohun? The ceremony’s over. We were wondering where you disappeared to.”
“Why’s a family member wandering around? You should be staying with everyone.”
“What now? Why are you looking for me over something pointless?”
Shina was nowhere to be seen among the group.
It seemed she had already left.
“You complain even when we look out for you. More importantly, where’s Yoo Jeonghee?”
“Why are you looking for Jeonghee?”
Seohun immediately frowned.
“Why else? Things looked really tense earlier.”
“Don’t tell me you two actually fought in the waiting room?”
“Mind your own business. It doesn’t concern any of you.”
Although Seohun firmly drew the line, everyone kept bombarding him with questions.
Annoyed, he changed the subject.
“Where’s Shina?”
“Her parents were looking for her, so she went to see them.”
“Figures. She must be busy greeting people too.”
As Seohun nodded, Taekyung, standing beside him, lightly nudged his arm.
“By the way, what are you going to do?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Yoo Jeonghee. You’re going to wrap things up soon, right?”
“I told you to stop taking interest in other people’s relationships.”
Even after meeting Seohun’s irritated gaze, his friends continued talking as though it were perfectly normal.
“Now that Seoyoon’s wedding is done, your family’s probably going to start pushing you too.”
“Who knows. I’ll see how things develop first.”
“Then again, you’re not the type to be pushed around by anyone.”
“You should just end things with Yoo Jeonghee. There’s no reason to be so hung up on her.”
“Seo Taekyung, do you want to shut your mouth? Who’s hung up on whom?”
Seohun glared at him with icy eyes.
Startled, Taekyung took a step back.
“Whoa, don’t take your anger out on me.”
Even then, Jaewoong casually backed Taekyung up.
“Taekyung isn’t exactly wrong.”
“Ha Jaewoong, do you want to stick your nose into my business too?”
“Use your brain for a second. Even if it’s just business, do you think Shina would be happy about this?”
“I’m on Shina’s side.”
“You should just end things with Yoo Jeonghee and focus on Shina.”
“If rumors start spreading, things could get messy.”
The nonstop nagging clearly irritated him.
Seohun clicked his tongue.
“So tell me this.”
His voice was filled with genuine confusion.
“Why exactly should I break things off with Jeonghee?”
“Huh? Wait, you’re not planning to end it?”
“You know what Jeonghee’s like, so why would I?”
Now it was his friends who looked bewildered.
In wealthy families, marriage was business, wasn’t it?
Yet Seohun hated the fact that they were even putting Jeonghee and Shina on the same level.
“You seriously intend to keep Yoo Jeonghee by your side?”
“Is there some reason I can’t?”
“She’s Seoyoon’s best friend. Your little sister’s friend. That’s kind of messed up.”
Taekyung added a few more words in disbelief, but Seohun remained completely unconcerned.
“Jeonghee will understand. I already explained everything.”
“Hey, what kind of bullshit is that?”
“It’s business. Business and nothing more.”
“Everyone knows that, but still…”
Taekyung frowned and trailed off.
Seohun could easily predict what the rest of the sentence would have been.
But he ignored the advice and let it go in one ear and out the other.
