Chapter 45. The Bruise Below Her Collar (1)

At first, I was nervous that things might proceed exactly as in the original storyline, but on second thought, there was no reason to be anxious. In fact, Cha Jaeheon’s fondness for Lee Seonkyung could even work to our advantage.

If Cha Jaeheon were to fall in love with Lee Seonkyung, the broken engagement would go much more smoothly.

Even in the original work, Lee Seonkyung was excellent at managing her admirers, so she wouldn’t hesitate to secure both Seo Jungwon and Cha Jaeheon.

If only Cha Jaeheon would quickly fall for her, and thus break off his engagement.

Brimming with hope, Sera actively egged Cha Jaeheon on. In her excitement, she didn’t even realize she was tugging at his shirt.

“If you truly care about me, you wouldn’t have to worry about that. I might not say it outright, but no one would think it strange if you chose Lee Seonkyung over me. They’d even say it’s a wise choice.”

“…”

“I agree. Missing out on someone like Seonkyung would be foolish.”

While Sera prattled on as she pleased, Cha Jaeheon was completely absorbed in other thoughts. In fact, he might not have been thinking at all.

‘Had he ever seen the real Sera this close before?’

From the moment they met, he had never regarded Sera in a romantic light. The overwhelming feelings he experienced made it impossible for him to see her as anything more than a passing acquaintance.

‘Just for today, please don’t push me away. Just a little longer…’

There was a time when a drunken Sera had forcefully clung to him. At that moment, Cha Jaeheon felt nothing but discomfort. Every sensation she evoked triggered an almost violent sense of repulsion, making even the briefest moment of skin contact unbearable.

Yet today, everything was different. Even though he was irritated by the way she objectified him, her dry demeanor, and the insolence of casually laughing while mentioning another man…

He couldn’t deny that every single gesture from Sera was oddly stirring something in him.

“Above all, aren’t we about to become complete strangers soon?”

With a conspiratorial smile, Sera stepped back from Cha Jaeheon. With eyes that curved at the edges, a slightly upturned nose, and small, plump lips—she had never struck him as particularly beautiful before, but somehow, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“…”

Cha Jaeheon’s jaw tightened slightly as he noticed a faint bruise just below Sera’s delicate neck, hidden by her dress.

It was a mysterious scar, its origin unknown. Considering it had been quite some time since the Raum Group party, the fact that the mark still lingered suggested that the assault that day must have been rather brutal.

Since that day, Sera had claimed she had completely let go of her lingering feelings for Cha Jaeheon—a worthless memory long since forgotten.

“… Maybe?”

Lost in thought, Cha Jaeheon finally snapped back to reality and, in a flat tone, asked Sera again:

“What did you say?”

“Didn’t you hear me?”

A flash of irritation crossed Sera’s face, but she knew full well that he had ignored her before and that getting angry wouldn’t help her case. Adopting a gentle tone, she repeated herself.

“I said, ‘Would you like me to introduce you to Seonkyung?’”

Cha Jaeheon let out a hollow laugh, clearly incredulous.

“So you’re saying you’d introduce your friend to me even though I’m your fiancé?”

“A hollow engagement might be beneath us, but is it really a moral issue?”

“…”

“In life, you only get one chance. It’s best to live without regrets.”

With a sly smile, Sera clinked her glass against Cha Jaeheon’s. The clear tinkling sound of the thin glass resonated.

“Whenever you want, just let me know. I honestly don’t mind.”

“…”

“Oh, it’s already eight.”

Checking the time, Sera drained her half-full glass, grabbed her clutch, and motioned for Cha Jaeheon to follow as if to say, “Let’s get out of here.” It was exactly the brisk, unencumbered attitude he had been longing for.

“Thanks for helping out today. I won’t trouble you with my presence for a while.”

At Sera’s words, Cha Jaeheon paused briefly before offering a polite smile.

For no apparent reason, his mood sank.

***