Chapter 80. Lee Dohyun (10)

“Lee Jaeheon… I think I like your brother.”

Jo Yeonju had said that once on campus, her face drawn and pale.

“So?”

“That’s all. I know Dohyun sunbae has a girlfriend. But I wanted to tell someone. And you’re his brother.”

The word ‘girlfriend’ made something flare up inside him. He was young then. Immature.

“So what? Go for it. Try to win him over. Honestly, he’s not as serious as he looks. Who knows? Yeonju, maybe you’re prettier than his girlfriend.”

He’d lied without flinching.

There was no woman in the world more beautiful than Jung Eunkyo—but he still said it.

Maybe Yeonju took it as encouragement, because she started seeing Dohyun more often. Rumors began to spread.

Then one day, Yeonju started having morning sickness.

She ran to the bathroom gagging, and the moment Jaeheon saw it, a sharp electric thrill ran through his brain.

He laughed like a madman.

Because this… was a chance he couldn’t let go.

“Wait… is it his? Did you… get pregnant with my brother’s kid?”

He knew it wasn’t true.

But he wanted to see how far her ambition would take her.

Yeonju’s red-rimmed eyes shook. And then, hesitantly—she nodded.

“Yeah… I think so. No—yes. It’s his.”

He was thrilled.

Lee Dohyun had turned out to be even more of a piece of trash than expected. And Jo Yeonju’s desperation—so raw and willing—was exactly what he needed.

He just needed someone who could make the most of that truth.

And no one would be a more efficient puppet than Kim Haeda.

Jaeheon never lied. He never threatened anyone. Everything was simply the result of people’s choices. Their actions. Their desires. So no one would get hurt—at least, that’s what he believed.

Until he saw Jung Eunkyo break down after Dohyun left.

Until he saw her fall apart.

Before that moment, all he’d felt was joy.

*Beep!*

The machine hummed to life with a short mechanical chirp.

Leaving it running, Jaeheon grabbed his car keys and phone. It was almost 9 p.m.—the time he and Eunkyo had agreed on.

***

“I’m heading out first.”

She’d stayed long enough. Eunkyo leaned toward Seowoo and whispered,

“So soon?”

Seowoo looked disappointed. Eunkyo offered a sheepish smile and downed the rest of her wine.

“I’m full, a little tipsy… and it seems like everyone’s planning to head out for drinks afterward. I’m kinda tired.”

Seowoo glanced over at Dohyun, who sat beside them casually chatting with another guest, and lowered her voice with a scowl.

“You better tell me what happened later. I didn’t ask earlier ’cause you looked like a mess. Your eyes were all red—”

“I’m not okay. Of course I’m not. But right now, I sort of am. I’m going, Seowoo.”

As Seowoo started to rise, Eunkyo gently patted her shoulder and slipped away.

By now, the awkwardness in the room had faded. The brilliant sunset had given way to full darkness.

And tonight, she had plans with Lee Jaeheon.

Even if they hadn’t made a plan, she probably would’ve sought him out anyway.

Tonight, she didn’t want to be alone.

Eunkyo quietly left the hall, pulling out her phone to call Jaeheon—sure he was somewhere nearby, waiting.

But before she could dial, Dohyun appeared, cutting her off.

“Let’s go together. I’ll give you a ride.”

He reached for her handbag as if it were the most natural thing in the world, startling her.

“No. Someone’s picking me up.”

“Someone?”

Dohyun’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“At this hour? Isn’t it a little late—”

“That’s why.”

She cut him off, her voice cold. He dropped the act, fixing her with that gentle, coaxing gaze he used when trying to soothe.

“Eunkyo… I just want to take you home tonight. We didn’t finish talking. It’s been three years. There’s so much—”

“You’re misunderstanding. We’re not in a place where we owe each other explanations. No reasons. No persuasion. No apologies.”

“Jung Eunkyo.”

The way he said her name squeezed her chest from the inside out. Not long ago, she thought Jaeheon’s voice sounded like Dohyun’s.

But now, it was the other way around—Dohyun’s voice reminded her of Jaeheon.

How strange.

“Don’t say my name.”

She snapped, stepping onto the escalator.

That’s when she saw Jaeheon.

Leaning casually against one of the mirrored columns by the lobby.

“I’ll wait, Eunkyo.”

Dohyun’s voice faded behind her.

“Call me back, okay?”

She didn’t look back. She didn’t close her eyes. She didn’t drop her head.

She just rode the escalator down—steadily, calmly.

And Jaeheon, who’d been leaning against the mirrored column, turned his head. He slipped his phone into his pocket and approached her.

As if he’d just reunited with someone he’d longed for forever.

“It’s exactly nine o’clock, sunbae.”