Chapter 81. Lee Dohyun (11)

It really was exactly 9 o’clock.

Checking the time, Eunkyo smiled and pulled out two candies from her pocket.

One was milk-flavored, the other coffee-flavored—they were the kind placed in the dessert pots on each table at the event.

“Which one would you like?”

She didn’t say ‘Do you want one?’ but rather ‘Which one would you choose?’—a subtle difference, but one Jaeheon would understand without explanation.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but her face was flushed, and the surrounding noise seemed unusually loud. Without hesitation, Jaeheon chose the milk candy.

“I like the milk flavor.”

He unwrapped the candy himself and popped it into her mouth. It tasted more like condensed milk or formula than regular milk. As she rolled the candy around in her mouth, she hooked her arm through his.

The touch wasn’t entirely natural, and he briefly looked down, then let out a small laugh. Leaning forward suddenly to meet her eyes, he asked,

“Did you run into your first love or something?”

He smelled like he’d just stepped out of the shower—it was her favorite scent. It didn’t suit the image of Lee Jaeheon at all, but maybe that was why it was so addictive. That unexpectedness. As if he were whispering not to judge him by appearances. She liked the way he smelled.

“Not exactly… I ran into someone I broke up with a while ago.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

“Explains what?”

“You look even prettier today.”

He shrugged lightly and poked her puffed cheek.

“I’m jealous, sunbae.”

Eunkyo laughed, telling him not to overthink it. Then they stood by the hotel entrance chatting casually while the valet brought Jaeheon’s car.

Last night, Jaeheon had done most of the talking. Tonight, it was her turn. While they spoke, several people from the event passed by, heading to the smoking area, sneaking glances at the two.

Eunkyo didn’t mind their curiosity—in fact, she welcomed it.

Another rumor would probably spread from the event. This time, something like: Jung Eunkyo left the hotel with a younger man.

It wasn’t exactly what she wanted, but it was still better than the awful rumor that she had married Lee Dohyun and had his child.

“By the way, did you go somewhere earlier today too, Jaeheon?”

Just then, his car pulled up.

Tonight, Jaeheon was dressed in a suit even more classic than the last time. It wasn’t just stylish—it looked like he’d just come from a job interview, with a neatly tied tie. He chuckled at her belated question.

“I got an offer to work after graduation. It’s an architecture and art company—somewhere I’ve always been interested in. The offer was good, so I went to talk to them.”

He opened the passenger door and gently nudged her into the car. As she sank into the unusually soft seat, he leaned over and buckled her seat belt for her.

Eunkyo stared at his profile in silence.

Whenever Jaeheon was with her, he treated her like someone he truly loved.

For a relationship built on fleeting interest—something to enjoy only until the thrill wore off—his actions were far too sweet and tender.

That realization brought sudden discomfort. Maybe it was because of Dohyun. The pain and turmoil of their relationship made this light, undefined bond with Jaeheon feel even more enjoyable—so much so that her moral compass was thrown into confusion.

Jaeheon caught her gaze and offered a tilted smile.

“Did the candy melt already?”

He asked out of the blue.

‘She’s been pretty zone out lately…’

Eunkyo shook her head.

“No, not yet.”

“Ah… then suck on it slowly. Don’t bite it.”

She furrowed her brow at the strange comment—then spotted Dohyun walking out through the hotel’s revolving door.

Surrounded by several people, he pulled out a cigarette and stared directly at her.

He looked like someone suppressing strong emotions—or trying to endure something. As soon as he exited, he lit his cigarette.

His head tilted slightly, but his gaze never left Eunkyo.

“Let’s go. Looks like it’s going to rain.”

She turned her eyes away first.

Dohyun’s sudden reappearance had hurt her more than the three years he had been away.

Throwing her phone after he said he missed her. Standing under ice-cold water, trembling like her skin was being torn apart. The fact that she didn’t recoil when he pulled her into his arms.

She hated it. Hated it so much her whole body shivered—but it was the truth.

*Click!*

The car door shut. As she turned her head and took a breath, she saw Dohyun still standing there through the window.

He exhaled smoke, watching Jaeheon as he walked around the car to the driver’s side.

For the first time, Eunkyo thought Jaeheon’s pace was too slow.

“By the way… do you like jazz?”

After getting in the driver’s seat, Jaeheon paused at her question, then nodded.

“I don’t mind it. Why?”

“Ah… I brought tickets with me today. It’s for a jazz club that plays every weekend. If you’re free, I thought we could go together.”