Chapter 67
Yuna's POV
No. No, no, no.
This isn't happening. This is just a bad dream.
Haemin would never ask for a divorce. He loves me. He's just… scared, right? That's all. He's scared after seeing me like that. That must be it.
I love him too much.
That's right. He's just confused. He doesn't know what he's saying. I just need to talk to him. I can fix this.
I pushed myself up from my chair, my legs moving before I even realized what I was doing. I had to find him. I couldn't let him leave like that.
"Chairwoman."
Harin's voice cut through the haze in my mind. She stepped in front of me, blocking my path. Her posture was straight, but her eyes were pleading. My thoughts were so consumed by Haemin that I had almost forgotten she was still here.
"Move," I said coldly, stepping to the side to pass her.
Harin shifted again, blocking me.
"Please, Chairwoman, it's better to let him go for now," she said softly. "He needs time to calm down."
"I said, move."
"I can't."
My voice dropped, laced with warning. "You're in no position to stop me, Harin."
"I'm sorry, Chairwoman," she said, grabbing my arm before I could pass. "But as your aide, I have to step in. I can't just stand by and watch you ruin yourself like this."
"Ruin myself?" I snapped, turning sharply toward her. "You're the one who ruined everything earlier. You shouldn't have interfered."
"And let you choke your husband to death?" she shot back, her voice trembling. "I couldn't allow that, Chairwoman."
"Why not? He wants to leave me. Do you understand what that means? If I can't have him—" I stopped mid-sentence, my voice shaking as my breathing hitched. "Then maybe it's better if neither of us lives, don't you think, Harin?"
"Please, Chairwoman… please don't say that. You need to understand his side too. He's just confused and hurt right now. He probably said those words out of frustration. You know how devoted he is and how much he loves you."
"Then he shouldn't have said those words," I hissed, yanking my arm free and stepping forward.
"Chairwoman, please." Harin quickly moved to block me again, gripping my wrist tighter this time. "Mr. Kim is really upset right now. If you go after him and people see you two arguing in public, it's only a matter of time before rumors spread. It'll only make things worse. Please… calm yourself."
Her words cut through the haze in my head, dragging me back. I froze, breathing hard, my fists trembling. As much as I hated to admit it, Harin was right.
Haemin was still upset. If I went after him and tried to persuade him, dragging him into the car would be an easy task for me. But I would have to use some force to do that, and he would certainly resist. If we ended up arguing in public, it would only be a matter of time before it made the news.
This is so frustrating. I yanked Harin's hand again and began pacing near the window, biting my thumbnail hard enough to draw blood without even realizing it.
The thought of Haemin walking away, of him not being by my side tonight, made my stomach twist with anger and something darker. Even though I knew he would never cheat, that ugly thought always lingered in the back of my mind. I knew it wasn't real, but the image of another woman trying to comfort him was enough to make my blood boil and my whole body tremble with rage.
My thoughts spun out of control. I slammed my fist on the desk, the sharp sound echoing through the room. Harin flinched but said nothing.
I exhaled shakily, my breath uneven, trying to steady the storm inside me.
"Follow him, Harin," I ordered. "Find out where he goes. Report back to me immediately."
"Understood," she said quietly, bowing slightly before turning toward the door.
"Harin."
She stopped. "Yes, Chairwoman?"
"Remember," I said coldly, "I just want you to follow him quietly, not talk to him."
"Understood." Harin nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
I stood there in silence, barely able to contain the fury burning inside me. I wanted to go after him myself, but I knew I wouldn't be able to hold back my anger if I saw his face right now.
Haemin… you really did it this time. You hurt my heart, you know that? It hurt so much, Haemin.
The audacity of him, thinking he could just divorce me and walk away? Does he really think it's that simple?
Has he forgotten who his wife is?
Why does he have to behave like this? Is it because I was involved in the acquisition? Really? Just because of that petty reason? Or because I raised my hand against him? But he should understand why I did that, right? Why did he have to bring up another woman's name in front of me? It's normal I'd react that way, isn't it?
But Haemin… I'm sure you didn't meet Sera at all, right? You just said it because you were upset, thinking I didn't care about you. Is that it? Was that your goal from the beginning? To push me until I snapped, just so you could use that as an excuse to ask for a divorce?
Did you really think I'd fall for something like that? Did you really think I'm that naïve? Wow, Haemin. I feel insulted, you know that?
I slammed my fist down again, harder this time.
Haemin
Haemin
Haemin
"I really have become too soft with you, haven't I? To the point where you're not even afraid to say something like that?"
I gritted my teeth, glaring at my reflection in the glass wall. My tears had already dried.
"Okay, Haemin. If that's what you want," I muttered, brushing the hair from my face. "I'll let you breathe tonight."
A humorless laugh escaped my lips, quiet and bitter.
"But tomorrow…" I said quietly, "tomorrow won't go the way you expect. You'll learn how powerless you really are against me. I'll make you realize there will be no way for you to leave me. And when I bring you back to me…"
My reflection stared back at me.
"…I'll make sure you beg me for forgiveness"
_____
Haemin's POV
I ended the call and slowly lowered the phone onto the table. For a long moment, I just sat there, staring blankly at the screen as Auntie's voice still echoed faintly in my head. Somehow, just hearing her again, felt like a small weight had been lifted from my chest.
I wiped the corner of my eyes with the back of my hand and let out a quiet laugh. "Luckily I didn't actually cry," I murmured to myself. "That would've been embarrassing."
Still, my chest ached. I leaned back against the sofa and exhaled deeply. Today had drained me more than I could ever remember. Too much had happened. Too many things I hadn't processed yet.
I ran a hand through my hair, staring at nothing. How am I even this calm? I wondered. Just hours ago, I was sure I wouldn't make it out of that office alive. Maybe… after living through so many harsh days with Yuna, I'd just grown numb.
I laughed… quietly.
At myself.
Even though… there's nothing funny about any of this.
Then I let out a breath that felt more like a sigh.
I just… can't believe it.
This time…
it's really… over… isn't it?
From now on…
I can live freely… right?
After this…
I can live… without someone telling me what to do… right?
After this, I can…
live without being scared of upsetting anyone… right?
After this…
I can…
live without being controlled…
right?
I can…
live…
without fear…
right?
I…
can…
live…
without…
being hurt…
again…
right?
After…
this…
I…
can…
live…
Why…
Why you…
Why you so cruel…
to me… Yun—
A tear rolled down my cheek before I even realized it.
And then another.
And another.
"…Shit," I muttered under my breath, hurriedly wiping my face.
But it was too late. The tears kept coming, until I couldn't stop them anymore.
Just then—
[Knock. Knock]
A sudden knock echoed through the room.
I froze, my body tensing instantly.
Someone was at the door.
The soft knocking echoed again, breaking through the quiet of the room.
My breath caught. Who… who could that be?
I quickly wiped my face with both hands, trying to erase any trace of tears. My heart began to race, pounding hard against my chest. This apartment had been empty for so long. I hadn't even told anyone I was staying here. No one should be here.
Another gentle knock.
I froze, staring toward the door.
Wait… could it be—?
Yuna?
The thought made my chest tighten. My hand trembled slightly. She was the only one who knew I lived here. No one else. Did she… come here?
The knocking continued, soft but persistent. Each sound made my pulse quicken. My throat felt dry, my palms cold.
If I didn't open, the noise would draw attention from other tenants. But if I did open…
I swallowed hard, my feet moving almost on their own. Step by step, I approached the door. I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering above the handle.
Then, slowly, I turned it.
The door opened with a faint creak.
And standing there—
"…Sera?"
My voice came out in disbelief.
Sera stood in the doorway, her tall figure casting a shadow over me. She wore a light beige coat and fitted jeans. For a brief moment, she gave me a small, gentle smile.
"Haemin," she said softly.
My eyes widened. "S–Sera… w–what are you doing he—ah—"
Before I could even finish, her hand came up, lifting my chin. Her palm pressed against my cheek, and I could finally see her expression clearly. Her brows drawn tight, eyes filled with both anger and worry.
"Haemin… what happened to your face?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern.
Then, without hesitation, she pushed the door open wider and grabbed my shoulder, scanning me from head to toe. Her tone hardened. "What happened to your body?"
Her sudden closeness made me tense. I could see the disbelief and fury flashing in her eyes.
"S–Sera, wait—"
I pulled away quickly, breaking free from her grip and taking a step back. My heart was pounding as I tried to keep some distance between us.
"Sera… what are you doing here?" I asked quietly, trying to sound calm.
But she didn't answer. Her gaze stayed locked on me, her voice sharp and demanding. "Haemin, what happened to you?"
She ignored my question entirely, as if my words didn't even reach her. She tried to step further inside, but I blocked her way.
"Sera, please." I lifted my hand, keeping the door halfway closed between us. "I don't know how you found this place, but I'm asking you to leave. It's getting late. You shouldn't be here."
I pushed the door slowly, trying to close it, but she was faster. She slid her foot between the door and the frame, stopping it with ease.
Her voice rose slightly. "Haemin, don't avoid me. Tell me what happened."
I took a deep breath. "It's nothing," I said quietly. "I just… fell earlier this evening. That's all."
It was a weak lie, and I knew she could see right through it. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Please, Sera. I don't want anyone to see you here right now."
But before I could react, she pushed the door open in one swift motion and stepped inside as if she didn't care at all about what I just said.
"Sera—!"
She didn't let me finish. She reached out, grabbed my hand firmly, and tugged me forward. I stumbled slightly, forced to follow her as she led me toward the living room.
Once we reached the middle of the room, she finally released her grip on me.
"Sit," she ordered, pointing toward the sofa while she continued walking around, scanning the place.
I stood frozen for a moment, my mind still trying to catch up with what was happening. "Sera, please, you need to leave. If Yuna finds—"
"I said sit."
Her tone was firm, sharp enough to silence me completely.
Without another word, I sat down on the sofa. My hands rested awkwardly on my knees as I watched her move around. She took off her coat and laid it neatly on the coffee table. Then, with a faint sigh, she reached up and quickly tied her hair into a loose bun. Strands fell over her face, but she didn't bother fixing them.
"Where do you keep your medical kit?" she asked, her voice calm but cold.
"S–Sera, you don't need to—"
"I asked where it is."
Her tone left no room for argument. I swallowed hard, then pointed toward the small cabinet beside the table. "There… inside that drawer."
Without hesitation, she went straight to it, pulled it open, and grabbed the small white box inside. Then she came back and sat down very close to me. Our knees nearly brushed.
I instinctively tried to shift a little to the side, but before I could,
"Stop moving." She said firmly.
I froze in place.
She opened the med kit and pulled out some antiseptic wipes and fresh plasters.
"You did it wrong."
"Huh?" I blinked, confused.
Without another word, she leaned closer and gently peeled off the plaster on my temple. The sting made me flinch, but her hand stayed firm, holding my face steady, cleaning the area before applying a new one neatly in its place.
The silence between us was heavy. I could only hear the faint rustle of the bandage and her soft breathing as she worked. Then, after a moment, she finally spoke.
"It's Yuna who did this, isn't she?"
Her voice was calm but sharp.
I froze, my eyes darting away. "N–No, like I said, I fell—"
Sera paused, her hand hovering midair, and looked at me coldly, as if she wasn't in the mood to play around.
I swallowed hard, my words dying in my throat. She didn't say anything more, but the silence itself was enough to tell me she already knew the answer. She simply continued treating the bruise on my arm.
"I already told you this afternoon, didn't I?" she said quietly while dabbing the bruise. "I said I would handle it. Why did you have to rush to meet her? You know how she is, don't you?"
I winced slightly.
"Of course she'd be furious if she found out you met me," she continued, unwrapping a clean bandage. "Why couldn't you just wait patiently?"
I lowered my gaze, silently listening to her as she worked.
"W–Well, I can't really wait, can I? I just wanted to hear the truth from her. Part of me still wanted to believe in her… even if it's a lie."
Sera paused briefly, the bandage half-wrapped in her hands. She let out a slow breath and then continued. "And this is what you get." Her voice was cold. "Was it worth it?"
I smiled faintly, not sure how to answer. "I don't know."
She shook her head, tying the bandage with a neat fold. "I should scold you more, but seeing you like this…" she sighed again. "Forget it."
Her hands finally dropped from my arm, and she reached for the ointment cap, before closing it.
"Sera…"
She didn't look at me, just tidied the med kit.
"I didn't properly thank you this afternoon," I said, voice low.
She stayed silent, only pausing to brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Thanks… for what you did for my family."
"You don't need to thank me."
"What you did was huge. I don't even know how to repay you."
Her eyes softened, though she still focused on wrapping the last piece of tape. "It's okay, Haemin. You don't need to repay me. And besides, this is just my personal investment…"
"Investment?" I asked, not sure what she meant.
"It's done." she said, cutting me off.
She placed the medical kit on the small table beside the sofa and turned back toward me. Without hesitation, she leaned in slightly and held my chin with her hand, tilting my face up so our eyes met.
Her fingers were gentle but firm. "Your face looks pale," she said quietly. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet," I mumbled, forcing a small smile. "I'll just order some food."
Sera sighed, clearly unimpressed. "That won't do. Wait here."
Before I could say anything, she stood up, grabbed her coat from the table, and slipped it on.
"I'll be back shortly."
And just like that, she walked out of the apartment.
I blinked at the door, completely confused. "Where is she going…?" I muttered under my breath.
After a moment, I sighed deeply, running my hand through my hair. Was this really okay? Why was Sera even here? Wait, that wasn't the most important thing right now.
What if Yuna somehow found out Sera was here? What if she came here? That would be a disaster.
Sera already looked furious earlier. I could see it in her eyes. If she found out what really happened, and if she and Yuna ever confronted each other here…
I didn't even want to imagine it.
I felt my chest tighten as panic slowly crept in. I rubbed the side of my neck subconsciously. The marks Yuna had left earlier had already faded, thankfully. If they hadn't, Sera would've known immediately.
I leaned back on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. I didn't know what to think anymore.