Scene 1 – A Quiet Morning
📍 Hospital Cafeteria
The atmosphere had finally become calmer.
Jiho sat beside Kiara, handing her a cup of coffee.
"You've been spacing out a lot lately," he observed.
Kiara accepted the coffee.
"A lot has happened."
Jiho smiled softly.
"At least our fathers are talking again."
Kiara glanced toward the hospital room where both fathers were resting.
"They're acting awkwardly."
"Sounds familiar."
Kiara looked at him.
"We're not awkward."
Jiho raised an eyebrow.
"Really? You made me schedule a meeting to ask if you wanted lunch."
Kiara defended herself immediately.
"It was efficient."
Jiho laughed.
"Sure, CEO."
For the first time in days, Kiara laughed too.
Scene 2 – Family Bonding
📍 Hospital Room
Jiho's mother sat beside Kiara's father.
Kiara's mother stood near the window.
The two fathers looked embarrassed.
Jiho's father cleared his throat.
"...Sorry."
Kiara's father frowned.
"Why are you apologizing again?"
"Because I crashed the car."
"You were driving."
"You distracted me."
Kiara pinched the bridge of her nose.
Jiho whispered,
"They really are best friends."
Kiara nodded.
"...Unfortunately."
Everyone laughed.
Even Grandpa, who had arrived earlier, shook his head.
"All of you are troublesome."
Scene 3 – The Messages
Kiara's phone vibrated.
Again.
She frowned.
Jiho noticed.
"Another message?"
Kiara checked the screen.
Unknown Number.
You're getting closer to the truth.
Her expression darkened.
Jiho immediately became serious.
"What is it?"
Kiara locked her phone.
"Nothing."
"Kiara."
She sighed.
"I've been receiving anonymous messages."
Jiho frowned.
"Since when?"
"For a while now."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Kiara hesitated.
"I told Ryu to investigate."
Jiho held out his hand.
"Give me the number."
Kiara blinked.
"What?"
"My manager knows people who handle these situations."
Kiara handed over the phone.
Jiho looked at the number.
"I'll ask Hyun to help."
Kiara studied him carefully.
"...Thank you."
Jiho smiled.
"See? Relationships have benefits."
Kiara rolled her eyes.
"Don't get used to it."
Scene 4 – Growing Suspicion
Later that evening...
Jiho and Kiara walked through the hospital garden.
The sunset painted everything gold.
Kiara looked unusually quiet.
Jiho noticed immediately.
"You look worried."
Kiara stopped walking.
"Don't you think it's strange?"
"What is?"
She looked at him.
"The rumors."
"The messages."
"The old newspaper articles."
"The school photographs."
"It feels..."
She hesitated.
"...deliberate."
Jiho's smile faded.
"What do you mean?"
Kiara counted on her fingers.
"Our first rumor."
"The articles about my parents' divorce."
"The controversy surrounding your parents."
"Our second scandal."
"And now these messages."
She looked up at him.
"What if someone is behind all of this?"
"What if someone has been watching us?"
Jiho fell silent.
Then gently squeezed her hand.
"Maybe."
"But this time, things turned out okay."
Kiara looked unconvinced.
Jiho continued,
"People support us now."
"We don't have to hide anymore."
He smiled softly.
"You've always overthought everything."
Kiara narrowed her eyes.
"And you've always underestimated danger."
"That's why we balance each other."
He took out his phone.
"I'll tell security to increase surveillance."
"And Hyun will investigate the messages."
He nudged her shoulder lightly.
"So don't worry too much."
Kiara looked at him.
"...Okay."
Then, almost unconsciously...
She leaned against his shoulder.
Only for a moment.
Jiho smiled to himself.
Scene 5 – The Person Behind the Curtain
📍 Unknown Location
The room was dimly lit.
Photographs covered the walls.
Pinned carefully.
Connected by red strings.
Old newspaper clippings.
School photos.
Court records.
Entertainment headlines.
A hand placed another photograph on the board.
Jiho and Kiara.
Smiling together outside the hospital.
A computer screen displayed a timeline.
Timeline
✓ Kiara's parents' school trip photographs.
✓ The divorce articles.
✓ Jiho's parents' controversy.
✓ Jiho and Kiara's first dating rumor.
✓ Jiho and Kiara's second rumor.
✓ Anonymous messages sent to Kiara.
The person tilted their head slightly.
Watching another video feed.
A recent recording.
Jiho and Kiara walking through the hospital garden.
Hand in hand.
A soft chuckle echoed through the room.
"So..."
The figure whispered quietly,
"You finally chose each other."
Another message draft appeared on the screen.
Ready to send.
The cursor blinked.
Waiting.
The person smiled.
"This isn't over yet."
The message was sent.
📱 Unknown Number:
The truth isn't finished yet.
Cut to black.
End of Chapter 17