chapter 15: let’s see who survives

Lee-Bo-Young drifted into the private living room, her pajamas whispering against the floor. Her eyes widened at the sight of Hye-Jin and Jae-I, shadows in the dim light.

"Sungmo (Aunty), you're awake?" Ji-Hoon's voice broke the silence, a soft echo in the stillness.

"Unnie, did she leave here?" Jae-I's whisper was a fragile thread, barely holding.

Hye-Jin and Jae-I were to spend the weekend at Amin-Joon villa, a sanctuary of secrets.

"How would I know?" Hye-Jin's reply was a ghost of a whisper, lost in the air.

"Go and change your clothes, dinner will be ready," Min-Joon's voice was a command wrapped in velvet.

"Okay," Bo-Young murmured, her steps a retreat into the shadows.

Dinner passed like a dream. Jae-I found solace in the guest room, Ji-Hoon retreated to his own sanctuary. Min-Joon invited Hye-Jin to share his master bedroom, then vanished into his study, a realm of solitude and work.

Past midnight, Hye-Jin's curiosity led her to the study. There, she stumbled upon a scene that shattered the night's tranquility.

"Oppa, you know I came back from abroad just to marry you," Bo-Young's voice was a haunting melody, echoing through the room.

"Can't you stop this nonsense? You know the only person I love is Hye-Jin," Min-Joon's words were a dagger, pushing Bo-Young away.

Hye-Jin pushed the door open, her voice a mask of innocence, "What's going on?" Pretending not to hear anything

"Nothing, but why are you awake?" Min-Joon's voice was a shield, hiding the turmoil.

"Nothing, I just saw it's past midnight and you haven't slept," Hye-Jin's concern was a gentle caress.

"Sorry for making you worry, let's go to bed," Min-Joon's smile was a fragile promise as he walked towards Hye-Jin.

They left Bo-Young in the room, a specter of despair.

"You're pushing me into a game of death, forcing me to do what I don't want. Let's see who survives," Bo-Young's voice was a vow, her eyes fixed on the door, a portal to her fate.

Bo-Young stood in the dimly lit room, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and desperation. The silence was heavy, pressing down on her like a weight. She took a deep breath, her mind racing with thoughts of betrayal and revenge.

Determined, she walked to the window and looked out at the moonlit garden. The night was calm, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside her. She knew she had to act, to reclaim her place and her dignity.

Bo-Young slipped out of the room, her footsteps silent on the plush carpet. She moved with purpose, her mind set on confronting Hye-Jin. She found her in the master bedroom, lying beside Min-Joon, who was already asleep.

"Hye-Jin," Bo-Young's voice was a whisper, but it carried the weight of her resolve.

Hye-Jin stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Bo-Young? What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you," Bo-Young said, her voice steady. "Outside."

Hye-Jin glanced at Min-Joon, then nodded. She followed Bo-Young out into the hallway, closing the door softly behind her.

"What is it?" Hye-Jin asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Bo-Young took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Hye-Jin's. "You need to leave Min-Joon. He belongs to me. I came back for him, and I won't let you take him away."

Hye-Jin's expression hardened. "Bo-Young, Min-Joon made his choice. He loves me. You need to accept that."

Bo-Young's eyes flashed with anger. "I won't accept it. I won't let you ruin everything I've worked for."

Hye-Jin sighed, her voice softening. "Bo-Young, this isn't the way. You can't force love. You need to find your own path, your own happiness."

Bo-Young shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't. I can't let go. Not now, not ever."

Hye-Jin reached out, placing a hand on Bo-Young's shoulder. "You have to. For your own sake. Holding on to this will only destroy you."

Bo-Young pulled away, her resolve hardening. "We'll see about that," she said, her voice a whisper of defiance. She turned and walked away, leaving Hye-Jin standing alone in the hallway, the weight of their conversation hanging heavy in the air.

Hye-Jin felt a whirlwind of emotions after the confrontation with Bo-Young. As she stood alone in the hallway, the weight of Bo-Young's words pressed heavily on her heart. She felt a deep sense of sadness and empathy for Bo-Young, understanding the pain of unrequited love and the desperation that comes with it.

At the same time, Hye-Jin was resolute in her love for Min-Joon. She knew their bond was strong and genuine, built on mutual respect and affection. The confrontation left her feeling protective of their relationship, determined to stand by Min-Joon despite the challenges.

There was also a lingering sense of unease. Bo-Young's intensity and refusal to let go hinted at potential trouble ahead. Hye-Jin couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a more complicated and possibly dangerous situation.

In the quiet of the night, Hye-Jin resolved to stay vigilant and supportive, both for Min-Joon and for herself. She knew that love, while beautiful, often came with its own set of trials, and she was prepared to face them head-on.

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