Chapter 13

Jeong approached Heeyoung, the older sister of Go Dohun and the head of the costume studio.

On the mannequin in the director’s office hung a neatly tailored classic suit that looked like it could have been worn during the Japanese colonial era. Heeyoung was touching the front of the jacket.

Without hesitation, Jeong walked up and stood in front of Heeyoung.

“Director.”

Heeyoung pierced the waistline with a pin, shaping the silhouette gracefully. Then, glancing briefly at Jeong, she spoke.

“The next project on Netplay… it’s set in the 1920s. I’m researching suits from that era, meeting with the art director for color design, and might need to collaborate with a skilled tailor. The suits will likely be a major focus. What do you think? Wouldn’t this look good on our actor, Iseong?”

Maybe she hadn’t heard anything from Go Dohun yet. She casually began with talk about work.

Well… if Iseong wore this gray suit, it would look stunning. His broad shoulders, sculpted muscles, and sleek physique would show it off perfectly.

Suddenly, the memories from yesterday tried to take over her mind—the raw sensation of his body clinging to hers, the delicate, sensuous movement of Iseong in her most intimate places.

Enough. She was going crazy from how these memories kept bubbling up at all the wrong moments.

She had a more pressing matter to deal with right now.

“I have something to tell you, Director.”

“Gam, the director of this project is Heo Chanho. You know him, right?”

She nodded. It was the OTT drama Iseong had chosen as his next project. Director Heo Chanho, known as a genius since his debut, was helming his first series.

“How about taking the lead on this one? I’ll back you up. Your name will be the first listed under the costume team in the end credits.”

Being listed first in the credits would mean she’d gain a key career-defining project.

It was an opportunity that came earlier than it had for anyone else.

But why was Director Go suddenly offering her this chance? Especially at the very moment she was about to submit her resignation?

She had a gut feeling—it wasn’t a coincidence.

“Dohun hasn’t shown up yet… but you’ve heard, right? That we’re broken off?”

“This is your chance. Shouldn’t you grab it?”

“It sounds like a conditional offer.”

Heeyoung stopped adjusting the clothes and turned to face her, speaking gently.

“Knew you were smart, Gam. Jeong-ah, I like you. Personally and professionally. You do great work, and I always thought you were a perfect match for Dohun. All the women he dated before were shallow and thoughtless. So when he said he was dating you, I was worried but rooting for you.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t live up to your support.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s that damn Dohun’s. He seems really regretful. Or rather, he just doesn’t want to lose you. Honestly, if I were your real sister, I’d tell you to end things. But sadly, I’m his sister.”

“…!”

“That’s why I’m holding on to you. Don’t hand in that resignation you’re carrying in your heart.”

Unbelievable. Shamelessness must run in the family. That’s why she had once liked both Go Dohun and Go Heeyoung. Once.

She pulled out the resignation she had been holding in her heart.

“If that’s the condition, I can’t accept it. I… can’t marry Dohun. Or rather, Mr. Go Dohun.”

“I heard the gist. Dohun said it was his fault, that he lost control for a moment. Who’s the girl? The one he lost it with.”

Apparently, even Go Dohun felt some shame and hadn’t revealed who it was. Well, how could he admit that both his ex-fiancée and his fling were walking around the same office?

“Ask your brother. I don’t want to say her name.”

Heeyoung just stared silently at the resignation, not taking it.

“It must be awkward, seeing each other. The whispers behind your back, the gossip—it must be uncomfortable. Still, no matter how messed up he is, I can’t cut off my brother’s livelihood. So… couldn’t you just hold your head high? Couldn’t you stand tall?”

“…I’m just going to tattle. It’s not my nature to keep this quiet. Dohun’s affair was with… Seo Yeora.”

Did Go Dohun want her to keep it quiet? Was he trying to protect Seo Yeora?

Whatever the reason, she didn’t have the generosity to stay silent.

“Ha… I see. That’s worth getting mad about. Jeong-ah, then all the more reason you can’t run away. You need to stand proud in front of those shameless people.”

At that moment, it wasn’t Heeyoung’s words but Iseong’s that echoed in her mind.

“Don’t quit.”
“Not yet. Do my drama… I want you to do it.”
“You said you wanted revenge, right? If you leave like this, it’s not revenge—it’s running away.”

Those people she wanted to avoid were all right here—Go Dohun, Seo Yeora, and even Iseong.

The truth was, the most difficult one to face now was Iseong. Her friend, Iseong. The one she’d felt most comfortable around had suddenly become the hardest person to deal with.

Ugh. She wanted to avoid these messy encounters. But Heeyoung’s words about standing proud stabbed into her like a dagger.

“By the way, Director… whose side are you on?”

“I’m on… my own side. And blood is thicker than water, so I’ll probably lean toward my brother. But… I want you to be on your own side too.”

“So I have to face Go Dohun and Seo Yeora alone, huh? Since this is a personal matter, they won’t be punished anyway. In the end, you’re still on your own side. Going with what benefits you most.”

“Gam, you’re sharp. You should also choose what benefits you most. Your name will go in the first line of the credits. I’m backing you on this project.”

She knew better than anyone how influential Heeyoung was in the industry.

Prestigious directors highly valued her aesthetics and taste. The costumes she worked on enriched the screen.

She had learned so much from Heeyoung: charisma that dominated the set, how to communicate up and down the hierarchy, how to persuade people with no tact.

She wanted to learn more from Heeyoung, and if she was going to back her, that was great. But Heeyoung’s fatal flaw was her blind love for her brother.

If a conflict ever arose between her and Go Dohun, Heeyoung would side with her brother.

As her mind swirled in chaos, she made a decision.

It would be foolish to throw away her dreams and career over a man like that.

“Then I’ll do this project. But… when the time comes that I want to walk away, please let me go.”

“…Alright. There’s a meeting with the production team soon. We’ve only got five months of pre-production. Not much time. Start analyzing the script and building the concept. I’ll email you the references.”

She slipped the resignation letter back into her pocket and gave Heeyoung a small nod.

As expected, beating Go Heeyoung wasn’t going to be easy.

As soon as she stepped out of the director’s office, Go Dohun suddenly appeared in front of her.

If he had any conscience, he should’ve at least looked apologetic. But his calm, composed face only made her blood boil.

She glared sharply and said in a low voice,

“Follow me to the rooftop.”

Some employees looked at them with curious eyes. She strode out of the office and headed for the rooftop.