Chapter 14
Fortunately, there was no one on the rooftop. She leaned against the railing and quickly turned around—to face Go Dohun, who was smiling so calmly, as always.
“Did you cancel everything?”
“I’m in the process.”
“And the staff? Did you tell them?”
“I did. Didn’t you see those suspicious looks earlier?”
“You’re not the one at fault, right? Oh, is Seoyeora not at work yet? Did you hide her somewhere?”
Even as she taunted him, Go Dohun simply smiled breezily.
“You coming at me like this—it’s kind of sexy.”
“Hah. Want to see some bloodshed? That’d be even sexier, huh? I held back because you were my boyfriend, but if a shitty old car crosses my path, I’m the type to kick it without a second thought. Go Dohun, how dare you act like this without knowing your place?”
Suddenly, with a soft thud, one of Go Dohun’s knees hit the ground. Then the other followed. Both knees were on the floor.
She was so shocked that she stood dumbfounded, her mouth slightly open.
“…What are you doing?”
“I’m begging. I’m sincerely apologizing and begging.”
“Ha.”
A sigh of disbelief escaped her lips.
“Are you playing with me?”
“I’m serious. I’m honestly begging you to let this go.”
“Ha. Hahaha. Still the same clown. I used to like that you were funny and cheerful. But this time—it’s funny, yeah. But it’s not cheerful. It’s infuriating.”
Go Dohun stood up again and let out a deep sigh. Then his eyes sharpened.
“Are you always so proud? So righteous?”
“What?”
“I didn’t want to sink this low… but be honest. If me and Iseong were drowning, who would you save?”
The childish, awkward question left her speechless. Or maybe… it wasn’t that she couldn’t answer—but that she shouldn’t.
“Until you stabbed me in the back yesterday, it was you. Of course I would’ve saved you. But after yesterday… it’s not you anymore.”
What had hit her yesterday—Go Dohun and Seoyeora’s betrayal? Or maybe… the deep, intense intimacy she’d shared with Iseong?
Ha. Even if Iseong were the only one drowning now… I don’t think I could save him. How could I face him?
“I’ve always wanted to ask. I was never sure. You spent more time—more deeply—with Iseong than with me. If I had any advantage at all, it was that I could hold you. That’s why I decided to marry you. Because I thought that was the only way to make you completely mine.”
“You chose marriage just to make me yours…? Ha. I’m so glad this wedding fell apart. Really grateful you cheated.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what, are you blaming me for your cheating? Saying I’m the reason?”
“You share part of the blame. You had Iseong in your head too—not just me.”
She faltered for a moment. His shameless claim almost made her wonder—was that true? But they’d been friends for nearly 30 years. Of course Iseong had a place in her mind.
“Because he’s a friend. A friend I grew up with. You understood that—didn’t you?”
“You really think men ever truly understand their girlfriends having guy friends? Why is it that when you’re sick, he knows first? He buys your meds and takes you to the hospital? When there’s something big at your place, he’s the first to show up? Why is he involved in our wedding preparations?”
You didn’t help because you were ‘too busy.’ You prioritized your friendship over our wedding plans.
She shot him a cold look, dismissing his excuses.
“If you had a problem, you should’ve talked to me. Not answered it with cheating.”
“I admit it. I lost my mind for a moment. But I wanted to tell you—I was that anxious. My trust in you was crumbling. That’s why I gave in so easily to temptation and did something that insane…”
“Okay. That’s enough. I’ve heard your excuses. But it doesn’t change the outcome. We were just a shitty couple. Let’s leave it at that.”
“But you know, if you and Iseong do end up as a couple… I think I’ll lose it. Because that would mean all my suspicions were true.”
Why did her heart jolt at that? Was it because, since yesterday, what he feared had actually happened? She and Iseong had crossed that line—passionately, deeply.
She couldn’t let it show. If anyone found out, the blame might shift to her and Iseong. She had to be shameless.
“Are you trying to shift the blame for the broken engagement onto me?”
“Why? Is there something to it?”
“What would there be? Don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t try to derail this.”
“If word gets out that you and Iseong are a thing, don’t expect me to stay quiet. The betrayal would be spectacular.”
She narrowed her eyes, glaring at him.
“And if you don’t stay quiet?”
“Then I’ll say he pretended to be a harmless male friend, all the while circling you like a vulture—waiting for this relationship to end. That he schemed to steal you. That you two mocked and made a fool of me. And if that story gets out… Iseong’s career? Gone in an instant.”
The way he laid out that scenario—like it was already the truth—terrified her. Because what if it did become the truth?
“What is this? Are you threatening me?”
“I’m just saying… it’ll hurt. Please don’t make my suspicions come true. And… maybe think again about us.”
“There’s nothing to rethink. And your suspicions? They’ll never become truth. So stop acting like the victim when you’re the one at fault.”
Her voice was firm, but inside, she was shaken. After what happened with Iseong yesterday, she couldn’t feel righteous.
She had wanted revenge. But with Go Dohun rambling as if he had seen it all coming, it felt like the tables had turned.
What if a scratch on Iseong’s image turned into a wound… that never healed? What if he crumbled because of her?
But why was she more afraid for Iseong than angry at Go Dohun?
“Guilty? Innocent? I don’t know about all that. But I do know you’re worrying about Iseong right now.”
“……”
“How can I trust that your relationship with him isn’t what I think it is?”
Then don’t trust it. What difference does it make to you?
She couldn’t say it.
Go Dohun was threatening her. If her relationship with Iseong turned romantic, he’d confirm his suspicions as fact.
That they’d both deceived him behind the mask of friendship.
Even if it wasn’t true—he’d twist it to make it true. Damage Iseong’s image. Tarnish it. Destroy it.
She could read the threat in between the lines.
“Just believe it. Believe it because of what you did to me. Just believe it—because you’re a shameless cheater who had an affair right before the wedding. A bad person.”
“You make it sound like that’s how it has to be.”
Yeah. It has to be. You have to be the villain. Iseong and I have to be just friends. That’s the only way I’ll find peace.
“Because it’s the truth.”
“Guess it’ll have to stay that way. I’ll be counting on you, Jeong-ah.”
Go Dohun raised a hand with a sly smirk, as if to say we’ll see.
She couldn’t stand that smirk. Her eyes turned cold as she threw the threat right back at him.
“If so much as a speck of dirt touches Iseong’s career, I’ll devote my entire life to ruining yours. Because Iseong is a precious friend to me.”
An eye for an eye, a threat for a threat. That’s all that was left now. Even if it turned her real life into a total mess.
“And let’s keep work professional, Director Go. Even if it’s awkward, I’ll do my job. You and Seoyeora too. That’s my decision.”
Go Dohun flinched slightly, then forced his annoying smirk again.
“A sinner follows orders. I’ll work hard.”
She expected the gossip, the judgmental stares. But she would face them.
Like Ko Heeyoung had said—she was strong. She had to be.
“We’re holding a concept meeting next week. I’ll ask for what I need in the meantime.”
“Debuting as a costume director with this project? That’s great. It’s been your dream.”
She had relied on him when he cheered her dreams. But not anymore.
“Just do your job properly, Director Go.”
“Yes, Director Gam. Or should I say… Director Gam.”
Even as she watched Go Dohun’s uneasy expression, she couldn’t relax. This was the best choice for her career—but figuring out how to work with him was going to be hard.
It felt like the start of an uncomfortable coexistence.
By late June, the heat was already intense, and the sun didn’t set until late.
Even on her way home from work, the sun sparkled through the greenery, its scorching heat burning her skin.
The trail from the bus stop to her apartment was already like a dense forest. Shafts of light poured through the thick canopy, glimmering like they hurt.
Just as she squinted against the glare, her phone vibrated in her palm.
On the screen, two characters lit up: “Iseong.”
