MTA 04

Chapter : 04

“Can’t breathe, you say? Even while suffocating like that, you took everything you needed from me. When I recommended you to AJ and got you the contract, you swore you’d marry me.”

“…Ha. I wanted to end things on good terms.”

Jinwon let out a quiet sigh, then changed his expression—his gaze turning icy as he looked at Haein.

“Yoon Haein, you’re pathetic. Like you said, when I went from being a nobody to playing minor roles, then supporting ones, I started to see the world differently. I realized I wanted to keep growing next to someone who achieved their dreams—like Baek Ahyeon. Frankly, I’m a well-known actor now. I can’t date an entertainment company employee anymore.”

“…What?”

“You don’t feel like a woman to me. Just… a staff member who supports me. I’m tired of someone who only looks at me.”

Ha.

What could she possibly say to that? Tears streamed down her cheeks, refusing to stop no matter how she tried.

“Just one thing. Don’t go spouting nonsense on social media. I’m finally starting to get famous—don’t pull any disgusting stunts about me dumping you. You wouldn’t do that, right? You used to be a known actress, after all.”

Ha…

With that, the man turned and walked away. As he passed the powder room, his shoulder brushed against Dojun’s, and he muttered a low curse under his breath.

From a distance, Dojun had been watching Haein silently cry, her face buried in her hands. He exhaled bitterly and turned back to where he’d been sitting.

Dojun frowned slightly as he lifted his glass. His mind was tangled in thought. The bartender noticed and began pouring slow gin into a frosted cocktail glass.

A faint sigh escaped through Dojun’s teeth as he watched the bartender’s movements blankly.

So Yoon Haein worked at AJ Entertainment as a staff member.

He hesitated for a moment, then pulled out his phone and searched her name. The search results showed only a handful of old articles—no one seemed to care about a forgotten actress from five years ago.

[<Illusion> Yoon Haein—From Rising Star to Management Staff After Leaving the Industry]

The bitter news of the once-promising actress struck him harder than he expected.

What kind of feelings did she have when she gave up everything and joined a company as an employee?

He remembered her expression—the one she wore when she became the first Asian woman to win Best Actress at Cannes. Her eyes had been filled with truth. A genuine love for acting, a burning passion for her dream, and a quiet confidence that radiated even beyond the screen.

Why had she left all that behind?

Ha… This isn’t good.

Setting his glass down, Dojun stood and started walking toward the powder room again, ignoring his younger brother’s voice calling after him.

The sound of her crying from earlier still echoed in his mind, pushing his footsteps faster.

“…She’s not here.”

He searched the entire powder room, but Yoon Haein was nowhere to be seen. After asking something at the hotel front desk, Dojun headed to the very top floor.

Where could she have gone?

Then he remembered—the rooftop pool, connected to the bar, open even to non-guests. He immediately changed direction.

Ha…

The pool was vast and nearly swallowed by darkness, with only a few dim lights flickering across the water. His gaze swept across the pool—and then he saw her. A small figure under the pale moonlight, long hair fluttering in the wind. Like a doll.

“…The long, tall tree clock belongs to my grandfather. He received it the morning he was born, ninety years ago…”

He followed the faint, trembling voice. It was mixed with tears. It was Yoon Haein’s voice.

“Yoon… Haein-ssi.”

At the far edge of the pool, Haein sat dangerously close to the water, looking up at him with tear-stained eyes.

“…Uber.”

Her breath smelled faintly of alcohol. She swayed as her long, wavy hair brushed against her waist and shoulders.

“It’s dangerous.”

“What is?”

Her brown eyes were painfully deep, her tears heartbreakingly beautiful.

Even with her flushed cheeks, she looked at him with an innocence that made her seem unreal—absurdly beautiful.

“The pool is deep. It’s dangerous to sit there after drinking.”

“…If I fall, all that’ll happen is I die.”

“Stand up. Where are you staying? Staff quarters are on the other side, right? I’ll take you.”

Since when was he the kind of person who cared this much? Even Dojun seemed confused by his own behavior, hesitating briefly before reaching out and gently grabbing her arm.

“Let go… Just a little longer, I’ll leave soon.”

He sighed softly and sat down beside her. She didn’t seem to handle alcohol well.

“Uh, Yoon Haein-ssi…”

Her head suddenly fell onto his shoulder, and soon he could hear her quiet, steady breathing—she’d fallen asleep.

The actress who once shone so brightly that he wished she lived a brilliant life somewhere far away… now looked utterly fragile.

Haein looked lonely. Terribly lonely.

After a moment’s hesitation, Dojun lifted her in his arms.

He gently laid Haein down on the bed and sat beside her, studying her face. Her eyes were still marked with tear stains, and her breath carried the faint scent of hydrangea.

Who could’ve imagined his work trip to Paris would end up like this?

His gaze unintentionally caught on the pale skin of her thighs beneath her rolled-up skirt. Pulling the blanket up to her chest, he covered her carefully.

He let out a deep sigh and began to stand—but just then, a small hand wrapped around his waist.

“Don’t… leave me.”

Ha…

Maybe it was the heady hydrangea scent filling his lungs. His breath caught—too warm, too human. He looked down at the delicate arm holding him.

He hesitated, then gently loosened her grip. The scent grew thicker. Her head rested weakly against his back.

“…Please, please don’t abandon me… hic…”

Who the hell did she mistake him for?

With a long sigh, he slowly turned his head.

Her large eyes, filling half her small face, were already spilling new tears.

In a voice trembling with emotion, she whispered—

“…Kiss me.”

“Yoon Haein-ssi.”

“Kiss me. Hold me. Love me again…”

Why was this woman so desperate for love? If she was going to end up this lonely, why did she walk away from the moment she was loved so brilliantly?

Then—her small face drew closer, brushing against his lips.

He meant to push her away—but the heat between them was suffocating, impossible to ignore. And she was heartbreakingly beautiful.

After a moment of hesitation, Dojun’s hand rose to the back of her head. His lips captured hers, his breath flowing into her mouth.

“…Hngh. Hold me… tighter.”

He gently laid her back on the bed, positioning himself above her, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. His well-built, lean body appeared through the gap.

“…You won’t regret this?”

“I won’t. Make it unforgettable. Burn it into me.”

“Ha… I’m losing my mind.”

She didn’t seem to care about his turmoil. Her words continued, faint but pleading.

“Teach me… how to love you. I’ll learn. So please… sob… don’t leave me.”

He could guess who she was really speaking to. Probably that man, Lee Jinwon—the one who’d left her hollow.

Even so, right now Yoon Haein was heartbreakingly beautiful. Her trembling hands reached for him, and the heat between them felt dangerously real.

He didn’t want to hold her. Not when she mistook him for someone else. He only felt sorry for her.

Still, Dojun leaned down again and gently pressed his lips to hers.

Each time his breath grazed her skin, a soft, hot gasp escaped from between her lips.

The line from her neck to her shoulder was graceful enough to make anyone want to hold her. His hand slid slowly along her nape once more.