TUW | CHAPTER 64

Chapter 64

I Hope Things Go Well for You

Lee Yeon answered by gently stroking Do Hyun’s back.

“Maybe not.”

Out of nowhere, he said something that sounded like denial.

She’d been completely focused on him while stroking his back, so his words caught her off guard.

Not? What does he mean, not?

Lee Yeon pressed harder, brushing his back more firmly.

“Is this your first time?”

Do Hyun trailed off mid-sentence, his tone ambiguous enough to melt anyone’s patience.

His skill was remarkable—the skill of making her heart race and stop on command.

Thanks to his casual remarks, Lee Yeon’s heart was constantly jumping.

At this point, her heart might as well have been a professional acrobat.

Too much… I’ve fallen too far.

“I’m afraid this happiness will break.”

The playful mood suddenly shifted.

The man who seemed the farthest thing from fear now spoke with a faint tremor in his voice.

Lee Yeon wrapped her arms tightly around him.

Whatever it was he feared, she wanted to take it all away.

“It won’t break. Don’t worry.”

As if to promise she would never let go, she held him tighter.

“You’ll have to keep reminding me.”

“I will.”

“Don’t run away.”

Lee Yeon nodded.

Their intertwined bodies tightened again.

As if they could never be apart.

As if they would never release each other’s hands.

***

Now autumn seemed to be fading away, far too quickly.

No sooner had it arrived than early winter came, and the temperature dropped sharply.

A weather article online warned of the sudden cold.

“I like spring and fall better.”

She’d planned to read some books this autumn—the season for reading—but before she could even open one, winter had come.

Maybe reading just wasn’t meant for her.

Once again, she decided to say goodbye to reading for the year.

Blaming it on the weather, she pulled her coat tighter around her.

Bzzz—

Not long after arriving at work, she was on her way to buy some stationery Do Hyun needed when a message came in from an unfamiliar number.

[This is Jung Heera.

I didn’t want to come up to the office. Could you give me your lunch break?

I won’t take much of your time.]

Lee Yeon blinked at the message, then frowned.

Jung Heera? What does she want?

What could she possibly need to talk about privately?

She read the text again.

Heera wasn’t the type to speak this politely—it felt strange.

[I don’t have plans for lunch. Where should we meet?]

Despite her suspicion, Lee Yeon replied kindly.

Heera sent a location: a Chinese restaurant near the company.

When Lee Yeon gave her name, the staff guided her to a private room where Heera was waiting.

Another private room… well, she’s a celebrity. Makes sense.

Still, the thought of being in a small room alone with Heera made Lee Yeon uneasy.

After their recent friction, she already wanted to run away.

When the staff opened the door, Heera was sitting alone.

As soon as she saw Lee Yeon, she stood and bowed her head.

Lee Yeon awkwardly followed suit.

“You came.”

“Yes, well.”

You’re the one who asked to meet, aren’t you?

She nearly said it aloud but stopped herself and forced a polite smile as she sat down.

Even after she hung her coat and sat, Heera said nothing—just stared at her blankly.

“So, why did you want to meet?”

Since lunch breaks weren’t long, Lee Yeon asked directly.

Only then did Heera seem to snap out of her daze.

From the moment Lee Yeon walked in, she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off her.

Looking without resentment, she saw just how radiant Lee Yeon was.

Every gesture and glance carried quiet grace.

Sitting across from her, even making eye contact made Heera nervous—yet she couldn’t look away.

Her appearance had changed, but even the aura she gave off was different now.

Heera had been surprised the moment she got Lee Yeon’s reply.

If their roles were reversed, she would never have agreed to meet someone who had crossed the line like she had.

She’d hesitated dozens of times before finally sending the text.

Calling was out of the question—she didn’t have the courage for that.

But Lee Yeon not only replied but actually came.

“I must’ve surprised you, calling out of the blue.”

Heera spoke carefully.

It was so unlike her usual attitude—she sounded cautious, almost humble.

“I was a bit surprised, yes.”

Lee Yeon’s tone was flat, emotionless.

Not even negative—just detached.

“I honestly thought you wouldn’t come, so I’m the one who’s surprised.”

Heera smiled shyly.

Even to herself, this calmness felt strange.

Without anger, her heart felt lighter than it had in years.

Though they hadn’t spoken much yet, she didn’t feel uncomfortable anymore.

After the “In-House Welfare” broadcast, the news about Heera spread like wildfire.

It didn’t take long before the entire country knew.

Online debates raged about whether her behavior had been wrong or not.

Public opinion on smoking had softened over the years, so it didn’t become a massive scandal.

Still, some celebrity friends cut her off suddenly, leaving her stunned.

She felt abandoned everywhere she went.

After digging herself into that hole, her mother had finally left her too.

So when even friends disappeared, it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

Only when everything fell apart did Heera finally face reality.

She realized she had never truly been genuine with anyone.

She’d lived for years with a false front.

It was bound to collapse eventually.

More than anything, she felt sorry to Do Hyun.

Looking back, she understood now—Do Hyun had been right.

She hadn’t loved him.

She just couldn’t stand seeing his attention go to someone else.

She was afraid of losing her place in his life.

She didn’t even realize it, but somehow Do Hyun had.

That’s probably why he’d been kind to her without real affection.

Still, she was grateful to him.

People used to call him cold and emotionless, but she knew better.

Do Hyun was one of the warmest people she’d ever met.

After losing his mother, he’d only wanted to protect her from falling apart.

She’d taken advantage of that kindness—and now, she was left with nothing.

He’d warned her something like this might happen, and she’d ignored it.

Then, when she saw him caring only for Lee Yeon, she’d finally snapped.

Only now did she see how foolish she’d been.

It was all her fault—something she’d realized too late.

She’d cried for a long time, regretting all the good people she’d pushed away.

Even her acting felt meaningless—like she’d fallen alone into an endless pit.

But after those days, when Do Hyun disappeared from her life, she finally saw things clearly.

It wasn’t about pride anymore.

It was about taking responsibility and letting go.

That’s why she contacted Lee Yeon—to face her mistakes head-on.

“I’m sorry, unnie.”

Lee Yeon blinked, startled by the sudden apology.

She had no idea what had brought this on.

“I thought I was a big-hearted person, but I was small-minded. I crossed the line that day. I’m sorry.”

It was unexpected, but Heera sounded sincere.

There was no reason to reject a genuine apology, so Lee Yeon smiled faintly.

“Can I ask what made you realize all this?”

Heera nodded and explained.

“Holding grudges, being jealous, talking badly about people who think differently—it only hurts me.

I hated you because I thought you stole Do Hyun oppa.

But I see now—he was never mine to begin with.”

Her gaze dropped, her voice soft but steady.

“No excuses.

I just wanted to apologize. The smoking scandal was my own doing, so I’ll accept it, even if it follows me forever.”

Lee Yeon thought that alone was a big step forward.

She’d always seen Heera as self-centered and stubborn, the kind who never admitted fault—but maybe she’d been wrong.

“Do Hyun oppa never cared much about me anyway. Right now, he’s only thinking about you.”

Heera even managed a small, easy smile.

“I’m going to move on. I’ll stop relying on others and start being real with people. Try to find my own people.”

“…”

“I just wanted to say—I hope you two are happy. You really suit each other.”

“You’re still going to act, right?”

“Of course! I won’t be canceled over an e-cigarette. I still love acting. I actually want to study more, so I’m preparing for grad school. I’ll be busy for a while.”

Lee Yeon pressed her lips together and nodded quietly.

Freed from her obsession, Heera looked peaceful—like a completely different person.

“I hope things go well for you.”

Heera nodded, teary-eyed.

In the end, they simply wished each other well.