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JINA POV

I changed my mind.

It's time to focus on my own life, instead of constantly thinking about someone who never cared for me, no matter how much I liked him.

Watching him like this hurts. He can't live freely or be with the person he loves because of me. I've become a burden in his life. He's suffering too.

His father controls every part of his world, and he hasn't been truly happy since his mother died.

Maybe I should care more about him than about my own feelings.

I was foolish for falling for him.

He helped me once, and I felt safe in his arms. It reminded me of the comfort I once felt around my father. It felt like having a brother, someone who could make me feel okay again.

But what should I do when I know I love him?

His heart belongs to someone else, Choi Yurim.

I can't force him to love me back. I can't demand his time and affection for my own sake. I should think of him too.

When he yelled at me at the hospital, it was clear who he cared about.

His voice trembled, his appearance a mess.

He couldn't hide his emotions.

He didn't even want to see me. And I understood, I was nothing to him, even if I wore the title of his wife.

I wiped my tears and focused on the road ahead, driving toward the office.

I didn't know what would happen when I walked through the doors.

The news about Jake Shim and me had already spread everywhere. People would talk.

And they did.

I kept my head down as I hurried through the building toward Heeseung's office.

I could feel their eyes on me. Whispers followed every step.

"She must've forced Jake into marriage."

"She's probably just a sasaeng fan."

"She only wants attention."

"Jake isn't a bad husband. She's just not good enough as a wife."

I forced myself to ignore them, even though their words stabbed at every part of me. I just needed to find Heeseung.

But then I saw her.

Gu Namjin.

My steps halted the moment our eyes met.

She walked toward me quickly, fury written all over her face. Without warning, she shoved my shoulder hard, nearly knocking me off balance.

"Why are you here? Why did you come back?"

she snapped. "Are you trying to ruin my life with Heeseung again? Han Jina, just stop!"

I stood frozen, confused and speechless.

"What are you saying? Why are you treating me like this?" My voice trembled. "This isn't the Namjin I used to know."

She scoffed.

"You flirted with Jake, and now Heeseung too. How many men have you used to satisfy your needs?"

Gasps echoed around the hallway. People stared, judging.

That wasn't true. I had never used anyone.

I wanted to scream, to fight back. But I couldn't. I still loved her like a sister.

"She's disgusting."

"Flirting with every guy..."

That's when I heard Heeseung's voice.

"Gu Namjin, that's enough."

He stepped between us, his voice cold. Namjin's expression faltered when she saw him.

Heeseung wrapped an arm around me protectively, gently pulling me close.

"Han Jina, let's go."

He ignored the crowd and walked me into his office.

⸻

JAKE POV

"Are you out of your mind?" my father shouted. "You're going to destroy everything."

"I'm not wrong," I said sharply.

"I never loved her. This was your idea. You forced me into that marriage without ever asking what I wanted. You control everything, and I'm sick of it."

He slammed his hand on the table.

"Jake Shim, you can't cheat on your wife and expect it to be okay. You made a commitment. Be responsible."

I scoffed.

"Responsible? You want to talk about loyalty? You cheated on Mom before she even died. You married your mistress like nothing happened. How dare you lecture me about doing the right thing?"

He lost it. His hand gripped my collar and slammed me against the wall.

I didn't flinch. I just stared at him, then smirked.

"You don't scare me anymore."

I shoved past him, grabbed my car keys, and left the house.

I drove straight to the hospital.

I needed to see her, Yurim.

—

When I entered her room, I was breathless. She sat up in surprise.

"Jake, why are you here?" she asked, worried.

I couldn't answer. I stepped closer, cupped her face, and kissed her.

She froze. Her eyes searched mine when I pulled away.

"Let's get married," I said.

"Forget about Jina. Let's just live happily. You're the one I love. She means nothing to me."

She bit her lip, uncertain.

But I meant every word.