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JINA POV

I sniffled softly, my tears slipping down despite my effort to hold them in.

Why are you saying things like that, Jake?

What are you trying to do to me?

You shouldn't say those things when the truth is you don't love me.

You told Choi Yurim you wanted to kick me out of the house.

That you were going to marry her.

You confessed your feelings for her, made promises to her.

And now you say these sweet, confusing words to me like I'm someone special?

Do you think I'm that naive?

I know the truth, Jake Shim.

He gently wiped my tears with his thumb and gave me a soft smile, then reached for my hand.

"Don't cry. Let's go," he said.

We walked down the quiet hallway hand in hand, like a real couple.

But it was nothing more than an illusion.

—

JAKE POV

I didn't understand what I was feeling anymore.

Whenever I saw Yurim, my heart raced.

But Jina, she made me feel something different.

Something deeper. Something quieter.

I told her not to stop loving me.

I kissed her cheek.

What was I doing?

It wasn't love not yet. But it was something.

Something that made me think of her even when I was with someone else.

I got dressed in a plain outfit the next day, ready to visit Yurim at the hospital.

Just as I was leaving, Jina appeared in her pajamas, hugging her jacket.

"Jake, can I go with you?"

she asked.

I hesitated. I didn't want the two of them meeting, not like this. But I nodded anyway.

"I'll wait in the car," I said, then walked out first.

After a few minutes, she joined me and got into the passenger seat, struggling to zip her jacket.

Her gloves were too big for her small hands.

I chuckled without meaning to.

"Your gloves are twice the size of your hands."

She shot me a look. "I can do it myself."

I leaned in and zipped her jacket for her, watching as she held her breath and looked anywhere but my eyes.

"Thanks, Mr. Shim," she muttered.

"Sure thing, Mrs. Shim."

—

When we arrived at the hospital, we walked together toward Yurim's room. I knocked once and opened the door, then stopped.

My parents were standing beside her.

I hadn't expected that.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked cautiously.

"We heard about it," my mom said calmly.

"Heard what?"

"That you proposed to Choi Yurim," she replied.

"That you want to marry her."

I looked at Jina, who was quietly leaning against the wall, eyes lowered. I knew she already knew.

My father stepped forward.

"Jake, I know I was wrong to control your life before. I won't make that mistake again. If Yurim is your choice, I won't stop you."

"I regret forcing you into a marriage you didn't want,"

he continued. "So if you want to be with Choi Yurim, you have our blessing."

He turned to Jina. "Jina, are you alright with this?"

No. I wasn't.

But I didn't say that.

I met Jake's eyes for a moment, then turned away.

"I'm okay with it," I said softly.

"If Jake is okay with it, then I am too."

My father nodded.

"Jake," he said,

"are you going to go through with the divorce? Will you start a new life with Yurim?"

Jake hesitated.

He looked at me again. I could feel his stare, but I couldn't meet his eyes. I didn't want him to see the tears forming.

"I'm not—" he started.

But Yurim cut him off.

"There's no need to ask him again,"

she said confidently.

"He already said Jina means nothing to him. He told me he's going to kick her out of his house. He told me he's loved me since we were kids. And he kissed me, even when he was still married to her."

Jake stood frozen. Silent.

I looked at him, then looked away.

Just admit it, Jake. I already know. End this fake marriage like you've always wanted.

"Take some time to settle the divorce,"

his father said.

"We'll start preparing for your wedding. I'll hire the best designer in the city."

"Wait," my mom whispered, her eyes flicking toward me.

"Jina is still here."

Everyone looked at me.

I gave a small, polite smile.

"It's alright. Don't mind me," I said quietly.

"I'll start packing. Just give me a week, and I'll move out. I'll make sure we never run into each other again."

"Jina—" his mother stepped forward.

"It's okay, Mom," I said softly, then corrected myself.

"No... I mean, Mrs. Shim."

I looked at her, then at Jake.

"Thank you for letting me borrow your son for the past two months. I had a good time with him."

"I hope his smile shines brighter when he's with Yurim. I hope she makes him happier than I ever could."

"Thank you for everything. And I'm sorry for wasting your time."

I bowed deeply and walked out of the room without looking back.

—

So it ends with a quiet, painful goodbye.

Not even three months.

It only proves that we were never meant to be.

It was just me,

just me who dreamed

of being the princess

of Jake Shim.

A foolish girl chasing

a love that was never hers.