35

JAKE POV

I was furious, furious that Jina left the room without even glancing back at me.

My parents and Yurim talked so casually about our marriage like Jina wasn't even there, like she was someone who didn't deserve to feel anything at all.

It burned inside me. She looked so small in that room, so quiet.

My chest tightened thinking about where she might be now, what she was doing, if she was crying somewhere.

Why does my heart ache like this?

Why do I keep thinking about her?

My eyes shifted back to my parents, who were now cheerfully discussing wedding plans with Choi Yurim. I stared at the floor, trying to keep my thoughts from spiraling.

Why did they even show up here?

Why did Yurim tell them about the proposal?

"Jake, we'll go first,"

my father said, patting my shoulder.

"Don't forget to finalize the wedding plans."

I didn't answer. They left the room, and suddenly it was just me and Yurim.

"How did they even find out about this?"

I finally asked, breaking the silence.

Yurim gave me a sharp look.

"Why? Was it wrong to tell them? It's true, isn't it?"

"You should've at least talked to me first,"

I muttered and sat beside her.

She reached out and held my hand tightly, locking our fingers. I looked at her in confusion.

"Jake," she said softly, "do you love me?"

"Yes," I replied instinctively.

"Are you telling me the truth?"

I nodded again, but then she pulled out her phone and showed me a picture.

It was Jina and me.

At the Han River. Holding hands.

My throat tightened.

Tears filled Yurim's eyes.

"You said you love me. But what is this, then?"

I stood up.

"Playing with girls' hearts is just my hobby,"

I lied, brushing it off like it meant nothing. Like I meant nothing.

If she asked me that question a hundred more times, I still wouldn't be able to give her an honest answer.

I'm a mess. A hypocrite. A coward.

She tried to stop me, to hold my hand again.

"Let's talk about our wedding—"

"I need to rest," I said with a forced smile before walking out of the room.

—

I called Jina.

Once. Twice. Again and again.

I texted her.

Where are you?

Are you okay?

Please reply.

No answer.

What if she's with Heeseung right now?

What if she tells him everything?

What if he takes her away from me?

I felt like I was losing my mind. The thought of her being with someone else, especially him, made my chest ache.

I can't let that happen.

I won't let anyone else have her.

Not Heeseung. Not anyone.

She's the only person who's ever made me feel alive since my mother passed away.

The only person who's reminded me what happiness feels like.

Han Jina.

I don't know what I'll do if you disappear from my life.

—

JINA POV

Don't cry, Jina.

This is what you wanted, right?

The fake marriage will finally end. You won't have to act like you're happy anymore. You won't have to suffer next to someone who never truly looked at you.

You can start again.

You can be free.

You can love someone who might actually love you back.

He's going to marry the woman he chose.

Be happy for him.

"Han Jina! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

I quickly wiped my tears and turned around, startled.

It wasn't Jake.

It was Heeseung.

He was out of breath from running, his face full of worry.

"Why are you looking for me?" I asked, confused.

He stepped closer, cupping my face gently in his hands.

"Jina, just tell me what's wrong. Please. I could feel something was off. I had to find you."

My heart trembled.

At the end of the day, he was the one who showed up.

He was the one who noticed.

He was the one who cared.

Not Jake.

Jake didn't look for me.

Maybe, I should've fallen for someone like Heeseung from the very beginning.