Chapter: 65

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The day was supposed to feel good. The sun hung low in the pale winter sky, spilling light that softened the sharp edges of the city.

Miyeon should’ve felt comforted by its warmth against her face as she stepped out of the coffee shop, the scent of freshly ground beans trailing after her. But she couldn’t. Everything—every sound, every glance, every passing car—set her on edge with only one thing to blame.

It was the call from the night before.

The one she hadn’t spoken about or rather couldn’t, the one that hadn’t needed words for her stomach to twist into uneasy knots. It was another call, another demand.

One Miyeon knew would leave her as well as the person involved broken.

And then there was Nari. Their conversation of the previous night as well as her concerned words this morning before she left for her home lingered in her mind, gnawing at her like the bitter taste of coffee left too long in her mouth.

"You can’t keep avoiding him.", Nari had said softly, her eyes sharp beneath the mask of concern.

But Miyeon could.

She could keep ignoring Wonwoo, keep pretending she didn’t see the way his gaze followed her whenever she turned her back. Keep pretending that the way his face turns sad doesn't hurt her more than it hurts him. Keep pretending that it wasn't to protect him.

She could also keep pretending she wasn’t going back to the place she once called home.

But she was going back.

Tonight.

For Mr. Park’s business party. They would all be there, with their polite smiles and schooled faces, pretending their world wasn’t fracturing beneath them.

And so would her uncle, Juwon.

Miyeon tightened her grip on her bag, her bandaged knuckles aching from the force but it was the only way to keep herself grounded. To make herself feel something else other than the growing fear and the pit in her stomach.

Her driver was already waiting, the sleek black car idling by the curb. She’d asked for him specifically, even though it would’ve been easier—more practical—to go with Wonwoo.

But she couldn’t do that. Not after the way she’d been dodging his calls, his questions, his steady presence that only made the cracks in her resolve feel deeper.

As she slid into the back seat, the faint scent of leather and her driver, Mr Kang's, soft cologne greeted her.

"Hope you’ve been well, young Miss," Mr. Kang greeted, his voice warm but tinged with caution as his eyes flicked to her through the rearview mirror. His words were paired with a small, familiar smile, the kind that carried years of understanding.

Mr. Kang had been with her family for as long as she could remember. He was more than just a driver; he was a quiet witness to her life.

He had seen her stumble through childhood with scraped knees and wide, teary eyes. He had seen her grow into a young woman who had learned to carry herself with grace, even when the world around her felt anything but kind.

And because he had watched her for so long, he could see it now—the subtle slump of her shoulders, the tension in her jaw, the distant look in her eyes. She wasn’t fine, and Mr. Kang knew it.

But Miyeon only met his gaze briefly in the mirror, forcing a bright, practiced smile to her lips, "Never been better, Mr. Kang," she replied, her voice light and cheerful, polished to perfection.

It wasn’t the truth, but it was enough. It had to be.

Mr. Kang’s expression shifted ever so slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his features before he nodded and turned his attention back to the road. He knew better than to press her further.

She was his boss’s daughter, and it wasn’t his place to question her, no matter how much he wanted to. With a quiet sigh, he eased the car onto the main road, the engine’s hum filling the silence between them.

In the back seat, Miyeon sank deeper into the leather, her fingers clutching the strap of her bag tightly. She hated how easily she could lie like that, how quickly the words came to mask the truth.

But pretending was easier than admitting the weight she carried, even to someone like Mr. Kang, who would never judge her.

Outside, the streets blurred past, but Miyeon couldn’t shake the feeling that she was heading straight into something she wasn’t ready for.

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"Miya!", Mirae’s voice rang out, full of excitement, the moment Miyeon stepped into the sprawling living room.

Miyeon smiled faintly, patting her younger sister’s back in greeting before her gaze flickered across the room. Her parents sat side by side on one of the sofas.

Her mother’s face lit up with warmth as she stood to embrace her, but her father merely rose halfway, hesitating. His thin smile carried no malice but held an unspoken tension. Miyeon felt its weight immediately, the remnants of their last argument still lingering in the air.

He hadn’t stopped sending her reminders to take her medications, no matter how many of his calls and texts she ignored. It was a quiet persistence that irritated her and yet oddly comforted her all at once.

And then there was Juwon. He lounged on another sofa, one leg arrogantly perched on the coffee table, a smug grin plastered across his face as he gave her an almost mocking nod. His eyes scanned her face, lingering behind her for a moment, as if expecting to see someone trailing her.

"Miyeon," he greeted, his tone dripping with familiarity, as though he had some inside joke she wasn’t privy to.

She returned his nod with a curt one of her own, deliberately brushing past him to greet her mother and Mirae. Sitting down beside her sister, Miyeon tried to ease into the cushions, but the atmosphere in the room was thick and oppressive, the kind that made every small noise feel like an intrusion.

Her eyes darted around the space, searching for familiar faces—Wonwoo and Dino. Neither of them was there. That didn’t make sense. Wonwoo had left ahead of her; she’d watched him go. He should’ve been here.

Her confusion must have shown because her father cleared his throat awkwardly, shifting in his seat. "Wonwoo and Dino… they stepped out earlier," he explained, his tone measured but tinged with hope, as if trying to bridge the ever-widening gap between them, "They’ll be back soon."

Before Miyeon could process this, Juwon leaned forward, his smirk deepening, as if savoring the tension. "Why didn’t you come with Wonwoo, Miyeon?", he asked casually, but there was an edge to his voice that made her bristle.

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her with unspoken curiosity. Miyeon’s chest tightened under the weight of their gazes. What could she say? That she’d been avoiding Wonwoo, not because of the passing comment she overheard, but because of the phone call—that phone call, the one that chilled her to the bone?

She could still hear the distorted voice on the other end, cold and unfeeling, threatening his life without hesitation.

Juwon’s smirk widened slightly, as though he knew she was cornered.

Miyeon swallowed hard, searching for the right words to deflect when a deep, firm voice interrupted, freezing her mid-thought.

"I had some work with Dino, so I came here early, Uncle.", Wonwoo said as he stepped through the doorway, his tone calm yet commanding. His dark eyes locked onto Juwon with a silent warning while he simultaneously adjusted his glasses. Dino stood beside him, his expression unreadable but equally resolute.

The tension in the room shifted as Miyeon let out a quiet sigh of relief. She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath.

Even in the silence that had grown between her and Wonwoo, he always seemed to know when she needed him. And, as always, he stood unwaveringly by her side.

Juwon’s smirk faltered ever so slightly at Wonwoo’s interruption. His eyes narrowed, the faintest flicker of irritation crossing his face before he masked it with an air of forced indifference. He leaned back against the sofa, tapping his fingers idly on the armrest, but Miyeon could tell the interruption hadn’t gone unnoticed—or forgiven.

Dino was the first to break the lingering tension, stepping forward with his usual warmth, "Miya," he greeted softly, pulling her into a tight hug.

Miyeon allowed herself to relax for a moment, wrapping her arms around her cousin as she closed her eyes briefly. Dino always had a way of making her feel safe, even when everything else felt like it was teetering on the edge.

"You’ve been okay?" Dino asked quietly, just for her to hear, his voice laced with concern.

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and he let her go with a pat on her shoulder, his eyes lingering on her face as if searching for cracks in the facade she wore.

Wonwoo, meanwhile, had moved closer, taking the seat on her other side without a word. The silence between them wasn’t hostile, but it wasn’t comfortable either. Miyeon could feel the weight of his presence, the unspoken things that hung in the air between them. He sat rigidly, his eyes flickering from Juwon to her, his sharp gaze missing nothing.

Her mother’s voice broke the silence making everyone turn to her, "Miyeon," she began, her tone light but laced with concern, "What happened to your hands?"

Miyeon blinked, momentarily confused, before glancing down at her bandaged hands. The white gauze stood out starkly against her skin, a reminder she’d hoped to ignore.

"Oh," she said quickly, forcing a small laugh, "It’s nothing. I just fell while playing basketball the other day."

Her mother nodded, though her brows knit together slightly while her father looked as if he wanted to reach out and hold her hands until she felt okay. But it wasn’t her their reaction that unsettled Miyeon. It was the subtle shift in the room.

Juwon, seated across from her, raised an eyebrow, his subtle smirk returning with a knowing edge that sent a shiver down her spine. He didn’t comment, but the way his gaze lingered on her bandages made her stomach twist.

Dino, seated across from her now, frowned deeply, his jaw clenching as he exchanged a brief glance with Wonwoo. Neither of them said anything, but their worried, knowing expressions spoke volumes.

Miyeon’s heart raced under their silent scrutiny, the weight of their concern pressing down on her like a physical thing.

Mirae, seated on Miyeon’s other side, reached out and gently ran her fingers over Miyeon’s knuckles, her touch tender and filled with quiet concern, "You need to be more careful, Miya.", she murmured, her voice soft.

Miyeon forced a small laugh, though it felt tight in her throat. She glanced at her younger sister, her lips twitching into a teasing smile, "I will.”, she said lightly, before adding with mock exasperation, "but seriously, Mirae, would it kill you to call me Unnie once in a while? Just once? It wouldn’t hurt, you know."

Mirae grinned mischievously, leaning back slightly with a playful glint in her eyes, "No can do, Miya.", she replied smugly, sticking her tongue out.

Miyeon rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her. She reached out and smacked the top of Mirae’s head lightly, earning a mock yelp of protest, "Behave, little devil.", Miyeon said, shaking her head, though her smile softened as she looked at her sister’s bright, teasing expression.

For a fleeting moment, the tension in the room seemed to ease, replaced by the warmth of their familiar banter.

The room was silent again, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing down on her like a heavy blanket. Juwon leaned back, his smirk still in place, his fingers drumming on the armrest in a slow, deliberate rhythm that grated against her nerves.

Miyeon clenched her fists beneath the folds of her sweater, trying to ignore the growing unease. The gazes around her burned—some filled with worry, others with suspicion, and one with a quiet, unnerving triumph.

And though Wonwoo remained silent near her, his presence was both a comfort and a reminder of the unspoken tension between them.

"Come on," her father said suddenly, rising from his place beside her mother. His voice carried calmness, but Miyeon could tell he was carefully choosing his words, "We need to leave by seven, so everyone should start getting ready."

The room stirred as everyone began to move. Mirae gave Miyeon’s hand one last squeeze before standing, her usual bubbly energy dimmed by the tension still hanging in the air. Dino and Wonwoo exchanged a glance before heading toward the hallway, clearly reluctant to leave her side but understanding the implied dismissal.

Just as Miyeon thought she might slip away to her room unnoticed, her father’s hesitant voice broke the fragile rhythm of their movements, "Miyeon… Juwon… can you both stay back for a moment? There’s something I need to discuss."

Everyone froze.

Miyeon’s heart stuttered, the air suddenly feeling heavy around her. Her mother’s head snapped toward her husband, her brow furrowing in concern and confusion, "What is it, love?" she asked cautiously, her protective instincts flaring.

Her father avoided her gaze, focusing instead on Miyeon and Juwon, “It’s about business. I need them both here.” he said quietly, his tone firm but unsure.

Wonwoo stiffened immediately, stepping closer to Miyeon with a sharp look in his eyes. Dino followed suit, his posture straightening as his jaw tightened. Even Mirae looked torn, glancing between Miyeon and her father with worry written across her face.

Miyeon felt the tension swell, everyone waiting for her reaction, expecting her to lash out or refuse outright. She knew they were all thinking the same thing—her uncle. The man she avoided at all costs, the man who had caused her more pain than anyone else in her life.

The thought of being left alone in a room with him made her stomach churn, but she could also feel her father’s eyes on her, pleading silently.

Before anyone could voice their objections, Miyeon drew in a steadying breath and spoke, "Okay." she said, her voice steady despite the dread creeping up her spine.

The single word was enough to shock everyone into silence.

Her mother looked as though she wanted to protest but held back, studying Miyeon’s face for a hint of hesitation. Wonwoo and Dino didn’t move, their protective stances unwavering, but Miyeon shot them a small, reassuring nod.

"You sure?", Wonwoo finally asked, his voice low and edged with concern.

Miyeon nodded, her expression calm though her hands were clenched tightly at her sides, "I’m fine," she said, the lie smooth but unconvincing.

After a beat, her mother reluctantly ushered the others out of the room, casting one last worried glance over her shoulder before leaving. Dino and Wonwoo hesitated, their eyes lingering on Miyeon as though silently promising to intervene if anything went wrong. But when Miyeon gave them a faint smile, they finally turned and followed the others.

The door closed softly behind them, and Miyeon felt the atmosphere shift immediately. The room was eerily quiet now, save for the faint creak of the leather sofa as her uncle shifted in his seat, his presence as oppressive as ever.

"Alright," Miyeon said, forcing herself to look at her father even as she avoided Juwon’s gaze, "What is it you wanted to talk about?"

Her father shifted uncomfortably, rubbing his hands together as though bracing himself, "Miyeon," he began, his voice steady but laced with emotion, "I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. After your graduation... I want you to take over the company entirely. You’ve worked hard, and you’re more than capable. It’s time."

Miyeon blinked, stunned. She hadn’t expected this—especially not now, in this room, with him present. Her heart skipped, caught between surprise and the flicker of pride she didn’t want to admit to feeling.

Her father cleared his throat, continuing, "I wanted Juwon here because, as your uncle, I’d like him to handle the official ceremonies like the media and organizing everything after your graduation. It’s a big step, and we’ll need everything in order and you can take your time."

From the corner of her eye, Miyeon caught the shift in Juwon’s demeanor. The smug confidence he’d worn earlier melted away, replaced by a tightness in his jaw and a faint glint of something darker in his eyes.

His smirk was gone, replaced by a forced smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He nodded, his tone polite but clipped as he said, "Of course, Seungho. Whatever you think is best for our little Miyeon."

Miyeon kept her expression neutral, but her stomach churned. She knew that look too well—the simmering anger bubbling beneath his calm facade. He could fool her father, but not her. She’d learned to read the cracks in Juwon’s carefully constructed mask.

Her father turned back to her, his eyes soft with unspoken hope. Miyeon hesitated for a moment, glancing down at her hands before meeting his gaze. The thought of how much this meant to him, how proud he’d be to see her succeed, made her decision for her.

She smiled faintly and nodded, "Alright. I’ll do it."

Her father exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, relief washing over his face. Juwon, on the other hand, stood abruptly, smoothing down his suit jacket with sharp movements.

"Well then," Juwon said, his voice light but strained, "if that’s settled, I think I’ll go grab a drink.", without waiting for a response, he strode out of the room, the door clicking shut behind him with a finality that made Miyeon’s skin crawl.

The silence that followed was heavy. Her father turned to her, his expression softer now, almost hesitant, "Miya," he called softly, his voice cracking slightly, "I know… I know things haven’t been easy between us. I should’ve told you about his arrival after knowing everything but I just—I’m sorry. For everything."

Miyeon stared at him for a moment, the yearning in his eyes almost painful to look at. She let out a small sigh and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a brief but sincere hug, "It’s okay, Dad," she murmured, her voice soft.

Her father held her tightly for a moment before pulling back, his eyes glistening, "I love you my little girl." he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I love you too, dad."

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Now since everything is okay between our father and daughter duo, I can continue forward peacefully (did the forecast say it's going to rain?) 👀

The chapters have started to get longer and longer though I don't mind because I can't stop writing when I start lol.

We're coming to the end of this book and I don't want to let it go but it is what it is, I hope I'm not boring you all.

I hope you all are happy!

Happy Reading!📚🤍