15

"Shim Jake, you're going to regret leaving me!" Serin shouted behind me as I walked out of the club.

I didn't bother turning back.

⸻

After spending the night entertaining a few random girls I met at the club, drinking just enough to loosen the weight in my chest.

I finally made it home around 3 a.m. The girls kept refilling my glass, laughing too loud, leaning too close. But none of it stuck. I wasn't drunk. Just tired.

Tired of pretending I enjoyed any of it.

One of them tried to unbutton my shirt.

I stopped her immediately.

I wasn't in the mood. I just wanted my bed.

When I stepped into the house, the lights were dim.

I froze for a moment when I saw Jina asleep on the couch, still wearing that damn Gucci dress.

She must've been exhausted. Cleaning up after the party. Washing everything. Of course she hadn't even changed.

The dress irritated me. I hated seeing her in something Heeseung gave her.

I walked over slowly and knelt in front of her.

My eyes dropped to her hand. The skin was still red from the burn earlier.

Damn it.

I sighed and whispered,

"I told you to get rid of this dress."

I didn't expect her to respond.

She was out cold.

I sat there for a second, staring at her hand again.

I hated that it caught my attention. I hated how something about her like this, made my chest tighten in a way I couldn't explain.

"You're ridiculous,"

I muttered under my breath and stood up.

I walked to the kitchen, opening drawers, searching for the first-aid kit. Once I found the bandages, I returned to her and knelt again.

Gently, I took her hand and began wrapping it.

"You're always making things difficult,"

I said quietly.

But my movements slowed the longer I looked at her.

She looked peaceful in her sleep, the corners of her lips soft, her breathing even.

Without thinking, I brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek. My fingers hovered for a moment, then lightly touched her skin.

Why was my heart beating this fast?

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Then, her phone buzzed.

The screen lit up with a message from Heeseung.

My jaw clenched as I picked it up.

"Jina, sorry to text this late. I wanted to ask if you'd come with me to tomorrow's product launch. Your husband said he won't be attending, so I thought it would be meaningful if you joined since you helped with everything. Please reply when you wake. Good night, and sweet dreams."

I stared at the screen.

Sweet dreams?

I locked her phone without replying and set it down on the table beside her.

"She's my wife,"

I muttered.

"Not yours."

I stood slowly, biting the inside of my cheek.

"Lee Heeseung, are you really trying to start something with me?"