Do Han checked the time as he parked his car in front of the house.

7:40 PM.

It was only a little while ago that he had dinner and coffee with Sa Rang at a cafe, but it was already dark outside.

With Kyung Chul away from home, he was concerned about Hye Ri being alone.

A month ago, it wouldn’t have mattered, but knowing she was ill, he couldn’t help but worry.

As he glanced at his watch occasionally, Sa Rang urged him to get up, pulling on his hand.

Do Han felt guilty seeing her smiling brightly, saying how happy she was to have dinner and coffee with him today.

He felt suffocated, thinking there would be many more days when he would neglect her.

Do Han sent a message to Sa Rang on his phone.

[I’ve arrived.]

He remembered her request to contact her once home, and she replied immediately.

[Already? I just got in.] [What were you doing?]

Do Han had intended to drop Sa Rang off, but she insisted on parting at the school gate.

Sa Rang decided to go alone, considering that he had parked his car at the school parking lot.

Do Han wondered why Sa Rang had just entered her home, unlike him who took 40 minutes to walk from the parking lot and reach home.

But there was no reply for a long time.

Although she had read the message, she didn’t respond, prompting Do Han to call her.

Just as he thought she might have stepped away after opening the message, the call connected.

[Yes?]

“No response, so…”

[Ah, that’s…]

As Sa Rang hesitated, Do Han’s curiosity was piqued.

“What did you do?”

If she went straight home from the school gate, it would have taken 20 minutes. He asked what she did in the remaining time, and Sa Rang hesitated before replying.

[I met a friend on the way.]

Do Han frowned instinctively, guessing who it might be when she mentioned ‘friend’.

“Jung Yoon Jae?”

[How did you know?]

He was momentarily speechless, his guess correct.

Do Han understood why she hadn’t responded earlier.

They had always openly disliked each other, so it made sense to hide it.

“What did you do?”

[Just bought ice cream at a convenience store.]

“It took 20 minutes to eat an ice cream?”

[…]

“Did Jung Yoon Jae take you home?”

[He was on his way to a friend’s house. He didn’t come specially to drop me off.]

“So, you went together.”

[…Yes.]

Sa Rang’s voice grew fainter.

Do Han sighed lightly, finding his jealousy pathetic.

Yet, his twisted heart persisted.

“Eat with me tomorrow.”

[What?]

Do Han could vividly picture her widening her eyes and blinking in surprise.

He missed her already, though it had been only 40 minutes since they parted.

Resisting the urge to drive to her, he got out of the car.

“You’ve never had ice cream with me.”

Do Han found his own childishness incredulous.

He couldn’t even imagine what Tae Hoon would have said, and he let out a breathless laugh.

[Okay. Let’s eat together tomorrow.]

Sa Rang’s voice mixed with confusion and incredulity, trying to placate him. Only then did Do Han feel a wave of embarrassment.

“See you tomorrow, then.”

[Yes.] Unable to continue the call any longer, he hung up.

Do Han looked around unnecessarily, even though no one was watching.

He felt ridiculous, doing such things at twenty-six.

The house was silent.

The living room lights were off, with only a faint glow coming from the kitchen.

Do Han walked towards it.

Expecting Hye Ri to be eating dinner at the table, he was surprised to see a beer can instead.

“You’re home early. Thought you’d come at night.”

As she smiled and raised the can to her lips, Do Han snatched it away.

“Are you crazy?”

He poured the remaining beer down the sink, frustrated that a patient scheduled for surgery next month would do this.

There was another empty can on the table.

Do Han was more than incredulous; he was angry.

He had returned to this house, enduring insults from Kyung Chul, hoping Hye Ri would safely complete her surgery.

It wasn’t just out of guilt, but also a human compassion.

His sister, barely twenty-one, facing major surgery.

Regardless of anything else, they were family, and he had tried to treat her well.

But alcohol, of all things.

Do Han was disappointed in Hye Ri, who couldn’t even take care of herself.

He was furious, wondering why he had even stayed here.

“I won’t be able to drink soon, so this is the last time. Dad’s not here either.”

At Hye Ri’s excuse, Do Han let out a hollow breath.

There was nothing he could do about the alcohol already consumed.

As he turned to leave, Hye Ri stopped him.

“Brother.”

Her sharp gaze met his, but she held his eyes without flinching.

“That freshman, her name is Lee Sa Rang?”

His eyes flashed at the mention of her name.

That alone seemed to give Hye Ri her answer.

“Our mom had the same name.”

She continued, smiling.

“It’s strange. The coincidence of the name, and that you like a girl with that name.”

Hye Ri knew Do Han wouldn’t openly admit his love, especially because of his mother’s name.

Chae Sa Rang, the woman Kyung Chul obsessively loved.