Da Eun was a genius who always maintained the top rank in school even under a crippled mother, and she caught people’s attention without even applying common lip balm.

Ju Ri, who became beautiful later in life, disliked those aspects of Da Eun. She was jealous to the point of anger.

Even when subtly criticized under the guise of concern, Da Eun was oblivious and just smiled brightly. She didn’t seem to care even when hearing gossip about herself.

Da Eun was not affected at all.

So Ju Ri changed her strategy. She decided to become Da Eun’s best friend.

She decided to take away everything Da Eun truly cherished from the closest position. She decided to take things away before Da Eun could take hers.

It took a long time, but the result was certain.

It seemed to be the only thing that had actually damaged Da Eun among all she had done so far. It was always more painful to have things taken away by someone close than by a stranger.

Especially having her potential husband taken away by the one she thought was closest to her, how bitter must she feel.

Ju Ri barely held back the laughter that was about to escape and put on the most pitiful expression possible.

“Please don’t spread rumors at the company until things settle down.”

At Ju Ri’s words, Da Eun burst into laughter as if she had heard an amusing joke.

Da Eun, who laughed so heartily that tears formed in her eyes, wrapped Ju Ri’s hands with both of hers.

“Why would I spread rumors about that? It’ll spread on its own anyway.”

“…”

Da Eun’s words were true. The two women who were just with them were known as the biggest gossips in the company.

Song Da Eun, you cunning X. You did that on purpose.

Ju Ri’s red-painted lips trembled.

Right, come to think of it, it was always like this. She always pretended to be nice, then backstabbed like this.

“Actually, I’m incredibly grateful to you. If it weren’t for you, I would have married Go Young Hoon.”

At Da Eun’s words, Ju Ri tilted her head.

Da Eun and her mother had cared for Ju Ri like family. Despite having less than herself, despite being the daughter of an unmarried mother.

It was laughable how they gave so generously without even knowing whose daughter she was.

So it was a bit of a shame to break her relationship with Da Eun. She had planned to secretly meet Young Hoon while using Da Eun like a maid. She had planned to use her as much as possible and then have her miserably dumped by Young Hoon.

However, Young Hoon had no intention of calling off the wedding with Da Eun, and Ju Ri eventually had no choice but to reveal her relationship with Young Hoon to Da Eun.

But what was with this nuance of being glad the engagement was broken off?

“The whole time I was sitting in the bridal waiting room, I kept thinking. Is this right, should I be getting married like this? Just as I was starting to regret it, you gave me certainty, Ju Ri.”

Da Eun blinked her large, beautiful eyes.

At this, Ju Ri was a bit taken aback. Regardless, Da Eun squeezed Ju Ri’s hand that she was holding and continued with the most harmless expression.

“Like a savior.”

Da Eun was eating lunch alone in the company cafeteria. Yu Kwon had a lunch appointment, and Jun Won, her only lunch buddy, was on a business trip.

It would be nice if they’d just let her eat in peace.

Is that her? Is she the one? The one whose wedding was called off? Wasn’t it an office romance?

All sorts of comments reached her ears. She was already in a bad mood after seeing Ju Ri, and now with the piercing stares, she felt like she might choke.

However, Da Eun continued her meal even in the midst of this.

Thanks to no one coming near Da Eun, she had a whole table to herself, when someone sat down across from her. It was Young Hoon.

He sat down crookedly with a face full of discontent and looked at her. Her face froze coldly.

“Can’t you sit somewhere else?”

Young Hoon ignored Da Eun’s words and proceeded with what he wanted to say.

“Let’s go out and talk for a bit.”

“No.”

“Should we talk here then, with everyone staring at us?”

At Young Hoon’s threat-like words, Da Eun sighed and stood up.

“Just 5 minutes.”

Da Eun cleared her tray and left the cafeteria first. As soon as they entered a quiet place, Young Hoon spoke up as if he had been waiting.

“Don’t you think you’ve gone too far? I handed out wedding invitations to the whole company, and then at the wedding venue, there was all that talk about a baby’s father, making me look like a complete fool.”

“Why bring that up now, after all this time?”

Da Eun sneered. It seems Young Hoon was bothered now that company people were gossiping.

“I’d like you to explain.”

“Explain what? I told the truth, why should I explain that? And why should I consider the circumstances of cheaters?”

Ignoring Da Eun’s rebuttal, Young Hoon recited only his purpose,

“It’s not difficult. Just say you spoke nonsense at the venue due to stress from wedding preparations, and that the wedding will proceed as planned. That’s all you need to do.”

Da Eun stared intently at Young Hoon’s face.

To think I almost made a lifelong commitment with such a guy.

As Hee Ju said, the broken engagement was divinely aided. At the time she thought it was a tragedy, but now it was a stroke of luck.

Of course, it would have been better if she hadn’t met Young Hoon in the first place. It seems the ancestral spirits didn’t look after Da Eun to that extent.

“How did you and your mother see me, to believe I’d marry a man who cheated with a friend and got her pregnant?”

Da Eun was genuinely curious about their brain structure. What kind of thoughts led them to such a conclusion, and how much of a pushover did they think she was to dare mention marriage?

“Honestly, Ju Ri isn’t really suitable as a marriage partner, is she?”

“Are you planning to get her pregnant and run?”

“To be frank, how can I be sure it’s my child? I’m not even sure if the pregnancy is real.”

“I guess I really lack judgment in people. I never imagined you were this much of a trash.”

Da Eun wanted to applaud his filthy character.

“I told you, didn’t I? That I caused a lot of trouble when I was young, so now I want to live while being filial to my mother. My mother wants a daughter-in-law just like you.”

“A daughter-in-law who does whatever she’s told without a word? I think that’s already gone wrong.”

“And I think you’re perfect as a wife too. All the food you made at my apartment was delicious. Even better than what you can buy.”

“Wow, this is really creepy.”

“Ju Ri’s cooking skills are really not up to par.”

“Neither are you.”

Young Hoon bit his lips nervously. It wasn’t working. By this point, she should have calmed down and come back to him, but unexpectedly, Da Eun was being adamant. As if she had something to rely on.

“Da Eun, think wisely. Who else would take you in if not me? Your family is poor, your mother is unwell, and your brother is a good-for-nothing.”

Da Eun’s hands trembled with shame and anger.

It was truly the worst. Both Young Hoon, and herself for having tried to marry him.

In fact, Da Eun had never once harbored expectations of marrying an ordinary man. She had never even dreamed of marriage in the first place.

It was because she knew her circumstances better than anyone. That’s why she had hesitated about marrying Young Hoon as well.

However, Young Hoon had said he didn’t care about Da Eun’s circumstances, that he would love her enough for her father’s share too, and that they should make a happy family.

She was uncontrollably angry at herself for falling for those honeyed words without realizing they were just sweet talk.

“Da Eun, in the end, you have no choice but to marry me.”

Young Hoon took out his phone from his pocket and played a recording.

“We used protection properly. Were you worried, honey?”

When he had visited Da Eun last time, he had recorded their conversation. He had bought an imported car beyond his means and had no money left to give to Da Eun.

He thought if he could get some sort of leverage on her, she wouldn’t demand money. But unexpectedly, he had hit the jackpot.

“Would it be okay if I release this? I wonder who the responsibility for the broken engagement would fall on then? And what would happen to Cha Yu Kwon?”

Da Eun stared blankly in Young Hoon’s direction. More precisely, at someone standing behind him.

“Yes, I wonder what would happen? I’m curious too.”

At that moment, Yu Kwon reached his arm over Young Hoon’s shoulder and snatched the phone from his hand.

Then he casually tossed it into the fountain. The phone made a clear “plop” sound as it sank to the bottom of the fountain.

“Oh dear.”

Yu Kwon wiped his hands with a handkerchief as if he had touched something dirty.

Belatedly realizing what had happened, Young Hoon screamed and entered the fountain.

Da Eun was equally surprised. She watched Young Hoon’s back as he splashed around looking for his phone, then turned to look at Yu Kwon.

Yu Kwon, who had been watching Young Hoon with his arms crossed as if he were pathetic, let out a short sigh. Da Eun felt as if she had been put in the same position as the pathetic Young Hoon for having been with him.

“…What about your lunch appointment?”

“I canceled it, thoughtlessly.”

“Ah.”

“Let’s go eat.”

Yu Kwon took Da Eun’s hand.

Worried that someone might see, Da Eun immediately shook off his hand. Yu Kwon’s gaze slowly moved up from her slender wrist that he had just been holding.

“…You said you were thoughtless, so why eat?”

“Not for me, for you to eat.”

“But I already ate.”

“Then have some dessert or something. If you don’t like having your hand held, lead the way.”

“Ah, yes.”

Da Eun took the lead, overwhelmed by Yu Kwon’s force. Yu Kwon seemed extremely sensitive. Even more so than when he had returned from Hyanglimjae.

.

.

.

The two moved to a nearby cafe. Da Eun felt as if her back was burning, as if Yu Kwon was glaring at her.

She was confused even as they walked. Whether this was right.

Da Eun ordered some herbal tea that Yu Kwon might like, a chocolate drink for herself, and a few desserts, paying with Yu Kwon’s card, and then found a seat.

It was the first time since college that they had sat face to face in a cafe.

Back then, Yu Kwon had looked like he was being dragged out against his will, but now it was Da Eun who wore that expression.

“Why are you angry?”

Da Eun, who had been staring intently at Yu Kwon, suddenly asked.

“Me?”

Yu Kwon shook his head as if it was absurd.

“You are angry.”

Yu Kwon tapped the table lightly with his fingertips.

“I don’t know what this emotion is, but it’s very unpleasant. And…”

Just then, the vibrating bell that had been placed on the table lit up red and vibrated.

Yu Kwon, whose words were cut off by the vibrating bell, furrowed his brow.