She had a nightmare. In the murky darkness, it was a dream where bright red pupils flickered.

‘Creepy.’

The eerie pupils gradually increased in number. Initially, it was a pair, then two pairs, three pairs, four pairs… Eventually, countless red eyes mocked her. They were chillingly red, enough to give her goosebumps.

“Ah!”

When Jihyunjeong screamed and woke up, the fellow inmates expressed annoyance individually. She had been in that state for several days now.

“Hey! Sleep a bit more quietly!”

She got hit on the chin with a book someone threw. Jihyunjeong, oblivious to the pain, got up and crouched down.

On the days she had nightmares, there was no way she could sleep any better. It felt like red eyes were sticking all over her body. She nervously shook her body and wrapped herself in a blanket.

‘It’s just a dream. Just a dream. Forget it. I can do it.’

One day, a red eye approached her closely and scratched her. Upon closer inspection, it was Choi Yeoreum. Choi Yeoreum was fiercely scratching Jihyunjeong.

‘Unlucky!’

No, actually, she knew. Jihyunjeong was the one who started it.

“If you love Taeseok, break up. Disappear without ruining his path in front of him.”

Upon hearing that, Choi Yeoreum tearfully begged, saying she pleaded, explaining her circumstances. Was it wrong from that moment?

“Your last chance in life was me.”

“Now, I’m throwing you away too. Live well in your hell.”

Shin Mincheol. He doesn’t come anymore. That was also a mistake.

The identity of the red eyes was everyone Jihyunjeong hurt, and also the netizens who mocked her one by one. In the end, it was the whole world beyond the wall.

She scratched her arms. It felt like there were red eyes stuck somewhere on her arms. Itchy.

‘I have to scratch it off.’

Eventually, she shouted in frustration.

“Ah! Get away!”

Jihyunjeong screamed and thrashed around. Someone who woke up finally got up nervously and turned on the light.

“Oh, why are you going crazy in the middle of the night… Ugh!”

The person who turned on the light was startled and stepped back.

“Everyone, wake up! Call the guard! What’s wrong with her?”

Jihyunjeong had turned the blanket over her and was scratching her whole body. Blood was dripping from her scratched arms.

“That thing. She’s finally gone mad.”

The sage looked at her in astonishment before turning over and lying down.

Though they had fought every time, he never wished for her to go crazy. It felt bitter.

After that day, Jihyunjeong received intensive medication. Half of her day passed in a dazed state. When she realized that all chances were gone, it was already too late.

The club was still loud.

Thumping beats. Flashing lights. People swaying their bodies with excitement and intoxication. Although it was full of things Taeseok disliked, this time he came in smiling. It felt like it had been a year.

The day he heard about Summer again.

“What’s the name of the author?”

His eyes turned to Choi Yeoreum’s name. He diligently tormented her, trying to make her hate him. It was a time when he behaved badly without knowing his own feelings, leaving a mess behind.
Thinking back to that time, so much had changed in a year. Marriage, a child, a home. It was overwhelming to face such impactful words and days.

Today was a gathering to celebrate Taeseok’s marriage.

“Taeseok is here!”

“Taeseok hyung. I’m here today too. Congratulations on your marriage.”

Though not a member of this gathering, Jaeho, who was close as they belonged to the same agency, greeted with a smile. Taeseok warmly shook hands with him.

“Jaeho, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“I’m thinking of starting a relationship too. With my first love.”

“Your first love probably hasn’t forgotten about you.”

“Wish me luck.”

At that moment, Wonwoo spoke loudly.

“The noisy and impressive Seo Taeseok love story has finally reached its conclusion.”

Everyone remembered Taeseok disappearing after hearing Choi Yeoreum’s name a year ago in this gathering.

Later, when he reluctantly appeared in that drama due to coercion, Wonwoo had asked about the hidden circumstances. At that time, Taeseok had confessed his relationship with Yeoreum to Wonwoo.

“He’s the guy who ultimately succeeds. In work and love. Has Seo Taeseok ever failed to accomplish what he set his mind to? Probably not.”

“Yes, he hasn’t.”

Arrogant but precisely truthful, Taeseok spoke. Kangyeol openly found it absurd.

“Just finish boasting about yourself. Unlucky Seo Taeseok. By the way, it’s hard to get introduced to your sister-in-law! Why did you come alone? Tell her to cast me in her next work.”

Taeseok crumpled his expression instantly.

“Call her sister-in-law.”

“Hey, we’re the same age. Why sister-in-law? It’s Ms. Taeseok.”

“Hey! What month is your birthday?”

The other actors raised their heads with amazed expressions. The ridiculous verbal battle between Yoo Kangyeol and Choi Yeoreum started again. The low-pressure persisted since everyone found out that the author Choi Yeoreum, who they had discreetly cherished, was originally Seo Taeseok’s woman.