CHAPTER start from jaeahn
FLASHBACK — The Day Jongsuk Was Discharged
Jaeahn stopped by the small supermarket near the hospital to buy a few snacks for Jongsuk. She walked through the aisles lazily, tossing chips and chocolates into the basket.
But then—
she froze.
At the end of the aisle, half-hidden behind a refrigerated section, she saw Do Hwan.
What is he doing here?
He had told her earlier that he had "important work."
So why was he wandering around a random supermarket?
"Do Hwan!" Jaeahn called out softly.
But he didn't hear her.
He kept walking—straight out of the store.
Curiosity pricked at her chest.
She followed him silently, staying a few steps behind.
Do Hwan walked to the corner of the street…
And stopped in front of someone.
Jaeahn halted.
She could only see the back of the person he was talking to.
Who is that?
Why is he meeting someone secretly?
She stepped a little closer…
And her heart stopped.
She saw the face.
The face she could never forget.
The face she had cried over.
The face from her nightmares.
Jihu.
Her older brother.
Her hyung.
The one who died long ago.
She stumbled back, almost dropping her bag.
No… no, this can't be real.
Didn't he die? I saw him… I mourned him…
Hyung… how could you do this?
Why didn't you tell me you were alive…?
Her chest tightened with panic as a storm of thoughts crashed through her mind.
Don't panic, Jaeahn. If hyung didn't tell you, maybe he had a reason…
But what are they talking about? Why with Do Hwan?
And then—
Do Hwan turned.
She panicked and instantly ran behind a car, holding her breath.
Why did I run? What am I doing…?
After a moment, she forced herself to calm down.
Okay… okay, relax. Go back. Pretend nothing happened. Find out later why they hid it from you.
She walked back to the car, her heart pounding.
When she opened the door, Jongsuk looked at her.
"You're late. What took you so long?"
Jaeahn swallowed, forcing a smile.
"Nothing… just long lines."
Flashback ends.
---
PRESENT — NIGHT
Eunwoo entered the house quietly, his face pale and tense.
Jaeahn immediately noticed.
"Hey, my little boy," she said, kneeling to look at him closely.
"What happened? Why do you look scared?"
Eunwoo fidgeted, biting his lip.
"Big sis… I have to tell you something. But… I don't know how."
"Just tell me," she said. "Or I'll punch you—lovingly."
She smiled to lighten the mood.
"They threatened me…" Eunwoo whispered.
Jaeahn's expression hardened.
"Who?"
"I think… the people I escaped from," he said, his voice trembling.
"They keep threatening me again… continuously…"
He made a small innocent baby face.
"What should I do, big sis?"
He handed her his phone.
Dozens of messages from an unknown number.
Jaeahn sighed, flicking his forehead gently.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier when I asked you?"
"I was scared…"
He looked down.
"Sorry, big sis."
She took his phone to check further messages.
But Eunwoo's gaze shifted—
To her phone.
He saw Jihu's picture on her screen.
His eyes widened.
"That boy… I know him! I'm sure!"
Jaeahn turned sharply.
"How do you know him?"
Eunwoo hesitated, then blurted,
"It was just a few hours ago… he's the one who saved me!"
Jaeahn's heart clenched.
"Saved you? From what happened? Eunwoo—"
"No, nothing serious," he said quickly.
"I just… remember his face. He helped me."
Jaeahn lowered her gaze.
So you appear in front of everyone… except me.
Why, hyung…? Why can't I understand you?
---
THE PRESENT — CONTINUATION OF LAST CHAPTER SCENE
Jaeahn stepped into Do Hwan's room.
He stood by the desk, working quietly.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
The caller ID flashed across the screen.
Jihu.
Before Do Hwan could react, Jaeahn grabbed the phone and answered.
A soft, trembling voice came through the speaker.
"…Is Jaeahn okay?"
Jaeahn's breath caught.
Her entire body froze.
"I…" she whispered, fighting the tremble in her voice.
"She's okay. Absolutely fine."
There was silence.
Then she heard it—
Jihu's inhale.
The shock.
The trembling emotion.
The tears he couldn't hide.
But before anything else could be said—
Do Hwan snatched the phone from her grip.
He hung up instantly.
Then he exploded.
"Why did you pick up my call?! Who gave you permission to touch my things?!"
Jaeahn lowered her head, voice small.
"…Sorry."
And she walked out of his room quietly, the weight in her chest heavier than ever.
---