Chapter 113: The Truth That Shattered the Script

Something Doyoon had been bottling up for so long exploded inside him. He had rehearsed countless things to say when Seunghyun woke—but this wasn’t one of them.

“Why would hyung ever be a burden to me?”

“…Because…”

Seunghyun mumbled. Doyoon pressed, sharp.

“Because you’re not my real brother? Because we don’t share blood?”

Seunghyun’s mouth fell open, stunned. Then, resigned, he said slowly:

“Knew you’d heard everything.”

“What does that matter?”

“I’d… get in the way of you becoming chairman…”

His face looked like a condemned man awaiting execution. Doyoon was so dumbfounded and wronged that tears nearly came. The injustice turned to fury.

“…So I’m supposed to kick you out and take the chair?”

Seunghyun nodded quietly.

In that moment, Doyoon felt talking was pointless.

He leaned in and kissed him. Just like that.

No time to dodge. One arm locked behind my head, the other around my waist. I flailed in shock—he didn’t care. My eyes stayed wide open, lips stolen. My brain was mush. In the middle of it, I was marveling at the bridge of his nose and the length of his lashes. Definitely not sane.

I’d suspected it the second he said he met Noh Jae-sik. That blabbermouth would’ve spilled my birth secret.

If the original route was happening anyway, quietly walking away was the least damage. That’s why I asked to stay until I healed…

Then this—a kiss? Was I the one unconscious for two days?

Worse, while I was stunned, his tongue slipped in. Overwhelmed, I closed my eyes. Everything felt like a dizzy dream.

Finally, he pulled back. My face—having experienced the male lead’s dazzling kiss sober—was crimson. I had to say something. His gaze was melting me. Panicked, I blurted:

“This… prank is too much! Even if we’re not related…”

“And if it’s not a prank?”

The firm tone snapped my head up. My voice shook.

“H-How could this not be a prank?”

He met my eyes, unflinching. Cheeks flushed—but from anger, not embarrassment.

“It has nothing to do with Noh Jae-sik. I’ve known for ages we’re not blood-related.”

This time, it felt like a hard slap. I clutched the blanket.

“…H-How?”

“Does that matter more than me kissing you?”

Long silence.

My mind was chaos. Yeah—what’s more important? I tried to think calmly—nothing worked, just tangled more. So I blurted, confused:

“Then… why didn’t you tell anyone?”

Doyoon yelled, furious.

“What kind of trash do you think I am?!”

“N-No, I didn’t mean—sorry…”

I stammered. He looked even more hurt. Voice cracking:

“I was going to live with it. Just watch from the side.”

“…”

“Didn’t know you saw me as that kind of monster.”

I tensed. First time seeing him this angry. But I had to know. This wasn’t in the original story. The events happened, but how? As the one who suffered, I deserved to ask. Sure, to Doyoon, I looked ridiculous asking this after nearly dying.

Then he grabbed my hand.

“I love you, hyung.”

Silence.

“…Huh?”

“I loved you before knowing we’re not brothers.”

No room for argument.

“That’s why I left for the States. Scared I’d do something to you.”

“W-Wait, I don’t…”

“I love you. Not as a brother—really love you.”

His eyes were brainwashing-level intense. Then the sharp light softened—tears welled. He bowed his head, gripping my hand. A pearl-like tear plop on the blanket. Voice trembling:

“…Why do you make me feel so miserable?”

I was too shocked to speak. Reached for his face—he caught my wrist. What am I hearing?

Doyoon… loves me? Why?

He’s the male lead!

“Couldn’t sleep thinking of you. Stayed away or I’d ruin your engagement. But you broke it first. Came back to just watch. Tried being a good dongsaeng—why won’t you let me? Why take that away too…”

His face was agony, like spitting glass.

First time seeing Doyoon this broken. I couldn’t speak—he started sobbing harder. I asked, dazed:

“You… love… me?”

“I love you.”

I could only gape like an idiot. Felt like the back of my head was smashed—yet deep down, a strange relief: Finally found the answer to the question I’d been lost on. It was alien. Doyoon sniffled:

“What did I do so wrong that you think I’m human trash? That I’d betray you the second I knew?”

Words failed. …Because I did think that. Never imagined he’d protect me knowing.

He looked at me, resentful. Tears fell from his light brown eyes like morning dew on grass.

“I even knew you were looking for Noh Jae-sik all along.”

I jumped. How does he know that too?! Male lead privilege?!

I stared like he was a ghost. He steadied his breath, soft:

“…Found out in the States we’re not related.”

Dizziness hit—epiphany. So that’s how it was supposed to happen…

That’s why it wasn’t in the original. Unrelated to Bae Ji-an.

Before I could piece the timeline, Doyoon dropped another bomb.

“But I decided to hide it. Because you’d be sad.”

I looked up sharply.

“…Because I’d be sad?”

“Yes.”

Time stopped. My mind went blank. I forgot to breathe.

No—this can’t be.

Why?

Because… the original story wasn’t like this.

Why must it follow the original?

Because… it always had?

My head spun. Doyoon continued:

“Thinking I’d abandon you just because Noh Jae-sik’s your real dad… that’s too much. Why would I leave you over that?”

“I…”

He asked, eyes red:

I panicked, words tumbling:

“But… weren’t you and Bae Ji-an getting close? You visited her every day, got friendly, even tried bringing her to our team…”

Doyoon laughed, incredulous. His grip loosened slightly.

“You really knew nothing. I was jealous because I thought you liked her. I hate that woman most in the company.”

Shock. Male lead hates the female lead—what now?

“…You liked her.”

I jumped.

“Absolutely not! I thought you liked Ji-an…”

“Never. Not my type. I’ve never thought of anyone but you. When did I ever say I liked Bae Ji-an?”

…Come to think—no. I stammered:

“T-Then… suddenly transferring to our company…”

“Obviously to see you. You broke the engagement with Julia.”

Mind blown—like another slap. Goosebumps.

“Because… of me?”

Silence.

“If… I hadn’t broken it?”

Doyoon paused, face dark.

“…I was never coming back.”

I covered my mouth with both hands. No way…

“Then… enlisting right before the engagement…”

“Yes. Couldn’t stand blessing you with another woman.”

My mind went white. The puzzle I thought complete—shattered, restarting from zero.