Chapter 59: Drunk on Soju and Sorrow

I quickly paid the tab and, with Hyung Joo, propped Do Yoon up on both sides. A short walk left me drenched in sweat at dawn, exhausted. Do Yoon, tossed into the passenger seat, slumped with his neck awkwardly bent, fast asleep.

Gasping, I closed the car door and turned to Hyung Joo.

“Thanks for calling. What happened to him?”

He avoided my eyes, mumbling.

“Just… he’s got a lot on his mind, I guess.”

“He didn’t tell you?”

Instead of answering, Hyung Joo changed the subject.

“Is it true you’re getting married? Do Yoon mentioned it.”

I blinked, dumbfounded.

“Why would I suddenly get married? He’s drunk and talking nonsense.”

“But even if not now, you’ll marry eventually, right?”

Hyung Joo glanced at me nervously, unlike his usual self. Already drained, I got annoyed at the random question.

“Dunno. Probably.”

I hadn’t thought about it. Would I? Could I? If Do Yoon and Ji An married safely, and I stayed unscathed…?

But arranged meetings for marriage didn’t interest me. I’d consider it if I truly liked someone, but it wasn’t essential. I wasn’t the lonely type. Plus, marriage meant responsibility for a partner, and I barely managed myself. Hyung Joo hesitated, then pressed.

“Even if you don’t want to, your family will make you, right? Like Do Yoon. Don’t chaebols marry for business, even if they don’t like the person?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Enough with the nonsense. Why’d he drink like this?”

“…Dunno.”

“He didn’t say anything and drank that much?”

“…Yeah.”

Hyung Joo’s complicated expression met my narrowed eyes.

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m not. Ask him yourself.”

I frowned. If he didn’t tell Hyung Joo, it was serious. School trouble? Not grades—Do Yoon was too good for that. Friends? He wasn’t the type to cry over them. A crush? Impossible—no one could make him fall like that. Even Ji An, who complained about him, liked him deep down.

He never caused trouble, so this is scarier.

He’d bragged in high school about handling liquor, but that was a lie. Drinking moderately is skill—this was reckless. He didn’t know his limits. I eyed the passed-out Do Yoon, vowing to warn him about pacing himself at company dinners.

The thirty-minute drive home felt eternal. Getting him from the car to the elevator and through the door—five minutes felt like five hours. Carrying him alone, unlike with Hyung Joo’s help, was brutal. When did he get so big? His feet dragged as I hauled him.

“Ugh.”

I finally dumped him on the bed, exhausted. My body ached from the midnight workout. Sighing, I stood.

Then, Do Yoon—whom I thought was out cold—grabbed my wrist and yanked hard. Losing balance, I fell onto the bed. Stunned, I shouted.

“What the hell, Choi Do Yoon? You’re awake? Then walk!”

He shook his head, rubbing his lips on my hand. I tried pulling away, but he gripped tighter, mumbling.

“…I really hate you, hyung.”

My energy drained. No use arguing with a drunk.

“Fine.”

I shook my arm to free it, but he held tighter, cutting off circulation. He even nibbled my hand, making me smack his arm.

“Let go, you drunk!”

“I wish… you weren’t my brother.”

“What?”

I was genuinely shocked. That crossed a line. No matter his troubles, this was too much. Hurt and angry, I forced myself to calm down.

“You’re drunk, so I’ll let it slide this once.”

“I’m not drunk.”

His voice, slow but clear, startled me.

“I really hate that we’re brothers.”

“…What?”

Silence fell. My throat tightened, blood running cold. It felt like a slap. My heart raced—or stopped—I couldn’t tell. Shock and disbelief mixed with rage. Wrenching my wrist free, I snapped.

“Let’s talk. Did you drink because of me? Did I upset you lately?”

He buried his face in the pillow, clearly refusing to engage. I yelled.

“Is it because I didn’t tell you about the blind date? You’re still mad over that? Do I have to report everything? You said you weren’t angry!”

He peeked at me with one eye, his brown gaze glinting eerily.

“It’s not… that.”

“Then what? That’s the only thing you’ve been weird about since!”

I couldn’t hold back. He sighed, alcohol on his breath, his face cold and fed up—a tone I’d never heard.

“Why do you have to be Haewon’s heir…”

My body froze, from fingertips to scalp. What did he just say? This wasn’t a tantrum. My heart pounded, sensing danger. Thoughts exploded—why say this now? What triggered it? Did I do something to threaten his future? I’d been so careful for years. I racked my brain, but nothing fit.

Why’s he wary of me?

My hands trembled. Was the novel’s plot forcing his character to shift? After all my efforts, was it for nothing?

My spiraling thoughts halted as Do Yoon started sobbing. His drunken outburst was shattering my sanity.

Crying? Am I that hateful?

In a tear-choked voice, he said.

“Why… do you have so much money? I feel pathetic next to you. I can’t do anything for you.”

I was stunned. I’d unknowingly made him feel such intense inferiority. Not knowing what was wrong, I rushed to comfort him.

“Do Yoon, need anything? Want me to buy something? No, stocks—I’ll transfer mine. If you need more, I’ll talk to Grandfather.”

“…That’s the problem.”

His words silenced me. Tears streamed down his face, just like when I first comforted him years ago, wounded by Mother’s venom. But now, I couldn’t fathom what hurt him so deeply.

“You have everything… no room for me. If I step in, I’ll just ruin your perfect life.”

“What are you talking about? You’re perfect. The whole world was made for you. I mean it!”

But he kept crying, ignoring me.

“I don’t want you to be unhappy because of me. But… I wish you were, just a little. No, no… I’m sorry. You should be happy. I lied—I don’t hate you. I love you. I love you so much it hurts.”

His words swung me from heaven to hell. He crawled closer, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist, mumbling into my back.

“I actually… hate myself the most…”