Chapter 63: Cracks in the Facade

Startled by Ju Ria’s words, I glanced left. Though she partially blocked my view, I saw Do Yoon’s hand trembling as he gripped his utensils. She spoke.

“You don’t look well.”

I stood abruptly, mid-meal.

“Do Yoon, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, just… indigestion. I’ll hit the bathroom.”

Covering his mouth as if about to retch, he bolted. My heart sank. He’d been off lately—last night, he was sweating and groaning in his sleep.

I’d asked Grandfather if Do Yoon could skip this, but he insisted Do Yoon was family now and shouldn’t be excluded. Maybe he saw my concern as control. Perhaps Do Yoon felt the same, so I dropped it. Seeing him like this, I regretted not pushing harder.

Unable to sit, I heard Mother tsk, speaking loudly.

“He always does this at events like this. Ria, don’t mind him.”

“Is he sick? He looked rough.”

Seung Hee stared silently toward where Do Yoon fled. I excused myself.

“I’ll check on him.”

“Hey! Leaving Ria alone?” Mother called, but I didn’t look back.

I checked the first-floor bathroom—no sound. Confirming it was empty, I rushed to the second floor. Sure enough, retching and flushing came from a room at the hall’s end. I called urgently.

“Do Yoon, you okay? Need your back rubbed?”

No answer, just more gagging. I tried the door—locked.

When he emerged, his face was ghostly, eyes red from vomiting. Seeing me waiting, he flinched, then deflated. I pressed.

“You okay? If you’re struggling, rest. No, lie down in your room.”

“Your fiancée… is waiting.”

“Don’t care.”

I grabbed his wrist, pulling him to a room. I half-expected resistance, but he followed meekly. I forced him onto the bed, stacking two pillows under his head.

“You barely ate—why’re you throwing up? You sure you’re okay?”

His hand was cold and clammy. As I fussed, he looked at me, lying down.

“She must really like you.”

“Huh?”

“You got rejected multiple times but kept confessing. Hard to imagine. What’s so special about her?”

Embarrassment heated my face. I fanned myself, looking away.

“Nah, it’s not like that.”

“What did you like? Her being older? Or… she’s pretty?”

His sad gaze met mine. I blurted.

“You’re prettier.”

It was true—his gaunt face made his features sharper, eyes glistening, lashes long, sweaty brown hair tangled like a photoshoot prop. But he gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“What’s the point?”

Then he shifted topics.

“But being older doesn’t mean more mature. Younger people can be too.”

“True. Age isn’t everything.”

“Yet you chose someone older.”

His voice was odd—angry yet weary. It unsettled me. I mean, I didn’t choose her… I replied, almost defensively.

“Just… turned out she’s older.”

He stared, then said.

“You must really love her.”

Love? Goosebumps prickled my skin. I denied it, deadpan.

“It’s not love. It’s just… good conditions, mutual needs.”

I froze, shocked at my own words—straight out of a chaebol villain script. Was I becoming the original Choi Seung Hyun? Do Yoon’s eyes, lifeless before, flashed sharply.

“Needs? Not love?”

“I mean, I like her. But we’re close in age, went to school together, know each other’s personalities, and our families benefit. You can’t ignore conditions when dating. Better someone I know than randoms the adults pick.”

I couldn’t mention the deal with Ju Ria, so I parroted her excuse like a robot.

His face fell, voice bitter.

“Doesn’t change anything.”

The engagement was set for August, two months away. I visited Ju Ria’s family as her fiancé and was warmly welcomed, more than expected. Aside from a solemn pre-meal prayer, it wasn’t much different from my family.

Chairman Joo apologized repeatedly for Ju Ria leaving for the States post-engagement, even offering to block her grad school plans. Panicked, I said it was our mutual decision and that I admired her career focus. He looked ready to cry.

Everything moved fast—dress, venue, all locked in quickly. I played along as the adults called us a perfect match, while checking the houses Ju Ria secured: Malaysia, USA, France, Morocco, Canada. Prime locations, great condition. I might not use them, but they felt like a safety net.

Unexpectedly, Do Yoon couldn’t attend due to military service. I assumed summer break meant he’d be free, but his enlistment notice came a week before. I asked if it could be delayed, but he smiled sadly, saying it was set. He’d even filed for a leave of absence. I was stunned—I hadn’t considered him missing it.

Grandfather and Father were visibly annoyed at his absence from such a major family event. Mother, unsurprisingly, was smug, saying, “The country calls, what can you do?” Predictable reactions.

The engagement venue swarmed with press, but tight security kept them at a distance. Ju Ria, anticipating this, wore sunglasses and a wide-brimmed, lacy white hat to hide her face. I went with a big mask and sunglasses. Neither of us wanted exposure.

The ceremony flew by in a blur—following the emcee, cutting the cake, applause. We limited guests to close relatives, but it was still crowded. Hours later, when everyone left, Ju Ria hesitated, then spoke.

“Since it’s over… thank you. I was in a dark place. Without you, I might’ve thought something bad…”

“Stop. Don’t think like that.”

That night, exhausted, Seung Hee showed up with liquor. When I said I had no plans with Ju Ria, she seemed skeptical but didn’t press. I expected her to mock me for moping on my engagement day, but she said.

“Is Do Yoon really enlisted?”

“What, fake enlistment? He shaved his head. Went air force, of all things.”

“…Unbelievable. It’s your engagement, and he skips it?”

It struck her as odd too. Her pointing out my buried concern made me bristle.

“Enlistment date was set. What could he do?”

“You can adjust those. Feels deliberate.”

I’d thought it too but avoided dwelling on it—it hurt too much. I downed a whiskey shot.

“Why would he?”

“No clear reason… but at that dinner, he looked off.”

“He was sick then.”

“Why do I feel like he’s avoiding you?”

“Avoiding? I practically raised him.”

“Raised him? You’ve known him three years.”

I snorted.

But I didn’t know then that during his 21-month service, Do Yoon wouldn’t visit me once on leave.