Chapter 65: Confessions and Cold Realities

Seung Hee must have sensed something was off because she stopped mentioning Do Yoon’s leaves. But her silence didn’t mean I was clueless. I’d been tracking his leave dates, promotions, and discharge through the military app.

Yet, even on his second and third leaves, he didn’t contact me. I had to let go of the faint hope lingering in my heart. Sometimes, I wondered if our happy times in this apartment were a dream.

What stung more was that Do Yoon visited the family estate regularly. Since when was he so dutiful with the elders? Hearing he’d been greeting Grandfather each time left me uneasy all day. Was he suddenly trying to curry favor with him?

But my petty suspicions were dead wrong. After serving his full 21 months, Do Yoon moved straight into an apartment near his university—one I didn’t even arrange.

My vision darkened. On his discharge day, I hesitated all day before sending a text.

[Congrats on discharge.]

[Thanks.]

Hours later, a curt reply came, colder than a coworker’s. Drained, I sank into a chair. The dry response snuffed out any urge to ask why he was acting this way.

I turned off my phone and flopped onto the sofa. I couldn’t muster the courage to ask for his new address.

He probably wouldn’t tell me anyway.

Imagining him saying, “Sorry, I’d rather not share that,” made my heart sink. Better not to ask and stay ignorant.

But soon, I realized even that was a luxury. Before the fall semester started in September, Do Yoon left for the States. I only learned this from Seung Hee after he was gone, leaving me stunned, like I’d been hit over the head.

“Do Yoon went to America? Why?”

“He was studying for a transfer before discharge. That kid’s ruthless.”

“What?”

At the family estate, without the elders around, I stood dazed. A hollow laugh escaped. My mind, a mess, finally understood why he’d been visiting so often.

“So… he wasn’t just asking Grandfather for an apartment?”

He’d transferred as a sophomore to a prestigious U.S. university and wouldn’t return until he finished his bachelor’s—maybe longer if he pursued further studies there. Forcing a smile, I said.

“What… he said he wasn’t interested in going abroad.”

Were all his past words lies? Seung Hee glanced at me.

“Did you two fight? You haven’t seen each other in a while.”

My throat tightened. That’s what I wanted to know. If we’d fought, I’d at least know why and feel some relief.

But we hadn’t! Even before enlistment, he was affectionate. I couldn’t pinpoint what changed him. If I’d messed up, I’d apologize and fix it—that’s my style. But with no conversation, just one-sided rejection, frustration piled up. Even at our worst, right after I transmigrated, it wasn’t this bad. I replied hollowly.

“No.”

“Then why didn’t he…”

Seeing my face darken, Seung Hee stopped. She rummaged through the cheese balls and cream tteokbokki I’d brought, saying how nice it was to eat something crispy.

I didn’t respond, mentally replaying when the original story begins.

It starts when Bae Ji An joins Haewon Electronics, meeting Do Yoon. After graduating, he’d stay in the States for years, returning in his early 30s as a director.

The novel had him at S University, graduating, working a few years, then earning Grandfather’s approval for the director role—a slight deviation.

A sigh escaped.

Fine, enlistment and moving out I could handle. But leaving like we’d never see each other again, without a word to me? Seung Hee, startled, put down her fork.

“Hey, you’re not… crying, are you?”

“What? I’m going for a smoke.”

I shuffled to the garden. The fall night air hit my face, but global warming made it feel mild. White smoke curled from the cigarette. Supposedly strong, it felt weak. Staring blankly, I muttered fiercely.

“This damn novel… I’ll sue the author.”

What kind of story ignores everything Do Yoon and I built, just deciding it’s time for the protagonist to hate the villain? I bit my lip until it bled. Think I’ll give up? I’ll live better, harder.

The funny thing? After Do Yoon left, Hyung Joo started visiting more. More calls, dropping by—like a welfare check for a lonely old man. He bristled at the comparison.

“What? A rich, young guy acting like life’s over? You’d get flamed for that. Harsh, especially in front of actual struggling folks.”

“You’re right. Sorry.”

Silence fell over the food stall. I poured soju.

“Anyway, why’re you here more now that Do Yoon’s gone? Got a schedule or something?”

Hyung Joo flinched, snapping back.

“Just checking you’re not crying over your brother.”

I winced but ate spicy chicken gizzards, acting unfazed.

“Never did.”

I downed the soju.

In my past life, my mom was my only family. My dad bailed after ruining his business when I was in middle school, and Mom died when I was a college freshman. I lived alone for nearly a decade.

This big family… honestly, it meant something to me. Not just Do Yoon, but Seung Hee, Mother, Grandfather, even Father—I cared, even a little. But what’s the point? It’s all for nothing.

“We barely talk anymore.”

I tried to sound casual, but my voice came out bitter, surprising even me. To cover, I asked quickly.

“You talk to him?”

“Me? Uh, barely.”

Liar. They’re probably chatting. Half-drunk, I grumbled.

“If he’d just say what’s wrong, I’d fix it. Seriously.”

Hyung Joo stared, then said.

“You care about him that much?”

“What?”

“He’s not even your real brother.”

I was stunned.

“He told you that? You guys are tight.”

“What’s wrong with that? He didn’t do anything bad.”

“Look at you, all grown up. Impressive.”

I exaggerated my admiration, and his face reddened.

“Anyway, don’t obsess over his calls. Enjoy life with your fiancée.”

“She’s in the States. So’s Do Yoon. Why’s everyone around me going to America? Ugh, I’m pissed. I should chase them down, cry, and ask why they ditched me. Booking a flight now.”

Tipsy, I opened a flight app. Hyung Joo panicked, seeing me search.

“Stop! Don’t make it harder for someone who’s already struggling.”

“Huh?”

Awkward silence. I put the phone down.

“What’s that mean?”

“I mean…”

As I stared, he panicked, eyes darting. My instincts kicked in.

“Did Do Yoon tell you why he’s avoiding me? Tell me. I’m dying here.”

Flustered, he shook off my grip, stammering.

“Who said Do Yoon?! I meant me! I’m struggling!”

“Don’t lie. You’re obvious.”

I glared. He shut his eyes, then, like he was jumping into the Han River, blurted.

“It’s not a lie. You’re my first love.”

What?