Chapter 74: Tangled Hearts and Office Whispers

Before I knew it, Do Yoon and I were alone in the building, back from the rooftop. It was early in the workday, so the top-floor hallway was empty.

Yet, even indoors, I couldn’t stop trembling. A draft must’ve been sneaking through the door.

“Why didn’t you bring a coat?”

“Is that important?”

I snapped, trying to steady my shaking body. Do Yoon looked at me, then said with a bitter tone.

“It is. The pain of a breakup doesn’t get resolved with cold and cigarettes. You need to take care of yourself.”

What was he on about? I only started smoking when he began ignoring me.

“Seung Hee noona said you were a wreck, but… you don’t seem like it. Already found someone new, huh?”

His faint laugh felt self-mocking. Then he mumbled, “Guess it’s my fault for expecting otherwise.” I frowned.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He ignored me, muttering again.

“That’s why I rushed back from the States…”

This guy’s creepy.

He felt nothing like the Do Yoon I knew—maybe this was the real novel-version Choi Do Yoon.

A dizzying silence hung between us. My back was against the wall, and he loomed over me, a head taller than I remembered. Feeling small, I looked away.

“…Alright, I’m going. You stay.”

My head was about to explode. The heroine and hero had met, so from now on, I had to survive on my own. It was starting today.

But as I tried to slip past, Do Yoon grabbed my wrist. His voice carried a hint of anger.

“Why are you so…”

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Why are you so unaffected? Seeing me?”

My face twisted in disbelief. Can’t you see I’m freaking out?

“You kept texting, saying you missed me, begging me to call. But now that I’m here, you’re colder than a stranger. Was it all a lie?”

I scoffed, incredulous. Forgetting my caution, I shouted.

“You’re the one who ghosted me for six years! How much did you hate me to ignore my messages?”

While texting Seung Hee.

I didn’t say that—it felt too petty. Honestly, thinking of how much it hurt, I wanted to punch him.

But Do Yoon’s eyes widened, then softened with what seemed like relief.

“You’re mad because I didn’t reply?”

Obviously. I was still mad—his nerve to show up without a word of apology or explanation. Then his face lit up.

“I thought you were too happy with your ex-fiancée to care about me. You stopped reaching out these past few years.”

Of course. I’m not shameless enough to keep bothering someone who dislikes me. So he’d seen my messages but blamed Ju Ria for not replying? That’s a weak excuse. I opened my mouth to retort, but he cut me off, smiling with crescent-moon eyes.

My heart sank.

What was that?

It pounded wildly. His adult male lead aura was overwhelming. Biting my lip to snap out of it, I asked sharply, masking my fear.

“Why’d you come back out of nowhere?”

I wanted his personal reason, not the novel’s fated nonsense.

He stared at me.

“…I missed someone and thought it was finally okay to see them.”

“…”

As expected. My shoulders slumped. What had I hoped for? How he knew Bae Ji An joined here was a mystery—divine revelation, maybe? He studied my face and asked.

“Are you upset I’m here?”

I froze. His question brought back the young Do Yoon in my memory, asking, “You really won’t hate me, right?”

It was absurd, but I worried this giant adult might cry if I said yes.

I couldn’t answer. Was I upset?

No, not upset—angry. His sudden reappearance was infuriating yet oddly relieving.

“…Just surprised.”

I turned away, my voice softer, clinging to my small pride by not saying I wasn’t upset. Do Yoon stepped closer, leaning down to whisper in my ear with a low chuckle.

“Because I got taller than you?”

A jolt shot from my ear, goosebumps spreading. Instinctively, I shoved his chest with both hands—there was nowhere to escape with the wall behind me. His absurd comment made my face burn as I stammered.

“Bragging?”

“Yeah. Feels great.”

Crazy guy. Showing up to boast about his height.

“Move.”

But he grabbed me again, gripping my elbow slightly painfully.

“I’m glad you’re mad.”

I froze, baffled by his incomprehensible words.

Glaring, I yanked my arm free and stormed off, skipping the elevator to race down the stairs. My heart pounded uncontrollably.

Crazy bastard…

Happy I’m mad?

Recalling his expression, tone, and grip sent electric shocks through me, my heart twisting. Where was the cute kid I raised? This was chilling.

Am I scared of him?

Probably. I was under extreme stress.

I ordered a coffee at the office café and zoned out. My mind was a mess, incapable of thought.

Back at the office, a strange vibe hit me. As I entered, people scurried, pretending to be busy—unnaturally so.

What’s this?

It felt like when my identity was exposed. Narrowing my eyes, I scanned the room. As expected, everyone avoided my gaze.

Normally, I’d ask Ah Young, but this time, I didn’t need to. As soon as I sat, she and a few teammates crept over, saying out of nowhere.

“Hey, Seung Hyun, we’re on your side.”

“…Huh? About what?”

Looking uneasy, they explained.

“That new Strategic Planning Director… he’s your brother, right?”

Oh.

News spreads fast. The HR team leader had mentioned Chairman Choi Man Sik, so it wasn’t surprising.

“Yeah…”

I replied halfheartedly. They looked sympathetic, clenching their fists.

“Honestly, you’ve been here eight years, working your way up. He’s just a parachuter. Heard he’s only 27.”

“Yeah, no experience, just a student until recently, and they made him director?”

“You’ve got to win, Seung Hyun.”

“Show him the power of real-world experience.”

I was dumbfounded.

Win what?

Someone even struck a fighting pose, cheering me on. An older colleague intervened politely.

“He’s still Seung Hyun’s brother. Let’s not be too harsh.”

“But it’s so blatant!”

My expression grew complicated. It felt like… they thought Do Yoon and I were vying for control of the company, and I was losing, so they were rallying behind me. It should’ve been touching, but I was too confused to speak.

“Uh, yeah…”

I mumbled, unsure how to respond.

The rumor only grew. Days later, at lunch, Kwak Sun Woo approached with a rare cautious expression.

“Stay strong!”