As if sensing my gaze, Lee Ye turns slightly and catches my eye. There's something unspoken between us—a connection forged through chaos that makes my heart flutter unexpectedly. But before I can dwell on that thought, the chaos of the police station pulls me back to reality.
Once the dust settles and everyone departs, I hail a taxi and head home. The evening sky is painted in hues of orange and pink, but I barely notice. My mind is a whirlwind of emotions.
When I finally step into the apartment, I feel the weight of the day crashing down on me. I take a long, warm shower, letting the water wash away the tension. But as the steam envelops me, so do my thoughts. I feel overwhelmed and vulnerable, and soon, tears begin to flow.
I cry for everything—the chaos with the loan sharks, the embarrassment of Lee Ye witnessing my miserable life, and the crushing reality that he now knows about my family's debts. He didn't need to know any of that. Life never seems to go the way I intend for it.
The water mixes with my tears as I sob uncontrollably in the shower, feeling utterly defeated. It feels like a dam has broken inside me, and all my fears and insecurities rush out in a torrent of emotion.
After what feels like an eternity, I finally step out of the shower, feeling drained but slightly lighter. I wrap myself in a towel and head to my room. After changing into warm clothes, I sit behind my desk to update my book on WebNovel. Writing has always been my escape. It's where I can pour my heart out without judgment.
But after finishing my update, exhaustion takes over. I crawl into bed and cry myself to sleep, the weight of everything pressing down on me like a heavy blanket.
Days pass in a blur. Since that incident with the loan sharks and all the drama at the police station, I haven't gone back to work. Partly because of embarrassment and maybe a bit of jealousy seeing Kara so close to him. Every time I think about them together, it feels like a punch to the gut.
For an entire week, all I did was cry, update my book on WebNovel, and sleep. My world shrinks to these four walls, each day blending into the next.
One afternoon, Hye Ri knocks gently on my door before entering. "Seo Yeon," she says softly, concern etched on her face. "Can you please come out to eat? You've been cooped up in here for too long."
I sit up in bed, rubbing my eyes. "I'm fine," I mumble weakly.
"No, you're not," she replies firmly but gently. "You've barely eaten or come out of your room since… well, you know."
She sits down beside me on the bed and places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "What happened isn't your fault. You didn't ask for any of this."
I nod but don't say anything… it feels like too much effort.
"Are you going back to work at Lee Ye's mansion?" she asks cautiously.
"I don't know," I reply honestly, feeling a lump form in my throat.
Hye Ri sighs but gives me an encouraging smile before standing up. "Just remember that you're not alone in this. I'm here for you."
After she leaves, I sink back into bed and let out a long sigh. The thought of facing Lee Ye again fills me with dread—what would I even say?
The next day arrives and I sleep in until noon before finally dragging myself out of bed to make brunch. Hye Ri has already gone to her restaurant, and Ha Eun is at school.
As I rummage through the fridge, reality hits me… it's practically empty! "Great," I mutter to myself as I realize I need to go grocery shopping.
I throw on some grey sweatpants and a large white T-shirt—my go-to outfit for days when motivation is low, and let my hair hang loose around my shoulders before heading out.
The store down the street near the bus station is small but convenient for quick grocery runs. After picking up some essentials—eggs, bread, and whatever else looks remotely edible, I grab a cup of noodles from the shelf.
I find a bench inside the store to sit down while waiting for my noodles to cook. Once it's ready, I open it eagerly and dig in with chopsticks.
Just as I'm about to take my first bite, the bell above the door jingles loudly as a group of high school girls enter wearing their uniforms. One girl is glued to her phone while her friends peek over her shoulder to see what she's watching.
"Hello! Do you have that chocolate, Orion-Choco?" one of the girls asks the elderly man at the counter.
He nods and shuffles off to grab it while they giggle among themselves.
Suddenly, one girl exclaims loudly, "Lee Ye oppa is so dreamy!"
My chopsticks drop immediately at this revelation as memories flood back—pictures circulating from that day at the police station were all over social media last week. Rumors about him drinking and driving were flying around like confetti at a party.
But then another girl pipes up, "Kara said during her live stream that he wasn't drunk driving. He saved one of his employees."
My heart sinks further as they gush about how heroic Lee Ye is while Kara's name lingers in the air like perfume… sweet but suffocating.
"Did you hear? Kara mentioned that their relationship seems to be getting stronger!" one girl adds excitedly.
Another chimes in with even more gossip, "And she posted with really cute flowers he sent her to congratulate her on her latest single!"
The girls squeal with delight as they chat animatedly about their favorite K-Pop couple while I'm left sitting there feeling like I've been punched in the gut—again!
That's it! My stomach churns at their words as jealousy boils inside me like hot water ready to overflow.
I stand up abruptly and stomp out of the store without finishing my noodles. My mind racing with thoughts that only lead me deeper into despair.
When I get home, I drop the groceries unceremoniously onto the kitchen table before storming into my room. Frustrated tears prick at my eyes as I unplug my phone from charging on my desk and dial Agent Baek's number without thinking twice.
When he answers with his usual professional tone, I blurt out, "Hello, Mr. Baek. This is Seo Yeon. I no longer wish to continue working for Lee Ye."