Kang Jin-woo sat alone in his room, staring at the charm bracelet Min-joo had given him. Her shy smile and Sae-jin's comforting presence had softened him, but the weight of his memories was creeping back. The reality he faced in this life was bittersweet: he had a beautiful family, but he also knew that this wasn't the calm domestic bliss it seemed to be on the surface. The memories of the manhwa began to unravel, filling him with a dark realization.
The protagonist — his character, Jin-woo — was eventually betrayed, his world shattered by the person he trusted most: his best friend, Do-hyun. In the story, Do-hyun played the role of the charismatic friend, always there to lend a helping hand, supportive and ever-loyal on the surface. But beneath that facade, he had harbored jealousy and desire, longing for everything that belonged to Jin-woo. The betrayal was both cold and calculated, and Jin-woo's heart twisted as he recalled the events that led to his own downfall in the story.
In this world, his family — Sae-jin, Hae-ri, Min-joo, and even Seo-yun — had all, in different ways, fallen victim to Do-hyun's manipulation. Jin-woo felt a sickening dread building inside him. Do-hyun was as cunning as he was charming, slipping into Jin-woo's life under the guise of friendship, all while chipping away at his relationships, one by one.
He couldn't let this story unfold in the same way.
But how could he change a fate that seemed written in stone? He was Jin-woo now, but unlike the character, he was aware of the danger lurking beneath Do-hyun's friendly smile. This was his chance to rewrite his story, to protect the people he cared about and, most importantly, to protect himself from betrayal.
He clenched his fists, determination settling within him. First, he needed to observe, to understand the current dynamics between Do-hyun and his family. It was crucial that he didn't raise suspicion, especially since Do-hyun's betrayal was still hidden under layers of false loyalty.
Just as he was formulating his plan, a familiar voice called out to him from behind.
"Jin-woo! Are you in there?"
The voice was cheerful, filled with that trademark warmth that could make anyone trust him. It was Do-hyun.
Jin-woo's muscles tensed. Taking a steadying breath, he forced a neutral expression and turned to face the man who had been his downfall in another life. Do-hyun stood in the doorway, tall and confident, his easygoing smile lighting up his face. He had an air of casual charm, the kind that disarmed people before they could sense any ill intentions.
"Do-hyun," Jin-woo greeted, masking his emotions. "Good to see you."
Do-hyun laughed, clapping him on the shoulder as he stepped inside. "You had me worried there, man! I heard you'd been out of it for days. Thought I'd come by and check on you."
The sincerity in his voice was chilling, knowing what lay beneath it. Jin-woo fought the urge to recoil from his touch, instead returning the gesture with a stiff smile.
"I appreciate it," Jin-woo replied smoothly, his tone calm. "Guess I just needed some rest."
They exchanged a few pleasantries, Do-hyun taking a seat and making himself comfortable, as if he owned the place. Jin-woo noticed how easily he moved around, the subtle glances he cast toward the door as if waiting for someone to interrupt them.
Finally, Do-hyun's gaze settled on him, his eyes gleaming with a hint of something Jin-woo couldn't ignore. "Well, I'm glad you're up and running again. But hey, I haven't seen Sae-jin around. She taking care of you properly?"
Jin-woo's jaw clenched at the mention of his wife, but he forced himself to remain composed. "Sae-jin's been incredible, as always," he replied, keeping his voice steady. "She's been here every moment, making sure I had everything I needed."
Do-hyun's lips curled into a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "That's good. You're a lucky man, Jin-woo."
Jin-woo sensed the underlying tone in his words, the unspoken challenge. It was clear now — Do-hyun's interest in Sae-jin wasn't as innocent as he wanted Jin-woo to believe. In the manhwa, Do-hyun had wormed his way into Sae-jin's heart, exploiting her doubts, whispering lies that drove her away from Jin-woo.
But now, Jin-woo was determined not to let history repeat itself.
He leaned back, studying Do-hyun's face carefully. "I guess I am. I don't take any of this for granted, you know? My family…they mean the world to me."
Do-hyun's smile faltered for a brief second before he quickly recovered, his expression returning to its usual charm. "Of course, man. I'm glad to hear it. You know I'd do anything for you and your family."
Jin-woo almost laughed at the irony, but he held it back, instead offering a slight nod. "Thanks, Do-hyun. It's good to know I have someone like you watching out for us."
They shared a few more exchanges, but the tension in the air grew thicker with each passing second. Jin-woo saw through Do-hyun's mask now, and he knew it was only a matter of time before his so-called friend made his move.
But this time, Jin-woo would be ready.
Kang Jin-woo breathed a quiet sigh of relief as he confirmed his worst fear hadn't yet come true: Do-hyun had not yet crossed the line with any of his family. He still had a chance to protect them, to steer their lives away from the path he knew all too well. But the clock was ticking, and Do-hyun was already making his first move.
It happened that evening. Sae-jin was in the kitchen, her hair pinned up as she prepared dinner. Jin-woo watched her from the doorway, admiring the quiet elegance she always seemed to exude, and it struck him just how much he wanted to keep her safe from the deceit lurking just around the corner.
The doorbell rang, breaking his thoughts. Jin-woo opened the door to find Do-hyun standing there, all smiles and effortless charm, holding a flyer in his hand.
"Hey, Jin-woo! I was just passing by and thought I'd drop this off," he said, waving the flyer with an easy grin. "It's a swimming class I signed up for at the new sports center. They've got some really great facilities, and you know how much I love to stay active. Figured you might be interested — and maybe Sae-jin would like to join too?"
Jin-woo's fingers tightened around the edge of the door. The offer sounded innocent enough, but he could sense the subtle undertone beneath Do-hyun's words. This was his friend's first attempt to get close to Sae-jin, to draw her into his web by appealing to something seemingly harmless.
"Swimming, huh?" Jin-woo replied, feigning casual interest. "I didn't know you were getting into that."
Do-hyun laughed. "Yeah, thought I'd try something new. Plus, the instructor is top-notch. I figured it'd be a nice way to unwind, and Sae-jin always seemed interested in fitness too, right?"
Just then, Sae-jin appeared in the doorway, drying her hands on a towel. She offered Do-hyun a polite smile, glancing curiously at the flyer in his hand.
"What's this about swimming?" she asked, casting a glance between the two of them.
Do-hyun's eyes lit up, and he turned on that effortless charm. "Ah, Sae-jin! I was just telling Jin-woo about these swimming classes I signed up for. They're at the new sports center nearby, and I thought maybe you'd like to join. It's a good way to relax and keep fit."
Sae-jin looked thoughtful, her gaze shifting from Do-hyun to Jin-woo. "Swimming does sound nice…" she murmured, almost to herself. "It's been so long since I've done something like that."
Jin-woo forced a smile, his mind racing as he thought of a way to deter her from accepting. "You know, Sae-jin, we've been so busy lately. Maybe we should pick something we can do together," he suggested, his tone light. "I was actually thinking we could try hiking or some other outdoor activities. Something just the two of us."
He watched Do-hyun's expression shift, a brief flicker of annoyance passing over his face before he masked it with his usual grin.
"Oh, come on, Jin-woo," Do-hyun interjected smoothly. "It's not like you two can't do both. Besides, these classes are only twice a week. It'd be a fun change of pace for her, wouldn't it, Sae-jin?"
Sae-jin seemed intrigued, and Jin-woo could sense her interest wavering. He knew she'd been looking for an outlet, something to break up the routine of her day-to-day life, and Do-hyun was using that to his advantage.
Realizing he needed to act fast, Jin-woo took Sae-jin's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I don't mind the idea of you trying something new," he said softly, his voice sincere. "But how about we look for classes together, maybe something we can both enjoy? I'd love to spend more time with you."
The warmth in Sae-jin's smile as she looked up at him was enough to reassure him, at least for now. "You're right," she said, glancing down at their intertwined hands. "I'd really enjoy that."
Do-hyun's expression soured slightly, though he covered it with a laugh. "Well, don't let me get in the way of couple time," he said, though his tone had a slight edge to it. "But if you change your mind, Sae-jin, you're more than welcome to join anytime. I'll be around."
With a final forced grin, Do-hyun turned to leave, though not before Jin-woo caught the glint of frustration in his eyes.
As the door closed behind him, Jin-woo felt a surge of satisfaction. He had managed to steer Sae-jin away from Do-hyun's invitation — at least for now. But he knew his so-called friend wouldn't give up so easily.
Sae-jin tilted her head, watching him thoughtfully. "That was sweet of you, Jin-woo. I didn't realize you wanted to spend more time together like this."
Jin-woo squeezed her hand, looking at her earnestly. "I do, Sae-jin. I want to make the most of every moment with you."
She smiled softly, leaning into his touch, and Jin-woo felt a renewed sense of purpose. Protecting Sae-jin and his family from Do-hyun's twisted intentions was now his mission. And as he held her close, he promised himself he would do whatever it took to keep this family safe, no matter how subtle or cunning Do-hyun's next move might be.
The next day, Kang Jin-woo found himself outside Do-hyun's apartment, suppressing the flicker of satisfaction at what he was about to do. If Do-hyun was planning to move in on his family, Jin-woo would hit back — subtly, of course. There was no need to declare war outright. He simply wanted to even the playing field and remind Do-hyun that he wasn't someone to be taken advantage of.
He knocked on the door, and within seconds, Do-hyun opened it, looking surprised. "Jin-woo! Didn't expect to see you here. What's up?"
Jin-woo put on an easy smile. "Just thought I'd swing by. You've always been there for me, so I figured it was my turn to check in on you."
Do-hyun blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Jin-woo's sudden display of warmth. He quickly recovered, though, opening the door wider to let Jin-woo inside. "Sure, man! Come on in. We were just about to have some coffee."
As he stepped inside, Jin-woo was greeted by two young women sitting comfortably on the couch, both familiar from his memories of the manhwa. The first was Soo-ah, Do-hyun's girlfriend, a bright and spirited woman with a magnetic presence. The second was Yoon-jin, a college student Do-hyun had befriended — and who had become infatuated with him. Jin-woo immediately saw them for what they were: trophies, girls whom Do-hyun had wrapped around his finger.
"Jin-woo, you remember Soo-ah and Yoon-jin, right?" Do-hyun introduced with a smug grin, his arm casually resting on the back of the couch near Soo-ah.
Jin-woo gave them a polite smile, inclining his head. "Of course. It's been a while."
Soo-ah's face lit up with a warm smile as she motioned for him to sit next to her. "It's nice to see you, Jin-woo. Do-hyun talks about you all the time — says you're like a brother to him."
*More like a snake in disguise,* Jin-woo thought, but he kept his face friendly as he took the seat she offered, watching Do-hyun out of the corner of his eye. Soo-ah and Yoon-jin were both laughing and chatting easily, making small talk and exchanging little stories, clearly charmed by Jin-woo's quiet attentiveness.
The more time he spent with them, the more he realized how easily they could be led to doubt Do-hyun. It wouldn't be hard to plant the seeds — just subtle reminders that Do-hyun wasn't exactly the person he pretended to be.
As the girls continued their conversation, Jin-woo glanced around the apartment, his gaze landing on a family portrait near the bookshelf. In it, he noticed a familiar face — a graceful woman with kind eyes standing beside a younger Do-hyun. His mother. Jin-woo's lips curved slightly, a plan already beginning to form.
Noticing his gaze, Soo-ah leaned over, smiling. "That's Do-hyun's mom. She's lovely, isn't she?"
"Indeed," Jin-woo murmured thoughtfully. "I remember her from years ago. She was always so kind."
Do-hyun, noticing the direction of the conversation, shifted uncomfortably but forced a smile. "Yeah, Mom's great. She's always been supportive."
Jin-woo took note of Do-hyun's reaction, filing it away for later. He'd found a vulnerability, one he could use. If Do-hyun thought he could threaten Jin-woo's family, Jin-woo had every reason to remind Do-hyun that no one was untouchable.
The conversation continued, Jin-woo using every opportunity to deepen the impression he left on Soo-ah and Yoon-jin. With every shared laugh and subtle compliment, he saw Do-hyun's frustration growing. He made sure to make them feel valued, listened to — things Do-hyun, for all his charm, rarely did. And by the time he left that afternoon, he was certain they were left questioning just what they saw in Do-hyun.
As he stepped out of the apartment, Jin-woo felt a dark satisfaction settling in. This wasn't the same story anymore; he was rewriting it, turning the tables on Do-hyun's manipulations. And with his newfound interest in Do-hyun's mother, he was just getting started.