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Chapter 23 - chapter 23 They thought they had turned the page

The Next Morning – Seoul Hospital, 8:20 AM

Sunlight filtered through the pale curtains, casting soft shadows on the sheets.

Han Yuri, already dressed, was quietly packing her things into a bag on the bed.

No sound but the faint rustle of fabric, the click of a zipper, and the heavy silence of that morning.

She didn't lift her head when the door opened softly.

Lee Tae Joon stepped in without a word.

He stood there for a moment, as if taking in the mood of the room, then slowly walked over. His steps were measured, almost hesitant.

Yuri sensed him nearby but kept folding a cardigan, her hands just slightly more rigid than she wanted them to be.

He stopped a meter away.

Lee Tae Joon, calmly:

— What are you doing?

Han Yuri, without looking at him, distant tone:

— Isn't it obvious? I'm packing.

(She pauses, still focused on what she's doing.)

— I already spoke to the doctor. He said we could go home.

Tae Joon stared at her for a moment, as if he wanted to say something but held back.

Yuri looked up. Their eyes met, locked in silence for a few seconds. Then she broke it.

Han Yuri, still distant:

— What are you doing? Go pack your stuff too.

He looked at her one last time before walking over to collect a few things.

A few minutes later, he was done. Yuri picked up her bag and headed for the door once he was ready.

She slipped on her sunglasses, and the two of them left the room.

In the hallway, a little girl in a wheelchair rolled slowly toward them.

Little girl:

— Oppa, you're leaving already?

Yuri and Tae Joon turned around.

Lee Tae Joon, kneeling slightly:

— Yeah… So while I'm gone, you better take care of yourself. Otherwise, I won't introduce you to your idol.

Little girl, cracking a smile:

— Oppa, are you threatening me?

Lee Tae Joon:

— Exactly. And don't try to be sneaky. I've got eyes everywhere. Even if I'm not here, I'll know if you're skipping meals.

Little girl:

— Okay… You're so annoying.

Lee Tae Joon, smiling:

— Me? Annoying? That's impossible. I'm the coolest guy on the planet. And the best-looking, obviously.

He teased her playfully while Han Yuri stood quietly, watching them.

The little girl noticed her, then leaned toward Tae Joon and whispered:

Little girl:

— But oppa… who is she?

Tae Joon glanced at Yuri, then turned back to the little girl.

Lee Tae Joon:

— That's…

(He stood up, walked over to Yuri, looked at her, then back to the girl)

— That's my wife.

(He slipped his arm around Yuri)

And guess what? She's a celebrity.

Little girl, eyes wide, smiling:

— Really?!

Lee Tae Joon:

— Yup. She's an actress.

Yuri threw him a quick glance.

Lee Tae Joon:

— You've heard of Han Yuri, right?

Little girl:

— Of course! Who hasn't? She's super famous…

(She paused, eyes widening even more.)

— Wait… Don't tell me—

Lee Tae Joon, smiling:

— Yep, that's her.

Little girl, lighting up:

— Really?! Eonnie, it's you? Wow… that's amazing!

Yuri slowly took off her sunglasses and offered a small smile.

Little girl, buzzing with excitement:

— Whoa… you're really, really pretty. Oh—sorry!

(She bowed politely.)

— Hello, eonnie. I'm a huge fan!

Yuri kept her soft but distant smile.

Han Yuri:

— Really? That's great.

She leaned slightly toward Tae Joon and murmured:

Han Yuri:

— Let's go now…

Lee Tae Joon:

— Wait a minute, I forgot something in the room.

He headed back, leaving Yuri alone with the little girl.

Little girl:

— Eonnie, I'm sorry but… can I get an autograph?

She didn't get to finish before a nurse rushed over.

Nurse:

— Miss, how many times have I told you not to leave your room when you're not feeling well?

Little girl:

— I'm sorry… I just wanted some fresh air in the garden. But they said we're not allowed out…

Nurse:

— There's filming going on out there right now. But don't worry, I'll take you later. It won't be long.

(She knelt beside her and gently stroked her hair, smiling reassuringly.)

Nurse:

— Don't worry. I'll take good care of you.

As those words reached her, Yuri—watching quietly from a short distance—suddenly froze.

A memory surged back violently.

A woman's voice… the same words.

A woman with long hair, kneeling beside a little girl.

She gently stroked the child's hair and whispered:

The woman (memory):

— Don't worry. I'll take good care of you.

She smiled softly. A tender smile… but the sound, the tone — it all felt off.

Soothing, yet eerily fake.

Unbearable.

That smile. That phrase. Again. And again. And again.

It echoed in Yuri's head like a loop she couldn't escape.

Her body started to tremble.

She closed her eyes, overwhelmed.

When she reopened them, her hand was shaking violently.

She pulled away, suddenly gasping for air.

Step by step, she walked away from the hallway.

A few moments later, Lee Tae Joon returned.

He looked around, surprised not to see her anymore.

He walked up to the little girl and the nurse, still chatting softly.

Lee Tae Joon

— Excuse me, have you seen a woman? She was just here a moment ago…

The nurse stood up, looking around as well, slightly puzzled.

The Nurse

— Oh… She was just here. Where did she go?

The little girl looked down, a bit disappointed.

— She left… I didn't even get to take a picture…

In the hospital restroom, Han Yuri was in a panic.

She paced back and forth nervously, arms crossed over her chest like she was trying to warm herself up.

Her body was trembling harder and harder. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered through clenched teeth, over and over, like a fragile mantra.

Han Yuri (in a low voice)

— I'm fine… I'm fine… It's nothing… I'm fine…

A few minutes later, she slowly stepped out into the hallway—still empty.

Her steps were hesitant, her face tense and drawn.

From the other end of the hall, Lee Tae Joon was walking toward her.

He stopped just a few centimeters away, watching her in silence, as if he understood everything without needing to ask.

Lee Tae Joon (calmly)

— Where were you?

Han Yuri slowly raised her head. Her voice was even, almost detached.

Han Yuri

— You were taking your time back there… I figured I'd leave on my own.

Lee Tae Joon dropped his gaze for a second, then answered in a low voice:

Lee Tae Joon (quietly)

— Right… Let's go.

They walked down the hospital corridors, not saying a word.

Then, as they passed through the sliding doors, they stepped outside.

Just a few meters away, in the hospital garden, a film crew was bustling.

Cameras were set up everywhere, cables snaking across the ground, crew members moving with precision.

Seated on a stretcher, a graceful woman in a hospital gown was staring intently at her phone.

Even in such a sterile setting, she looked every bit the A-list actress.

Han Yuri and Lee Tae Joon both came to a stop.

He wanted to keep walking… but she didn't move, her eyes glued to the woman.

At that moment, the director called out:

Director

— Quiet on set… Rolling… Action!

The cameras began to roll.

And just like that, the line between fiction and reality blurred before Han Yuri's eyes.

A flicker of sadness crossed her gaze.

She watched the scene unfold with a strange mix of emotion and distance—like something deep inside her had just been gently stirred… or stepped on.

Beside her, Lee Tae Joon never took his eyes off her.

He saw everything. Said nothing.

She, on the other hand, stayed silent.

Then suddenly, she turned to him. Her look was cold. Composed. Regal.

Like she had just closed a door for good.

Han Yuri (calm but sharp)

— Let's go.

And without waiting for his reply, she stepped forward, her face unreadable.

Every step felt strangely slowed down.

As if the world around her had slipped into slow motion.

Her hair lifted slightly in the breeze, floating gently behind her.

Her gaze, fixed straight ahead. Cold. Distant. Untouchable.

She didn't look back.

Not even once.

She walked forward. Unshaken.

Behind her, Lee Tae Joon followed in silence, just a few steps behind.

He said nothing. But his eyes never left her.

— Meanwhile, in Hannam-dong —

Han Ye Reum was about to head out. Sitting at her vanity, she was putting on an earring when a long strand of hair slid off her shoulder and knocked loose a small photo tucked into the corner of the mirror.

She bent down to pick it up, ready to put it back… but her fingers stopped mid-movement.

It was an old photo.

Her, on graduation day. Standing, smiling, in her gown. Beside her, her mother, wearing that frozen smile Ye Reum knew by heart. A smile for appearances.

A memory slowly floated back to the surface…

That night, after the party thrown in her honor, the house had gone quiet again. The guests had left, and Han Ye Reum had gone upstairs humming, still glowing with happiness.

She walked into her room, beaming, and proudly placed the framed diploma on her vanity, right next to an old family photo.

The door opened softly. Her mother entered, silent.

Ye Reum turned around with a smile:

— Oh Mom, perfect timing! Should I put it here… or there?

But her mother didn't answer. She calmly approached, stared at the frame, then gently took it from her daughter's hands.

Ye Reum's mother (in a calm, almost icy voice)

— What exactly are you so proud of?

Ye Reum's smile faded. Her gaze clouded.

Her mother threw the frame to the floor. A sharp noise. The glass shattered.

Ye Reum looked down, frozen.

Her mother stared at her, voice calm but cutting:

— Are you really proud of that piece of paper?

You know, Yuri got her degree much earlier than you.

She took another step closer. Her tone remained composed, but razor-sharp.

— That's the real difference between the two of you.

You're always satisfied with so little. You have no ambition.

Whereas Yuri… she's always known her worth.

She's ambitious. She doesn't just follow her whims like a child.

And you?

A private art school… Do you really think that's how you'll build your future?

You think your father's going to notice you with a degree like that?

You seriously believe he'll ever let you run the company?

Ye Reum stood frozen, silent. In her eyes, a wounded spark had just been born.

A crack, deeper than the shattered glass on the floor.

Han Ye Reum was still sitting at her vanity, gaze lost, looking pensive.

A single tear slipped silently down her cheek.

With a discreet motion, she wiped it away with the tip of her finger, as if refusing to give it too much weight.

Then, without a word, she opened a drawer and slid the photo inside.

Lee Jae Hyun's side

Sitting alone in his living room, a glass of wine in hand, Lee Jae Hyun stared blankly ahead, lost in thought.

Yuri's words echoed in his mind… again and again… like a bitter refrain.

> Han Yuri (cold gaze)

— "Became"?

(She had smiled, almost tenderly)

Oppa, I've always been this way. You know me better than anyone, right?

I've always done everything I could to grab some attention. So people would talk about me…

— It's not like this is the first time I've lied to everyone to get what I want… and be at the top.

He brought the glass back to his lips, thoughtful, the bitter taste lingering at the back of his throat.

He closed his eyes briefly, exhausted, when suddenly—those words kept looping through his mind, like a blade twisting deeper into the wound. And then, the doorbell rang.

Ding dong.

He straightened, a bit surprised. Walking calmly to the door, he opened it… and froze.

Standing in front of him was Han Yuri's father, accompanied by his secretary.

Lee Jae Hyun

— Mr. Han…

Yuri's Father (with a slight smile, but a piercing gaze)

— Aren't you going to invite me in?

Lee Jae Hyun (pulling himself together)

— Ah… I'm so sorry. Of course, please come in.

Yuri's father walked in slowly, followed closely by his secretary. Jae Hyun led them into the living room. The atmosphere was tense, polite… but electric.

The man's eyes immediately landed on the half-empty glass of wine.

Yuri's Father

— Wine at this hour? Something wrong?

Lee Jae Hyun

— No, nothing serious. Just… work-related things.

Yuri's Father (shrugging)

— Alright. If you need anything… don't hesitate.

Jae Hyun stood there awkwardly for a second, then gathered himself.

Lee Jae Hyun

— Mr. Han… may I ask what brings you here at this hour?

Yuri's father noticed a second glass on the coffee table. He picked it up, poured himself some wine from the bottle, took a sip… and smiled.

Yuri's Father

— Uhm… delicious. Bring me a bottle of this when you come by the house.

Then, slowly, he turned his head toward Jae Hyun. His eyes darkened ever so slightly.

Yuri's Father (in a calm, almost too calm voice)

— Any updates… about the person who planted the bomb?

Jae Hyun hesitated, his gaze flickering away.

Lee Jae Hyun

— No, Sir. I… haven't found anything.

A heavy silence fell between them.

Then suddenly, Yuri's father hurled the glass against the wall. It shattered with a sharp crack. Jae Hyun flinched slightly but didn't move.

Yuri's Father (furious)

— How dare you lie to me?! I know you met the man who planted the bomb!

Lee Jae Hyun (lowering his head)

— … I'm sorry, Sir.

Yuri's father steadied his breath, trying to keep control.

Yuri's Father (tense but composed)

— What did he say? Did he mention anyone? Why did he do it?

Jae Hyun said nothing. He couldn't bring himself to speak.

Yuri's Father (shouting)

— Speak!

After a long silence, Jae Hyun finally murmured:

Lee Jae Hyun

— … He said it was… Han Yuri who hired him.

The room went dead silent.

Yuri's father stood frozen, eyes empty. Then slowly, his expression hardened.

Yuri's Father (stunned, but cold)

— That's impossible… Yuri knows how important that evening was for our family.

Someone's trying to divert attention. That's all.

Jae Hyun said nothing. His gaze dropped to the floor, heavy with doubt. He wasn't sure if he should say what Yuri had confessed to him.

Seeing his silence, Yuri's father stood up abruptly. His heavy steps echoed across the room. Just before leaving, he stopped beside Lee Jae Hyun. Slowly, he placed a firm—though not aggressive—hand on his shoulder.

His voice, low and grave, rang out like a veiled threat:

Yuri's Father (murmuring)

— Don't ever hide anything from me again.

(He tightens his grip slightly.)

— Never forget where you came from… or who made you the man you are today.

Then he walked away without another word, leaving Lee Jae Hyun alone with the weight pressing down on his shoulders—

Lee Jae Hyun stood there, motionless. His eyes vacant, his thoughts spinning in silence.

Yuri's father's words still echoed in his head like a cold warning.

He didn't move.

He couldn't.

Then, like a distant current, hazy memories began to surface...

Fragments floated up in his mind.

An old orphanage.

Children laughing, running around in a dusty courtyard.

Then, a small boy—alone—slowly approached a well-dressed man standing at the entrance.

Behind him, a black car with tinted windows, and two men in dark suits waiting silently.

The boy looked up at the man, cautiously…

Meanwhile, in the car —

The ride between Lee Tae Joon and Han Yuri unfolded in heavy silence. Only the soft hum of the engine filled the space between them.

Suddenly, eyes fixed straight ahead, Han Yuri broke the silence in a low voice:

Han Yuri

— That was my drama… back there.

Lee Tae Joon, surprised, briefly took his eyes off the road:

Lee Tae Joon

— What?

Han Yuri

— The shoot we passed… it was the one I was supposed to be in. Before the scandal.

(quietly, a little bitter)

— You probably didn't notice, but it was Kim Yoora sitting on the stretcher.

Lee Tae Joon let out a small smile, almost teasing, but without any real malice:

Lee Tae Joon

— And how can you be so sure? Could've been a different drama.

Han Yuri, still staring out at the road, didn't answer right away. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm, but filled with something deeper:

Han Yuri

— It was that scene… the one I trained for, for weeks.

(Pause. She gently clenched her fists.)

— The one where the lead actress, while hospitalized, finds out the man she loves is also barely clinging to life… in the same hospital.

Han Yuri turned her gaze slightly toward the car window. A barely-there smile brushed her lips — ironic, a little sad. Then she murmured:

Han Yuri

— If I'd known I wouldn't be the lead actress…

(small pause, her eyes lost in the scenery)

— I wouldn't have worked so hard. What a waste…

I spent weeks learning how to cry.

Crying for nothing.

Lee Tae Joon looked at her for a second, silent. Then, without a word, he turned his eyes back to the road.

When they got home, Han Yuri dropped her things off in the living room, looking a bit worn out.

Han Yuri

— I'm going to take a shower.

She had barely finished her sentence when Lee Tae Joon grabbed her by the arm.

Surprised, Yuri stopped. Slowly, she turned her head, looked down at his hand, then met his eyes.

Han Yuri

— What is it?

He didn't answer. His eyes locked on hers, intense —

Like he wanted to say something.

Like he was torn between speaking or staying silent.

A heavy pause hung in the air. Neither of them moved.

Han Yuri

— You want to tell me something?

But Tae Joon slowly let go of her arm.

Lee Tae Joon

— It's nothing.

Han Yuri

— Alright.

She walked off to her room, his silent gaze following her all the way.

The day passed quietly.

Han Yuri took a short nap, her breathing slow and steady.

Meanwhile, Lee Tae Joon sat in the living room, scrolling absentmindedly through articles on his laptop.

Then, while clicking around, he came across a photo from that evening —

a candid shot of him and Han Yuri, side by side.

He stared at it for a long moment, unblinking —

as if that image stirred something buried deep inside him.

And in a flash, his mind drifted elsewhere —

back to the hospital, just a few weeks ago.

He had just asked a nurse where Han Yuri was. Without waiting, he began walking through the hospital's cold, empty corridors.

As he passed by a partially open bathroom door, a strange noise stopped him in his tracks.

Soft sobs — stifled, but raw.

Worried, curious, he stepped closer.

Through the crack in the door, he caught a glimpse of Han Yuri — curled up, trembling.

She was crying.

But not the usual kind of tears — these were tears of panic, of fear, of deep loneliness.

Lee Tae Joon froze.

He was about to walk in… but stopped.

His eyes rested on her, unmoving, a flicker of guilt in his stare.

He just stood there, watching her silently — unable to take a single step closer.

Then, without saying a word, he turned around and walked away.

Back in the present, still seated and lost in thought, Lee Tae Joon reached for the small notebook tucked beneath the coffee table.

It was the same one Han Yuri had casually flipped through at the Lee residence, out of curiosity.

He opened it slowly, as if each page carried weight.

Then picked up a pen.

His gaze hovered, uncertain…

Then he began to write.

Just a few words.

After a moment, he set the pen down.

The notebook stayed open on the table, like a half-spilled secret.

Silence settled around him — thick and charged.

To be continued…

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