Chapter 9: You Can Do This, Right?

“Me too.”

That was my answer when Ji-Han asked, hurt plainly, why I was sitting with his brother.

His eyes, which had trembled for just a moment, went still again, as though nothing had happened.

I thought, ‘You sure carry your pride to the end.’ His chin lifted defiantly, making my heart ache even more. To witness my fiancé’s betrayal—again—in this life, after it had destroyed me before… I was speechless.

Jae-Ha cleared his throat first. “Since we’re sitting next to each other, it’s basically the same as sitting together.”

He spoke clearly, almost as if preying on the tension. Across from me sat four people—my fiancé, his brother, and my close junior. Not exactly the seating plan I’d hoped for.

The round table was perfectly set in a respected restaurant known for good food, but none of us touched the dishes. Aside from the occasional clink of cutlery, no words were exchanged. Around us, music and chatter flowed—but our table felt frozen in time.

Chae Seo-Rin looked stiff, as if rooted to her seat. What caught my attention most was her dress.

“Nice dress.”

All of a sudden, I broke the silence. Seo-Rin looked up, startled.

She and I met eyes—then I gave a polite smile.

“I thought you’d picked it out as a gift for me… Turns out it’s yours?”

The pattern was loud, ostentatious—exactly the one she’d chosen at the department store two weeks ago. Her face burned red.

“It just doesn’t suit my taste. You should’ve told me, Seo-Rin.”

Her hand quivered as she replaced utensils on the table. After all, she’d boldly used my fiancé’s credit card—I couldn’t call her out.

“I thought you’d never buy something like that for yourself… something so flashy. It was on sale, huh?”

I nodded toward a passing couple wearing that same identical dress. Her lip trembled.

“I see that dress a few times a day. But, if it’s your style, then yes?”

It was a remark that strongly implied that it suited her very well.

Seo-Rin stiffened, gripping the tablecloth.

“Ji-Han must really appreciate you to give you his card, right?”

I turned to look at him—his face went ice-cold. Seo-Rin’s red face trembled, her hands dropping beneath the table. Catching her wild gaze, I forced a gentle smile.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

He spoke quietly but firmly.

“I asked her for your gift. Seo-Rin did all the legwork for me. So I wanted to thank her—with more than that dress.”

His eyes were sharper than usual, fixed on me.

“It’s not much, just like you said. That’s why I was planning to have a drink and express my gratitude today.”

He stared straight at me with disturbingly composed calm.

“Is that explanation enough for you?”

He delivered his rehearsed reply with a sly smile.

I nodded steadily, though my stomach churned. I’d said yes to his reasoning, but facing them both, I felt sick.

“That was a clean answer. Thanks, Seo-Rin. And thank you, too.”

“…”

“My fiancé and his close junior chose it for me… Should I expect a pretty gift then?”

I glanced at Jae-Ha across the table. He knows me so well. He refilled my glass as I drained it, smiling with understanding. I turned to him, grip firm.

“And I want to return to broadcasting.”

I dropped a bomb by speaking suddenly while Ji-Han raised a knife mid-cut.

He froze, his knife hovering over the meal.

“Isn’t that an old conversation?”

He looked wounded.

“Eun-jin said she’d help. And the director listens to her.”

Eun-jin is a distant relative of mine—and the director’s wife.

“I’ll make the opportunity—even if I have to fight for it. I’m going back to the anchor seat on News 9.”

His face turned dark. He slammed the knife down on the table.

“Yoon Yeo-Jin.”

At that moment, Seo-Rin, who had been quietly observing, could no longer sit still. She shot up from the table. Gazes pulsed toward her. Her hand trembled as she touched the tabletop.

“…I need to use the restroom.”

Then she stormed off—knocking over a glass of wine in her hurry.

—Clink!

The wine shattered across my white blouse, turning it red.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, unnie! What do I do?”

She stood frozen, overly dramatic in distress. The wine drenched not just my blouse, but even under it. Jae-Ha held an unread expression as we both stared at the stain.

“I’ll go with you.”

I said it calmly and then walked away, leaving Seo-Rin standing there.

Water rushed. I tried wiping, but the wine stain refused to budge.

The sound of rushing water filled the space.

Despite my efforts to wash it out, the deep red stain on my blouse remained.

“Do I really have to go out looking like this?”

At that thought, I removed my hands from the sink and began drying them with tissue. Then, the bathroom door slid open softly, and familiar clicks of high heels announced someone’s arrival.

“Unnie, are you okay?”

I saw Seo-Rin watching me closely in the mirror. She put on an insincere, overly caring expression—I couldn’t help but give a hollow laugh.

“Do I look okay?”

“What am I to do? My clothes are ruined. That reputation you care about? Totally crumpled—what will you do?”

She twisted her words but smiled brightly at me. Clearly, the spill wasn’t an accident.

“But—”

Her soothing voice grabbed my attention just as I was about to leave. Arms crossed, she stared at me and asked, Are you really going to go back to work?”

So that’s why she followed me.

I smiled, and I saw her eyes tremble as she focused on me.

“Yes.”

“…Ha.”

She scoffed.

“I guess I’m just meant to be an anchor. After a break, I want to do it again.”

“There’s no slot left… The next anchor’s already been decided.”

Seo-Rin’s eyes sparkled—she’s clearly been chosen to lead News9. As she was backed by the Hojin Group heir.

“Let’s see about that. I’m on the shortlist, right?”

Even if she’s Seo Ji-Han’s darling lover, he still can’t help himself—once I’ve turned everything upside down, he’ll have no choice but to follow my lead.

“Do whatever you want.” Seo-Rin hesitated, then relaxed into a confident smile—as if victory was already hers. “I’m just worried you’ll run yourself silly.”

“There’s nothing vain about it. I’m simply returning to work. But thank you for caring.”

Her provocations had no impact—I merely smiled. Seo-rin bit her lower lip as if she had been hit by my words, which I said with a leisurely smile. Then, I passed Seo-rin, who was standing there with a sour expression, and left the bathroom.

Back at the table with Seo-Rin, the atmosphere between the two men opposite us had shifted.

‘I need to leave,’ I thought. I couldn’t stay a moment longer like this. As I stood, they both looked up. Walking toward the window, dozens of eyes followed me.

‘I survived worse than this—I can handle stares.’

I told myself as I lifted my bag from the chair. Then, unexpectedly, a heavy jacket was draped over my shoulders. I froze, startled by the shadow in front of me—Jae-Ha’s broad chest blocked others’ view of me.

“Stay still,” he said softly, halting me.

I looked up; our eyes met.

“No.” He inhaled. “Go to my room.”

At first I thought I misheard.

“…What?”

But his expression was serious. Even Seo-Rin, on her way back to the table, halted. His intense gaze held me rooted.

Behind him, Ji-Han’s face turned cold.

‘His room…? A hotel room?’

“I’ll get you new clothes.”

He smiled slowly, as if to reassure me not to worry. Now I understood his intention.

My fiancé could never do this—leading me out of this hotel like this.

At first glance, Seo-Rin looked like she would cry if Ji-Han chose me.

‘Smart move, Seo Jae-Ha.’

“I know you might misunderstand—but I happen to be staying here.”

He stood up, facing Ji-Han, who glared with fury.

Jae-Ha didn’t offer a chance for response—his question came with a smile, “It’s okay, right? I can do this much for my future sister-in-law, can’t I?”