Chapter 29: Pretending Hurts

Evelyn had just finished a long day at work when she stepped out of her room, rubbing her temples. The sound of laughter echoed from the living room, drawing her attention. She hadn't expected Ji-Ah to have company.

Her eyes immediately landed on Ji-Ah, sitting far too close to a man she didn't recognize. He was leaning in slightly, smiling, and Ji-Ah was laughing at something he said. Evelyn's stomach twisted in a way she didn't quite understand.

She crossed her arms, stepping into the room. "Didn't know we were having guests."

Ji-Ah glanced up at her, expression neutral. "Yeah. This is Sun-Woo, an old friend of Min-Hye's."

The man turned to Evelyn, offering a polite nod. "Nice to meet you."

Evelyn barely acknowledged him, her eyes locked on Ji-Ah instead. "You didn't mention anyone coming over."

Ji-Ah shrugged. "Didn't think you'd care."

Evelyn's jaw tightened at that. Something about the way Ji-Ah said it—so nonchalant, as if Evelyn's presence, her opinion, didn't matter—rubbed her the wrong way.

"Why wouldn't I?" she asked, voice calm, but laced with something unreadable.

Ji-Ah held her gaze, something flickering in her eyes before she smirked slightly. "Because you don't have feelings for me, right?"

Evelyn froze.

The room felt a little too warm. Seo-Jun and Min-Hye exchanged a knowing glance, but Evelyn barely registered it. Ji-Ah's expression remained unreadable, almost like she was testing her.

Evelyn forced a smile, ignoring the way her chest tightened. "Right. I don't."

Ji-Ah nodded, as if that answer didn't bother her at all. "Good."

But then she turned back to Sun-Woo, laughing at something he said, and Evelyn felt an irrational surge of annoyance. The way his hand lingered on Ji-Ah's arm, the way Ji-Ah wasn't moving away—it gnawed at her.

She clenched her fists.

Something about this felt off.

Ji-Ah wasn't like this. She didn't let just anyone get close.

Evelyn didn't realize she was staring until Min-Hye coughed, an amused smirk on her face. "You okay, Evelyn?"

Evelyn's jaw tensed. "I'm fine."

She wasn't.

And from the way Seo-Jun was grinning like he had just won a bet, it was painfully obvious to everyone but her.