Chapter 33: Did you have fun

Ji-Ah's heart pounded, but she forced herself to keep her cool.

Evelyn was messing with her. That much was obvious. But Ji-Ah had started this game, and she wasn't about to back down now.

She tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly. "That's interesting," she said, her voice calm. "Because I don't remember you acting like a serious fiancée before."

Evelyn smiled, but there was something sharp in her gaze. "Maybe I just needed the right motivation."

Min-Hye and Seo-Jun exchanged glances, barely holding back their amusement. Sun-Woo, completely unaware of the storm brewing, chuckled. "Well, I don't want to get in the way of a serious engagement." He stood up, stretching. "Maybe I should leave before I get caught in the middle."

Ji-Ah's lips parted to say something—maybe to stop him, maybe just to prove a point—but before she could, Evelyn's hand casually landed on her knee.

Not tight. Not possessive. Just there.

Ji-Ah froze.

Evelyn turned to Sun-Woo with a polite smile. "No need to rush. Ji-Ah and I were just having a conversation, weren't we, sweetheart?"

Ji-Ah swallowed. She was going to kill her.

Sun-Woo scratched the back of his head. "Uh… I feel like I just walked into something."

Min-Hye smirked. "Oh, you did."

Seo-Jun covered his mouth, struggling not to laugh.

Ji-Ah clenched her jaw, refusing to let Evelyn win. "No, Sun-Woo's right. It's getting late." She looked up at him with an easy smile. "I'll walk you out."

Evelyn's fingers twitched slightly on Ji-Ah's knee before she pulled her hand back. "Of course," she said smoothly. "Wouldn't want to keep him too long."

Something about the way she said it made Ji-Ah's stomach twist. But she ignored it, leading Sun-Woo to the door.

As soon as they stepped into the hallway, Sun-Woo sighed. "Damn. That was intense."

Ji-Ah forced a laugh. "You think?"

Sun-Woo studied her for a moment. "Look, I don't know everything going on between you two, but… that wasn't nothing."

Ji-Ah tensed. "She's just messing with me."

Sun-Woo raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Ji-Ah hesitated.

No. She wasn't sure.

And that was the real problem.

After saying goodbye, she took a deep breath before heading back inside. She wasn't ready to face Evelyn again, not when her mind was spinning like this. But the moment she stepped into the apartment, Evelyn was still there, leaning against the wall, arms crossed.

"Did you have fun?" Evelyn asked, her tone light but her eyes unreadable.

Ji-Ah exhaled, shaking her head. "I don't know what you're trying to prove."

Evelyn tilted her head. "I could say the same to you."

They stood there, staring at each other. The tension between them was suffocating.

And for the first time, Ji-Ah realized—neither of them wanted to lose this game.

But maybe… neither of them wanted to win, either.