Chapter 38: Just a Coincidence

Ji-Ah practically fled the apartment, her heart still racing from Evelyn's words.

"I don't regret it."

Evelyn had said it so casually, as if last night had been nothing more than a passing moment. But Ji-Ah knew better. There had been something in her eyes, something she couldn't quite name.

She shook her head as she walked toward the subway. No. It doesn't mean anything. It can't.

But no matter how much she tried to push the memory away, it clung to her like a stubborn shadow.

At work, Ji-Ah buried herself in tasks, determined to think of anything but Evelyn. It was easy at first—emails, meetings, a system update that refused to cooperate. But then, during lunch, her phone buzzed.

Evelyn: Meet me at the café near your office after work. We need to talk.

Ji-Ah stared at the message, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. She could ignore it. She should ignore it.

But instead, she found herself typing:

Ji-Ah: Fine.

The café was a small, quiet place, perfect for avoiding attention. Ji-Ah arrived first, ordering a tea and sitting by the window. She told herself she wasn't nervous. That this wasn't a big deal.

But then the door opened, and Evelyn walked in.

She wasn't wearing her usual business attire. Instead, she had on a casual sweater, her hair tied back loosely. Ji-Ah hated that she noticed how effortlessly beautiful she looked.

Evelyn slid into the seat across from her. "You actually showed up."

Ji-Ah scoffed. "You asked me to."

Evelyn tilted her head, studying her. "You seem tense."

"Just say what you need to say." Ji-Ah was not about to sit through another round of Evelyn's teasing.

Evelyn exhaled, setting her coffee down. "About last night…"

Ji-Ah's grip tightened on her cup.

"I meant what I said." Evelyn leaned forward slightly. "I don't regret kissing you."

Ji-Ah's breath hitched. "You were drunk."

"And?" Evelyn's gaze was steady. "Does that mean you regret it?"

Ji-Ah opened her mouth, ready to fire back some excuse, but the words got stuck. Because the truth was… she didn't know.

Evelyn's lips curled into that damn smirk again. "You hesitated."

Ji-Ah rolled her eyes, grabbing her bag. "This was a waste of time."

She stood up, fully prepared to walk away—again.

But then Evelyn reached out, gently catching her wrist. "Ji-Ah."

The way she said her name made something twist inside her.

"Tell me you don't feel anything," Evelyn said softly. "And I'll drop it."

Ji-Ah stared at her, at the quiet challenge in her eyes.

And for the first time in a long time… she wasn't sure she could lie.