chapter 23

The morning sun had barely crept past the skyline when Hara stepped out of her luxury car and into the towering building of Damian's company. Her heels clicked sharply on the marble floor, drawing glances as she walked with practiced elegance through the lobby and into the elevator, ignoring the assistant who tried to stop her.

"No appointment," she said with a tight smile. "But I'm sure he'll want to see me."

The elevator doors closed, and her reflection stared back at her in the mirror-like panels. She touched up her lipstick, pushed back a strand of hair, and adjusted her designer bag.

"I'm the one he chose," she murmured to herself. "I'm the one he'll marry."

---

The doors slid open.

Damian's office sat at the end of the hall, the glass walls casting golden reflections from the rising sun. The receptionist tried again to intervene.

"Miss Seo, Mr. Lee is in a meeting—"

But Hara had already turned the handle.

Inside, the scene made her freeze.

Hena stood near the desk, facing Damian. She looked calm—almost serene—in a way that made Hara's skin crawl. But it wasn't her sister's presence that made her heart twist with rage.

It was the jacket.

Damian's jacket.

Draped over Hena's slender frame like it belonged there.

As if he had given it to her.

As if she had spent the night with him.

The warmth drained from Hara's face. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag until her knuckles turned white.

Damian looked up. "Hara."

"I didn't know we had company," she said coolly, eyes flicking between them.

"I was just returning his jacket," Hena said quietly, offering a small, neutral smile. She started to remove it.

But the damage was already done.

Hara's gaze locked on her sister. Beneath her perfect makeup, a storm churned. She saw it now—what she had feared all along. The way Damian's eyes lingered too long on Hena, the subtle softening of his voice when he spoke to her, the concern.

He was falling for her.

Her twin.

The mirror image of everything Hara hated and feared: softness, sincerity, light.

She swallowed her pride, forcing a light laugh. "Looks like I'm not the only one who likes your fashion sense, Damian."

He didn't respond.

Hena handed the jacket back to him gently and gave a small nod. "I'll get going."

She walked past Hara with measured calm, their shoulders almost brushing. Hara didn't move. Her gaze burned holes in her back until the door clicked shut behind her.

Damian watched Hena leave. That was enough to send a dagger straight into Hara's chest.

"She was here… last night, wasn't she?" she asked.

Damian didn't look at her. "She was in danger."

"And you just happened to be her knight in shining armor?" Her voice cracked despite her effort to keep it steady. "How touching."

He finally turned to her, his expression unreadable. "You didn't seem worried when she disappeared."

Hara's breath hitched.

"She's manipulating you," she said sharply. "She's trying to take you from me."

"No one can take what you never valued," Damian replied quietly.

The words hit harder than any slap.

Hara stood frozen for a moment, then straightened her shoulders, masking her heartbreak with icy pride. She plastered on a smile.

"You think I'll give up? That I'll let her steal you just like that?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "No, Damian. I don't lose."

With that, she turned and walked out—each step echoing like a vow.