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The soft hum of the restaurant enveloped them as Iseul arrived, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She walked in with purpose, her gaze scanning the room until it landed on Sunghoon, who had been waiting for her.

His eyes lit up when he saw her, standing to greet her with a smile that was more genuine than usual.

"Welcome," he said, his voice smooth, but there was an underlying warmth in it.

Iseul raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking around the space. "Where's Mr Jihoon?"

Sunghoon's smile didn't waver. He smoothly pulled out her chair with a quiet, gentlemanly gesture, guiding her to sit.

"He'll be here soon. Please, sit down,"

Iseul, not one to be easily swayed by niceties, lowered herself into the chair but didn't bother to mask the slight tension in her posture. She placed the stack of files in front of her, her fingers brushing the edges of the papers.

"When he gets here, hand him my report. Thanks to you, all my excitement died down," she muttered, a trace of annoyance coloring her words.

Sunghoon leaned back in his chair, unruffled, studying her with a hint of amusement in his gaze. "Iseul, let's not fight tonight."

"If you had stayed out of my life, we wouldn't be fighting."

His eyes softened just a little, but he wasn't deterred. "I'm not going to argue with you tonight. The ball's in your court."

Iseul rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested in further engaging with him. Sunghoon, always one for persistence, pressed on. "I made an order for the two of us."

"I'm not hungry. I just want to do my job and leave."

Sunghoon simply shrugged, his lips curling into a teasing smile. "Let the dishes come first, and then you can decide."

Minutes later, the server placed the dishes on the table, his gaze flicking briefly to Sunghoon and Iseul before retreating.

Iseul didn't look up, her focus still on the files in front of her. Sunghoon, however, couldn't help but watch her, the quiet moment between them almost palpable. His smile remained as he observed her, understanding exactly how to push her buttons—but for once, he was content to let the silence settle, enjoying the rarity of it.

The soft clink of silverware and the quiet hum of jazz music were the only sounds filling the space between them. Iseul took another bite of the food, but her attention was already elsewhere, her mind starting to drift.

She looked around, sensing something off, a quiet that didn't match the luxurious setting. It was as if the world outside the restaurant had faded away, leaving only the two of them in this intimate cocoon.

"Why does no one dine in Daejeon? It's so empty,"

Sunghoon, still as composed as ever, stifled a smile, but it was clear he was hiding something. He leaned back in his chair, a teasing glint in his eyes as he casually replied, "Maybe they just prefer homemade food."

Iseul didn't buy it. She had spent enough time with him to know when he was playing games. Her gaze sharpened as she looked at him, trying to piece everything together.

"Sunghoon, what's going on?"

The playful expression on his face faded, replaced by something softer, more sincere. Sunghoon leaned forward slightly, his dimples deepening as he smiled at her, his eyes sparkling with affection.

"Check the date."

Iseul, still puzzled, pulled out her phone, her fingers moving slowly. She glanced at the screen and read out loud, "It's just January 21st..."

And then, it hit her. A rush of warmth filled her chest as her heart began to beat faster, the sudden realization catching her off guard. Her breath caught in her throat.

This wasn't just any dinner. This wasn't just a random night. She felt it—deep in her bones—that familiar dream she had spoken of, the one she'd shared in quiet moments when she felt safe enough to voice her desires.

Her eyes darted around the room—everything was as she had imagined. She slowly turned back to Sunghoon, her expression a mix of surprise, disbelief, and something else... something far deeper.

Sunghoon watched her closely, his gaze tender, understanding, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. Slowly, he reached out, his hand gently brushing against hers, a soft caress that spoke more than words ever could.

He smiled, a soft, sincere smile that reached his eyes, and leaned in just enough so that his voice was only for her.

"Our wedding anniversary..." he murmured, his voice low, like a secret meant for only them. "You dreamed of this. You told me you wanted to spend it here, in Daejeon. A hotel, jazz music, luxury food, and an empty restaurant, just the two of us."

Iseul's heart swelled with emotion as the weight of his words sank in. She had told him about her dream, her wish for a night like this—a night where it would feel like the world was theirs alone. And now, here they were, living it.

Her breath hitched as she looked into his eyes, searching for the sincerity she knew was there. Sunghoon's expression softened, his eyes full of quiet affection, a love that she hadn't fully realized until this moment.

"I remembered, Iseul," he whispered, his thumb brushing over her knuckles, his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary. "Every word, every little detail you shared with me. This is for you—just like you dreamed. Just like we deserve."

For a moment, everything else in the world faded away. It was just the two of them, wrapped in the warmth of the evening, the quiet connection between them deepening. Sunghoon's hand, steady and gentle, never left hers, his touch a constant reminder that they were here together.

Iseul's heart skipped a beat as she sat there, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, her voice thick with emotion. "Mr. Jihoon won't come," she whispered, her voice barely above a tremble.

The words stung more than she anticipated, the emptiness of the moment hitting her harder than she thought it would.

Sunghoon, still sitting at the table, nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. But Iseul's frustration couldn't be contained any longer.

Without a second glance, she stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor, and stormed out of the restaurant. Her steps were fast, angry, each one heavier than the last.

Sunghoon was left in a state of confusion, his heart tightening at the sight of her retreating figure. It wasn't supposed to be like this. This wasn't how he imagined it. He stood up, pushed his chair back, and followed her, his strides quick and determined.

Outside, the wind was strong, tugging at their hair, the chill of the night cutting through the tension that had been building between them for so long. Iseul's pace didn't slow, her anger pushing her forward, but Sunghoon was faster. Reaching out, he grabbed her wrist, gently but firmly, stopping her in her tracks.

"Iseul," he called out, his voice low, yet filled with a quiet urgency.

She whipped around, eyes flashing with frustration, and the words burst out before she could hold them back. "Do you like seeing me suffer? Because that's what's happening! Can't you see it? I'm so tired of this back and forth, Sunghoon!"

Her voice cracked as the weight of everything—the confusion, the pain, the love—suddenly overwhelmed her. The tears she had been holding back now threatened to spill over.

Sunghoon's chest tightened, his heart aching at her words, but he didn't let go. He stepped closer, his voice rising with raw honesty.

"Iseul, I'm in love with you," he said, the words tumbling out like a confession, like a release. "I have, from the very first moment our eyes met, been most grievously in love with you. "

The words hung in the air between them, raw and vulnerable, the truth of them so much more than she had expected. His grip on her wrist softened as he gently cupped her face with his free hand, brushing away the tear that had finally escaped.

Iseul froze, her heart racing as she processed his confession, the reality of it crashing over her. She had heard him, but it didn't feel real—not in this moment.

Her chest tightened, and the tears welled up, blurring her vision as she looked at him, her voice trembling with the weight of all the hurt.

"What kind of love is this, Sunghoon? I don't want your twisted love anymore. Every time I give you a chance, you destroy it. I let you in, you go and marry someone else. Can't you see what I've been through? Can't you see me?"

Sunghoon felt like the ground beneath him was crumbling, her words cutting deeper than any physical wound. He took a step forward, unable to stand the distance between them, his voice raw with regret.

"Iseul... Can't you see me? I've been broken ever since you told me. Every day, I punish myself for letting it happen. I can't forgive myself for betraying you. I've tried everything, everything to make it right. I've sent you countless messages. I've begged for your forgiveness. But I know—I know it's too late. You can't trust me anymore, and I deserve that."

Iseul tried to turn away, but before she could, Sunghoon reached out, grabbing her wrist gently yet firmly.

His voice softened, filled with a desperation she had never heard before. "But I need you to trust this, Iseul. I haven't loved anyone but you. Not once."

He closed the gap between them, his hands trembling as he cupped her face, tilting her head so their eyes met. He pressed his forehead gently against hers, his breath shaky against her skin. "All my life, my heart has been yours. I don't love anyone else, I never have. Only you."

The words hit her like a thunderclap. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. She gasped, a sob escaping her lips as the tears began to fall freely.

"Then why does it hurt so much?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, broken with the weight of all the emotions she had buried for so long. "Why do I love you so much, when it feels like you've destroyed everything we could have had?"

Sunghoon held her tightly as her fists pounded against his chest, her body fighting against the warmth of his embrace. She wanted to pull away, to escape the overwhelming rush of emotions, but her heart, that foolish heart, betrayed her. Slowly, her resistance faded, and she let herself melt into him, her body trembling with the weight of it all.

Sunghoon could feel her body tremble against his, and despite her attempts to pull away, he refused to let go. He pressed his lips to her hair, his voice a soft murmur of comfort, "Iseul, it'll pass. We'll be okay. I promise, we'll figure it out together."

But as they stood there, the world around them seemed to fade, and everything felt fragile, delicate. What they had, what they shared, was teetering on the edge of something they both knew could shatter at any moment.

And then, suddenly, Iseul pulled back, her eyes wide with realization. She gasped, her breath shallow as she looked up at him. "This is wrong," she whispered, voice cracking with the weight of her words. "You're engaged, Sunghoon. You're promised to someone else. You can't... you can't do this."

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, but he refused to let the distance between them grow. Reaching out, he cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing away the tears that were falling freely from her eyes.

He looked at her with everything he had, his voice trembling with urgency, "No, Iseul... this—this isn't wrong. It's not what you think. My engagement... it's nothing, it's not even on paper. It's just a media game, a show for the public. It doesn't mean anything to me. What I feel for you—it's real. Please, just believe me."

But Iseul shook her head violently, the tears spilling faster now as she stepped away from him, her chest heaving with emotion. She couldn't, wouldn't believe it—not after everything. Not after all the hurt she had endured.

"Don't touch me," she said, her voice a broken whisper as she pushed against his chest. "Please... just don't touch me anymore."

The words hit him like a storm, knocking the breath from his lungs. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All he could see was the woman he loved, standing there before him, broken, but too proud to let him hold her. His chest tightened as if the very air was suffocating him.

"Iseul..." he whispered, his voice hoarse, desperate. "I'm sorry. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but please, let me show you. Let me prove to you that I haven't loved anyone but you."

He took a step closer, but Iseul didn't wait for him to reach her. With a choked sob, she turned and ran, her feet pounding against the pavement, her silhouette swallowed by the night. Sunghoon's heart shattered as he watched her disappear, his body frozen, rooted to the spot.

The cold night air cut through him, but he didn't move. He couldn't.

Sunghoon stood there, his hand outstretched, still yearning for her, but knowing in his heart that he had failed her. "Iseul..." he whispered, his voice barely a breath. "Please, don't run."

But she was gone, and so was any hope he had of fixing things tonight.

Meanwhile, someone stood in the shadows, capturing it all—the raw, unfiltered moment between them. The camera flash was bright, but neither of them noticed.

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