The storm didn't come with thunder.
It came with silence.
Chilly. Icy. Too controlled.
Ha-Rin first noticed it in Seo-Won's eyes.
He wasn't avoiding her.
But he wasn't looking at her either.
Not in that way.
Not since the lounge.
Not since Director Bae.
It was like a door had closed somewhere—and she couldn't find the key.
She tried to ignore it.
Tried to pretend that things were normal.
But when he didn't walk her to class...
When his texts were short...
When he said "I'll call you later" and never did—
She knew.
Something was wrong.
Something he wasn't telling her.
—
Tae-Hwan noticed too.
He found her in the garden behind the art building after school, sitting on the stone bench she and Ji-Ae had claimed as their "slander-free zone."
Except today, it was raining.
And she hadn't moved.
"You're going to catch pneumonia," he said, offering his umbrella.
She didn't take it.
"I think he's hiding something," she whispered.
Tae-Hwan sat beside her.
"You're not wrong."
That made her heart twist. "What do you mean?"
He looked up at the gray clouds.
"I've been hearing things," he said. "From my parents. From board members."
"Tae-Hwan..."
"There's a girl. From the Song family. He was engaged to her when they were fifteen."
Her world tilted.
"He never told me that."
"No."
"And she's coming back?"
He nodded. "It's not a rumor anymore. Her family has a majority stake in the Jin Group's newest overseas project. The parents are pushing for it again."
"Is Seo-Won agreeing?"
Tae-Hwan's jaw tightened. "He hasn't said no."
Her throat closed.
She stood up.
But the bench felt farther away than before.
"Why didn't he tell me?"
"Because he's scared."
"Of what?"
"Of losing control."
She turned to him, eyes burning.
And asked the one question she wasn't ready to hear the answer to.
"Do you think... he still loves her?"
Tae-Hwan looked at her.
And didn't answer.
—
Ha-Rin didn't confront him that night.
She waited.
Watched.
Followed the tension like a thread.
Until it snapped.
—
The next morning, Haneul Academy's gates were flanked by black sedans.
And from one of them stepped a girl that looked like she belonged on the cover of a luxury magazine.
Song Hye-Ri.
Impeccable uniform. Designer heels. Eyes lined with confidence and cruelty.
And right behind her...
Seo-Won.
Expression unreadable.
Tie perfect.
Not a word spoken.
He offered her his arm.
She took it.
And they walked into the school like they'd never fallen apart.
Like the past was still intact.
And Ha-Rin?
She saw it all.
From the hallway.
From the other side of the glass.
Her chest felt like it was cracking.
—
Ji-Ae tried to talk her out of it.
"You don't know the full story."
"He never told me there was a story."
Tae-Hwan sat across from her during lunch, watching her push the rice around her tray.
"She's here for the engagement," he said. "Her family already met with the board."
"What did Seo-Won say?"
"He said... nothing."
Ha-Rin stood abruptly.
And walked.
—
She found him in the old archive wing.
Their place.
Empty. Dusty. Secret.
He was sitting against the shelf, eyes closed, headphones in.
She pulled one out.
He didn't flinch.
"You lied."
His eyes opened slowly. "I didn't lie."
"You didn't tell me. That's the same thing."
"I didn't think it mattered anymore."
"She's here."
"I know."
"She's your fiancée."
"Was."
"They want it back."
"I don't."
She stared at him.
Waiting.
Wanting.
Needing more than just denial.
"I'm not replacing her, am I?" she whispered. "I'm just filling the silence."
His expression cracked.
"No."
She stepped back.
"I gave you everything, Seo-Won."
"I didn't ask you to—"
"You didn't have to!"
The echo of her voice hit the shelves like thunder.
"I signed your contract. I wore your ribbon. I faced your enemies. And now I find out you belonged to someone else?"
"It wasn't like that."
"Then tell me how it was."
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
And stood.
"I'll handle it."
"No. This time... I won't let you."
She turned and walked away.
He didn't follow.
—
Tears didn't come until she was out of sight.
And by the time she reached the west wing...
Tae-Hwan was already there.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked quietly.
"Anywhere but here."
He took her hand.
And didn't let go.
—
They ended up in the city.
Nowhere fancy.
A small rooftop overlooking the Han River.
Windy. Quiet. Honest.
He gave her his jacket. Didn't speak for a long time.
Then finally—
"You don't have to pretend around me."
She looked up.
Her eyes red.
"I hate that I still love him."
"I know."
"I hate that he's still trying to protect me by hiding things."
"That's who he is."
"And I hate that I keep choosing him."
"You don't have to."
She turned sharply.
His expression didn't change.
Just softened.
"I'm not asking you to choose me," he said. "But if you need a place to fall... I'm not afraid to catch you."
Her eyes filled again.
And this time, she let the tears fall.
Because Tae-Hwan?
He didn't kiss her.
Didn't rush her.
He just stayed.
Let her cry.
Let her break.
—
Meanwhile, back at Haneul Academy...
Seo-Won stood in the Student Council hall.
Staring at the contract.
The one with Ha-Rin's name.
And his.
Still official.
Still sealed.
But in his chest...
Something was unraveling.
He hadn't meant for it to go this far.
But now?
His past was back.
And if he didn't act soon...
He might lose his future.
—
End of Chapter 12.
📜 Author's Note:
Wow. I think we all need a deep breath after that one. 😮💨 The tension, the secrets, the storm between Ha-Rin and Seo-Won... and now, Hye-Ri has entered the game.
Do you think Seo-Won is protecting Ha-Rin, or is he just pushing her away? And what about Tae-Hwan—will he finally take his chance?
Things are only going to get more intense from here, so keep your hearts ready. ❤️🔥
💬 Tell me in the comments: Whose side are you on right now—Seo-Won or Tae-Hwan?
© 2025 AKByeol. All rights reserved.
This story is a work of fiction. No part may be copied, reproduced, reposted, translated, or distributed without permission.