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[See the light] - [lim hyunsik]

Rushing home, Iseul quickly changed into her apron, the fabric brushing against her skin as she started preparing dinner. Her hands moved skillfully, chopping vegetables and stirring ingredients for the meal.

She knew Sunghoon's favorite dish by heart, but today she was making something special—his beloved tiramisu. The sweet scent of espresso and mascarpone filled the kitchen, and with every step, her excitement grew.

Once the tiramisu was almost done, Iseul paused, wiped her hands on her apron, and reached for her phone. She quickly typed out a message to Sunghoon before dialing his number. The moment he picked up, her voice was laced with playful urgency.

"Hoon, can you come home this instant? I have something urgent to discuss with you."

With a smile tugging at her lips, she hung up before he could respond, knowing that the tension in her tone would have him curious. She moved quickly, lighting candles and setting the table with care, the soft flicker of the flames casting a warm, intimate glow across the room.

The mood was set—now, all that was left was to wait for Sunghoon, to surprise him with her own special touch.

Not much time had passed before Iseul felt a soft kiss on her cheek. Surprised, she spun around, only to find Sunghoon standing there, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He hadn't made a sound as he approached, and that only made his sudden presence more startling. She playfully pushed him away, frowning just a little.

"Not fair!" Iseul playfully pushed him away, feigning annoyance, though the warmth in her chest betrayed her. "I was supposed to surprise you."

Sunghoon's eyes softened with affection as he laughed lightly. "My sweet Iseul, are you trying to pull romantic tricks on me now?" His voice was teasing, but there was a depth to it, a quiet tenderness that made Iseul's pulse quicken.

She rolled her eyes, the playful tension between them never failing to make her heart flutter. With a dramatic sigh, she led him by the hand to the table she had set up, her eyes twinkling with pride.

When Sunghoon's eyes landed on the tiramisu, his entire demeanor shifted. His gaze softened, a look of genuine wonder crossing his face. "My favorite tiramisu..." he whispered, almost reverently.

Iseul couldn't help the playful smirk that tugged at her lips. "Sunghoon, you're not a child," she teased, her fingers gently swatting his hand away as he reached for the dessert, his excitement palpable. "Eat dinner first. We'll get to that later."

Sunghoon's pout was irresistible, his eyes holding a mix of endearing frustration and affection. "I can't help it," he murmured, his voice low, full of that warmth she had always adored. "You know how much I love this."

As Iseul settled down at the table, the flicker of the candlelight casting soft shadows on her face, Sunghoon leaned forward, his eyes glimmering with a mix of purpose and remorse. Without a word, he retrieved something from his briefcase—a small, elegant box, neatly wrapped.

He placed it gently in front of her, his gaze softening as he brushed his neck with a sheepish smile. "Sorry for breaking your phone that night," he murmured, his voice low and apologetic.

Iseul blinked in surprise, the memory of the incident surfacing briefly before she smiled warmly, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Well, you apologized afterward, actually. But thanks," she replied, her tone light but filled with affection.

Sunghoon's lips curled into a small, genuine smile as he watched her. In that moment, the weight of everything between them—every challenge, every moment of tension—seemed to vanish, leaving nothing but the quiet joy of their connection.

Grinning, Iseul leaned forward and placed a soft, light peck on his cheek, a silent thank you for his thoughtful gesture. Her heart fluttered, a familiar warmth spreading through her chest, and she could see that he was basking in the moment, his gaze never leaving hers.

Meanwhile, as the evening grew darker, a contrast of emotions brewed in a far-off place. Rena sat alone at a dimly lit table, a glass of wine in hand, her fingers trembling slightly around the stem of the glass. Her eyes, dark with frustration, were fixed on the night sky outside the window, her thoughts swirling like the storm brewing inside her.

She had tried to keep her composure, but the familiar sting of jealousy and resentment was hard to contain.

With a sigh, she glanced down at her phone, hesitating for a moment before unlocking it. Her fingers moved swiftly, typing out a message with a determination that mirrored the storm in her heart. The words were cold, deliberate, and filled with an unspoken warning.

As the text sent and the glow of the phone illuminated her face, Rena's gaze hardened. She clinked her wine glass against the table, her resolve solidifying. Iseul and Sunghoon's happiness wouldn't last forever—nothing ever did. But for now, Rena held onto her anger, using it as fuel for the battle she knew was far from over.

Meanwhile, in the warm, cozy mansion, Iseul and Sunghoon had finished their dinner and moved on to the pastries, the soft glow of candlelight casting gentle shadows around the room.

Sunghoon's hands trembled as he picked up the fork, the spoonful of tiramisu trembling as he brought it to his lips. He took a bite, and his eyes widened in awe as the sweetness of the dessert hit him. "Iseul, this is the best I've eaten in ages," he whispered, almost in disbelief, savoring the delicate, creamy texture.

Iseul's lips curved into a teasing smile as she watched his reaction, her heart warmed by the sight of his genuine pleasure. "Bon appétit?" she quipped lightly, her voice playful as she picked up her own fork, taking a bite of the dessert herself.

Sunghoon, still caught up in the moment, leaned over, taking her hands in his. He pressed his lips gently to the back of her hand, his eyes full of admiration. "These hands are so talented," he murmured, his voice soft with awe.

"I think you're being a little dramatic."

Then, her expression shifted, her smile faltering slightly as she leaned back in her seat. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before speaking. "Sunghoon," she began carefully, her voice quieter, more serious. "After thinking it over, I decided not to take Sunghchan's offer." She paused, looking at him with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "Not because of you, but because I believe it's for the best."

Sunghoon's brow furrowed slightly, but then a sense of relief washed over him, his features softening. "Good. That's exactly what I wanted from the beginning," he said, his voice steady, yet filled with a tenderness that made Iseul's heart flutter.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to continue. But then she spoke again, the words flowing out more easily this time. "But... I don't want to get a high position just because I'm your girlfriend." Her gaze dropped to her hands, unsure of how her words might land. "I want to make my own way, on my own terms."

Sunghoon looked at her, a mixture of admiration and something deeper in his eyes. His grip tightened slightly on her hands, his voice soft but unwavering.

"Anything you want, darling. You've always had the power to decide for yourself."

Iseul swallowed hard, feeling the weight of everything between them. There was so much she still wasn't sure about, so many uncertainties that lingered in her heart. But there was one thing she knew for certain—this, whatever it was they had, felt real.

She leaned back in her chair, a faint sigh escaping her lips as she let the moment settle. "I just can't get used to this," she whispered, almost to herself, but loud enough for him to hear. "After all... we got married in a rush."

Then her playful glare softened, her lips curling into a faint smile as she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Even after all the things you said to me, the hurtful things you did... we are still here together?" Her voice was light but there was a glimmer of challenge in her eyes, as if daring him to explain himself further.

Sunghoon swallowed, his throat tightening at the weight of her words. He could feel the regret stirring deep inside him, a mix of guilt and sorrow for everything that had happened between them. He met her gaze, his expression sincere.

"I know," he said, his voice hushed. "I did so many things to hurt you, things I'm not proud of. I'm sorry, Iseul."

There was a quiet pause between them, the air thick with unspoken emotions. He exhaled, his hands gripping the edges of the table as if steadying himself.

"But the truth is, I didn't trust you at first. When you came into the company, I thought you had different intentions. I thought you were there for revenge... and that thought twisted everything in my mind."

Iseul's expression hardened, the playful challenge replaced by guilt. She could see the genuine remorse in his eyes, the vulnerability that he rarely allowed to show. She opened her mouth to respond, to tell him something she had been holding onto for a while now, but before she could speak, they were interrupted.

A phone buzzed on the table, its sharp tone slicing through the stillness of the room. Sunghoon's eyes widened as he glanced at the screen, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the caller ID. It was Rena.

His hand froze, the smile fading from his lips as his stomach dropped. He had completely forgotten about their earlier conversation. The guilt hit him he had stood her up, and now she was calling.

"Oh shoot," he muttered under his breath before answering the call. His tone was apologetic as he spoke to Rena, the words tumbling out in a hurried, almost frantic manner.

As he spoke, he adjusted his tie with quick, practiced movements, his fingers twitching as if in a rush to fix something more than his appearance.

When he finally hung up, he turned to her, his expression a mix of guilt and urgency. "Iseul, I have to leave. I promised Rena we'd have dinner tonight, but I completely forgot."

A chill ran down Iseul's spine at the mention of Rena's name. The last thing she had expected was for him to rush out like this, especially with everything that had been happening between them. She looked up at him, her voice tight as she forced the words out.

"A business dinner... at this hour?"

"Not exactly business. She said she has something important to tell me."

Iseul's heart tightened. She could feel the familiar stirrings of frustration creeping up inside her, anger mixing with the unease that had been building ever since he first mentioned Rena. It wasn't just the timing, or the suddenness of it all—it was the sense of being overlooked, of being pushed aside. Her voice came out sharper than she intended.

"Did you make plans with her behind my back?"

Sunghoon's face softened, and he took a step toward her. "It's not like that. I think it's something about Sunghchan. You know me, Iseul, I don't like breaking promises."

Iseul's chest tightened as she absorbed his words. The anger that had been bubbling up a moment ago slowly ebbed away, replaced instead by a cold, hollow sadness. Something about Sunghchan. It didn't seem like enough of an explanation, not when he had been so quick to leave her side for someone else.

She looked down at her hands, the fingers slowly curling into a fist as she fought the wave of disappointment threatening to overwhelm her. She tried to push the emotions aside, but it was harder than she had expected. "She had to wait hours... for you? And now, you're just going to leave?"

His hand moved to her shoulder, a gentle touch, but the distance between them felt palpable. "I'll talk to her quickly, and then I'll come back. I promise."

He leaned in, his lips pressing softly to her temple in a fleeting, tender kiss. Iseul felt the warmth of his gesture, but it did little to ease the heavy weight in her chest. He stepped away from her, already turning towards the door, his figure now outlined by the dim light spilling from the hallway.

Iseul stood there, frozen for a moment, watching him go. The soft click of the door shutting behind him felt final, a sound that reverberated through the stillness of the room. She was left standing there, unsure of what to feel. Anger? Disappointment? Or was it something deeper, something that she didn't quite have the words for yet?

Sunghoon walked into the restaurant, his steps quick and purposeful, but as soon as he stepped inside, he froze. Rena was standing by the door, her eyes red from crying, her face streaked with tears. The sight struck him like a cold gust of wind, unsettling and unexpected.

His heart twisted at the sight of her, but his mind raced—what was happening? He couldn't just leave things like this.

"Rena!" he called out, his voice laced with concern as he moved toward her. "I realize I made a mistake, but why are you so upset?"

Rena didn't immediately respond. She stood still for a moment, staring down at the floor as if gathering the strength to face him. Finally, she looked up, and her eyes burned with frustration.

"Sunghoon, how can you be this blind?"

Her voice trembled, but it carried a sharpness that made him take a step back, unsure of where this was going.

"Rena, what do you mean?" he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. His mind raced to make sense of the situation, but nothing seemed to add up.

"No matter what I do, you just don't notice me," she continued, her voice rising. "I've done everything to prove myself to you, but you just don't see me. You never have!" Her words were heavy with pain, each one like a blow that landed somewhere deep inside of him.

He shook his head, a feeling of helplessness washing over him. "Of course I notice you, Rena. You're my friend."

But she wasn't listening. Her lips pressed together in frustration before she spat out the words he hadn't expected. "Sunghoon, I like you. And not as a friend. I've always liked you. More than you'll ever know."

Time seemed to slow down, his heart stuttering in his chest at the rawness of her confession. He blinked, struggling to find his bearings. His gaze softened, and the world around him seemed to blur. He hadn't seen this coming, not from Rena. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her, but he couldn't deny the truth.

Sunghoon took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. His love for Iseul was a constant in his heart, and he could never deny that. And as much as he cared for Rena as a friend, his feelings for her had never crossed that line. He looked at her, his voice quiet but firm.

"I... I can't reciprocate your feelings, Rena. My heart belongs to another."

The weight of his words hung in the air between them. He saw her flinch, and her tears only seemed to intensify the pain he felt for her, but he knew in his heart that he couldn't lie to her.

Rena stared at him for a long moment, her lips trembling as she held back another wave of tears. He couldn't bear to watch her like this, but he knew he couldn't offer her anything more than friendship.

Without another word, he turned away, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet restaurant as he made his way out. The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving him alone in the cool night air.

He could feel the weight of the conversation pressing against him, but he couldn't shake the image of Iseul from his mind. She was the one he loved, the one who had captured his heart.

He climbed into his car, the engine's hum a quiet comfort, but the guilt gnawed at him as he pulled away. What had he done? He had hurt Rena, and there was no taking it back. But as he drove to Iseul's neighborhood, his thoughts remained focused on the woman he loved, the one he wanted to build a future with.

He had made his choice, and there was no turning back now, he was going to announce his relationship with Iseul infront of everyone in his company.

Meanwhile, Iseul sat in her family's restaurant, a few bottles of soju lined up in front of her, the soft glow of the restaurant's lights casting a warm hue over the small, intimate space. Chaeryoung sat beside her, her hand clutching Iseul's as they both leaned back against the wooden chairs. Iseul had just finished telling her everything—about Rena's call, Sunghoon's reaction, and the emotional storm she found herself in.

"I can't believe that woman," Chaeryoung spat, slamming her hand onto the table. "After everything you've been through with Sunghoon, she still has the nerve to try and steal him away? That's beyond bold."

Iseul didn't react immediately. She stared into her glass, her mind racing but her face betraying nothing. The weight of the conversation settled in her chest, and the pain in her heart grew heavier with each passing second.

She wasn't angry anymore. No, the anger had turned to something much colder. Disappointment, maybe. Sadness, for sure. But her silence was more powerful than words.

Chaeryoung's eyes softened as she noticed the shift in Iseul's expression. She leaned over, her fingers gently gripping Iseul's face, forcing her best friend to look at her.

"Girl, listen to me," her voice was firm, but gentle. "You've been through hell with him, yeah, and I know that. But don't let that sad face fool you. I told you from the beginning—he's not going anywhere. He loves you."

Iseul let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh, her gaze dropping to her hands. "I love him too, Chaer. So much that it feels like my heart is both full and empty all at once. But when you're in love with someone like him, it's as if your happiness—and your sorrow—are in their hands. And sometimes, I don't know if it's worth the weight."

"But that's love, Iseul. You know that. Sometimes, we give a piece of ourselves to someone, and we trust them with it. But we can't let it destroy us."

Iseul's eyes flickered with a mixture of confusion and sadness. "Do you remember when I first started working with him? How everything was a mess from the start?" Her voice trailed off as she lost herself in the memory.

Chaeryoung's eyebrows furrowed. "True, he hurt you. But you've both grown since then, haven't you? You've both changed. And that plan... Iseul, I remember when you told me what you were going to do—how you planned to make him fall for you and break his heart in the process. But now, look at you."

Iseul fell silent at Chaeryoung's words. The plan she had once held so tightly to now felt like a distant memory—one she wasn't sure she even wanted to follow anymore. The idea of revenge had faded, replaced with something much more complicated, something far more vulnerable.

At that exact moment, as if on cue, Sunghoon, who had been walking toward the restaurant, paused at the door. He stood frozen in his tracks, eyes wide as his heart skipped a beat, catching the tail end of Chaeryoung's words. He hid behind the door, straining to hear what was being said, his breath caught in his throat.

"You were going to hurt him, weren't you?" Chaeryoung's words were low but filled with meaning. "Make him fall for you and break his heart. That was the plan, right?"

Sunghoon froze. His heart skipped a beat. He stood motionless, just outside the door, unable to move as the weight of Iseul's unspoken intentions sank in. His mind raced. His chest tightened. He wanted to go in, to confront her, to demand answers, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Not yet.

Inside, Iseul nodded slowly, her face a mask of resignation. "Yes," she whispered, her voice heavy. "That was the plan..."

Sunghoon's heart shattered at the sound of her confession. His legs felt like they might give out, his breath short and shallow. Without a second thought, he turned and walked away, his steps hurried, his mind clouded with a storm of emotions he couldn't begin to understand.

The world around him seemed to blur, and the only thing that remained in his ears was the ringing of his own thoughts.

He got to his car, his fingers gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. He was alone, surrounded by the emptiness of the night, and yet, all he could hear was Iseul's confession echoing in his mind.

If only he had stayed just a little longer. If only he had heard Iseul's next words.

"That was the plan... I didn't think I'd fall for him. And now, I regret ever thinking of hurting him."

If only he had stayed just a little longer.

Sunghoon's hands gripped the steering wheel with such intensity that his knuckles turned white. His breath was shallow, his heart pounding in his chest as his mind raced through a whirlwind of thoughts. His eyes were bloodshot, fueled by a mixture of anger, confusion, and the ache of betrayal.

The sound of the engine roared in his ears as he pushed the car to its limits, his foot pressing harder on the pedal with every passing second. The city lights blurred as he sped down the road, his surroundings nothing more than a haze of motion.

He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he needed to get away, to escape the turmoil in his heart. And somehow, he ended up in front of a mansion—the very one that felt like the last place he should be. The sleek black car slid into the driveway, its tires skidding against the smooth pavement.

Without thinking twice, Sunghoon exited the car and made his way toward the backdoor, the cold night air doing nothing to calm the storm inside him.

As he stepped into the expansive garden, the sharp scent of fresh flowers did little to soothe his agitation. His eyes quickly locked onto the figure sprawled on the floor, her sobs breaking the stillness of the night.

Rena.

Sunghoon's stomach twisted at the sight. He'd seen her in many states before—strong, confident, and at times even vulnerable—but never like this. This was different. This wasn't the Rena he thought he knew.

Without a word, he walked toward her, his heavy footsteps cutting through the tension that hung thick in the air. As he approached, Rena looked up at him through tear-streaked eyes, her expression one of confusion and surprise. She wiped at her face, trying to compose herself, but the weight of her emotions still lingered.

"Sunghoon... Why are you here?" Her voice was hoarse, still trembling from the tears that hadn't stopped falling. She was trying to make sense of the situation, but nothing about this felt like it could make sense. Not now.

He didn't give her time to process the question, his mind made up and his heart racing with an urgency he couldn't shake. His gaze fixed on hers with a raw intensity. His voice was steady, but there was a weight to it—one that seemed to shift the very air between them.

"Rena," he said, his words deliberate, cutting through the chaos of everything else. "Marry me."

The words hung in the air, suspended between them like a bomb waiting to explode. Rena's eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening as if to speak, but no words came. The world around them seemed to stop, as if even time itself couldn't understand what Sunghoon had just said.

Rena's mind spun, her emotions warring within her. But she couldn't process it—not right away. The confusion overwhelmed her, clouding her thoughts. Was this real? Was this a desperate plea from a man she had been chasing for so long? Or was it the broken result of his own pain?

All she could do was stare, her mind a blur, unsure of how to react, unsure of what the truth even was anymore.

But as Sunghoon stood there, gazing down at the woman before him, his heart began to ache with a bittersweet realization: his hands were tied by the very love he had for Iseul. And now, standing in front of Rena, he felt the weight of every decision, every broken promise, bearing down on him.

He was falling into a trap of his own making, and Iseul was the one who would suffer the most from it.

END OF ACT 1

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IM SORRY