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[the cut that always bleeds] - [conan gray]

The little hotel getaway wasn't anything Iseul had imagined, not even close. If anything, it had torn open wounds she didn't even know still bled.

Now, back in the quiet of her home, she found no peace. The weight of the evening hung heavy around her like a suffocating cloud, her thoughts a tangled mess she couldn't seem to unravel.

Iseul's eyes fell on Sohee, who was standing in front of the mirror, fingers raking through his hair, a satisfied grin spread across his face. His reflection seemed almost too bright, too full of life .

"You're out of your depression bubble?" Iseul's voice, sharp but laced with confusion, cut through the stillness.

Sohee didn't seem to notice the edge in her tone. He turned to her with a gleam of excitement in his eyes, practically glowing.

"Of course! Yeji ended things with her boyfriend—yeah, the one I told her was trouble—and now we're talking again. Everything's back to normal!"

Iseul blinked slowly, her gaze wandering off to the side as she tried to force a smile. "That's great, Sohee," she said, her voice sounding more like a hollow echo than the warmth it usually held.

Sohee, still riding high on his newfound happiness, noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor. He hesitated, but wisely chose not to press her further. He could see it in her eyes—the way her smile didn't quite reach them. She was already somewhere else, lost in a place he didn't know how to reach.

With a faint sigh, Iseul turned and made her way toward her room, desperate for a moment of peace, of silence, something to wash away the noise in her head.

But as her hand grasped the door handle, her phone buzzed in her pocket, the sound cutting through the silence like a sharp knife. She glanced at the screen, she saw Sunghchan's name flash in bold letters.

A part of her screamed to ignore it, to wallow in her thoughts and give in to the sadness, but another part, one too tired to fight, simply answered.

"Hey," Sunghchan's voice came through, bright and carefree, as if the world was still turning on its axis and everything was fine. "What's up? Wanna grab some ice cream?"

Iseul paused, the weight of his words pulling her back into reality. She wasn't sure she had the energy to go out, to face anything or anyone, especially not when her mind was still tangled in the mess of her hotel escape.

But something about his offer, his light tone, pulled at her. Maybe it's just a distraction, she thought.

"Sure," she replied, her voice almost too quiet, too distant to match the casual nature of his question.

Iseul felt a rare sense of lightness as she and Sunghchan sat in the small, cozy ice cream parlor. He had a way of making her laugh effortlessly, his dry humor and playful teasing pulling her out of the emotional fog that had been clouding her thoughts for days.

She found herself forgetting, even for just a moment, the heaviness she'd carried with her from the hotel. Laughter spilled from her lips as he cracked jokes, each one landing just right.

It wasn't until Sunghchan's phone buzzed that the moment shifted. He glanced at the screen, his face briefly turning serious before he excused himself and stepped a little farther away from the table.

Iseul absentmindedly stirred her melted ice cream, wondering what had gotten into her. The weight of her thoughts, the ache in her chest, seemed lighter now—almost bearable.

Sunghchan came back a minute later, his expression shifting into something between amusement and slight exasperation. "Sorry about that," he said, chuckling softly as he slid back into his seat. "Dad's got me on speed dial. Always has a plan for me, doesn't give me a chance to breathe."

Before she could respond, Sunghchan smirked, his eyes lighting up with a playful glint. "So, are you hungry?"

Iseul raised an eyebrow, her stomach growling in response. "A lot," she admitted, her voice almost sheepish. "This ice cream just made me ten times hungrier."

He grinned. "Then how about we go to Jungjae's Kitchen? The food there is amazing."

Iseul's stomach growled louder at the mention of food, and before she could fully process what was happening, she found herself nodding eagerly.

"Sounds perfect," she said, her mood lighter than it had been all week.

Moments later, Iseul was following Sunghchan to his car, her curiosity piqued by the ease of their interaction. But when they finally arrived, the reality of where they were hit her. Sunghchan's mansion loomed before her, a massive, pristine structure that seemed more like a palace than a home.

Iseul couldn't help the way her eyes narrowed in discomfort as she followed Sunghchan into his mansion. She felt like an outsider here, dwarfed by the sheer size of the house, the elegance of every detail around her.

The air felt too polished, too perfect, like she didn't belong in the sleek, modern space. She didn't want to eat lunch in a place that felt like it was meant for someone else.

Just as she was about to voice her unease, a voice called from above. Iseul looked up to see a man standing on the balcony, his gaze sharp as he studied them.

His presence was commanding, and Iseul instinctively straightened, feeling a subtle pressure to behave.

"Sunghchan," the man's voice rang out. "Who is that next to you?"

Sunghchan looked up, an amused grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "My best friend and my project coordinator, the one I told you about."

"Oh, the famous Lee Iseul," Jungjae—Sunghchan's father—said, his tone heavy with a mix of approval and curiosity. "What are you waiting for? Get inside."

Iseul's heart skipped a beat. The co-founder of the company? Of course, she recognized the name now. She couldn't refuse.

Not when it came from someone who held such authority, someone who could change the trajectory of her entire career with a single word. She gave a polite nod and followed Sunghchan through the grand entrance.

As they made their way into the garden, the atmosphere softened. The lush greenery and the cozy, open space with its carefully tended plants felt warmer, more inviting than the sterile house.

Iseul let herself relax, if only a little. She was still out of her element, but the ease with which Sunghchan interacted with his father, his laughter, the way he seamlessly fit into this world, helped put her at ease.

Sitting down at a low table, they all started chatting casually. Sunghchan's father, Jungjae, was easygoing, surprisingly so for someone so high up in the business world. His sharp wit and dry humor matched Sunghchan's perfectly, and as the conversation flowed, Iseul started to see where Sunghchan got his humor from.

It was almost like watching a younger version of Jungjae, his son's quick wit and playful teasing echoing the older man's sharp comments.

Iseul found herself laughing more than she thought she would. It wasn't forced, but rather effortless, like she was part of this family.

The lively conversation around the table abruptly stilled as Rena's voice rang out across the garden, sharp and tinged with sarcasm.

"Having fun without me, Dad?"

Iseul froze mid-laugh, her eyes snapping to the source of the interruption.

There, walking toward them, was Sunghoon—his presence commanding as always—and Rena, her stride confident, her smile just the right amount of condescending. Their eyes met across the garden, and the air thickened with an unspoken tension. It was almost tangible, the way their gazes locked in a silent challenge.

For Iseul, it was as if the world had shifted in that instant. Sunghoon's expression was unreadable, but she could feel the weight of his eyes on her, a flicker of jealousy or irritation flashing briefly in his gaze.

She didn't care for it—didn't care for the way he seemed to resent her presence here, like she didn't belong in this moment, in this world.

Iseul stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor in the silence that followed. Her heart was racing, the weight of their gaze pushing down on her, but she masked it with a forced calmness.

"Thank you for the amazing time, Mr. Jung," she said, her voice tight but polite. "But I think I'll leave now. You're a family together, and I don't want to intrude."

Jungjae, ever the gracious host, waved his hand dismissively, his voice warm and insistent. "Nonsense, my daughter. Sunghchan's friend is also family." His words didn't feel like a command but an invitation, an insistence that Iseul didn't quite know how to refuse.

Reluctantly, she sank back into her seat, the tension thick in the air now, and the awkwardness of the situation settled in. Sunghoon and Rena took their places at the table, their presence casting a shadow over the evening.

Iseul found herself unable to focus on the conversation anymore, her mind racing, her gaze unintentionally drawn to Sunghoon every few seconds. He didn't look at her, not directly, but she could feel him watching, his eyes flicking over her as if calculating something.

The atmosphere around the dinner table shifted again as Jungjae, ever the sharp observer, dropped his chopsticks with a clink. His gaze flickered between Sunghchan and Sunghoon, his voice heavy with the tension that had built up in the air.

"What is this animosity I see between you two? Sunghchan, you're friends, aren't you?"

Rena, sitting stiffly, couldn't help but interject with a sarcastic edge. "In front of her?" She motioned toward Iseul, her tone dripping with disdain.

Jungjae didn't miss a beat, his eyes hardening as he addressed his daughter. "Rena, like I said, she's his friend. She's also family."

But Rena scoffed, her lips curling into a smirk, clearly unimpressed. The air between them crackled with unspoken grudges.

Sunghoon, ever the stoic, remained calm as he answered, his voice colder than it needed to be. "Sir, I know what I am doing. You know I don't tolerate mistakes when it comes to work."

Sunghchan, not one to be quiet, scoffed in return, his voice dripping with defiance. "Having different opinions doesn't mean I'm wrong."

Jungjae's eyes narrowed as he spoke with growing impatience. "Leave whatever fight you have aside and work together. Only through that will both of you achieve success." His voice was no longer warm but cold, as if warning them both of the consequences of continuing their petty squabble.

The silence that followed was thick, but then Sunghchan, with his usual swagger, turned the attention back to Iseul. He hooked his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.

Iseul froze for a moment, uncomfortable under the sudden attention, the way it felt almost like she was being paraded around like some trophy. She couldn't help but feel her skin prickle with unease, but she didn't let it show.

She took a bite of her noodles, the simple pleasure of the food almost making her forget the tension in the room.

Sunghchan, oblivious or uncaring to the discomfort he had caused, grinned and spoke with confidence, his words louder now as if to stake a claim. "Don't worry, Dad," he said, his tone full of arrogant conviction. "I'll achieve even greater success, especially now that Iseul's by my side."

Jungjae shook his head, his expression one of frustration as he addressed both Sunghchan and Sunghoon. "Sunghchan, Sunghoon, don't fight again. You'll be family very soon. This doesn't suit you."

Iseul's heart broke in two. The words hit her like a slap, and the sting didn't fade, no matter how many times she had heard them before. She stared at Sunghoon, and his eyes met hers, cold, indifferent, as though he couldn't care less about the pain she was feeling. She felt her throat tighten, the lump in her chest growing unbearable.

But it wasn't just her. She saw it in his eyes—something darker. His expression was unreadable, but there was something there, an emptiness, as if her pain was a mere byproduct of the game he was playing.

Rena, who had been watching the silent exchange between Iseul and Sunghoon, couldn't tolerate the tension any longer. With a huff, she took Sunghoon's hand in hers, squeezing it tightly as she directed her attention toward Jungjae.

"Well said, Dad," she said, a thin smile playing at the corners of her lips. "We'll be a family soon. Sunghoon and I have something new to share with you."

Iseul's heart skipped a beat, the blood draining from her face as Rena continued. "We'll be living in his home after the wedding. He didn't even tell me about it until recently."

Iseul could feel her world spinning. Their dream home. The one Sunghoon had talked about so often—the place he had promised her. How could he do this? The weight of the words pressed down on her chest, suffocating her as tears threatened to spill.

But she fought them back, not wanting to give Rena or anyone the satisfaction of seeing her fall apart.

Rena, sensing Iseul's distress, didn't miss the opportunity to twist the knife. She looked at Iseul with a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. "He told me I can decorate it the way I want," she said, her voice dripping with smugness.

Iseul could feel the coldness of Sunghoon's gaze on her as he glanced toward her, his eyes freezing, cutting through her like ice. She tried to hold herself together, but it was getting harder to pretend. She had never felt more alone.

Sunghoon, however, could only take so much. His heart ached as he watched her struggle, the familiar weight of guilt gnawing at him despite everything. He was supposed to enjoy seeing her hurt, to relish in the way she looked, broken.

But every time he saw the pain in her eyes, it was like a sharp blade piercing through his own chest. He couldn't stomach it anymore.

His mind screamed at him to keep playing his part, to keep pushing her away, but his heart betrayed him. He excused himself from the table, muttering something about needing to use the bathroom.

Iseul barely noticed as he stood up and left. She was too lost in her own heartbreak, the silent tears she refused to let fall.

Iseul stepped away from the table, excusing herself as the weight of the evening bore down on her chest. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she quickly pulled it out, hoping for some distraction from the suffocating atmosphere in the dining room.

It was Chaeryoung. She tapped the screen to answer, her voice shaky but steady.

"Hey," Iseul greeted, stepping into a quieter corner of the house, her heart pounding.

"Iseul, I just talked to Changbin," Chaeryoung said quickly, her tone low and urgent. "I found out something that might explain why Sunghoon's been acting so off... He only heard half of our conversation that day at the restaurant. The part about the revenge."

Iseul froze. Her chest tightened at the realization. Sunghoon had heard only part of it—the part where she was talking about using him, about her plan. Of course, that explained everything. The anger, the coldness in his eyes. The way he'd been distant, like a stranger.

"Are you serious?" Iseul muttered, her hand gripping the phone tighter. "I can't believe him... After all of this, after everything... He never asked for the full story? Just jumped to conclusions like that?"

Chaeryoung's voice softened, but there was an edge of frustration in it. "Iseul, I know this isn't easy. But you've got to remember, he's probably hurt, too. Misunderstandings, half-truths—they don't help."

"I don't care," Iseul snapped, the anger bubbling up inside her, pushing against the sadness that had consumed her all evening. "He should've known better. Sunghoon's an idiot, and I've had enough of him playing these games."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, Chaeryoung letting Iseul's words settle.

"Iseul, I'm just saying... Don't let him off the hook too easily. But also, don't let him tear you apart either. You've got your own stuff to deal with."

Iseul bit her lip, staring at the floor for a second. She didn't know what to think anymore. She didn't even know why she was still trying to make sense of Sunghoon. The hurt was too much.

With a sharp exhale, she ended the conversation. "Thanks, Chaeryoung. I'll talk to you later."

She hung up the phone without waiting for a response. She didn't need any more words right now. She needed to breathe.

Outside the bathroom, she waited, her body tense, her thoughts racing. The sound of the door opening a few minutes later made her heart skip a beat. Sunghoon stepped out, his face unreadable, as usual, but Iseul could feel the invisible tension between them.

She stood up, not knowing what to say, but also knowing that this moment, whatever was about to happen, was inevitable.

Iseul stood tall, her voice unwavering despite the storm swirling inside her. "I know why you're going through with this marriage," she began, her words deliberate, each one cutting through the tension. "You overheard my conversation with Chaeryoung, but you heard only half of it. I get it, you misunderstood, but if you had stayed even a minute longer, you would've learned the truth."

Sunghoon's face darkened instantly, his jaw tightening. "Keep quiet, Iseul," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

But Iseul couldn't stop now. She needed him to hear the full story, needed him to understand. "Sunghoon, listen to me," she urged, her voice rising. "Because there's no coming back from this."

He shot her a sharp glance, his eyes narrowing with a mix of irritation and something else—something deeper that he was trying to hide. "I said, keep quiet."

Her heart beat wildly, but she forced herself to speak the truth. "You're still in love with me."

Sunghoon stared at her, his expression unreadable, but his gaze flickered with something that wasn't anger—something closer to regret.

"You think so?"

Iseul nodded, her voice soft but firm. "I know so."

He scoffed, the corner of his mouth lifting in a bitter smile. "Well, you're wrong."

Iseul shook her head, her frustration mounting. "You can't deceive yourself, and you sure as hell can't deceive her. You didn't have to drag her through this mess. You never had to do this."

For a moment, Sunghoon's eyes darkened with a strange, cold intensity. He didn't speak, but something shifted in the air between them—a tension that pulled tighter with each passing second.

Without warning, he turned sharply and walked toward the door, his footsteps quick and purposeful. Iseul's heart raced, a mix of anger and confusion rising inside her. She couldn't let him just walk away.

She had followed Sunghoon outside, but something was off. The air between them was thick with tension, yet Sunghoon hadn't taken his seat like the others, leaving Iseul to feel like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit. She was tired—so tired of all the games, the manipulation, and the broken promises

Iseul felt every step grow heavier as she reached for her handbag, signaling her exit. She had excused herself from the dinner.

But as she reached for her bag, Sunghoon's hand closed around her wrist, stopping her.

"No," he said, his voice firm, his grip tightening just enough to make it clear he wasn't going to let her go so easily. "Stay, Iseul. This concerns you too."

Her heart dropped at the sound of his voice, low and commanding, as if she had no say in the matter. She hadn't expected this, not after everything. She wanted to protest, to pull away, but something in his gaze made her stop.

She didn't know if it was the rawness in his eyes or the silent demand in his hold, but she stood there, frozen, waiting for whatever he was about to say.

Sunghoon turned toward the table, his eyes briefly scanning each face before he spoke, his voice clear and deliberate, carrying the weight of something final.

"I pride myself on being an honest man," he began, his words slow, measured. "That's why I cannot deceive anyone at this table."

Iseul held her breath. Finally, she thought, her heart slowly beginning to beat faster. Finally, he's going to come clean. He's going to tell the truth, and everything will be okay.

But then, the words that followed shattered everything.

"Since I want this marriage to work," Sunghoon said, his voice still steady, "I want to say that... Iseul is my ex-wife."

The words hit her like a slap across the face. Iseul's blood ran cold as the weight of his confession settled in her chest. Her throat tightened, and her mouth went dry.

Iseul stood there, her heart sinking, her eyes unable to focus on anything but Sunghoon's cold, indifferent gaze. His words echoed in her ears, louder than anything else in the room. I want this marriage to work? she thought bitterly. Then why drag me into it like this?

The silence that followed was suffocating. Everyone at the table—Rena, Jungjae, and even Sunghchan(who knew from the begining)—stared at her in stunned silence. Their eyes widened, unable to believe what they had just heard.

There was no coming back from this. No fixing the mess he had made. The look on Rena's face, the shocked silence that followed, and the way the room felt colder with every passing second made it clear: he had crossed a line.

And as Sunghoon stood there, his expression hardening, his eyes narrowing, Iseul realized that everything was falling apart. There was no way to undo what he had just done. The damage was done.

Her grip on her bag tightened, and with one final glance at the table—at the faces of the people who were now forever aware of the truth—she walked out of the room. There was nothing left for her here. Nothing that could make this okay.

As she left, she could feel the weight of the room pressing down on her back, the eyes of everyone still on her. She didn't look back. She couldn't. Sunghoon had made sure there was no way forward, no way to undo the hurt. The truth was out, and so was she.

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the charac dev is gonna be hard af