Chapter 79: Standing Side-by-side

138 9 0
                                    

After leaving the hotel, Yonghwa dragged his lifeless body through the streets. So this is how it felt to be betrayed; anger, embarrassment, shame, and loss of control, a thousand emotions coursed through his veins.

For Shinhye, he had given up everything. He even broke up with Jooeun. Yet, in the end, this is what he got in return: catching her in bed with someone else. He felt that his sincere heart had been played like a game by Shinhye.

So back when Jooeun discovered him cheating with Shinhye, this is how she felt. He wanted to crumble Shinhye in his hands; he wanted to skin her and break all her bones. But even if he did all that, it still would not be enough to curb his hatred because he had already given so much and sacrificed so much of his youth.

For Shinhye, he threw away Jooeun and abandoned his sister; he gave up everything to help her advance. In exchange, he found her in bed with someone else. The indescribable pain is rooted in his heart as it sprouted into anger and other complicated emotions, swallowing him whole. Three years of love ended in nothing.

Jooeun.

He had once treated Jooeun in the same way. Thinking of Jooeun, he remembered all the humiliation and torture he had put her through. If this is meant to be the most painful form of karma, he is already at the point where he's in so much pain he'd rather die. He kneeled on the floor defeated; this kind of humiliation, he would only allow it to happen once!

In the end, Yonghwa phoned Jooeun. In a calm voice, he spoke. "Jooeun, can you come back?"

On the other end of the phone, Jooeun is packing her and Jeonghwan's luggage. Hearing Yonghwa's question, she's slightly stunned. "What do you mean?"

"Come back to my side. I'll give the best to you."

Jooeun stopped what she's doing. Her eyes contained a sense of ridicule that Yonghwa could not see. "If I want something, I can get it myself. I don't need you. President Jung, if that's it, I will hang up first."

"Can you not leave CN?"

Jooeun hung up the phone without responding and continued to pack her luggage. She could roughly guess what had happened between Shinhye and Yonghwa. Originally she thought she would look forward to this day, but this isn't the result she wanted to see. Yonghwa is turning back, not because he's truly regretful, but because he probably experienced the same kind of betrayal as her.

Not long after, Jeonghwan packed away his documents and headed into the bedroom. Seeing Jooeun standing beside the bed in a daze, he stretched out his arms and hugged her. "Sorry, I've been working till so late."

Jooeun returned Jeonghwan's hug as she tried her best to absorb the warmth from his body. "I know you are trying to make time to go overseas with me."

"What's wrong?" Jeonghwan noticed a slight change in her voice; they had developed an understanding between each other over time. Although Jooeun isn't someone that usually spoke much, Jeonghwan could still sense a change in her emotions by simply looking at her expression.

"I think Shinhye and Yonghwa have split. I just suddenly feel a sense of realization. I've figured out whether I've done all this to seek revenge on them or to do something for myself. I understand now: of course it is important to make them face their consequences, but more importantly, I want to stand side-by-side with you, on the same level."

Jeonghwan gently stroked her black hair comfortingly before carrying her over to the bed. "Good girl, close your eyes. We will be going overseas tomorrow. I will always keep you company."

Jooeun closed her eyes peacefully; within Jeonghwan's embrace she fell asleep sweetly because she knew, the day they return from overseas would be the day she'd take care of Shinhye, once and for all!

Early the next morning, before Jooeun even got the chance to board the plane, JYP leaked the news that they had actually been after a different model in CN, not Jooeun.

Everyone assumed, JYP only said this because they had been repeatedly rejected by Jooeun and this is the only way for them to save their pride. As for the other model they mentioned, it couldn't be anyone else but Park Shinhye.

"Is Park Shinhye about to make a comeback again?"

"Did she steal a big contract from Cha Jooeun?"

"Sl*t! She's not worthy of it!"

The netizens snorted in contempt; they did not think Shinhye's personality deserved any compliments. If JYP is really going to work with her, then it would be hard to imagine how many contacts and schemes she used; or even how many higher-ups she slept with. However, these negative reactions didn't stop Shinhye from climbing up the hottest topic rankings.

"Jooeun, do you want me to investigate what happened?" Minjung looked at the news in discomfort. No matter what Shinhye wanted to do, it is her own business. But the fact that Shinhye used Jooeun to create hype made Minjung disgusted.

"This may not have happened for no reason." Jooeun replied. "Unnie, I have a feeling Yonghwa and Shinhye have split. If this is the case, take notice of Shinhye, she may get an abortion. We have to make sure she at least keeps it until the awards ceremony."

Minjung froze for a moment before nodding. "I understand, I will do something about it."

"It doesn't matter how her relationship with Yonghwa is. Since she owes me, I will definitely make her pay for it!"

Meanwhile, Yonghwa also saw the news online. His handsome face immediately swept over with a cold expression; it seemed Shinhye really did sleep with a big shot. No wonder she managed to secure a Top Ten Model Award; now she also had the opportunity to join JYP.

Did she want to just leave like this? As if it would be that easy.

Just as Yonghwa is about to take action, Shinhye threw open his office door and entered as usual. She looked exhausted with swollen red eyes.

"What are you here for?" Yonghwa's voice is a little hoarse like he's trying to restrain himself.

"Yonghwa, I'm here to beg for your forgiveness." Shinhye suddenly started shedding tears, she had a pitiful look in her eyes. "I really had no choice; that man had his eyes set on me. He used you and CN to blackmail me. I couldn't do anything. Can you give me 5 minutes to explain?"

Yonghwa looked at her in ridicule like he's looking at an enemy. "Did you think I would still trust your words?"

"Didn't you already hook up with JYP? What? Do you still have an interest in my small company? Shinhye, you really disgust me."

Seeing Yonghwa not budge at all, Shinhye immediately sucked up her tears and laughed coldly. "You can't blame anyone for this. If you had the ability to protect me and are capable of stepping on top of Jooeun, I wouldn't have had to go down this path. I've been your lover for 3 years. But what have you given me? All you have given me is a failure. Yonghwa, don't forget, I still have your child in me. What do you plan on doing about this child?"

Trial Marriage Husband (Pangyo Couple version)Where stories live. Discover now