MHD - 55

Chapter 55: Interrogation

Hee-soo stood motionless, staring at the glowing screen of her phone until the light faded.

“Now.”

The message was too brief to interpret any intent.

Her hand hovered over the doorknob but then dropped back to her side. Amid the chaos in her mind, one image stood out vividly:

Kwon Chaewon holding a bouquet of white flowers.

A surge of guilt, self-loathing, resentment, and bitterness overwhelmed her all at once. Hee-soo turned off her phone again. Before her eyes, Jae-hyuk had willingly offered his arm to another woman.

“For now, this isn’t right. Wrong is wrong.”

As if reaffirming it to herself, Hee-soo shook her head and slowly turned to leave.

But just then, the door behind her burst open with a loud creak. Startled, she spun around to see Jae-hyuk standing inside the doorway.

“If you’ve come, you should have said something.”

Jae-hyuk smirked as though he’d expected her reaction. His lopsided grin made him look almost angry.

“I came here by mistake.”

Before Hee-soo could finish speaking and turn away, Jae-hyuk grabbed her wrist and yanked her forcefully into the room.

She didn’t even have time to gasp.

In an instant, she was pulled inside and firmly restrained against his chest, her wrists crossed and pinned in front of her. From behind, Jae-hyuk enveloped her tightly, whispering low into her ear.

“Who’s the guy you came with?”

“What does it matter? Let go and we’ll talk.”

“Tell me.”

“Why are you doing this?”

The space where Jae-hyuk held Hee-soo was cramped—a narrow area between the entrance and the seats, meant for hanging coats. It could barely fit three or four adults standing together.

Though the seating area was concealed by curtains, anyone seated beyond them might still overhear their conversation. What worried Hee-soo most was Kwon Chaewon, who had arrived with Jae-hyuk.

Where was Chaewon now? Was she sitting behind the curtain watching the performance, or had she stepped out temporarily?

Anxious that someone might emerge from behind the curtain at any moment, Hee-soo struggled in Jae-hyuk’s arms and pleaded.

“What if someone sees us?”

“Would it be a problem if we got caught?”

“That’s not funny.”

“I don’t care. Maybe it’d be better if the guy you came with saw us.”

What nonsense.

Fury surged through Hee-soo. Clenching her teeth, she shot back in a voice sharp with thorns.

“Is that why you called me here?”

“Yes.”

“Let me go.”

“Tell me.”

During their struggle, Hee-soo’s phone slipped from her hand. Her anxious gaze darted between the curtain and the door.

“Is he someone you’re seeing now? Did I tell you it’s over, and you’ve already moved on?”

Hee-soo found his absurd accusation laughable.

“It’s not like that. And even if I were seeing someone, why should it matter to you?”

“Why shouldn’t it matter?”

Jae-hyuk abruptly spun Hee-soo around. The force of his movement reversed their positions, tangling their legs together. They stumbled backward until Hee-soo’s body slammed against the door.

Thud.

Leaning against the door, Hee-soo glared up at Jae-hyuk, her eyes brimming with reproach.

“What’s gotten into you?”

“You really don’t know? Because of you, I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

The enclosed space behind the curtain was pitch dark. Hee-soo couldn’t make out Jae-hyuk’s face, leaving her unable to gauge his expression.

All she felt was his ragged breathing brushing against her cheek and the painful grip on her wrists, which had gone numb from lack of circulation.

One thing was certain—he was absolutely furious.

Clap, clap, clap.

At that moment, applause erupted, and light seeped through the curtains. Voices and murmurs quickly filled the hallway beyond the door.

“How long is the intermission? Ten minutes?”

“I need to use the restroom first.”

The first act must have ended, as people began stepping out into the hallway to stretch or chat. Amid the unfamiliar voices, a familiar one caught Hee-soo’s attention.

“Where did Hee-soo go? Han-young, can you call Seo Hee-soo for me?”

“Sure, Director. Just a moment.”

Both Hee-soo and Jae-hyuk froze, holding their breath as they listened intently to the conversation just outside the door. The voices were so close it felt as though the speakers were standing right next to them.

Buzz.

Moments later, Hee-soo’s phone, lying on the carpeted floor, lit up and vibrated. Fortunately, the thick carpet muffled the sound.

“Director, she’s not answering.”

“She left without saying anything? Did something come up? Even if something happened, she should’ve at least said something.”

As the voices gradually faded away, Jae-hyuk let out a hollow laugh.

“What was all that about? Turns out it wasn’t a big deal.”

Thanks to the faint light leaking through the curtains, Hee-soo could now make out Jae-hyuk’s face more clearly. His brow was deeply furrowed, his eyes narrowed, and his expression was tinged with frustration and emptiness.

“…You dragged me here just to ask me this?”

Hee-soo tried to pull her wrist free from his grip, shaking her arm.

“That’s right. I called you here just to ask this.”

Jae-hyuk’s low, mocking reply came as he leaned closer, whispering into her ear.

“I’m losing my mind.”

“What are you talking about? Why are you—”

Before she could finish berating him, Jae-hyuk’s lips crashed onto hers.

“Mmph.”

His tongue aggressively invaded her mouth, exploring every inch. Hee-soo thrashed against him in resistance, but her struggles were futile.

Unfazed by her defiance, Jae-hyuk pressed deeper, taking complete control. Helpless against his uninvited intrusion, Hee-soo suddenly bit down hard on his lip.

Startled, Jae-hyuk pulled back slightly, giving Hee-soo the chance to push him away with all her might and slap him across the face.

“Stop it!”

But instead of recoiling, Jae-hyuk laughed maniacally, as if her reaction amused him.

“That hurt. It woke me up.”

“Are you insane?”

He nodded at her accusation, chuckling bitterly before lunging at her again.

“Yes, I’m insane. Clearly, I’ve gone mad. There’s no other explanation for this.”

“Let me go!”

Ignoring her protests, he tightened his grip on her waist and yanked her body flush against his.

Pulled forcefully back into his embrace, her body pressed tightly against his. The firm sensation against her lower abdomen made Hee-soo’s face flush crimson.

“You’re really out of your mind. Are you even the Lee Jae-hyuk I know?”

“The Lee Jae-hyuk you knew died a long time ago. So, you’d better get used to this.”

“What are you talking about, all of a sudden?”

“When I saw the man standing next to you, I thought I’d lose my mind. Yes, you’re right—I’ve completely lost it.”

“Aren’t you the one who came here with the woman you’re supposed to marry? Who’s calling who crazy now?”

“Were you really fine with it? Seeing someone else by my side didn’t bother you at all?”

His pent-up emotions exploded like a dam breaking. His furious expression carried an unspoken question: What about your feelings?

Overwhelmed by his raw confession, Hee-soo couldn’t process or accept what he was saying.

“You were the one who said we should end things. You called it a parting gift, acting like everything was over.”

“Yes, I tried to do something about it. I wanted to find a way to pry open your tightly shut lips.”

“Why go this far?”

As soon as Hee-soo finished speaking, Jae-hyuk let out a bitter laugh.

“Because I had to. If I hadn’t, I think I would’ve died before I could get you to open up.”

His strained voice mixed with ragged breaths. Each word seemed torn from his chest. Laughing bitterly, as though incredulous at himself, he muttered under his breath.

“Only I should be by your side. Yes, this is a lesson I’ve learned for sure.”

Was he implying he’d keep their relationship separate from marriage? Was he planning to live recklessly like those stereotypical spoiled chaebol heirs? Hee-soo asked him directly.

“You said you had someone you’re marrying.”

“Does that matter? She’s disposable.”

“……?!”

Before she could process his words, Jae-hyuk’s lips crashed onto hers again.

“Mmph.”

Her heart raced wildly, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. She tried to make sense of the situation, but her thoughts were a jumbled mess.

It felt as though her very soul was being sucked in as she involuntarily accepted his kiss.

Their wet lips clung together, parting and reconnecting in a heated rhythm. Defiantly, Jae-hyuk sucked on her lower lip as if daring her to bite back.

No matter how hard she pushed him away, escape was impossible. When she tried to turn her head, his hand gripped the nape of her neck, forcing her to face him.

Jae-hyuk’s tongue invaded her mouth once more, delving deep inside. She clenched her teeth, trying to resist, but his relentless suction overpowered her defenses, leaving her helpless.

His intense gaze locked onto her eyes, pinning her in place.

Bound by his stare, Hee-soo felt herself surrender at some point.

Her lips, bitten and sucked with bruising force, swelled under his assault. Their bodies pressed tightly together, heat rising between them. As her waist arched backward, Jae-hyuk leaned down, pulling her chest flush against his.

Through their connected torsos, their hearts beat as one. The pounding sound reverberating in her ears wasn’t from the performance—it was her own racing heartbeat.

Her earlier resistance melted away, replaced by an unspoken craving. Hee-soo clung to Jae-hyuk, her body instinctively seeking his touch as he claimed her.

[Dear audience members, please return to your seats. Act 2 will begin shortly.]

The announcement echoed through the theater, followed by silence.

Soon, sweet music began to play, signaling the start of Black Swan’s second act. The familiar melody reached Hee-soo’s ears.

Summoned by the music that evoked memories of her past, Hee-soo suddenly snapped back to reality. She couldn’t let herself be swept away by fleeting emotions and repeat the mistakes of her past.

With all her strength, she shoved Jae-hyuk away.

“No. This isn’t right. I don’t want this.”

It was as much a promise to herself as it was a rejection of him.

Without looking at his face, Hee-soo quickly opened the door and bolted out of the box seat, fleeing as if running for her life.