Ruby(Red 2) JC [Revised]

7: Seungcheol Is Mine

"You two know each other?" Aerin's innocent question sent a ripple of unease through the air, catching both Jeonghan and Hyungwon off guard. Seungcheol observed the exchange with a furrowed brow, sensing a tension that he couldn't quite decipher. Why was Jeonghan so anxious, and how did he know Hyungwon? The pieces of the puzzle didn't quite fit together in Seungcheol's mind.

As Aerin looked from Hyungwon to Jeonghan, her curiosity piqued, Seungcheol noticed a flicker of panic in Jeonghan's eyes—a subtle shift that didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room. Why was Jeonghan reacting this way? Had he mentioned Hyungwon before, and Seungcheol simply hadn't picked up on it?

"We do actually, isn't it, Han?" Hyungwon's mischievous grin widened as he addressed Jeonghan, his tone playful yet loaded with underlying implications.

Aerin's brow furrowed in confusion, sensing the tension between the two men. "You do, babe?" Aerum interjected, her raised eyebrow echoing Aerin's curiosity.

"And you are?" Hyungwon asked, his gaze shifting from Jeonghan to Aerum with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"His fiancé," Aerum replied, her voice tinged with pride and possessiveness, though beneath the surface, her heart was racing with uncertainty.

Hyungwon's smile widened mischievously as he extended his hand towards Aerum. "Well, hi fiancé," he greeted, his tone teasing. "I'm your would-be husband's ex, Chae Hyungwon. We used to date when he was a freshman in Toronto."

Aerum's eyes widened in shock as Hyungwon's words sank in, each syllable like a dagger to her heart. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she struggled to process the revelation. Her mind raced with questions, her emotions a turbulent storm of hurt and betrayal.

"Anyways, it was nice meeting you again, Han," Hyungwon continued casually, seemingly unfazed by the bombshell he had just dropped. With a nonchalant farewell, he turned to leave, leaving behind a palpable tension in his wake.

As Hyungwon's footsteps faded into the distance, an awkward silence settled over the group. Aerum's sobs broke the quietude, her heartache echoing in the empty space. Jeonghan stood frozen, grappling with the weight of his past and the pain he had caused.

Seungcheol felt a surge of panic grip him as he watched Aerum's distress unfold before him. His mind raced with the fear of losing her, his heart aching at the thought of her pain.

Meanwhile, Aerin observed the scene with a sense of satisfaction, her lips curved in a subtle smirk. She had orchestrated this encounter with precision, and now she watched as her plan unfolded exactly as she had intended. Despite the chaos and heartache, she felt a thrill of victory at the success of her manipulation.

"I just can't take this anymore." Aerum dashed out of the boutique in tears, Jeonghan felt the impulse to chase after her, but Aerin intervened, suggesting she would go check on her instead. Reluctantly, Jeonghan nodded, his frustration boiling beneath the surface. His gaze shifted to Seungcheol, his anger igniting at the sight of him. Without hesitation, he seized Seungcheol's collar, his eyes ablaze with accusation.

Seungcheol's expression shifted from confusion to shock at Jeonghan's sudden outburst. "What the hell, Jeonghan?"

"You orchestrated all of this, didn't you?" Jeonghan's voice was laced with accusation, his grip tightening on Seungcheol's collar.

Seungcheol's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why would I do that?"

"You knew about Hyungwon, and you're the one who booked this boutique knowing he owns it."

"Hold on a second," Seungcheol began, regaining his composure and straightening his shirt. "You never told me about the name of your ex. How would I know that Hyungwon is the one? And why would I sabotage my sister's wedding?"