The Fabricated Heiress (JaeRosé)

o26 Paper Hearts

"Are you okay?" Jaehyun kept asking me the same question again and again as he was driving me home.

All my responses were either a nod or none at all. I am basically not feeling myself during the whole ride, and I am thankful that he knows where I am coming from. I cannot process what just happened earlier. I am still in the mode of shock. I can't believe Yuna found me.

"We're here," Jaehyun said.

I looked outside the window of his car and saw that we were already in front of my condo building.

"Thank you for the ride," I told him.

When I was about to remove the seat belts from me, Jaehyun held my hand to stop me and did it on his own instead.

"Thank you." I said curtly.

"You're welcome," He smiled kindly. "And I am sorry for what happened today."

"I told you, all of this is none of your fault," I assured him.

"So... see you tomorrow?" He carefully asked.

"Yeah. Tomorrow." Right. We are going to Daegu. I almost forgot about that.

"Good night, Rose." Jaehyun said softly.

"Good night to you too." That was the last thing I said before stepping out of Jaehyun's car.

After that, I waited for his car to leave before I decided to enter the building. There I saw Irene walking in the lobby. She's probably staying inside my unit.

"Hey," she called me out. "Why the long face?"

Irene is smart. She knows whatever my face is trying to project, no matter how I try my best to have a facade so that no one will be able to read me. I know she knows something's happening.

I did not give her any response and instead walked towards the elevator. She followed me which indicated that she is getting the cue that I am trying to resonate with her. I would like us to talk properly so we can both plan.

As soon as we arrived in front of my unit, I sighed and took the courage that I cannot seem to bring since earlier.

"Someone in the orphanage found me."

"What?" Irene calmly said. "Pardon me?"

"Someone in the orphanage found me and we were not on good terms at all." I answered again, but now in a more elaborate manner.

We were now inside my unit. I slumped down in the sofa of my living room and massaged my temple.

"That's so fucked up," She responded like she's already having a grasp of what's happening.

Irene walked around the living room while biting her nails as if stressing out.

"What should we do? You're fucked. It's just about time that she will reveal your past."

Silence whispered in the whole room, before I spoke up once again.

"I will break up with Eunwoo..."

"You're breaking up with who?! Then what about all the things that we did? Stop being so impulsive." Irene nagged while pointing at me. Rather than angry, I just know she was frustrated.

"It may have looked like an impulsive decision, but I thought about it through. I just don't want this exhausting life anymore. I don't want to be in prison for being a fabricated heiress. I am just so sick of it." I said, emphasizing the last sentence. "I am sorry, Irene. I know you have been so helpful to me, but I can't forever be like this. I think this was a sign for me to stop this exhausting life that I chose."