Back-Stabbed- DISCONTINUED

Episode 9: Title: Double Trouble: The Mysterious Side

Hwa Yeong, with a shocked expression that she carefully concealed, muttered under her breath, "Speaking of the devil!" She then switched to an excited tone, hugging Ahn Aera as she approached, "Aera!! Why didn't you come earlier?" She added fake sobs to her act.

Ahn Aera explained her delay, "I didn't know where you were admitted. When I found out, I came because I also learned that Gyeon Seok was admitted to the same hospital. Don't cry! I'm sure Haneul took good care of you. And Yeongshii, can I speak to you... alone?"

Hwa Yeong readily agreed, "You want to talk to me alone? Let's go! I have so many things to tell you," she sighed, silently pondering, "Why would she even care about me and Gyeon Seok being in the same hospital? What if Gyeon Seok is actually right?"

They entered Hwa Yeong's hospital room, where they would have privacy, away from prying eyes or any potential surveillance. Aera locked the door, and they were finally alone.

Hwa Yeong woke up with a start, finding Ahn Aera and Haneul next to her, engaged in conversation.

Ahn Aera began with concern in her voice, "Hwa Yeong, what did you do? Gyeon Seok was found dead, and you took a whole..." She paused, allowing herself a moment to sob, "...a freaking whole day to wake up."

Hwa Yeong, struggling to comprehend the news, stammered, "Gye... Gyeon Seok's dead? Are you saying I killed him?"

Ahn Aera clarified, "No, no, chingu, look at me. You didn't kill him; the doctors just failed to save him. Plus, you have killed many before, why are you afraid? Can I talk to you alone?"

Feeling that something was off, Hwa Yeong hesitated, "No, I don't feel really good right now. I feel sleepy. I feel like I need more rest. I'm sorry, but can we talk later? When I feel better?"

Ahn Aera accepted her decision, saying, "Okay, take care of yourself... I need to go now." She walked out of the room.

Haneul, who had been silently observing, inquired, "How are you feeling?"

Hwa Yeong, putting on a brave front, replied, "Good! Right, how are your wounds? Have you eaten yet? If not, let's go."

Confused by her sudden change in demeanor, Haneul asked, "I thought you wanted to rest."

Hwa Yeong, suppressing her true feelings, responded, "I don't! You should go back." she smiles, "I'm going to take a walk."

Haneul, still puzzled, probed further, "Did you and Aera fight? I don't understand! You were willing to do anything for her, so much that it made me jealous, but now you told her no."

Hwa Yeong dismissed his concerns, "It's okay; you don't need to understand. For now, you should go back home. Come, let me see you off."

As they reached the exit gate, Hwa Yeong pushed Haneul out.

A concerned Haneul, warned, "Don't, you still are a patient..."

He then continued, "If anything happens, call me and Aera told me she would kill me if I don't... never mind."

Hwa Yeong, grinning slyly, teased, "If you don't...? Ah! That!" She smirks.

Haneul picked up on her cues and played along, "You heard her."

Hwa Yeong playfully flirted, "Of course, and I thought we are a thing right now? Are we not?"

Haneul, equally playful, responded, "Wow! I thought you were the shy type, but you are not... Bye!!"

Hwa Yeong bid him farewell, laughing, "HAHAHA!! Bye!"

Returning to her room, she began preparing to be discharged.

Ahn Bora, with an evil smirk, appeared suddenly and startled Hwa Yeong, who exclaimed, "What? I... I thought you left already."

Ahn Bora grinned mischievously, "Oh... she didn't tell you about me?"

Confused, Hwa Yeong asked, "She? She who?"

Ahn Bora dropped the revelation, "Aera, she didn't tell you?"

Hwa Yeong, taken aback, questioned, "Aera has a twin?"

Ahn Bora corrected her with a wicked laugh, "No, so I take it she didn't tell you; she is really too dumb. Let me introduce myself... wait... we should get a cup of ramyeon and talk."

Hwa Yeong, still perplexed, pointed out, "You don't like ramyeon, Aera. You and me, both only like tteokbokki... did you forget?"

Ahn Bora disclosed her identity with a sinister laugh, "You do?? Also, I am not Aera... Don't confuse me with that two-goody boot... I am better... I am Ahn Bora. (laughs evilly)"

Hwa Yeong's confusion deepened, "Bora?? What the heck?! I thought I was the one that got hurt and not you. Do you have a fever or something?" She attempted to touch Bora's forehead, but Bora seized her hand, preventing her.

Hwa Yeong suspected something was amiss, mumbling to herself, "Since when does Aera have good reflexes, maybe she is actually Bora?"