Chained by Expectations | Park Sunghoon

Thirty-four

In Haneul's cozy living room, the atmosphere was filled with occasional laughter as Sunghoon, Haneul, Jay, and Sunoo enjoyed each other's company while watching a movie. Haneul lay cuddling with Sunghoon on one end of her couch, wrapped in a blanket that engulfed them both, while Sunoo and Jay sat at the other end, fully immersed in the film playing on the screen.

Sunghoon, whispering in Haneul's ear, adjusted the blanket before breaking the news. "I'll have to head out soon," he said quietly, not wanting to interrupt the intense movie-watching happening at the other end of the couch.

"Why?" Haneul asked, squeezing Sunghoon tighter, reluctant to let him go.

"I told Jake I would meet him at his office to discuss some things," Sunghoon answered, his voice hushed.

"But I don't want you to go," Haneul playfully whined, reluctantly releasing her hold.

Sunghoon sat up, laughing lightly at her protest. "Do you want to spend the night with me tonight? I can drive you to work tomorrow," he suggested.

Hesitant, Haneul nodded, giving him a light peck on the lips. "Ugh, get a room," Sunoo muttered from the other end of the couch.

Haneul chuckled as she walked Sunghoon to the door, after he bid his goodbye to Jay and Sunoo. Once out of view from the duo on the couch, Haneul tugged at Sunghoon's arm, causing him to turn around. She crashed her lips onto his, catching him off guard. Sunghoon quickly reciprocated the steamy kiss, and Haneul wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with the hair on the nape. at first his hands wrapped around her waist before they fell lower giving her butt a light squeeze.

She deepened the kiss, gently biting his lip, earning a groan from him before she pulled away. "Be quick, and text me when you're on your way back," she said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

Panting, trying to catch his breath, Sunghoon caught her waist with one arm, pulling her back in for another steamy kiss. Breaking away, he whispered in the nape of her neck, "You can't do that and then expect me to want to leave."

"I'll be back in a bit to pick you up," he promised, kissing her one last time before leaving and closing the door behind him.

Haneul walked back into the living room, plopping down on the couch as Sunoo and Jay immediately turned off the TV. Sunoo let out a big sigh, breaking the silence. "Finally, he's gone, and now you can spill the deets," he said, leaning in with curiosity.

"Yeah, what happened? I thought you said you hated him?" Jay added, his eyes fixated on Haneul.

Haneul tried to play dumb, asking, "What do you mean?" attempting to avoid their prying questions.

"We mean that just a few days ago, you said you wanted nothing to do with him, and now you're cuddled up with him and making out with him in the hallway," Sunoo said, glaring at her, causing her cheeks to flush.

"Yeah, just because we can't see you doesn't mean we can't hear you. Now start talking," Sunoo demanded, both of them waiting attentively.

Haneul sighed, starting to reveal the complexities of her feelings. "Look, I'm still mad at him for the contract and everything, don't get me wrong. But I have to admit, even I asked about getting a divorce a couple of weeks, maybe a month, into the arranged marriage. I'm still mad that he lied to me," She continued "but i feel like he's telling me the truth now." she finally said.

Sunoo and Jay exchanged glances before refocusing on her. "Okay, but that doesn't change that he literally framed you for cheating, and your dad almost disowned you because of him," Sunoo said sternly.

"I know, I know. Just hear me out, okay? I'm starting to have my suspicions about who sent those pictures. He told me it wasn't him, and I don't know, but I believe him," Haneul explained, finally looking at them.