Between Love and Friendship [BL]

Part 3

The day of the wedding dawns bright and clear. I force myself out of bed, dress in my best suit, and head to the church. The ceremony is beautiful, just like Ji-won and Hye-jin deserve.

As they exchange vows, my heart shatters. I sit through the ceremony, numb and detached. When Ji-won kisses his bride, I have to look away.

At the reception, I keep my distance. I watch Ji-won dance with his wife, surrounded by friends and family. I should be happy for him, but all I feel is emptiness.

I manage to make it through the toasts, the laughter, the endless congratulations. But every moment is a fresh wound, every smile a reminder of what I've lost.

Finally, I can't take it anymore. I slip out of the reception hall and find a quiet corner outside. The night is cool and silent, a stark contrast to the chaos inside.

I lean against the wall, taking deep breaths, trying to steady myself. Tears blur my vision, and I let them fall. There's no one here to see, no one here to judge.

"In-su?"

The voice startles me, and I look up to see Ji-won standing there, his expression unreadable. "What are you doing out here? Are you crying?"

"No, I needed some air," I say, my voice shaky.

He steps closer, his eyes searching mine. "You've been acting strange for months. I know something's wrong. Please, just talk to me."

The concern in his voice is my undoing. The dam breaks, and the words spill out before I can stop them. "I love you, Ji-won. I've always loved you."

For a moment, there's silence. Then Ji-won takes a step back, his face pale. "What?"

"I'm sorry," I whisper, the tears streaming down my face. "I know you don't feel the same way. I just... I needed you to know."

The silence stretches on, heavy and suffocating. Finally, Ji-won speaks, his voice barely audible. "In-su, I..."

"Forget it," I say, wiping my tears away. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

But Ji-won shakes his head, his eyes filled with something I can't quite place. "No, I'm glad you told me that. I just... I don't know what to say."

I force a smile, even though it feels like my heart is breaking all over again. "You don't have to say anything. Just... be happy, okay?"

Ji-won nods, but the look in his eyes tells me that things will never be the same. And as I walk away, leaving him behind, I know that I've lost him forever.