The Villianess's Redemption (HYUNJIN ff) ✓

43.Confessions

Chapter 43: Confessions
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Eliza’s POV

I felt a sudden rush of nervousness, my heart picking up speed as Hyunjin stood before me, his words lingering in the air:

I’m ready to give you my answer.

For a moment, the world around us seemed to blur. The music and laughter from the ball faded into the background as we walked together toward the balcony. The cool night breeze greeted us as we stepped outside, the stars twinkling above in the clear night sky. The view was breathtaking, but my mind was elsewhere, swirling with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.

I glanced at Hyunjin, noticing the slight hesitation in his expression as he looked up at the sky, his hands resting on the balcony’s edge. He seemed deep in thought, and I waited patiently, trying to steady my own heartbeat.

He finally turned to face me, his eyes soft but serious. "Eliza," he began, his voice gentle, "I’ve been thinking a lot about us, about everything that’s happened. You mean so much to me. You've been there for me through so many things, and I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am to have you in my life."

I gave him a small smile, already knowing where this was going. His tone wasn’t filled with the warmth of romantic affection—it was more like the fondness of a dear friend. And somehow, I felt at peace with that. I had thought I would be heartbroken, but now, standing here, I realized I didn’t feel any sadness.

Hyunjin hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "But… something’s changed," he finally said. "I’ve started to feel something new, something I wasn’t expecting. And it’s for someone else—Isabella."

My chest tightened, not out of hurt but out of understanding. This was the moment I had unknowingly prepared myself for.

"I didn’t want to hurt you, Eliza," Hyunjin continued. "And I’m sorry if this comes as a shock, but with these feelings growing for Isabella… I don’t think it would be fair to you or to her if I continued our engagement. So, I’ve decided to break it off."

I looked up at him, waiting for the pain to hit, but instead, I felt relief. I smiled softly and nodded. "I kind of expected that," I said, surprising myself with how steady my voice was. "It’s okay, Hyunjin. Really. I gave you the chance to make your choice, and I’m glad you did."

He blinked, clearly taken aback by my calm reaction. "You’re… not upset?"

I shook my head, the weight lifting from my shoulders. "No. I’m actually relieved. I think… I think we were holding on to something that wasn’t there anymore. And I’m happy for you. I’ll support you and Isabella, whatever happens."

For a moment, Hyunjin looked at me as if searching for any sign of bitterness, but when he found none, he smiled—genuinely. Without a word, he pulled me into a hug, and I let him, resting my head against his chest. His embrace was warm, and for the first time, I realized it felt more like a brotherly hug than anything else.

"Thank you, Eliza," he whispered. "For understanding."

We stayed like that for a while, the cool night air wrapping around us as we stood together under the stars. But what we didn’t know was that someone had been watching us.

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Y/N's POV

I had come to the balcony to escape the noise of the ball, hoping for a moment of peace. But as I neared the edge, I froze. There, standing together under the stars, were Hyunjin and Eliza, locked in an embrace.