Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 3: Fractured Bonds

Juhee stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blouse and trying to shake off the nervous energy that filled her. It was rare for her to have a night off from studying, but tonight was a gathering at her cousin Yeonjun's apartment, and she desperately needed to unwind. As she took a deep breath, she reminded herself that a few hours of laughter and company could help ease the pressure that had been building for weeks.

"Are you ready yet?" her mother called from downstairs, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Almost!" Juhee replied, forcing a smile as she applied the final touches of her makeup. The evening ahead promised a brief escape from the heavy weight of expectations resting on her shoulders.

When they arrived at Yeonjun's place, the atmosphere was vibrant and filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter. The aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, and familiar faces greeted her with warm smiles. She spotted Yeonjun near the kitchen, pouring drinks and chatting with friends. His bright demeanor made her feel a bit lighter.

"There you are! I was starting to think you'd bail on us," Yeonjun said with a grin as he pulled her into a quick hug. "You need to relax and enjoy yourself for once."

"Yeah, I know," Juhee said, attempting to match his enthusiasm. "Just a couple of hours, right?"

As the night progressed, Juhee tried to immerse herself in the festivities, chatting with her friends Karina and Hanbin. Yet, the nagging thoughts of assignments and her brother's resentment lingered in the back of her mind. She felt a growing tension that threatened to unravel her composure.

As she made her way through the lively room, she suddenly spotted her younger brother, Myung Jaehyun, standing in a corner with a group of his first-year friends. His body language was tense, and he appeared to be in the midst of a heated conversation.

"I'm sick of it! I can't just be known as 'Juhee's brother' all the time!" Jaehyun exclaimed, his voice rising above the laughter surrounding them.

Juhee's heart sank. She quickly approached, her stomach tightening as she overheard his words. "Jaehyun," she called out, stepping into the small circle of friends. "Can we talk for a second?"

He turned to her, surprise flashing across his face, but it was quickly replaced by frustration. "What's there to talk about? You're always the center of attention. It's suffocating!"

"I'm not trying to be better than you," Juhee replied, her voice strained as she tried to keep her emotions in check. "I'm just doing what I feel is right for me. Can't you see that?"

"Doing what's right for you?" Jaehyun's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You mean living up to Mom and Dad's expectations? You're so focused on being their perfect daughter that you've forgotten who you are!"

Juhee felt a rush of heat flush her cheeks. "You think this is easy for me? I'm under pressure too! I'm just trying to make something of myself while you throw around your jealousy like it's nothing!"

"Jealousy? Of what? Your perfect grades? Your perfect life?" Jaehyun scoffed, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "I just want to be seen, Juhee! It's hard when you seem to have everything figured out."

In that moment, Juhee's heart ached at his words. She could see the hurt behind his anger, the resentment that had built up over time. "I want you to succeed too! I'm not trying to overshadow you; I just want to make our parents proud."

"Maybe you should try to care more about your family instead of just yourself!" Jaehyun shot back, his voice echoing in the small space, drawing the attention of their friends nearby.

The room fell silent, the atmosphere thick with tension. Juhee felt her throat tighten as the weight of his accusation settled over her. She wished she could explain how deeply she cared, how much she wanted them to be a team again, but the words felt stuck.

Before she could respond, she caught a glimpse of Wonbin leaning against the wall across the room, his drink in hand. His expression was cool, almost indifferent, as he observed the unfolding drama. For a moment, their eyes met, and Juhee felt a strange mix of embarrassment and vulnerability wash over her.

Suddenly, Wonbin's gaze shifted away, dismissing her as quickly as he had looked. She felt a pang of something—maybe regret—before she returned her focus to her brother.

"Jaehyun, please," she said, softer this time, trying to bridge the gap between them. "I care about you. I don't want us to be this way."

But Jaehyun's expression hardened. "You'll never understand how I feel, will you? You're too busy being perfect."

The hurt in his voice cut deeper than she anticipated. "That's not true, Jaehyun," she whispered, her heart aching. "I just want us to be okay again."

As their argument echoed in the now-silent room, Juhee felt exposed, the weight of her brother's words crushing her. She was aware of the curious stares from their friends, the discomfort radiating from those who had witnessed the rift between them.

Wonbin turned away from the scene, pushing past his friends to step outside onto the patio, away from the chaos inside. He needed air, a moment to distance himself from the emotions swirling around him. As he leaned against the railing, he couldn't shake the image of Juhee's strained expression from his mind. The argument had been raw, filled with pain, but it wasn't his place to get involved.

Instead, he resolved to focus on the night ahead. He had a reputation to uphold, a mask to wear, and the rest of the world could drown in their emotions. He had no intention of getting swept away in the tide.

Meanwhile, Juhee stood in the aftermath of her brother's words, feeling the chasm between them widen. The night promised to be filled with laughter and memories, but all she could feel was the weight of expectations and the uncertainty of how to mend the rift with her brother.

Author's note:

That's it for today. I hope you liked the first three chapters. Let me know what y'all think of this story.

Chapter 4: Coming soon👀