Groom: Lee Jung-Jae 

Bride: Kim Seol-ran 

The bride’s name is also beautiful. Seol-ah looked at Jung-jae, who was sharply dressed in a tuxedo and remembered recent events. 

A week ago. 

“I’m getting married.” 

“What?” 

“Why are you so surprised? Did you really think that I would marry you?”

Jung-jae’s expression clearly reflected his disbelief. Was it strange for me to think about marriage after three years of dating? Seol-ah’s fists clenched involuntarily, soaked with the betrayal she felt. 

But Jung-jae’s next words were even more shocking.

“Hey, why should I marry a girl with no background or qualifications like you? I thought you were just someone who liked hanging out with me. Were you really serious about us?” 

Seol-ah’s pride was crushed under the weight of his incredulous look and she felt as discarded as a rotten apple thrown to the ground. She realized then that the saying about supporting your friend only to be tossed aside like an old shoe was painfully true. 

“So you’re saying you’ve never loved me in the three years we’ve been together?” 

“Come on, are you going to start with the cheesy love talk? I didn’t know you were such a cliché.” 

Jung-jae rubbed his arms in shame. It was then that Seol-ah realized that Lee Jung-jae had only been using her for the past three years. 

“Seol-ah, I’m hungry. Can you get something for me? I can’t leave right now, I’m really focused.” 

“Seol-ah, can you wash and dry my clothes today? I have nothing to wear.”

“Seol-ah, can you make some side dishes? It seems like a waste of time to have everything delivered. I’ll pay you back when I get a job in a big company.”  

He asked her for everything and promised to pay her back when he got a job in a big company. But now that he had that job, he was the one who said they should break up because she didn’t have some qualifications or background.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!” 

It’s true what they say – when something is so absurd, all you can do is laugh. Seol-ah doubled over with laughter. 

“Hey, are you crazy?” 

Jung-jae looked at her as he felt the eyes of the people around them turn in their direction at Seol-ah’s loud laughter. 

“Yes, I’m crazy. What about it?” 

“Hey, people are watching! You’re making a scene! Let’s just break up, alright? And who knows? You might find someone better than me. You never know how things will turn out, right?”

“Are you really saying that to comfort me?”

Seol-ah laughed so hard that tears filled her eyes. Afraid of crying instead, she quickly bit down on her cheek. 

“Yes, you’re right. I appreciate you telling me I could find someone better. I’ll make sure I do.”

“Exactly, you’re thinking clearly. You don’t have to stay in this situation forever, do you?”

Whether it was comfort or mockery—and it was a mockery—Seol-ah severed the lingering feelings she had for Jung-jae as if she were slicing through them with a knife.

“Before we part for good, I have one last thing to give you.” 

“Huh? What is it?” 

Jung-jae’s eyes brightened, probably because he was used to receiving gifts from her. He believed that she would give him something in this situation. It was clear that she was just a fool in his eyes. As the harsh reality sank in once more, Seol-ah got up from her seat.

Seol-ah, you are such a fool. How could you ever think someone like him was charming?

As she stood up, Seol-ah grabbed the glass of iced Americano in front of her. Just as Jung-jae’s eyes widened in shock, she splashed the coffee all over his head. 

The ice and coffee drenched Jung-jae’s hair, face, and clothes. 

“Hey! Are you out of your mind?” 

“Yes, I’m out of my mind! So you better watch out from now on. They say there’s no cure for being bitten by a mad dog, right? Well, I’m that mad dog right now, so stay out of my way. Got it?”

Determined to erase the past three years from her memory, Seol-ah turned away without a trace of regret.

As she walked away, she let go of what had once been a wonderful three-year relationship, gritting her teeth in frustration and muttering to herself.

“Yeah, there’s no reason I can’t meet someone better than you.” 

Recalling the events from a week ago, Seol-ah looked at Jung-jae, who was beaming as he greeted guests at the entrance of the wedding hall. She quickly turned away.

“Please live well, it will make your downfall even more miserable.” 

As Seol-ah looked at the luxurious venue, which could be booked at least a year in advance, a wave of despair washed over her. It meant that Jung-jae had promised to marry that woman at least a year ago.

“Did Kim Seol-ran even know that I exist?”

Seol-ah shook her head in disbelief. There was no way. What kind of foolish woman would want to marry a man who had cheated on someone else? 

‘Oh! Why not just go all out and completely lose my mind?’

When she considered returning to the bride’s waiting room to confront Kim Seol-ran about her existence, she quickly dismissed the thought. She knew it would only result in more heartache for her.

* * * 

“!” 

Seol-ah was jolted awake, her eyes fluttering open at the sound of running water. Holding her breath, she scanned the room, her eyes darting to every corner. 

This wasn’t her studio apartment; it couldn’t possibly be this big, this grand, and this clean. 

As she stared at the luxurious ceiling fan above her, a wave of unease washed over her. Fidgeting, she reached to the side, trying to figure out where she was.

The lingering warmth still surrounded her, indicating that someone had been lying next to her only moments before. She wasn’t in her own bed; she was n*ked in a foreign room, and the warmth next to her meant one thing: she had definitely had a one-night stand. 

She remembered drinking heavily the night before out of frustration, but how she had ended up in this situation with a man was completely unclear.

Deciding to get dressed first, she made up her mind to escape.

“Ah, ugh!” 

As Seol-ah tried to get out of bed, a sharp pain shot through her lower body, causing her to instinctively cover her mouth to stifle a groan.