“The Moment My Heart Started Changing”

Ji-ah stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing herself.

The simple girl who worked in a café… was now wearing an elegant dress, her hair softly styled, her appearance completely transformed.

“Is this really me…?” she whispered.

“Stop staring. We’re getting late.”

Seo-jun’s voice came from behind.

Ji-ah turned around, slightly startled.

He looked the same as always—perfect, calm, distant.

But standing next to him like this…

made her feel like she didn’t belong.

They arrived at a grand hotel.

Bright lights. Expensive cars. People dressed like they lived in another world.

Ji-ah hesitated.

“I… don’t think I can do this.”

Seo-jun looked at her.

“You already agreed.”

“I know, but—”

Before she could finish—

He gently held her hand.

Ji-ah froze.

“Stay close,” he said quietly.

Her heart skipped a beat.

That one touch felt… too real.

Inside, whispers surrounded them.

“Who is she?”

“Is that Seo-jun’s girlfriend?”

“She’s not from our circle…”

Ji-ah could hear everything.

Her grip tightened slightly.

Seo-jun noticed.

“Don’t listen,” he murmured.

For the first time… his voice sounded soft.

The night continued with forced smiles and fake introductions.

Ji-ah tried her best to act natural.

But inside—

She felt small.

Out of place.

Like she was pretending to be someone she wasn’t.

Suddenly, a woman approached them.

Elegant. Confident.

Perfect.

“Seo-jun,” she smiled. “You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend.”

Ji-ah felt the tension.

“This is Yoon Ji-ah,” Seo-jun said calmly.

The woman’s eyes scanned Ji-ah from head to toe.

“Oh… I see.”

That smile didn’t feel kind.

After she left, Ji-ah lowered her gaze.

“You don’t have to do this,” she said quietly.

Seo-jun frowned. “Do what?”

“Pretend like I belong here.”

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then—

“You’re doing fine.”

Ji-ah looked up, surprised.

It wasn’t much.

But those words…

felt warm.

Later that night, after the event ended, Ji-ah finally exhaled.

“That was exhausting…” she sighed.

Seo-jun watched her silently.

“You didn’t run away,” he said.

Ji-ah smiled slightly. “I wanted to.”

“…But I didn’t.”

For a brief moment—

They both smiled.

Something between them shifted.

Something small…

but real.

But just as Ji-ah started to feel comfortable—

Her vision blurred.

Her body felt weak.

“Ji-ah?”

The world spun.

And everything went dark.

When she opened her eyes—

She was in a hospital.

The beeping sound of machines filled the room.

Seo-jun stood nearby, his expression tense.

“You collapsed,” he said.

Ji-ah tried to sit up. “I’m fine—”

“Don’t.”

His voice was sharp.

But his eyes…

were filled with worry.

That scared her more.

“Why do you look like that?” she asked softly.

Seo-jun didn’t answer.

At that moment, a doctor walked in.

“Are you her guardian?” he asked Seo-jun.

“…Yes.”

Ji-ah’s heart skipped.

The doctor sighed.

“We need to talk.”

Something in his tone felt heavy.

Serious.

Dangerous.

Ji-ah’s fingers tightened on the bedsheet.

“What is it…?” she whispered.

The doctor looked at her gently.

“You’ve been ignoring your health for too long.”

A pause.

Then—

“There’s a serious condition we need to address immediately.”

Silence.

Ji-ah felt her world crack again.

Not now…

Not when things were just starting to change…

She slowly looked at Seo-jun.

His face was pale.

For the first time—

The cold, untouchable boy looked… afraid.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***