Just Twilight-Chapter 84

He gestured toward the bathroom with his chin, making Samdu bow his head, caught between laughter and tears. He already knew exactly where Junyoung’s barrage of questions would be aimed once Sangchun left. And he had serious doubts about whether he could endure it.

***

Beomjin had been advised to stay hospitalized for two weeks, but within a week, he was already walking around as if nothing had happened. However, he didn’t dare bring up the idea of discharge—because the look Junyoung had given him was one of sheer disappointment, as if he were the most foolish person in the world.

She had practically been living in his hospital room.

From the very first day, Samdu had braced himself, expecting to be interrogated to the point of having his soul sucked dry, but instead, the eerie calm before the storm was making him wither away.

Beomjin, who had been half-asleep, stirred and turned over in bed. Something had roused him. It was still before dawn, but the soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a faint light on the other side of the room.

A low, raspy voice slipped out between his lips.

“When did you get here?”

“At night.”

Junyoung was curled up on the couch against the wall, half-reclining with a book in her hands. Lately, this had become her nightly ritual. Instead of demanding answers, she had chosen silence and reading. The problem was, that in itself felt like a form of protest.

“You must be bored. You don’t have to come every day.”

Without looking up from her book, she replied flatly,

“Didn’t you know? I’m unemployed. It’s less boring to be here than to be bored alone at home.”

Her tone was calm, but the sharp edge in her words was unmistakable. Beomjin chuckled dryly and tilted his head as he studied her.

She had her hair loosely tied up, engrossed in her book against the dim backdrop. The scene was familiar.

Back then, just looking at Junyoung made time pass faster. The days when he saw her and the days when he didn’t felt distinctly different.

Even when they weren’t doing anything special, just watching her absentmindedly touch her hair as she turned the pages, or listening to the faint scratching of her pen as she scribbled notes, made the hours feel precious.

Beomjin narrowed his eyes and spoke suddenly.

“Yoon Junyoung, your focus isn’t what it used to be. Why is it taking you so long to turn a single page?”

Junyoung pressed her lips together tightly and glanced at him.

“Because some pervert keeps staring at me.”

“You didn’t know? I did that back then too.”

She clicked her tongue and let out a short laugh.

Beomjin slowly sat up and gestured with his hand.

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“If you can’t focus anyway, stop pretending to read and just look at me.”

“And what’s so nice to look at?”

Her sharp retort came instantly. Beomjin smiled faintly.

“That’s not like you.”

“What’s not?”

“You’d usually have torn into me or Samdu by now, but instead, you’re just sitting there, stuck on the same page.”

Junyoung stubbornly flipped another page in defiance.

“Your chairman is scary. He drew a clear line and said he’d handle it himself.”

“And that was enough to make the great Yoon Junyoung stay quiet?”

“What would change if I got involved? Not like anyone’s going to tell me anything anyway.”

Now, the pages were turning way too fast.

Beomjin studied her with narrowed eyes. Then, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

“You.”

He murmured.

“You already know, don’t you? Who it is.”

Junyoung didn’t respond. She only pretended to be absorbed in her book.

Beomjin exhaled sharply and ran a hand down his face. He should have realized it earlier. The reason Yoon Junyoung had been so uncharacteristically quiet.

“Don’t overthink it.”

“What exactly do you mean by ‘overthink’? That you almost died because of me?”

Her voice was quiet, but the words landed with weight.

With a sharp snap, Junyoung closed the book and turned to look at him.

Beomjin arched a brow and answered plainly,

“Yes. That’s exactly it.”

“Of course, it’s not my fault, though.”

Junyoung shrugged, but the cool shadow in her eyes remained. Her voice was calm and even as she spoke.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t bear any responsibility.”

Beomjin swallowed a sigh as he looked at her. This was exactly why he hadn’t wanted her to know. If she found out that the one who had stabbed him was Na Seungwoon, she would inevitably blame herself.

But there was no stopping her from piecing things together on her own. Especially someone as perceptive as Junyoung.

“So.”

Beomjin asked as he slowly walked over to the fridge.

“You’re feeling guilty about this?”

“A little. But I’m also just relieved that this was all it came to. And scared of what could have happened if it hadn’t ended here. I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

Her voice was weary as she spoke. She pulled a small box out of the fridge just as Beomjin returned to her side.

“What you should do is obvious.”

He muttered as he sat beside her. His unkempt bangs fell over his forehead, making him look just like he had when they first met. Beomjin held her gaze and spoke.

“Carry it all—the fear, the guilt. Just stay by my side. Because no matter what happens from now on, that’s what I’m going to do.”

At his quiet words, Junyoung’s lips curled into a small smile. Slowly, she reached out and took his bandaged fingertips in hers. The warmth seeping through steadied her heart.

“Well, of course. You already swore to treat me well with all your heart.”

Her tone was lighter now, and at last, a faint smile played on Beomjin’s lips as well. He lowered his head slightly and rested his forehead against hers.

“Right. So stop keeping everything bottled up and just talk to me. That way, I can figure out how to take care of you.”

“Says the guy who’s an expert at keeping things to himself.”

She grumbled before nodding toward the box he had brought.

“What’s that?”

Beomjin raised an eyebrow as he opened the lid. A sweet and decadent aroma instantly filled the air.

“For you. To help you cool off a little. It’s from Le Blanc. Apparently, they’re famous for this. Chocolat bonbons. Try one.”

He picked up a piece and pressed it lightly against her lips.

She frowned for show but didn’t resist. The moment it melted on her tongue, the rich sweetness spread gently through her mouth.

So this was why he had gotten them. He had remembered that day—when she had offhandedly mentioned craving something sweet. Beomjin might not seem like it, but he had an unexpectedly thoughtful side.

“One more.”

At her request, Beomjin chuckled softly.

As another piece of chocolate melted in her mouth, Junyoung glanced out the window. The sky, which had been completely dark, was beginning to shift into a lighter shade, hinting at the approaching dawn.

Everything had settled down quickly. Mihyang and Seungwoon’s absence was swiftly filled, and the company continued running as if nothing had happened.

There was no news of Chief Kim. Even on the day Mihyang’s family left the country, she hadn’t made an appearance. The only thing people gossiped about was that Mihyang’s downfall had been orchestrated by none other than Kim’s betrayal.

She had probably disappeared somewhere quiet, avoiding prying eyes. After all, money wasn’t something she lacked.

And just like that, the thing Mihyang had fought so desperately to grasp had ended in nothing.

The people she had been with for years, her blood family, even the company—none of them remained in her hands.

What do people live for? What should they chase after in life?

There had been a time when Junyoung had dreamed of a life like Mihyang’s. A time when she had envied her. But now, she knew.

None of that mattered.

Because she had already grasped what was truly important.

And for that, she would endure anything. She wouldn’t lose it—not again.

When her tongue flicked over the fingertips that had fed her the chocolate, Beomjin flinched. His voice dropped into a firm warning.

“Yoon Junyoung.”

“I just meant I hope you recover soon.”

She licked her lips and met his gaze with a teasing glint in her eyes.

Beomjin exhaled heavily, tilting his head back as if summoning patience. Junyoung laughed and leaned her head against his shoulder. Just breathing beside him felt comforting.

“Before summer ends, let’s visit your mother.”

“Yeah. Let’s do that.”

At his soft response, Beomjin’s hand settled gently against the back of her head, grounding her. Together, they sat quietly, watching the sky.

This was all she wanted. Simple moments like this. Just sitting beside each other, sharing warmth.

Far off in the distance, the sky had begun to pale. The first traces of light stretched across the horizon.

Life’s brilliance started from that faint glow.

It was still dark, but eventually, dawn would break.

For now, this was just twilight.