The Union’s hangout was louder now. Bigger. Brighter. But the tension? Same as ever. You could feel it like heat against your skin the second you stepped inside.

He was right where you knew he’d be, Seong-Je, surrounded by the usual guys, lounging like the king of his crumbling little world. Laughing like he hadn’t ripped your name apart with lies. Like he hadn’t made you look crazy.

You walked in anyway.

He looked up. The grin on his face flickered when he saw you, then came back wider, fake as hell.

“You lost or something?”

You stood your ground. The others noticed, eyes glancing between the two of you, quiet murmurs already starting.

“Why are you telling people we’re still together?” you asked, tone even but sharp.

He stood slowly, cocking his head with that same arrogant smirk you used to think was charming. “Maybe because you act like it.” He stepped closer. “Always watching, always showing up. Thought you liked being obsessed with me.”

That was it. The switch flipped. You took a breath before speaking again, voice slicing right through the haze of ego around him.

“I broke up with you because you were too much, controlling, possessive, and toxic. And now you’re out here twisting the story to make it sound like I was the one who couldn’t let go?”

His jaw tightened, briefly. But he played it off with a scoff, eyes flicking to the others for backup.

“People believe what they want to believe.”

“No, they believe what you tell them,” you snapped, “because you’re too afraid they’ll find out the truth.”

A beat of silence. One of the Union guys shifted uncomfortably.

You leaned in just enough so only he could hear: “I came here to make sure you stop dragging my name through the dirt. So do it. Or I swear, I’ll burn the rest of your reputation down myself.”

You pulled away, holding his gaze. His cocky facade wavered again, just for a moment.

Then came the grin. Forced. Empty.

But he didn’t say a word. Because he knew he already lost the upper hand.