The silence that followed Rinwoo's question was deafening. Taekyun's mind raced, scrambling for an explanation that would erase the devastating hurt in Rinwoo's eyes. The truth—Yuna's manipulative visit, her calculated embrace—felt too complicated, too exposing. It would lead to more questions, to a conversation he was utterly unequipped to have.
A lie, smooth and simple, formed on his lips.
"On the way back to my office," he said, his voice deliberately casual, though it felt stiff to his own ears. He gestured vaguely. "I got bumped into by a female employee. It must have been then. Her lipstick… left a stain. I didn't notice." He forced himself to meet Rinwoo's gaze, hoping his face didn't betray the frantic beat of his heart.
Rinwoo stared at him. For a long, agonizing moment, he simply looked. His eyes, usually so easy to read, were uncharacteristically still, as if searching Taekyun's face for the truth hidden behind the words.
