SCARLET STRINGS

PART 7

Jinwoo carefully helped Aria to her feet, steadying her as they walked through the quiet streets to her massive, luxurious house. Her usual sharp demeanor was replaced by a rare vulnerability, and for once, she leaned on someone else instead of pushing them away.

As they entered her home, Jinwoo was struck by its grandeur. The high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and expensive décor spoke of wealth, but it felt eerily empty.

“Where’s everyone?” he asked softly.

Aria waved her hand dismissively. “Just the nanny. She’s probably asleep,” she murmured, her voice slurred from the alcohol.

Jinwoo guided her to her room, placing her gently on her enormous, plush bed. She curled up instinctively, resting her head on his arm as her breathing slowed.

But she wasn’t asleep.

“Jinwoo?” she murmured, her voice soft and unguarded.

“Hmm?”

“You know what’s funny?” she said, staring at the ceiling. “I used to believe in forever. I thought love could fix everything.”

Jinwoo frowned, unsure of where she was going. “What happened?”

Aria chuckled bitterly. “What didn’t happen?” She turned to face him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “I loved him. More than anything. More than myself.”

Jinwoo stayed silent, letting her speak.

“We were perfect… or so I thought,” she continued. “But he… he thought I was cheating on him. I don’t even know why. And instead of talking to me, he decided to ruin me.”

Her voice cracked as she spoke, and Jinwoo’s heart clenched.

“He leaked our video. Our video, Jinwoo. The one I thought was private, sacred even. Suddenly, everyone at school knew me—not as Aria, but as… something else. My friends turned on me, whispered behind my back. My dad—” She stopped, swallowing hard.

“He transferred me here to get me away from it all,” she finished quietly. “But you can’t outrun shame. It follows you everywhere.”

Jinwoo’s jaw tightened, anger bubbling inside him—not at her, but at the people who had hurt her so deeply.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he said firmly.

Aria laughed humorlessly. “Maybe. But it doesn’t matter. People only see what they want to see.”

Jinwoo looked at her, his mind racing. He had never seen her like this—so raw, so broken. And yet, even now, she was breathtaking. Her strength, even in her vulnerability, was mesmerizing.

“You don’t have to face this alone,” he said softly.

Aria shook her head. “You don’t understand, Jinwoo. This isn’t something you can just fix.”

“Maybe not,” he admitted. “But I’m not going anywhere.”

Her eyes searched his, looking for doubt or insincerity. But all she saw was determination.

Aria sighed, her walls crumbling ever so slightly. “Why do you care?”

Jinwoo smiled faintly. “I don’t know. But I do.”

She didn’t respond, instead closing her eyes and drifting off into a restless sleep, her head still resting on his arm.

Jinwoo watched her, his heart heavy with a mixture of anger, admiration, and something else he couldn’t quite name. He vowed silently to himself: no one would hurt her again, not if he could help it.

Would you like the next part to explore Jinwoo taking steps to protect Aria or Aria starting to rebuild her confidence with Jinwoo’s help?