The Strings She Pulls

Chapter 16: Getting back Princess?

Jaeyi had been searching for Seulgi for weeks. Ever since that fateful night when Seulgi had distanced herself, Jaeyi's world had felt like it was unraveling. She couldn't understand why Seulgi had pulled away, and no matter how many times she tried to reach out, there was no response. It was as if Seulgi had vanished off the face of the earth, slipping through her fingers like water.

It was maddening. Jaeyi had always been able to find her, always been able to keep track of Seulgi, to anticipate her moves. But now? Nothing. Not a single word. She checked the places they used to go, the spots where they had shared quiet moments. But Seulgi was nowhere to be found.

Then, one afternoon, Jaeyi decided to sit in the corner of a small café by the park. She hadn't planned on staying long, just a quiet space to collect her thoughts. But as she sipped her coffee, her eyes wandered out of habit, scanning the street outside.

And then she saw them.

At first, she thought it was just her mind playing tricks on her. She had been searching for so long, desperate for a glimpse of Seulgi, that her eyes may have simply been filling in the gaps. But no, there they were again—a figure in a black mask, a cap pulled low to conceal the face. Even in the disguise, Jaeyi knew.

It was Seulgi.

Her heart skipped a beat, but the thrill of seeing her was quickly replaced by something darker—a deep, searing rage as she watched Seulgi standing next to someone else.

Yeri.

Seulgi stood close to Yeri, a subtle but familiar warmth between them that sent a cold shiver through Jaeyi's spine. They were speaking quietly, their heads huddled together, a whisper of shared intimacy in their gestures. The closeness between them was undeniable, even with the masks and caps hiding their faces.

Jaeyi's stomach churned as she watched them. It was like a sickening realization hit her all at once. Seulgi had been avoiding her, hiding from her, and now here she was—standing with Yeri—the person who had always been too close, too eager to steal Seulgi away.

Jaeyi's hand tightened around her coffee cup, her knuckles pale as the anger began to simmer beneath her calm exterior. She had known it, somewhere deep inside, but now it was real. It was confirmed. Seulgi wasn't just avoiding her she ran to Yeri.

Her breath caught in her throat. The familiar ache of loss surged, but beneath it, something darker was beginning to stir.

Jaeyi had always known how to handle things. She wasn't the type to let something like this go. She'd let Yeri have her moment. But Jaeyi would make sure she paid for it. She'd make sure Seulgi came back to her. Because no one—not Yeri, not anyone—was going to take Seulgi away from her.

Jaeyi forced herself to stand, her eyes never leaving Seulgi and Yeri as they turned to leave the café. She followed them, a cold, calculated smile curling at the corner of her lips.

This was just the beginning. Jaeyi's eyes darkened, a dangerous gleam flashing across them. She had known, deep down, that Seulgi wouldn't leave her unless someone had forced her hand. And it was clear now. It was Yeri.

Yeri. That insidious, sly woman. Jaeyi had always known something was off about her. She'd seen the way Yeri lingered just a little too long around Seulgi, always trying to whisper things in her ear, always getting too close. Too eager. She had always wanted Seulgi for herself, and now, it seemed, she had finally succeeded.

Jaeyi's fists clenched as the anger bubbled to the surface. It was time to make Yeri suffer. But before she could do that, there was something more pressing. She needed Seulgi. She had to have Seulgi back. Only with Seulgi by her side could she carry out her dark plans without losing herself completely.