The next day, Sherri stood at the window of her apartment, staring out at the city skyline, the weight of the world pressing on her chest.
She had done the unthinkable — left the company.
She hadn't wanted to. But the thought of continuing to see Hyunjin and YoungBok every day, knowing how much she wanted both of them, had become unbearable.
She couldn't be the reason they tore each other apart. She couldn't live in the space between them, unable to choose — because, no matter what, someone was bound to get hurt.
Her phone buzzed on the table.
She didn't need to check the message. She already knew it was from Hyunjin.
Meanwhile, in the practice room, Hyunjin was pacing back and forth, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.
He couldn't lose her. He couldn't. But he couldn't lose YoungBok, either.
They were two halves of his soul — the love he had for YoungBok, the passion he felt for Sherri — they weren't supposed to coexist. Not like this.
YoungBok stood off to the side, watching Hyunjin with a mixture of frustration and desperation.
"Why didn't you just let her go?" YoungBok asked quietly, the words sharp and tinged with pain.
His voice trembled as he tried to keep his anger in check.
Hyunjin stopped, his eyes locking with YoungBok's.
"I can't. I need both of you," he said, his voice hoarse with the weight of his confession.
YoungBok's chest tightened.
He wanted to lash out, to tell Hyunjin how selfish he was being — how he couldn't keep putting them both in this position.
But he didn't. Because deep down, he knew the truth. Hyunjin wasn't the only one hurting.
YoungBok had never been good at sharing — but this? This was different. And it was breaking him apart.
"You're only mine, Hyunjin," YoungBok finally said, his voice a low growl.
"Don't even think about her. She's not for you."
Hyunjin's heart clenched.
"YoungBok… I love you. But I love her too. I can't just stop—"
"I don't care!" YoungBok snapped, stepping forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "You want her? You choose her. I won't stand by and watch you tear us apart, Hyunjin."
Hyunjin's breath hitched in his throat.
"I don't want to hurt either of you. But I can't live without you. I can't live without her."
There was a long silence between them, a suffocating quiet that seemed to stretch on forever. Then, YoungBok's expression softened. He closed his eyes, fighting back the emotions that threatened to spill over.
"Then make your choice, Hyunjin," YoungBok said quietly. "But don't expect me to just stand by if you hurt either of us."
Hyunjin couldn't take it any longer.
He had to make a decision. He had to tell Sherri the truth, to ask her to choose him — even if it meant hurting YoungBok.
But first, he needed to know that YoungBok was still there for him.
He couldn't live without both of them.
Later that evening, YoungBok stood outside Sherri's apartment. He had finally made up his mind. Hyunjin couldn't leave this unresolved. He had to fight for what he wanted — for both of them.
He rang the doorbell, heart pounding in his chest.
When Sherri opened the door, her eyes widened in surprise, but she stepped aside, letting him in.
"YoungBok… what's going on?" she asked, her voice soft and uncertain.
YoungBok didn't waste any time.
"Hyunjin's going to propose to you," he said bluntly, watching her face for any reaction.
Sherri blinked, caught off guard.
"What?" she whispered. "No, YoungBok… that's not what I—"
"You have to accept him," YoungBok said, his voice strained. "He's torn, Sherri. He can't live without both of us. But we can't keep going like this. Hyunjin needs you. And I can't watch him suffer anymore."
Sherri felt like the world was spinning around her.
She never imagined YoungBok would be the one to push her toward Hyunjin. He had always been so protective of him, so loyal.
But now… now he was letting go, even if it hurt him.
"I don't know what to say," Sherri said quietly, her heart in turmoil.
"You don't have to say anything. Just accept him," YoungBok replied. "But know this, Sherri — you can't have him and still be in my life. If you choose him, that's it. I'm letting go."
Sherri stared at YoungBok, her heart breaking for him.
"YoungBok… I don't want to hurt you."
"I know," YoungBok said with a bitter smile. "But this is what we have to do. For Hyunjin. For us."