Chapter 27 ONCE AND FOR ALL
RACHEL
“I’m carrying you,” Jae muttered, sliding one arm under my knees and the other one behind my back. “You ready?”
I nodded with a sharp breath. “Yeah…”
He lifted me carefully and carried me back to the bedroom. Climbing onto the bed pavement, he set me down gently, like I was something fragile.
My arm was still wrapped around his neck even after he lowered me. I didn’t even notice until I noticed he didn’t move.
“You can let go now,” he said, a small smile on his lips, one that did show it didn't come from inside.
“Oh… I’m sorry.” I pulled away quickly.
“You scared the hell out of me.” His tone had changed. More derious now. Like he was still trying to process what just happened.
“I guess I can’t stop making you worry about me,” I said lightly. “I promise it won’t happen again…”
“No. It shouldn’t,” he cut in sharply.
His eyes locked onto mine with this kind of strange intensity. “If something like that happens again… I don’t think I can handle it. So you better keep that promise.”
I let out a small, nervous laugh. “I think I really really owe you, Jae. And since you’re… this rich guy, it’s kind of hard to figure out how to repay you.”
He scoffed softly, like I’d said something ridiculous. Maybe I had. But I didn’t like owing people.
He looked at me again. “That’s insane. I’d do this a thousand times…” He paused, probably watching my reaction before adding, “It’s just who I am.”
“Figured that,” I said, licking my lips nervously.
I hesitated, unsure how to say the next part but I did after adding it up in my head. “About earlier…” I started. “The kiss. I didn’t get to say it before, but… I’m sorry.”
There was a long silence or maybe it was just me imaging the long gap. For a second, I instantly regretted saying it.
Maybe he was mad. Or worse… maybe he thought I was rejecting him in the most fashionable way ever.
Finally, he looked at me.
“You know… I might be an asshole for saying this,” he said slowly, “but I’m not sorry about it. And I think you already know that.”
“I—” I tried to speak, but he cut in gently.
“It’s fine, Rach. I don’t know what’s going on between you and Thane, but… I’m willing to take it slow. However you want it. I don’t care. I can wait.”
I blinked. My pulse picked up ten times faster, beating rapidly in my chest.
I couldn’t say anything. Neither could he. But his eyes didn’t leave mine.
He pulled the duvet over me slowly, and just then, the door burst open.
Both our heads snapped toward it.
“Shit!” Wendy blurted, the moment her eyes landed on us.
And just like that, everything about the whole siblings situation started to feel real. Seeing her walk in like that… Jae definitely hadn’t been lying.
“What is Rachel doing in your room?” she demanded, her gaze snapping to Jae.
I went completely mute. Jae, on the other hand, looked like he was about to explode with anger.
He stared at her before finally speaking. “You could’ve knocked. That's why there's a door.”
Wendy scoffed. “I’m sorry, but this room hasn’t been yours for over two years. And knocking? Never really my thing. Was it really that long that you completely forgot?”
Jae shook his head, rolling his eyes.
I tried to make sense of everything, but I was too stunned to even think straight.
“You didn’t just go to the gala,” Wendy continued. “You managed to bring a girl home. Thane’s stepsister, at that? I’m impressed, Han Jae Hyun.”
Jumping in now would only make things worse, so I stayed quiet. But something about this felt… off. They didn’t act like siblings at all.
Thane and I were complicated, that made sense. But these two? They practically grew up together. If I wasn’t mistaken.
“Get out, Wen,” Jae said, his voice controlled, but barely.
Wendy hesitated for a moment, then turned toward the door.
“Just so you know,” she said coldly, “you’re making a very big mistake. Thane’s never going to let you go if you mess with her.”
Then she slammed the door behind her. And the room fell into silence again.
THANE
I practically begged the cab driver this time to take me to Mayor Han’s estate.
The whole way there, I kept praying I wouldn’t do something I’d regret. Because deep down… I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle it if Jae had done anything to Rachel.
Jae was my worst nightmare. Every single time I saw him, I felt that same pain from two years ago.
It still felt fresh. And I knew I was part of the reason he left back then. But I couldn’t stand the thought of him being involved with Rachel now.
I pressed the doorbell the moment I got there. It took about a minute before someone answered.
The door opened and my eyes dropped on Wendy.
She looked just as shocked as I felt. It was the first time since the other day we last saw each other like this.
“Thane?” she said, glancing at her wristwatch. “What are you doing here this…”
“I’m here for my stepsister,” I cut in calmly. Or at least, as calm as I could manage. “Can you tell her I’m waiting outside?”
This house… Even the smell of it brought back memories I didn’t want. Memories that could drive me insane if I stayed longer.
Wendy pressed her lips together, then sighed. “What if I told you she’s with my brother?”
I let out a short scoff, something already burning inside me. I hated she's even spelling it out. I didn’t want to picture anything in my head.
“Look, Wendy. Just get her for me. I don’t care who she’s with. I just need to talk to her.”
She stared at me for a moment. “You realize this is our first real conversation this year, right?” she said. “And the only reason you’re talking to me is because of Rachel. That’s… actually insane, Thane.”
I didn’t respond. I knew if I did, I’d say something I’d regret and today isn’t the day.
After a moment of being quiet, she nodded slowly and stepped aside, opening the door wider.
“Get in.”
I hesitated for a second, then walked in.
I expected her to call Rachel. Instead, she shut the door behind me and folded her arms, her eyes locking onto mine.
“I know you want to see Rachel,” she started, “but can we talk first? I promise it won’t—”
“Fucking no,” I cut her off.
“Why?” she snapped. “You forgave everyone else, but you still won’t talk to me? You won’t even look at me? It’s been two years, Thane.”
She was going there again. I clenched my jaw so tight I thought the teeth there could break.
Part of me wanted to slam her against the wall. But I’d never hit a woman. And I wasn’t about to start now.
“If you keep this up, I’ll go get her myself,” I warned.
“And you think that won’t make you look crazy?” she shot back. “Barging into a room where your stepsister is with someone else? Think about it.”
I exhaled sharply, frustration crashing over me. “So what do you want from me?” I snapped. “You’ve been fine all this time. So what is this now?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she walked straight up to me and stopped just a step away.
“I want you to forgive me,” she said quietly. “Whether you like it or not, our parents still want us together. You can fuck around all you want, but you’re still going to come back to me. So let’s just settle this once and for all.”
I shook my head. “I’m not doing this with you, Wen.”
My head was pounding so hard. I turned to leave before I lost control… but she stepped in front of me, blocking my path before I made it to the door.
“I still love you, Thane,” her eyes begged. “I want you.”
My vision blurred for a second. I refused to let a single tear fall.
I didn’t even know what hurt more… The fact that I once trusted her enough to believe we’d end up together… Or the fact that she betrayed me.
I looked away and tried to push past her, but she grabbed me firmly.
Before I could react, she rose on her toes and pressed her lips against mine.
My body went completely still.
I hadn’t even fully processed it when I heard footsteps of someone running up the stairs like they were being chased.
I pulled away from the kiss instantly and turned.
“Fuck,” I muttered. “Rachel?!”
I shoved Wendy aside.