Traitor

Chapter 1

Brown guilty eyes and little white lies...

I played dumb, but I always knew.

This is how it all started—

Hani's insecurities.

The countless thoughts that echoed in her head every day.

I’m not good enough for him.

Maybe…

Hani sat in the driver’s seat of her convertible, the chair reclined as she gazed at the stars. The cool night breeze kissed her tear-streaked face, yet it did little to soothe the ache in her chest. Tears continued to roll down her flushed cheeks, leaving trails of vulnerability in their wake. Her trembling hands gripped the steering wheel loosely as her mind replayed the moments that brought her here.

~~~~~

"Hani! Earth to Hani!" Soyeon’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. She was waving a hand in front of her, looking both amused and slightly annoyed. She was complaining earlier about her project scores and how she had done better than her rival Han Jisung, but the teacher had played favourites.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," Hani stammered, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks turned pink, giving away her embarrassment.

Soyeon rolled her eyes playfully, a teasing grin on her face. "What’s got you so distracted? Let me guess… your prince charming?"

Hani’s gaze darted to the cafeteria table across the room, where her boyfriend, Hwang Hyunjin, sat with a new girl. Her heart sank as she watched them laugh together, their shared mirth a little too intimate for her liking.

Hyunjin was effortlessly magnetic. His sharp features, framed by his perfectly styled hair, could make anyone stop and stare. But it wasn’t just his looks—it was the way he carried himself. His charm was disarming, his smile contagious, and his humor irresistible. It was no wonder girls flocked to him.

Today, however, his attention was focused on her—a brunette with striking cat-like eyes and an air of confidence that made Hani’s insecurities flare up. The girl’s long, wavy hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall, and her bold makeup accentuated her sharp features.

"Who’s that?" Soyeon followed Hani’s gaze, raising a curious brow.

"New student," Hani murmured, her voice barely audible.

The brunette was leaning forward, her hand resting lightly on Hyunjin’s as she laughed at something he said. Hani’s chest tightened. Why is he holding her hand? she thought, biting the inside of her cheek.

Soyeon frowned. "She seems... confident."

Hani tore her gaze away, trying to focus on Soyeon’s words. "Maybe I’m overthinking," she muttered, more to herself than to her friend.

But deep down, the seed of doubt had been planted.

~~~~

Later that day, Hani found herself walking with Hyunjin. The air between them was quiet but charged, her thoughts racing as she struggled to voice her concerns.

"Don’t think like that, Hani," Hyunjin said suddenly, as though reading her mind. He stopped walking and turned to face her, his hands gently cupping her cheeks. His touch was warm, his gaze soft.

"She’s just a new student. She was nervous about joining, so I was trying to help her feel welcome," he explained.

Hani’s lower lip trembled. "It’s just… she’s so pretty," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hyunjin’s expression softened further, and he leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. "Hani, you’re the only one I care about. I love you, okay? Don’t let this get to you."

Her heart fluttered, but a small part of her couldn’t shake the unease. "I love you too, Jinnie," she murmured, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Hyunjin chuckled, pulling her closer. Then, without warning, he began to tickle her sides.

"Hyunjin!" she shrieked, squirming in his grasp as laughter bubbled out of her.

"What? I’m just proving how much I love you," he teased, his mischievous grin widening.

Hani’s laughter rang out, bright and carefree, but even as the moment lifted her spirits, the shadow of doubt lingered at the edges of her mind.

~~~~

That night, Hani lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The events of the day replayed in her head like a broken record. Her insecurities crept in, whispering cruel truths she didn’t want to believe.

She’s everything you’re not.

What if he realizes he deserves better?

What if he leaves you?

Hani squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the voices. She reached for her phone and opened her chat with Hyunjin. His last message was a simple Goodnight, my love with a heart emoji.

A smile tugged at her lips despite herself. Hyunjin always knew how to make her feel special, but tonight, even his sweet words couldn’t silence her doubts.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she debated whether to tell him how she was feeling. But what if he thought she was being clingy? What if he got annoyed?

With a sigh, she locked her phone and turned onto her side, hugging her pillow tightly.

~~~~

The following day, Hani tried to push her insecurities aside as she met Soyeon for lunch.

"You look like you didn’t sleep," Soyeon commented, her sharp eyes narrowing.

"Just tired," Hani replied with a forced smile.

Soyeon wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she steered the conversation to lighter topics, hoping to cheer Hani up.

As they talked, Hyunjin walked into the cafeteria, and Hani’s eyes instinctively sought him out. He was with the brunette again, their heads bent close as they spoke.

Soyeon noticed Hani’s expression darken. "Okay, spill. What’s going on?"

Hani hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her napkin. "Do you ever feel like you’re not enough?"

Soyeon frowned. "Hani, don’t do that to yourself. Hyunjin loves you. He’s with you, not her."

"I know, but..." Hani trailed off, her voice breaking.

Soyeon reached across the table and grabbed her hand. "You’re amazing, Hani. Don’t let your mind convince you otherwise."

Hani nodded, but the reassurance didn’t sink in.

~~~~

Later that evening, Hani found herself sitting in her car, staring up at the stars. The quiet of the night was both comforting and suffocating, her thoughts loud in the stillness.

She replayed Hyunjin’s words in her mind, clinging to the memory of his touch, his laughter, his love. But no matter how hard she tried, the doubt refused to fade.

Tears welled up again, slipping down her cheeks as she whispered to herself, "Am I really enough for him?"

The stars offered no answer, their silent brilliance a stark contrast to the storm raging inside her....