One Step Forward, Three Steps Back
Part 9 of Price of Love. Masterlist.
It was a nagging feeling, one that told you what you were doing wasn't going to end well. At the same time, another voice insisted that you should simply let Daniel be.
And if the roles were reversed, wouldn't you be annoyed too if Daniel followed you around all the time?
The line between being a good sister and breathing down his throat had started to blur.
Maybe it was the ghost of your past. Well, that ghost was now sitting right in front of you.
During your earlier encounter, you had been too much of a mess to properly notice him or care about how he looked. But seeing him up close now, you could understand why he had chosen to become a K-pop idol.
This was a tightrope neither of you wanted to fall from.
You didn't want him thinking that sitting here meant you were giving him a second chance.
You repeated it over and over in your head.
I'm here because of my brother.
When the silence stretched on for too long, James cleared his throat.
"Daniel is fine wherever he is," he said.
Your hands curled into fists.
"How can you say that?" you asked.
"Because my sources have checked on him," James replied. "He's doing this for the greater good."
"He's still in high school," you said sharply.
"When I was in high schoolâ"
"Don't compare my brother to yourself," you cut him off. "He's kind. He's still trying to find his place in this world."
James studied you for a long moment before sliding his phone across the table.
A picture filled the screen.
A boy wearing glasses. Around Daniel's age.
"This boy sent your brother to Cheonliang," James explained. "Why Daniel? Because he's the most competent one."
"You still judge people by how competent they are?" you asked. "By how useful they can be?"
The bitter memories resurfaced before you could stop them.
James sighed. "This isn't about you, is it? You came here to ask about Daniel, so let's stick to that."
Or was it because the last time you met him, you hadn't immediately melted into his arms after that elaborate apology?
Or maybe James was still the same man, obsessed with potential, usefulness, and people who could serve a purpose.
"So... I'm going to Cheonliang," you muttered.
James's expression changed instantly.
"If it's not safe for me, then it isn't safe for Daniel either."
"Are you out of your mind?" For the first time, a crack appeared in James's patience.
Something that almost never happened.
"You're the one who's out of your mind," you shot back.
Embarrassingly so but something inside you refused to let James have the final word.
That was really the best comeback you could come up with?
"Listen," James said, rubbing a hand over his face. "What your brother is doing... it's important. Not just for him, but for everyone."
"To put it simply," you replied, "something that benefits you too."
Neither of you backed down.
"You'll always be suspicious of me." James exhaled quietly. "There's nothing I can do about that."
Part of him knew he was right. He wanted you back.
Yet every conversation between you felt like walking through broken glass.
On one side was his plan to bring Charles Choi down.
On the other was the woman he loved, refusing to believe a single word he said.
No amount of planning could prepare him for this.
James Lee wasn't someone who backed down.
Especially not when you had come to him yourself.
"But I know how worried you are about Daniel," he continued. "Trust me. He's doing the right thing. Chasing after him and constantly watching over him... it's becoming suffocating."
"Suffocating?" you repeated. "So I should just leave him alone?"
"How long are you planning to keep him in the dark?" James asked. "Do you think that's right?"
Before you could convince yourself he was manipulating you again, James reached across the table.
His hand rested gently over yours.
It was warm. Just like you remembered.
His hand was still larger than yours.
The touch wasn't romantic. It wasn't possessive.
Just...reassuring and gentle.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," James said softly. "I'm not going to do something wrong."
He met your eyes. "Trust me."
For a moment, you simply looked at him.
"This time..." James admitted quietly, "we're doing this to take Charles down."
"You're still on his leash?" you asked.
"Not really," James answered. "But I'm not completely free either."
"Is he still just a piece of trash to you?"
James was silent for a second.
His voice was calm. "I've grown so... no."
Were you concerned about him?
James might have interpreted it that way. Maybe, in some small way, you were.
Because you knew bringing Charles Choi down wasn't something anyone could do alone.
"You're doing this for yourself more than anyone else," you said at last. "But... I don't think there's anything wrong with that."
James's hand still rested over yours.
For the first time since you sat down, he felt a sliver of hope.
His shoulders visibly relaxed.
"Then wait for me." James said.
"Daniel will be back tomorrow," James said. "Tomorrow everything will become clear."
His eyes stayed on yours.
"So wait for me until then."
You frowned. Why was James asking you to wait for him?
