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Leo had been awfully quiet as they stepped into the elevator, its doors sliding shut with a soft, final sigh. Just moments ago, he and Sangwon had escaped the familiar chaos—Sangwon’s sasaengs who were trailing too close.
This was Sangwon’s life. To live beneath unblinking eyes, to be followed and watched and measured. To carry a reputation that never slept. Sangwon's life was no longer entirely his own.
And this—this was the price of Leo’s greed. For wanting Sangwon. For loving him.
Leo knew he belonged to Sangwon, but Sangwon could never belong to only him.
A piece of Sangwon would always belong to the fans who believed in him, to every voice that had cheered his name, to the hands that had lifted him through triumph and failure alike.
At first, Leo told himself he could live with that truth. After all, he was the one Sangwon would come home to.
But as Sangwon climbed higher, closer to the life he had always dreamed of, Leo began to feel like an anchor. Leo knew that Sangwon would quietly turned down opportunities for his sake, and somewhere deep in his chest, his fear grew—what if Sangwon would one day resent him?
So Leo did what he believed was right.
“Let’s break up,” he said at last. He winced at his own voice...hurt with his own voice.
“What?” Sangwon’s eyes widened, the words catching him completely off guard.
Leo bit the inside of his cheek, holding the tears that were threatening to spill. He had rehearsed this moment over and over, hoping repetition would dull the pain. It hadn’t.
“Is this because of what just happened?” Sangwon asked quickly. “We don’t have to run or hide anymore. I’ll announce it. I’ll tell everyone we’re dating.” He said it like it was simple. Like it wouldn’t cost him everything.
Did Sangwon love him that much—enough to risk all he had worked so hard for? Leo grew fearful. Sangwon was only saying it now, he told himself. Someday, Sangwon would resent him.
And Leo couldn’t bear to be the reason.
“No,” Leo said quietly. “I don’t love you anymore.” The lie tasted bitter on his tongue.
“Did my manager put you up to this?” Sangwon shook his head, voice trembling with certainty. “I told you—I don’t care what everyone think. I don’t care what my fans think. I love you. That’s all that matters.”
He reached for Leo, but Leo swatted his hand away. Sangwon flinched.
The touch had barely grazed Sangwon’s skin, yet Leo knew he’d hurt him all the same.
“I’ve been cheating on you,” Leo said, forcing the words out. “I’m seeing someone else.”
Another lie. He swallowed hard, choking on the cruelty of his own making.
“Is this how badly you want to end things?” Sangwon asked, disbelief etched into every syllable.
Sangwon, too, had been greedy—believing he could hold onto a normal love while being a celebrity. And maybe because of that greed, he had been blind of how unhappy Leo had become.
Feeling defeated, Sangwon exhaled loudly.
“I really want to fight for us,” he said softly. “But if you’re no longer happy… then maybe it’s time to end this.” He paused, then gently took Leo’s hands, holding them one final time. “When I had no hopes and dreams, you were the one who has brought me happiness.” He forced a small, fragile smile. “I hope you’ll be happy.”
The elevator door opened. Then, Sangwon let Leo go.