Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 94

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Epilogue 3.
“…….”
Blinking, he stared up at the ceiling with an expression of bewilderment, as though unable to comprehend what had just transpired.
Liam rose slowly, pressing his temples with his fingertips, and glanced back over his shoulder. Only then grasping the situation, he lifted an eyebrow lightly.
“My apologies. When someone touches me while I’m sleeping, my body reacts reflexively.”
“You—you—!”
Hyun-woo lunged back at Liam, but Hee-ju stepped between them.
“That’s enough, Hyun-woo.”
The moment she used his full name, he faltered. Roused by the commotion, Hyun-jin had appeared in the doorway.
“What’s going on?”
“Hyung, this bastard was in our sister’s bed! Sleeping with his arms around her! How is this possible? And we’re both standing right here!”
“Should I have kept the door locked?”
Liam muttered nonchalantly.
“Hyuuung!”
Hyun-woo thrashed about like a dog with its tail caught.
Hyun-jin stood with his arms crossed, observing the two of them in silence. As the quiet stretched, Hee-ju found herself tugging at the blanket sheepishly.
Hyun-jin turned to Hyun-woo and spoke.
“Get dressed. We’re leaving.”
“Leave them here alone? No. I can’t. Not until dirt falls in my eyes!”
Hyun-jin grabbed Hyun-woo by the collar and dragged him toward the door. Hyun-woo dug in, gripping the doorframe with all his might as he was pulled away.
Hyun-jin fixed his gaze on Liam—the one who’d drunk the most yet appeared perfectly fine.
Whether he truly was fine or merely pretending, though, was another matter.
What time had it been? He couldn’t recall exactly, but the gathering had ended only after Hyun-woo had passed out and they’d run through the last bottle of soju.
Hyun-jin kicked Hyun-woo, who was sprawled on the sofa. The impact sent him tumbling with a soft groan as he curled up.
Paying him no mind, Hyun-jin stretched across the couch, removed his glasses, and draped one arm across his forehead.
He sensed Liam tidying up the place. His stomach churned from the heavy drinking—unusual for him.
His consciousness flickered. Just as sleep was about to claim him, the door opened. Hyun-jin’s voice cut through the darkness, low and warning.
‘That’s not the bathroom.’
‘I’m aware.’
‘You’re aware, yet you’re going in anyway? Right in front of me?’
At those words, Liam turned slowly. Hyun-jin lowered the arm from his forehead and looked at him.
In the darkness, his face was invisible, but something stirred in Hyun-jin’s chest—an inexplicable chill running down his spine.
‘I have nightmares often. It’s better to wake her.’
‘Nightmares?’
Hyun-jin sat up on the sofa, hearing this for the first time.
‘Hee-ju? Since when?’
‘Not long ago.’
Liam sidestepped a direct answer, yet Hyun-jin caught the implication beneath his words.
They’d gone to America together, hadn’t they? What had happened there?
It was probably something related to Hee-ju’s biological father.
‘In America.’
Hyun-jin began to speak, then caught himself. “Never mind.”
He had no desire to hear from someone else what Hee-ju hadn’t told him. He would wait until she spoke. They were family, after all.
Hyun-jin nodded once and lay back down on the sofa. He closed his eyes as if inviting sleep.
The door opened and closed. How long had it been?
Though the alcohol kept his mind foggy, consciousness wouldn’t leave him. Likely because of what he’d just heard.
Then, from beyond the door, he heard muffled sounds. Hyun-jin’s brow furrowed faintly as he lifted his head.
He couldn’t make out the words, but Hee-ju’s voice was unmistakable.
Liam’s voice followed, filtering through the door. It was clearer than Hee-ju’s.
‘It’s alright. Nothing’s wrong. This is your home, and your brother and your other brother are out there. You’re safe.’
The muffled sounds continued a moment longer, then silence settled in. Hyun-jin replayed Liam’s words in his mind.
You’re safe.
‘What exactly happened?’
“Hyung!”
Hyun-woo’s voice shattered Hyun-jin’s reverie. He frowned sharply.
“Quiet. My head’s already spinning.”
“Hyuuung!”
“The one who passed out first has no business talking this much.”
“But—”
“You don’t even have a respectable drinking manner.”
“I don’t? You snuck into our sister’s room in the middle of the night! Not until dirt falls in my eyes—”
“The fact that he cleaned up everything after suggests he was more coherent than you.”
“I could’ve cleaned it all up too. In a drunken stupor!”
“Hyun-woo. Stop talking and come.”
When Hyun-jin used his full name, Hyun-woo’s bluster deflated. Still glaring at Liam, he obediently buttoned his shirt.
“Hyung, but really—can’t we leave him here? If we go, what’ll he do to our sister…?”
Smack. Hyun-jin struck the back of Hyun-woo’s head.
“Is Hee-ju a child?”
“Tch.”
“Tch?”
Hyun-jin’s gaze turned sharp. Hyun-woo hung his head, avoiding his eyes.
Liam observed the three with interest—intimate yet strictly hierarchical.
Hyun-jin regarded Hee-ju wordlessly. She drew back the blanket and rose to see them out, with Liam trailing behind her.
Hyun-jin glanced at her and asked quietly.
“Does he know?”
What he meant need not be said. Hee-ju simply nodded.
“Right.” Hyun-jin murmured, and left the matter alone.
“Eat your meals properly.”
“Who has room to lecture whom? You barely eat when you’re busy—nothing but restaurants for days.”
“What about me? Aren’t you worried about me?”
At Hyun-woo’s protest, Hee-ju grinned.
“You’ll manage just fine on your own.”
“Tch.”
“Tch?”
When Hee-ju fixed him with a look, Hyun-woo obediently lowered his gaze. He glared at an innocent Liam, then spoke loudly as if to make sure Liam heard.
“Call if you need anything. I’ll come running.”
“You’re leaving today?”
“Tomorrow. So call.”
“Alright, now go. Mom will be waiting.”
Hee-ju pushed Hyun-woo toward the door. He refused to look away from Liam, growling as he went, “Don’t try anything funny.”
Bang. The door slammed shut. In the same instant, Liam spread both arms toward Hee-ju.
“Now that the troublemakers are gone, shall we do something fun?”
Hee-ju narrowed her eyes at him, then walked into the kitchen.
“Does your head not hurt? The hangover? How much did you drink anyway?”
Seeing the stack of empty soju bottles on the counter, Hee-ju gasped, “Good heavens.”
Opening the refrigerator, she found two bottles of Hangover Relief Drink. Hyun-woo must have bought them for himself and Hyun-jin.
“At least drink this.”
Hee-ju handed him a Hangover Relief Drink. Liam drained it in one go and exhaled softly. With each breath, the sharp scent of alcohol wafted from him.
“Much better.”
“Know when to quit and step back. Why sit through the whole thing like some brute?”
“If I’d left early, wouldn’t that have been an automatic fail?”
“A fail?”
Hee-ju leaned against the island counter and turned to face him. Liam set down the empty bottle and spoke.
“It was a test to see if I’m acceptable as your boyfriend.”
“Since when is drinking a test…?”
Hee-ju pouted. A memory surfaced—something Hyun-jin had once said.
If her memory served, it was probably a lazy Sunday afternoon when he was rewatching a drama.
‘If you ever get seriously involved with someone, tell me.’
‘Why?’
‘Because a man judges a man.’
‘Come on. Men always say things like that.’
‘I’m serious. You have to drink with him, get him to gamble, make him drive—all of it.’
‘And if he passes all that, you give your blessing?’
‘What are you saying? That’s just the basics. Only after he passes those does he earn the right to be tested.’
She’d thought it was a joke—delivered with a serious face, but a joke nonetheless. Or had it been?
Hee-ju clenched both fists encouragingly.
“The real testing is just beginning. Fighting.”
Liam’s expression grew vacant, then dissolved into a faint smile.
“You siblings have a good relationship. Better than I expected.”
Hee-ju’s gaze dropped. Beneath her feet lay coarse sand.
Ground that crumbles with a breath of wind, sand that sinks with every step.
“Yeah.”
Her parents, her brothers, everyone—they were all good people. They loved her. She’d never doubted that.
Yet her chest held a hollow ache, a loneliness that spoke only of her own unworthiness.
Hee-ju lifted her head and met Liam’s eyes. Her gaze grew soft.
“I’m ready now—to be loved and to love. I’ve wandered alone long enough. I owe them my return—my parents, my brothers, all of them.”
“Then I’d better prepare for the next test. Before that.”
Liam reached out and encircled her waist, pulling her toward him in one fluid motion. Their bodies collided.
Hee-ju frowned and pushed against his shoulder.
“Ugh, you reek of alcohol.”
“Bear with it.”
Liam cupped her chin and kissed her. The world tilted vertiginously before Hee-ju’s eyes. Her mind swam as though she were drunk.
No—not drunk on liquor. Drunk on him. He had shaken her world from the moment they met.
As though he’d come to shatter it entirely.
Hee-ju gripped his shirt. Their tongues tangled. Her breathing grew ragged, and in that moment—
Bang bang bang!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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