공유

Chapter 6

작가: Keto Peach
Maya furrowed her brows, just about to speak, when Charles got to the door before she could even make a sound.

"Who are you?" he asked casually.

Standing there, face like thunder, was Oscar. The moment he saw a strange man answering the door, his expression darkened as if a storm had broken over his head.

"I'm Maya's boyfriend," Charles said smoothly. "Is there a problem?"

Oscar froze for half a beat. Then his face turned the color of bad wine.

"Boyfriend?" he barked. "What nonsense is this? Maya, come out here and explain this to me right now!"

Inside, Maya had heard every word. Of course, she had—Charles's declaration was clearly for her benefit. She stepped forward, her voice calm but warning, "Charles, don't mess around."

"I'm not," he replied, turning his head to look at her, his eyes unwavering.

Oscar was losing whatever composure he had left. "Maya, what is going on here? Explain it to me!"

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. How could she explain without making either of them look bad? She didn't want Oscar to misunderstand her, but she also didn't want to embarrass Charles, who was clearly standing up for her.

"What's there to explain?" Charles said with a derisive laugh. "The truth's right in front of you. I've been chasing her for years, and she's finally agreed to be with me."

Oscar's fists clenched. A vein throbbed at his temple. "Say that again?"

"Did I stutter?" Charles lifted his chin with theatrical defiance. "I said, Maya is my girlfriend now. You're not welcome here, so stop harassing her."

That was it. Oscar snapped. His fist flew, aimed straight for Charles's face. But Charles was faster. He dodged easily, and with a fluid motion, returned the punch with one of his own. It landed squarely on Oscar's jaw, sending him stumbling backward, clutching his cheek.

"You hit me?" Oscar looked as if he couldn't believe it.

"Damn right I did," Charles said. "That's for bullying Maya."

Maya panicked the moment she saw them come to blows. Without thinking, she rushed forward and threw herself between them, shielding Oscar.

"Stop it! Both of you, just stop!"

The moment she did, Charles's fist froze midair. He looked at her—standing protectively in front of another man—and his eyes dimmed.

She turned quickly, her gaze darting to him, trying to explain. "Charles, that wasn't what I—"

"There's no need to explain," he cut her off, his voice cool now, almost distant. "I get it."

He turned, walked back into the apartment, grabbed his coat, and left without another word or glance.

Maya stared after him, her heart sinking fast. She hadn't thought—her body had simply moved on instinct. She hadn't meant to hurt him.

"Charles!" she called, rushing after him. "Wait! Let me explain."

He stopped, but didn't turn around. "No need. I know who you still care about."

And with that, he walked away.

Maya stood frozen in the hallway, guilt twisting inside her. She didn't even know how to begin fixing this. Charles had always been so good to her. She knew that. And yet…

She couldn't deny that her heart was still tethered to Oscar, no matter how much she wished it wasn't. And that—more than anything—was unfair to Charles.

Behind her, Oscar was still standing awkwardly by the door, watching everything. There was a strange, sour look in his eyes. "Maya, I…"

"Leave," she said sharply, cutting him off. "I don't want to see you."

"What did you say?" Oscar looked stunned.

"I said, I don't want to see you." She turned to face him, her voice cold and final. "Go. And don't come back."

His face fell. "Maya, don't be so heartless, I—"

"I said get out!" Her voice cracked into a full scream. It wasn't calculated—it was raw, emotional, shattering. "Did you not hear me? Leave!"

Oscar was taken aback. He'd never seen her like this. Never seen her break like this.

"Get lost!"

This time, the word came like a thunderclap.

Oscar flinched, then turned away. He walked slowly down the hallway, never looking back. And as soon as his shadow disappeared from view, Maya's tears broke free.

Back inside the apartment, she collapsed onto the sofa like a marionette whose strings had been cut. Her shoulders trembled with silent sobs. She didn't know what to do anymore.

She couldn't face Charles—not after this. Not after the look in his eyes.

He had always been there for her. And she? She was still hung up on a man who didn't know how to love her properly. It wasn't fair. Not to Charles. Not to herself.

And then the doorbell rang.

She jolted, annoyed, assuming Oscar had come back again.

"What now?" she snapped, wiping angrily at her tears.

"It's me," came a familiar voice.

She froze.

It was Charles.

Heart racing, she sprang up and flung the door open. "Charles, you—"

"I was too impulsive just now," he interrupted gently. His voice was calm, his expression softer than she deserved. "I'm sorry."

Her throat tightened. "No… Charles, I'm the one who should apologize."

He looked at her, unwavering. "Maya, I like you. I've always liked you. You don't have to give me an answer right away. I can wait."

A warmth bloomed in her chest, fighting back the cold ache of guilt. She knew Charles wasn't just saying it. He meant it. Every word.

"Charles," she murmured, meeting his eyes with newfound clarity, "I'll think about it seriously."

He smiled then. "Good. I'll be waiting."
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  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 23

    Oscar turned himself in.He sat quietly in the interrogation room of the police station, his gaze vacant, as if the soul had long since departed his body."I killed Diana Beckham," he confessed in a hoarse, flat tone. "I'm willing to accept whatever punishment the law sees fit."The police moved swiftly. The evidence was overwhelming and irrefutable. Oscar was formally arrested within hours.In court, he made no effort to defend himself. "I admit that I killed her," he said. "And no—I don't regret it. If I had to choose again, I'd still do the same."In the gallery, Mary nearly collapsed in tears. Her only daughter—her one and only child, cruel as she may have been—was gone. She had lost everything. A mother burying her child—there was no pain more piercing.In the end, Oscar was sentenced to death.He was placed in solitary confinement, awaiting the day when the sentence would be carried out.'Maya,' he whispered silently in the darkness, 'I'm sorry. I failed you. I was the

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 22

    Oscar stumbled out of the hospital like a man possessed, as if his soul had been sucked out of him. The midday sun blazed down in ruthless brilliance, so piercing that it forced his eyes shut.He walked aimlessly, with no destination, no purpose, a hollow shell adrift on a sea of despair.Suddenly, his phone rang.Glancing down, he saw Diana's name flashing on the screen. His brows knotted in instinctive irritation. He hesitated—everything in him screamed to ignore it—but after a beat, he pressed answer."I heard everything!" Diana's shrill voice came barreling down the line. "Maya's lost her memory. She's never going to remember you again!"A flash of fury shot straight to Oscar's head. His grip tightened around the phone as he struggled to contain himself."You have the nerve to say that?" he snapped coldly. "This is all your fault!""My fault?" Diana let out a mirthless laugh, thick with scorn. "Don't play the victim now, Oscar. Don't forget—you chose me. You abandoned Maya f

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 21

    Caught completely off guard, Oscar stumbled backward, landing hard on the cold hospital floor. A sharp, searing pain shot across his cheek where the punch had landed, but there wasn't a trace of resentment in his heart.He knew he deserved it."That punch was for Maya," Charles said icily, his tone as cutting as the blow itself. "You don't deserve to stand anywhere near her."Slowly, Oscar pushed himself up from the floor. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth without a word.Just then, the door to the ICU creaked open, and a doctor stepped out."How is she?" Oscar and Charles asked in unison, both voices laced with tension."She's awake," the doctor replied. "But… her condition is a little unusual.""Unusual?" Oscar's voice rose, taut with anxiety. "What do you mean?""She's lost her memory," the doctor explained calmly. "She only recalls recent events. Everything prior has been completely wiped."A deafening hum echoed through Oscar's head, and for a moment, the wo

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 20

    The moment Oscar received Diana's call, he was gripped with panic. Without a second thought, he jumped into his car and sped toward her place, his chest heavy with turmoil.His thoughts churned as the night sped past his windows. He knew—deep down, achingly—that he had ruined Maya's birthday. And guilt gnawed at him mercilessly."Maya, I'm sorry," he muttered silently, gripping the wheel. "As soon as I take care of Diana's situation, I'll make it up to you. I promise."But when he arrived at Diana's apartment, what greeted him wasn't a damsel in distress—but a woman lounging lazily on the sofa, sipping tea like she had the whole world on a string. A smug little smile curled at the corners of her mouth.Oscar's face darkened with fury."What the hell is wrong with you? Are you seriously insane?" His voice erupted, sharp and unforgiving. "Do you have any idea what day it is today? It's your sister's birthday!"Diana blinked at him innocently, her voice trembling with just the right

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 19

    Maya let out a bitter laugh, tears welling up in her eyes—yet not a single drop dared to fall. That familiar pride, that unyielding dignity, wouldn't let her break."Maya," she muttered to herself, a tight whisper lost in the night, "what are you still hoping for? He never had you in his heart."Just then, her phone buzzed.It was a message from Diana."Maya, now you finally see it, don't you? Oscar's heart was never with you. If I wanted, he'd toss you aside in a second."Maya stared at the screen. Her lips pressed into a pale, trembling line, and the ache in her chest dug deeper.Every word was a knife.And the worst part?Diana wasn't wrong. Oscar had never truly chosen her. Not once.'Diana, you win.' The words echoed silently in her heart. 'I give up.'She inhaled slowly, deeply—then slid her phone back into her bag with a composure that took everything she had. Rising to her feet, she turned and walked out of the restaurant.By now, night had settled across the city, t

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    A few days later, it was Maya's birthday.She opened her eyes that morning and stared blankly at the ceiling above, a strange emptiness settling in her chest. Birthdays were supposed to feel special, weren't they? Yet all she felt was a quiet, echoing loneliness.Just then, the doorbell rang.Her heart gave a little leap—could it be?She hurried out of bed, flung the door open, only to be met by a deliveryman standing crisply in his uniform, a beautifully wrapped gift box in his hands."Your package," he said politely, holding it out.Maya took it, her initial joy dimming into something like disappointment. Still, she managed a smile and thanked him before closing the door.Back inside, she unwrapped the parcel slowly. Inside was a delicate necklace—exquisite and tasteful—and a small card with familiar handwriting.Maya, happy birthday. I'm sorry I can't be with you today, but know that my heart is always with you. —Charles.A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as s

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