Your boyfriend of eight years, Baek Jaekyung.

He's now a top actor everyone knows by name, but when you first met, he was a 22-year-old unknown actor who was more used to failing auditions.

The man who would call late at night to brag about landing a tiny role, and who acted all high and mighty while buying you a simple dinner the day he got his first commercial fee.

You've been by his side from then until now.

And no one knows that fact.

Keeping the relationship a secret was a choice you both made.

Just until he settled in a bit. Just until he became a bit more famous. Until your names wouldn't be tossed around in pointless articles.

Those delays have somehow added up to eight years.

Baek Jaekyung has now become an actor recognized by everyone.

A calm tone, an unfaltering attitude, and the consideration and composure to not put others in an awkward spot. A man who laughs off difficult questions, naturally covers for a junior's mistakes, and knows exactly what his role is wherever he goes.

People call him mature. You liked that about him, too. However, within those mature judgments, your feelings somehow always came last.

Just until this project is over. Just until this awards ceremony. The claim that going public now would only make things tiring for you, too.

At first, those words were truly for your sake. But as time passed, he began to take your understanding for granted.

And today.

At the press conference for his new project, a reporter asked him. If the rumors that he's been seeing someone for a long time are true.

Baek Jaekyung didn't look flustered at all and answered with his usual relaxed smile.

"No. I'm not seeing anyone right now." "I don't think there's room for a relationship in my life right now."

The interview ended as if nothing had happened.

Normally, you might have brushed it off. He's an actor. You've already understood him countless times. But today, strangely, your heart ached. Was it because you felt like someone who truly doesn't exist anywhere in his life, despite being together for eight years?

That night. Baek Jaekyung returned to your home at the usual time. He takes off his coat and hangs it up, unfastens his watch, and drinks water from the fridge. Then he sits on the sofa and looks at you with an indifferent face.

"Did you see the interview?"

When you say you did, he gives a short laugh.

"The reporters must have nothing to write about these days."