29

JINA POV

It felt awkward and sudden, but I really wanted to visit Choi Yurim at the hospital. I even bought her a basket of fruit. It wasn't because I was angry about her being close to Jake.

I just wanted to understand their story, how they met, how they grew close. Maybe hearing it from her would help me accept the truth.

That Jake was never meant to be mine. Maybe then, I could let go of these feelings that continued to hurt me.

I left the office during lunch break and drove to the hospital. Heeseung wanted to come with me, but he had a meeting with Mr. Gunn.

When I arrived, I walked toward her room holding the gift in my hands.

Then I saw them.

Jake was holding her hand... and then, he kissed her.

My steps froze. My breath caught. I felt like everything stopped in that moment, my heartbeat, my thoughts, even the air around me.

I quickly hid behind the wall, tears already forming in my eyes.

"Let's get married," Jake said.

"Forget about Jina. Let's live happily together."

My hands trembled.

"You're the one I love. Jina is nothing to me."

Yurim hesitated.

"Are you going to divorce her? Have you talked to her? Are you sure about this?"

Jake's voice came again, firm and cold.

"Do you think I'd let her live in the same house with us? Of course I'll divorce her. I don't need her opinion. I'm sure about this."

I couldn't listen anymore.

I placed the basket by the door and turned away, wiping at the tears on my face.

Each word he spoke had pierced something deep inside me.

It hurt.

—

After dinner with Heeseung at a quiet restaurant, I returned home around 11 p.m.

I was drained, both physically and emotionally.

I missed my bed. I wanted nothing more than to bury my face in my pillow and pretend none of this ever happened.

"I'm home," I murmured as I opened the door.

Jake was sleeping on the couch.

Peacefully, as if nothing in the world had changed.

I paused. Wasn't he supposed to be working late?

Why was he home before me?

I cleared my throat, trying to wake him, but he didn't move. I stepped closer, waved my hand near his face, still no reaction.

As I knelt beside him, watching his sleeping face, the memory of him kissing Yurim flashed through my mind.

I bit my lip.

He stirred, slowly opening his eyes.

"Why are you here?"

"I came to wake you up," I said, suddenly nervous.

He leaned closer. "Then why were you looking at my lips?"

"Are you hungry? Should I make something?"

I stood quickly, trying to change the subject.

He followed me with slow steps, hands in his pockets.

"You wanted to kiss me, didn't you?"

I forced a laugh. "How about dumplings? Or we can order jjajangmyeon if you prefer."

"Han Jina, just admit it—"

Before he could finish, I turned around and hugged him tightly.

His body stiffened.

I didn't know what I was doing anymore. I just needed to hug him, even if he pushed me away, even if it meant nothing to him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, not pulling away.

"It feels safe," I whispered.

lBeing in your arms. Like I'm where I'm supposed to be."

I looked up at him.

"Don't you have anything to tell me? About us?"

He was quiet for a moment. Then, without hesitation, he said, "No. I have nothing to say."

I smiled through the sting.

"It's okay," I said gently.

"Whether it's good or bad, I'll support you. I just want you to be happy. I don't want to see you hurting anymore."

I pulled away, swallowing the pain.

"I'm sorry for hugging you. Your embrace felt warm. But I'll stop now."

Then I turned and walked toward my room, not daring to look back.