12

After I arrived home by taxi, I immediately checked my phone.

No calls. No messages.

Nothing from Jake.

Maybe he was busy.

Or maybe he was out again with her.

I dropped my phone on the table and let out a breath.

"Why do I even care?"

I mumbled, pressing a hand to my forehead.

"Get it together, Jina."

I walked to the kitchen, opening the fridge to see what I could prepare.

Jake said he was bringing friends over.

Was it a party? A casual dinner?

I started prepping ingredients, unsure of what to expect.

Then,Knock knock.

I wiped my hands and headed to the door.

When I opened it, I froze.

Jake stood there.

And so did Serin.

She clung to his arm with a smug smile like she belonged here. I tried to ignore her and looked at him instead.

"Jake," I said softly,

"are you okay?"

I reached out to touch his hand but he pulled away, brushing past me and bringing her into the house without a word.

They settled on the couch like they owned the space.

I watched them quietly, but my heart dropped when Serin began unbuttoning his shirt without asking and he didn't stop her.

He didn't say a word.

He just sat there, letting her do it.

Then his gaze lifted.

We made eye contact. He stared for a second, then looked away.

"What are you standing there for?" he snapped. "Go to the kitchen. Start cooking."

His finger pointed toward the kitchen like I was nothing more than help.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from reacting and nodded silently.

As I turned, a sharp smell hit me.

Smoke.

I rushed into the kitchen, eyes widening. "The sausages—!"

The pan was burning.

I turned off the stove quickly, but the smoke was thick.

"Han Jina, what's that smell?"

Jake's voice rang behind me. He stepped in, eyes narrowing as he looked around.

"What did you do?"

"It burned," I said, flustered.

"I forgot—"

He didn't speak. He just stood there, watching, unsure of what to do.

I panicked.

Without thinking, I reached for the hot pan with my bare hand.

"Stop!" Jake moved toward me. "You'll burn yourself—"

But it was too late.

The pain hit instantly. I dropped the pan into the sink and turned on the water, holding my hand under the stream as tears welled in my eyes.

I lowered myself to the floor, clutching my palm.

Jake stood there, his face unreadable.

"What were you thinking?" he snapped.

"Why would you grab it without protection?"

I stayed silent, struggling to breathe through the pain. I had expected,even hoped, he might help. Just this once.

Instead, he said coldly,

"You better make something else. I'm not letting this ruin my night."

He crouched in front of me, tilting my chin roughly to make me look at him.

"This isn't on me," he said.

"You brought this on yourself."

And with that, he stood up and left, returning to the living room where Serin was waiting, laughing softly like nothing had happened.