27

JINA POV

"Jake Shim, are you okay?"

He jolted awake, sweat on his forehead. I sat up from the couch, still wrapped in a blanket, watching him closely. His breath was heavy, and for a moment, he looked completely lost.

He didn't answer right away. Then he shook his head and stood quickly.

"Maybe I'm just tired,"

he said, brushing me off. He turned and headed for his room.

But the second I stood to head toward the kitchen, he spun around and followed me.

His steps were fast, almost panicked. When I reached for a knife on the counter, his eyes widened.

Without hesitation, he rushed over and grabbed my wrist.

"Are you trying to hurt yourself?"

His voice was sharp, frantic.

"Han Jina, please don't. I'm sorry for what I said at the hospital. I didn't mean to—"

"I just wanted to cut an apple for you," I replied quietly.

He froze. Then he let go of my hand, flustered. He cleared his throat and turned away.

"I don't need it. Just go to sleep," he said coldly before walking off.

⸻

JAKE SHIM POV

The next morning, my phone wouldn't stop buzzing.

I reached over and unlocked it, already dreading what I'd see. Articles. Dozens of them.

My name was in every headline.

"Jake Shim Harshly Scolds His Wife in Public."

"Celebrity Husband Fails to Protect His Spouse."

What the hell.

My jaw tightened. Then I saw the message from my father.

"I want to meet you and Jina today."

I threw the blanket off and went to get ready, already irritated. After changing, I headed to the living room to tell Jina, but she wasn't there.

"Jina?" I called out. No response.

A few minutes later, she appeared, dressed in a light pink blouse. She looked tired, but calm. She headed straight for the door.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

She paused, turning slightly. "Heeseung asked me to come to work today."

As she continued walking, I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.

"Heeseung again? Is that all you care about now? Do you even see what's happening around us?"

She gently pulled her wrist away. "I do."

Her voice was low. Her eyes met mine for a moment before she looked down.

"This scandal, it might be a good thing," she continued.

"We don't have to pretend anymore. We don't have to wait for the two-month contract to end. You can go to Choi Yurim, and I'll disappear just like you wanted."

I stared at her in disbelief. "Why are you saying this?"

"Because I know I'm not the person you need," she said.

"I know I make things worse for you. Your reputation, your name, those matter more."

Her voice broke slightly as she wiped her cheek.

"But if you ever need someone, I'll be here. Even if I'm not your wife anymore."

I wanted to say something, but the words never came.

"Treat her well, Jake," she whispered.

"Make her feel like she's the only one. Do it better than you ever did with me."

She opened the door.

"It's okay. You can leave me behind now."

Then she walked out. And I was left alone, in the house we used to share.