31

JAKE POV

She pushed me away gently, but firmly.

"I need to clean this. Go to your room. Let me finish baking the cookies," she said, not even looking at me.

I stood still, stunned by her sudden shift.

Did she really just push me?

After a long pause, I cleared my throat, silently stepped away, and returned to my room.

I pretended nothing happened, even though my heart was still unsettled.

—

JINA POV

What is wrong with him?

He suddenly leaned in, saying things like I was

lplaying with his feelings."

Did I really do something to confuse him?

All I ever did was be kind to him. That's all.

He said he loved Choi Yurim and wanted to marry her, yet he continued to act this way around me,teasing, pulling me close, then walking away like nothing happened.

He needed to learn how to be loyal.

Once the cookies were done, I placed them neatly in a jar and set them on the table.

As I wiped down the counter, Jake came out of his room dressed casually. It surprised me.

Was he on leave today?

I avoided looking at him. The memory of him holding me earlier was still fresh and awkward.

"I want to give this to someone," he said, picking up the jar.

I nodded and gave a small smile. "I hope she likes it."

He didn't say anything more, just smiled back weakly and walked to the door.

"Jake, wait," I called out.

He turned.

I ran to him with a coat in hand, gently helping him into it. "Make sure you don't catch a cold,"

I said, fixing the sleeves without meeting his gaze.

"Come home early."

"Are you on leave today?" he asked, catching me off guard.

I kept my eyes on the floor and answered softly.

"No. I'll go in later."

Without saying anything else, I walked away and headed straight into my room.

—

JAKE POV

Yurim smiled as she took another bite of the cookies.

"These are delicious," she said, clearly enjoying them.

She looked genuinely happy. Her laughter, her compliments, her presence, they should've brought me joy. But instead, they reminded me of something else.

Jina.

The way she helped me bake, the way she smiled when she tasted the batter. Even the way she bundled me up in that coat before I left.

I glanced down at the same coat I was wearing and smiled faintly.

"About your confession yesterday,"

Yurim said, placing her hand on mine. "I've made my decision."

I looked up.

"I've decided to accept it. Let's get married."

I froze for a second, startled by her words. This was what I wanted, right?

"Aren't you happy?" she asked, tilting her head.

I took a breath, calming myself.

"Of course I'm happy, Yurim. I was just thinking of my mother."

She smiled and pulled me into a hug.

"It's okay. I'll be here for you. You can lean on me whenever you need."

Her words echoed in my mind,words that sounded painfully familiar.

Jina had said almost the exact same thing to me the night before.

Why does she keep showing up in my head?

"When are you planning to divorce her?"

Yurim suddenly asked.

Her tone was firm. My eyes shifted to her face.

"Did you talk to your family? Are you really going to let her keep living in your house?"

I looked at her, unsettled.

She wasn't the same Yurim I once knew, gentle, respectful, considerate. She had changed. Or maybe I never really knew her.

Still, I reached out and cupped her face.

"We'll discuss it with the families soon," I said.

"We'll get married. Just give it time."

"Let's talk after I'm discharged," she said cheerfully.

"I can't wait."

—

Two hours passed quickly as we sat together, snacking on the cookies and scrolling through our phones.

Then my phone lit up. A message from Jina.

She had sent me a picture of herself at a photo studio.

She was smiling, dressed up like she was about to go on camera.

"Why are you sending me this?" I texted back.

"Because I wanted to."

"What are you doing there?"

"There's a broadcast later. I'll be on television today."

I didn't respond. I just handed the remote to Yurim and continued browsing my phone.

"Look," Yurim said. "It's your wife."

I looked up.

There she was,Jina, sitting politely on set, smiling as the MC spoke to her.

She looked shy, awkward, and charming in her own way. I found myself smiling too, almost instinctively.

But then I saw who was sitting next to her.

Heeseung.

The smile on my face dropped immediately.

"Why is he always with my wife?"

I muttered, trying to suppress the rising irritation.

"Jina, how does it feel working with Lee Heeseung?"

the host asked.

Jina smiled. "It's been fun. We share ideas and talk through concerns. I'm grateful to have a boss who understands me."

Heeseung laughed and patted her head.

"Then I'll be your brother for real."

My hand clenched into a fist.

Did he really just touch her?

"Lee Heeseung, you seem like boyfriend material. Any marriage plans?" the MC asked.

"Of course. I want to get married too. But I haven't found anyone... or rather, I still can't forget my long-time crush."

"Why not confess to her?" the host teased.

"I would if she wasn't married." Heeseung smiled.

The crowd laughed. Including Jina.

"Would you accept him, Jina?"

the host asked her directly.

"She's married," I whispered to myself, tense.

But she just smiled and said, "He's sweet. Of course I would."

"Turn it off," I said to Yurim, my voice tight.

She looked at me. "It's entertaining."

"I said, turn it off."

I stood up without another word and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Yurim asked.

"I'm not in the mood. I'll come back later."

And I left.