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JINA POV

"Han Jina, why are you crying?"

Heeseung asked gently, his voice full of concern. Hearing his question only made the tears spill faster.

I tried to hold them back, but I couldn't.

He quietly reached out and wiped my tears. Then, without warning, he pulled me into a warm embrace and gently patted my head.

I was startled at first, but the moment I felt his arms around me, something inside me softened. It was comforting.

It was warm. For a moment, I felt like someone truly cared.

I hesitated, but eventually, I hugged him back, burying my tears in his chest. He didn't let go. He held me tighter.

"It's okay. I'm here for you," he said softly.

"Let's get hotpot. It's cold out."

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, leading me toward his car.

"Jina, let's go."

A sudden hand pulled me back.

I turned and froze.

It was Jake Shim.

How did he know I was here? Why did he come?

He grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward him, making me stumble into his chest.

"Han Jina is my wife. Who gave you the right to touch her like that?"

he snapped at Heeseung, his voice low and furious.

He was serious. His eyes burned with jealousy, his tone was sharp and cold. I panicked.

I didn't want them to fight, not because of me. I quickly stepped in between them, bowing slightly to Heeseung before dragging Jake away.

Once Heeseung disappeared from view, I let go of Jake's arm and stepped back.

I couldn't look at him. After what happened at the hospital... after everything, it just hurt too much.

"Why did you leave like that earlier—"

"Send me home," I cut him off.

"I need to pack my things."

He grabbed my hand again.

"Let me go," I said, voice quiet, eyes on the ground.

"Please, Jake."

But he wouldn't.

"I'm not letting you go."

He placed his hands on my shoulders, trying to make me look at him. I kept my eyes averted.

"I need to leave. I promised I would," I said again.

"No one asked you to promise anything!" he shouted, frustrated.

"You're the one who made that promise. Why?"

He tilted my chin up until our eyes met.

"For your sake," I said,

"we're getting divorced. What reason do I have to stay in that house? I'm just a shadow in your life now."

"I'm not letting you go,"

he repeated, voice lower this time, like a vow.

"Jake, please. This is hurting me. Seeing you, seeing you with someone else, it's only going to make everything worse. Let me go. Let me move on."

I paused and looked away.

"Let me forget you."

Tears broke free and slid down my cheeks.

"Forget the day we met. Forget our wedding. Forget the way you held me when I was scared. Forget the way you saved me. Forget everything."

I looked at him one last time.

"I love you, Jake," I said, voice trembling.

"And I know I shouldn't. I know it's wrong. But I just wanted you to know, so I won't regret anything when I finally walk away."

Then I turned around and left him behind in that quiet, freezing hallway.

—

I took a taxi home and headed straight for my room. I hadn't eaten or drunk anything all day. I just collapsed onto the bed, too drained to cry anymore.

Knock knock.

Someone was at my door.

Still half asleep, I dragged myself up and opened it.

It was Jake.

His eyes were dark, serious, fixed on me like he was holding something back.

I tried to shut the door, but he pushed it open and walked into my room without asking.

I took a step back, avoiding his gaze.

"I'm sad," he said quietly.

"That's not my problem,"

I muttered, trying to push him out.

But he stopped me, holding my hand firmly.

"You said something to me before," he said, locking eyes with mine.

"You said if I ever needed someone to lean on, you'd be there. That I could count on you."

"Forget it," I snapped.

"I didn't mean it."

He stepped forward and held my shoulders.

"Then can you let me lean on you,just for a moment?"

I stared at him, stunned.

"You're the only one who's made me feel like myself again,"

he whispered.

"You're the only one who's made me smile like my mother used to."