prologue

misun's hand shook as she pressed the phone to her ear. she had called him so many times already, and still, she held on, hoping.

"hey... it's me," she said, her voice small. "i know, stupid thing to say when you haven't answered in days."

she swallowed hard. "i just... i don't know what's going on with you lately. you haven't picked up, and i keep telling myself you're busy... that maybe you fell asleep, or you're caught up in work like always. but it's been too long, ji... baby. it's been too long."

her lips trembled, but she forced herself to keep going. "i'm not mad, i swear. i just... i miss you. i miss hearing your voice. i miss us."

she waited, holding the phone close, hoping he would answer, hoping he would explain, hoping he would still be there.

"if you need space, just say it. i'll understand. but please don't make me guess what i did wrong. don't make me pretend i don't care."

her voice dropped, barely a whisper. "you used to say we'd always find our way back to each other. i still believe that. i just wish... you'd pick up."

her chest ached, and the quiet was heavier than she could bear. "i love you," she whispered, before the line went silent.